Cat eye glasses: A short style guide

One of St Cyr’s biggest sellers are our fabulous vintage cat eye sunglasses and glasses. The winged design – first designed by socialite and designer Altina Schinasi – became popular in the 1950s, but remain firm favourites nearly 70 years on.

Their feline inspired style causes much appeal, which in the 1950s was a huge contrast to previously fashionable frames. And marking a new era of chic were the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Eleanor Parker, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor.

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Cat eye glasses were initially intended to be worn with optical lenses, but Audrey Hepburn’s unforgettable starring role in Breakfast at Tiffanys soon changed that. Hepburn’s character, Holly Golightly, wears a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses ‘the Manhattans’ by Oliver Goldsmith. 

Cat eye glasses and sunglasses are still popular today, which typically see larger and more rounded design styles favoured. Although style icons including Bella Hadid and Rhianna could buckle that trend! Nevertheless these contemporary cat eye sunglasses are really flattering on all face shapes, and can be styled with almost any outfit!

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Whatever the look you’re going for we have a fabulous selection of vintage-inspired glasses and sunglasses in store. Why don’t you pop in and let us help you find your perfect pair? Also check out our online vintage jewellery collection to complete the look!

Words by Emily B