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The History of Sunglasses

Shirley Jones Luke
4 min readJun 21, 2024

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Shades, Sunnies, and all things Eyewear

Photo Source: EyeBuyDirect

Sunglasses, a staple of modern fashion and a necessity for eye protection have a rich history that spans centuries and continents. From their rudimentary beginnings to their present-day sophistication, sunglasses have evolved significantly, reflecting technological, cultural, and societal needs changes.

Throughout the year, I always carry a pair of sunglasses in my bag—usually two pairs. People often forget that their eyes must be protected from the winter sun. Sunglasses are an accessory must-have. Sunglasses can be purchased in almost every shape, size, and color. Sunglasses are sold at every price point from $ 1.25 (Dollar Tree) to $500 (Bloomingdales) and every price. You can find trendy dupes of designer sunglasses at Rainbows and MadRags, which are sold for less than $10.

Sunglasses are made to fit the face. There is no longer one size fits all. Sunglasses can be worn at the beach or a concert. Sunglasses can also be eyeglasses, transitioning between shade protection and eyesight support. Sunglasses can be designed to represent a culture or tradition. You can find just as many men as women wearing sunglasses. Celebrities have paved the way for the rise in the popularity of sunglasses. During the 1950s, James Dean, a famous actor of the time, sported sunglasses, and the trend took off and never lost…

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Shirley Jones Luke
Shirley Jones Luke

Written by Shirley Jones Luke

Shirley is a writer. Ms. Luke enjoys books, fashion and travel. She is working on her second poetry manuscript, a collection of essays, and a fiction novel.

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