Extravagant gold is the perfect way to add a touch of luxury to any ensemble. We’ve talked previously about how metallics, in general, are synonymous with the party season, but even on regular days, the right amount of gold can take an outfit from drab to fab. Gold-frame glasses are the perfect way to elevate everyday looks, pulling your outfit together without going overboard on the glam. But when did gold frames hit the mainstream, and how exactly do you pull them off?
The advent of gold frames
Gold has held a mythical place in fashion since the era of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun, becoming a symbol of immense wealth and status during the Middle Ages and in the Roman Empire.
Fast-forward to the 20th century, where the allure of gold endured in the form of ceremonial dress and couture for the British Royal Family. The 80s and 90s were a goldmine for, well, gold, with gold jewellery adorning the country-club aesthetic, spearheaded by the ever-stylish Princess Diana and the gilded collections of Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel.
As for gold eyewear, 1800s-era frames used to be made of solid gold – heavy on the nose bridge, for sure – and were adapted for comfort as time went on, particularly in the 70s when oversized gold wire-framed glasses shot to the mainstream. Gold frames are still wildly popular, albeit in more lightweight and chic formats.
Why gold frames are so stylish
Gold frames are enjoying a well-deserved moment in the sun as an offshoot of high fashion’s current enamourment with the precious metal. No single fashion house is spinning gold quite like Schiaparelli, whose haute couture collections have placed gold at front and centre in its gravity-defying, maximalist silhouettes.
Along with this, eyeglasses have long shed their nerdy, unfashionable reputation, finding their way to the nose bridges of It Girls, who may not even need them for prescription purposes. Today, gold-frame glasses have been spotted on Jennifer Aniston, Bella Hadid, Gwyneth Paltrow, and more.
Great products to consider
Over the centuries, gold has been associated with grandeur and refined taste. In contemporary fashion, gold glasses channel that same sense of luxury without delving into excess, offering a chic, eye-catching look with retro-inspired shapes and fresh, contemporary styles.
The Ray-Ban RB6489-58 comes in that unmistakable aviator shape that has been able to stand the test of time, with sleek metal curves forming into teardrop-shaped lenses. Gold frames are better at reflecting light, adding brightness to your face – and a touch of style to your everyday wardrobe.
For those who want to go several steps above subtle, the Zeelool Diva Collection boasts a variety of gilded frames for parties and holiday gatherings. The Shiny Party Queen glasses are available in a square gold frame, complete with embedded gold diamond chains for an extra-dazzling glow and enchanting visual effect.
Styling gold-frame glasses can go one of two ways: balance or enhancement. You can lean into luxury and complement gold eyewear with gold jewellery or handbags featuring gold hardware. Alternatively, let the gold shine by countering with a monochrome outfit or an ensemble in muted tones. While there’s something to be said for contrast, party season is the perfect time to step out in an all-gold look; just be sure to wear either warm gold or cool gold tones (not a mix of both) to avoid looking uncoordinated. With a pair of gold eyewear on your side, you’ll be shining bright, regardless of the occasion.
