Steampunk Eyewear Through the Ages: How Steampunk Sunglass Trend Came to Be

If you’re a fan of this fascinating subculture, you know no steampunk costume is complete without a pair of stylish, retro-futuristic spectacles. But as people become more interested in steampunk fashion, it’s seemingly moving past the costume realm and becoming a wearable trend in everyday life. 

So, what were once full-fledged goggles, today, we see steampunk-inspired eyewear adding a touch of whimsy to everyday fashion. But how did this come to be, and what pushed the steampunk trend to step out of its niche and into mainstream style? That’s what this article will reveal. Let’s go (full steam ahead!).

The Beginning: Victorian Cinder Goggles

Though there are some indications that steampunk aesthetics has existed as early as the 1950s, the term “steampunk” was first used in 1987. The author K.W. Jeter was the one to coin it in his novel “Morlock Night.”

The term (and the concept) exploded in popularity, reaching everything from subsequent literary works to movies. Since this aesthetic is primarily inspired by Victorian England, it shouldn’t be surprising that the goggles depicted in steampunk media closely resembled Victorian cinder goggles.

The Early Sunglasses Models: Traces of Steampunk Fashion

Interestingly, steampunk sunglasses weren’t necessarily inspired only by the goggles of the same name. Some of the earliest examples of “traditional” sunglasses actually looked surprisingly similar to steampunk sunglasses.

How can we tell? Well, sunglasses ads were all over newspapers and magazines in the 19th and 20th centuries. In fact, it was the August 19, 1917 issue of the Evening Star newspaper that displayed the photo of round sunglasses that looked just like (what we now call) steampunk sunglasses.

The Trendy Fashion Subculture of Today

To some people, the steampunk subculture sounds like nothing more than escapist fun. However, many luxury fashion labels don’t share the same sentiment. Instead, they view this movement as an endless source of inspiration, incorporating its elements into their high-end collections.

Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Vivienne Westwood were among the first to embrace this niche subculture and transform it into haute couture. So, with spiked heels, feathered clothing, and embroidered hats came steampunk sunglasses as we know them today.

Now, people often confuse steampunk with emo and goth fashion and see it as over-the-top or eccentric. But the truth is that steampunk glasses, much like any other elements, can be subtle yet distinctive enough to give you a unique look

Where to Find Steampunk Sunglasses

If you’re looking for steampunk sunglasses for your costume, you’ll be spoilt for choice at a number of specialized online and brick-and-mortar stores. However, if you want steampunk-style round sunglasses for every day, it’s best to turn to Giant Vintage.

Giant Vintage offers an impressive collection of vintage steampunk sunglasses with styles (and colors!) for every taste and budget. Here are some of our favorite models of steampunk sunglasses to consider.

• PRISS Steampunk Sunglasses: Play It Safe. If you want to incorporate steampunk sunglasses into your style but don’t want to go too bold, consider the PRISS steampunk sunglasses in black. These simple yet eye-catching steampunk glasses will add some visual interest to any look, even an all-black ensemble.

• SPACELAND Oval Sunglasses: Go All Out. Believe it or not, blue lenses were all the rage in the 19th century. People attributed mythical powers to blue glass, believing it could do everything from magnetizing the needle of a compass to stimulating the growth of plants. So, SPACELAND, steampunk sunglasses with blue lenses, are just the pair you need if you, too, tend to get carried away by the fantasy-driven aspects of steampunk fashion.

GENTLE Oval Sunglasses: Keep It Classy. If you like the colored lenses and the shape of steampunk glasses but want something more sleek and refined, the GENTLE and ALTITUDE sunglasses are the way to go.

These steampunk sunglasses are designed for a more sophisticated and understated look. Still, they’ll elevate any outfit and surely be quite a conversation starter.