Vintage Antique Sunglasses
19th Century Chinese Retro Antique Antique Sunglasses
Early 20th Century French Antique Antique Sunglasses
People Also Browsed
1980s Swiss Art Deco Antique Antique Sunglasses
18k Gold, Gold Plate
Late 20th Century French Antique Antique Sunglasses
Gold, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary French Antique Antique Sunglasses
1980s French Art Deco Antique Antique Sunglasses
Gold Plate
1970s Swiss Antique Antique Sunglasses
Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Gold Plate
2010s French Antique Antique Sunglasses
Late 20th Century French Baroque Antique Antique Sunglasses
18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary French Antique Antique Sunglasses
2010s Antique Antique Sunglasses
1980s French Antique Antique Sunglasses
1880s Swiss Belle Époque Antique Antique Sunglasses
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century Swiss Art Deco Antique Antique Sunglasses
Gold Plate
1990s French Antique Antique Sunglasses
21st Century and Contemporary French Antique Antique Sunglasses
2010s French Antique Antique Sunglasses
Early 20th Century Unknown Antique Antique Sunglasses
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Antique Sunglasses
19th Century French Antique Antique Sunglasses
19th Century Japanese Antique Antique Sunglasses
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Antique Sunglasses
19th Century Japanese Antique Antique Sunglasses
19th Century French Antique Antique Sunglasses
Early 20th Century French Antique Antique Sunglasses
Wicker, Rattan
19th Century Italian Antique Antique Sunglasses
1860s French Antique Antique Sunglasses
Early 20th Century French Antique Antique Sunglasses
Early 20th Century Antique Antique Sunglasses
Early 20th Century Japanese Antique Antique Sunglasses
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Antique Sunglasses
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Antique Sunglasses
Finding the Right sunglasses for You
A pair of vintage designer sunglasses can be a game-changing finishing touch to your ensemble.
No matter your age or general fashion sensibility, wearing sunglasses may already be part of your regular outdoor routine owing to their practicality. Most sunglasses protect the eyes from harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays — and not merely on sunny days. Glasses that utilize color-enhancing lenses, which feature specific coatings or filter tints, can limit the amount of light coming through, while polarized lenses substantially reduce glare.
So while their usefulness is well known, let’s face it, a good pair of sunglasses can be stylish too.
People have been making a statement with iconic eyewear for a while — sunglasses garnered popularity with the Hollywood set in the early 1900s, when it wasn’t uncommon for a hip actress to be photographed in a pair of her sharpest shades.
Today, we’re still talking about the sunglasses that Audrey Hepburn — the original trendsetter — donned in the opening scene of 1961’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s. She emerges from the flagship store of the legendary luxury house referenced in the film’s title in a pair of glamorous dark tortoiseshell frames designed by London eyewear firm Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses. The brand was a keeper for Hepburn — in 1967, she famously wore a pair of Goldsmith’s Yuhu wraparound frames in the poster for Stanley Donen’s film Two for the Road.
Indeed, celebrities have long held sway in the sunglasses realm — perhaps you’ve opted for vintage Ray-Ban sunglasses because you’re enamored with Marilyn Monroe’s celebrated Wayfarers or you’ve taken to classic Aviators because actor Jon Hamm wore them in the nostalgic TV smash hit Mad Men. Good frames are a surefire way to take your style to the next level.
When shopping for the right pair of sunglasses, consider the color and shape of the frames (as well as the shape of your face), how dark or light the lenses are — or tint, if you’re leaning toward a chic gradient lens. Take your time, spring for more than one pair because different moods call for different shades and, while you’re at it, make sure you know how to spot a pair of fake Ray-Ban sunglasses before you make that purchase.
On 1stDibs, our collection of vintage designer sunglasses features classics from Gucci, Cartier, Chanel and other brands as well as a wide range that can be sorted by color — find sleek black sunglasses, brown pairs and a whole lot of other eye-catching options, whether it’s sunny outside or not.
- Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020
Antique is usually defined as being over 100 years old. Vintage is a bit more subjective, with some saying anything over 20 years old is vintage, while others state something must be over 50 years old to be considered vintage.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 12, 2023To tell if jewelry is vintage or antique, first look for any hallmarks that signify its maker. You can use trusted online resources to research when the maker was active and producing pieces similar to yours to roughly estimate its age. Jewelry is vintage if it's between 20 and 99 years old, and antique if it is 100 years old or more. If you're unable to locate a maker's hallmark, becoming familiar with the materials and other characteristics used during different eras of jewelry can help you date your piece. When in doubt, enlist the help of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of vintage and antique jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 25, 2019
The difference between vintage and antique furniture is that vintage furniture is at least 20 years old, while antiques must be at least 100 years old to be considered antique.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023The difference between vintage and antique engagement rings is age. For an engagement ring to be considered an antique, it must be at least 100 years old. Vintage engagement rings are pieces made at least 20 years ago. Shop a collection of vintage and antique engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024The difference between vintage, antique and estate engagement rings comes down to age and history. Rings that are over 100 years old are antiques, while those produced 20 to 99 years ago are vintage. Estate engagement rings are any rings that have had a previous owner. They can include antique, vintage and even contemporary rings produced during the last 20 years. Shop a large selection of engagement rings on 1stDibs.
Read More
Steal Audrey Hepburn’s Summer Road-Trip Style with These Chic Sunglasses
The actress and style icon wore the 1960s frames while shooting on location in the French Riviera.
A Short History of the World’s Most Iconic Designs
Of the million-plus items on 1stdibs, some seem to have transcended time, looking as fresh today as when they were first produced. The pieces highlighted on our new Iconic Designs page stand out for longevity, functionality and quality of design and manufacture — just the tonic for the present unsettled moment.