When you think of old-fashioned glasses, chances are that the shape of cat eye prescription glasses comes to mind.
These frames first came to our attention as prescription glasses or clear cat eye prescription glasses in the 1950s, but they took off when Audrey Hepburn donned elegant tortoise-shell sunglasses in Breakfast at Tiffany's
Since then, this striking style has been reimagined again and again and has been popular in almost every eyewear trend for decades. Now, you can wear cat-eye prescription glasses in dozens of different ways, from vintage-style brightly colored cat-eye glasses to the subtle eyebrow arch of semi-rimless wire-rimmed cat-eye glasses.
How do all these different styles of glasses come to be considered "cat's eye glasses"? While the exaggerated upper edge wing tips of the temples are the hallmark of the cat's eye, the lower edge that slopes upward to the top of the wearer's cheekbones does give the cat-eye frame its signature look.
These two elements also make cat eye prescription glasses so attractive on so many faces. They draw the eye upward through intricate angular lines that complement the shape of the face, which ranges from round to rectangular. If you're looking for the perfect pair of cat eye prescription glasses, consider updating some classic styles or taking a completely modern twist on the iconic look.
Classic cat eyeglasses
Because cat-eye prescription glasses have incorporated many different trends in their more than half a century of cultural influence, you have plenty of cat-eye glasses to choose from. For those interested in the look of vintage classic cat-eye glasses, there are several retro-chic variations.