A time of social upheaval and counterculture, The Vietnam War, the Space Race, and The Kennedys, the 1960s are referred to as the swinging 60s for a reason.

The political and social climate of the time was most definitely reflected in the fashion. The 1960s wardrobe included tie dyes, bell bottoms, mini skirts, crazy patterns, and mod style. Hairstyles ranged from the Afro, to the mop top, to long and straight on hippies, to short mod bobs.

Oversized Retro Sunglasses

All these eccentricities affected 1960s sunglasses in a big way. Huge, bug-eyed, oversized sunglasses became the rage. Iconic women like first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis made popular her large “Jackie O sunglasses.” Actress, model, and singer Brigitte Bardot was also known for big sunglasses. Here she displays another 1960s retro sunglasses trend: white sunglasses.

Jacki O oversized sunglasses are a staple for the modern woman’s retro sunglasses collection.

Wayfarer Retro Sunglasses

For men, wayfarer sunglasses had their first heyday in the 1960s. Retro wayfarer sunglasses are making a comeback right now in a big way, but in the 1960s, you would have spotted movers and shakers like Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol wearing wayfarer shades.

Today, male celebrities like Zach Galifianakis and Robert Pattinson are known for retro wayfarer sunglasses.

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