Are Round Sunglasses in Style?

Round eyewear has a long history. The world’s first glasses were round, and so were the original sunglasses.

Round shades have been a fashion staple for decades and it’s no different in 2023. Let’s take a look back at the history of this classic style. 

The History of Round Sunglasses

Did you know that the world’s first reading glasses were round? Thirteenth-century scholars modeled the original eyeglasses after magnifying glasses. But modern sunglasses, as we know them today, didn’t come about until the 1900s.

Sam Foster was the visionary for modern shades, and his original design featured round lenses made of delicate wire frames with no extravagant embellishments. He started selling them to Old Hollywood celebrities in the early 1900s.

Despite their popularity in Hollywood, the round style didn’t catch on with the masses until the 1940s. Round styles fell out of fashion after this as consumers preferred over-the-top eyewear featuring bright colors and unique shapes.

It wasn’t until the late 1960s and 1970s that round sunglasses came back in fashion. Then, tired of the over-consumerism of earlier decades, people started turning to second-hand and vintage-style shades, which were overwhelmingly round in shape.

Over the past 50–60 years, rockstars like John Lennon and Ozzy Osbourne have popularized round sunnies. The king of pop art, Andy Warhol, and the queen of video games, Lara Croft, have further cemented round sunglasses as a staple in modern wardrobes.

Image Source: www.bbc.com

2022 Round Sunglasses Trends

Round sunnies have come in and out of style like everything else, but they always seem to come back with a twist. In 2023, smaller geometric shapes are taking center stage for a modern, minimalistic look. On the opposite end of the spectrum, oversized round sunglasses are also on trend and perfect for those larger faces and maximalist tendencies.

What are the biggest round sunglasses trends this year? Here are a few of our favorites:

Oversized 70s Style Round Sunglasses

Seventies stylish hot for 2022, so make sure to pick up some oversized round frames for all your retro-inspired outfits. Bonus points if you choose a geometric pair to add angles to your round face shape.

Round Sunglasses with Gradient Lenses

Ombre may be out for clothes, but it’s in for sunglasses. A pair of round ombre sunglasses will polish off any weekend outfit, whether you’re headed out for a coffee run or a day at the beach.

Round Sunglasses with Statement Frames or Lenses

From super bright colors to loud patterns, statement looks are it for 2022 and sunglasses are no exception. This year, round sunglasses featuring funky frames and uniquely colored lenses are so in.

White Round Sunglasses

White sunglasses were all the rage in the Y2K era. Get in on the early 2000s trend with a pair of bright white round sunnies.

Rimless Round Sunglasses

Another sunglass trend that takes us back to the ‘00 days is trending this season, rimless round sunglasses.

Elliptical Sunglasses

One of the biggest trends in 2022 eyewear is the elliptical shape. Round with slightly extended outer edges, these shades are the perfect complement to a face shape with more prominent features.

The Best Round Sunglasses Styles from WMP Eyewear

Looking for the perfect pair of affordable round sunglasses to step up your style game and stay on trend this year? WMP has you covered.

Check out some of our most popular round sunglasses below.

Our Nevada sunglasses are the affordable Ray-Ban round metal dupe you’ve been searching for. These unisex, retro-inspired frames are polarized and feature 100% UVA/UVB protection for the ultimate ray blocking benefits.

The Nevada shades come with sturdy gold, silver, or black frames. You can also choose from traditional solid black lenses or trendy mirrored lens colors like green, pink, and blue.

Ideal for casual and business professional looks, wear your Nevada shades with a t-shirt and jeans or make them the finishing touch to your best-fitting suit.

The Bexley sunglasses from WMP are round with a twist. Their subtle octagonal shape not only ticks off one of the trends we mentioned above but also makes these frames one of the best options for round faces.

Grab the gold-framed Bexleys and choose from black, smoke green, or pink lenses. Or look like the rockstar you are with our all-black style.

No matter which colorway you choose, the durable stainless steel frames and scratch-resistant polarized lenses will keep your eyes safe, and stylish, for years to come. 

Our unisex Clove sunglasses are the perfect combo of round and cateye styles. These circular sunglasses with subtly flicked upper outer edges look great on almost all face shapes.

The tortoiseshell polycarbonate frames offer a vintage aesthetic with lenses available in colors, like traditional brown, smoke green, and black or mirrored pink, green, and blue - all with 100% UV protection.

Clove’s various colorways and retro style are sure to make a statement on their own but they’ll look even better paired with saturated colors or your favorite thrifted finds.

The newest addition to our women’s collection, Olivia, is a one-of-a-kind round shade that combines a stainless steel nose bridge and arms with polycarbonate rims.

Choose from beige, white, or traditional tortoiseshell rims, gold or black stainless steel arms, and black or brown lenses. Or get in on the ombre trend with our beige frame/brown gradient lens colorway.

Our customers are styling Olivia with all kinds of outfits, from chunky, oversized sweaters to breezy, transitional dresses. Scoop up these trendy round sunglasses to complement a square or oval face shape.

Round sunglasses are definitely trending in 2022, the real question is which style do you plan on rocking this year?