Vintage Wayfarer styled Sunglasses are back in Vogue this Summer

Online, April 26, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The Wayfarer was first manufactured by Ray Ban in 1952. The black plastic frames were a much needed break from the metal framed eyewear of the past. The Wayfarers have managed to retain their popularity for many years however, it wasn't until the 80's when the sales really took off. This was partly due to some clever product placements. Probably the most famous example of this was the Wayfarer being worn by Jim Belushi and Dan Akroyd in the hit movie "The Blues Brothers" in 1980. This marketing was so effective that Wayfarer sales sky rocketed globally over night.

The Wayfarer was such a popular design that it wasn't long before there were many sunglasses on the market that resembled them in shape and style. It's quite legal for other eyewear manufacturers to copy original eyewear designs just as long as they make a certain percentage of changes i.e. The width and thickness of the arms, the size of the lenses, adjustments to width and height etc. However, to the untrained eye the copied designs would remarkably similar to the originals just with different branding and of course pricing.

In the 1961 hit movie "Breakfast at Tiffanies" Audrey Hepburn is seen wearing a pair of sunglasses that look remarkably similar to Wayfarers. In fact there have been many famous stars that have worn sunglasses that resemble the Wayfarer in design such as John F Kennedy, Roy Orbison, Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan.

Today, the Wayfarer is still one of the most popular sunglasses designs on the market and with Hollywood stars like Emina Cunmulaj, Chloë Sevigny and Mary-Kate Olsen unknowingly promoting their frame to fame it is no wonder that the vintage style Wayfarers are back in vogue this summer. However, what if you can't afford these expensive originals and want the vintage look? Well, the good news is that there are you can find plenty of non-branded real vintage sunglasses that won't cost you the earth. Not only that, but you will also find a wider variation of colors and designs in the Wayfarer styles compared to the originals.

The Wayfarer is going to be around for a few more years yet before it's popularity will once again decline and no doubt return in the not to distant future.

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