When it comes to eyewear, trends come and go and come back again.
The sporty gas station sunglasses that dominated the early 2000s only re-entered the trend cycle a couple of years ago, while the super small frames donned by "It Girls" like Bella Hadid in the mid 2010s quickly went out of style. However, classic styles like cat-eyes and Aviators are the exception, as they're considered to be among some of the most timeless eyewear designs out there. In fact, retro eyewear maintains its popularity so much so that it helped revive the vintage brand Linda Farrow after it spent nearly two decades off the market. The same demand for retro frames that fueled this revival has permeated other parts of pop culture as well.
That's especially apparent in music, where a similar retro trend continues to make waves. The songs that top today's charts are often inspired by music from decades past, like Dua Lipa's disco-pop hit "Don't Start Now" and The Weeknd's 80s synth-heavy "Blinding Lights." In paying homage to these iconic musical styles, artists go further by integrating vintage aesthetics into their music videos as well, as the sounds and styles go hand in hand.
This growing preference for tried-and-true sounds and looks in music is often driven by some of history's biggest artists, and out of the most notable names in music, Elvis Presley arguably stands out as being among the most influential. In fact, his legacy in both music and fashion clearly reflects in today's use of retro eyewear in music:
Blazing a once-in-a-lifetime trail in music
For some Elvis 101, the legendary singer was shaped by the music in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, where rock n' roll and R&B were born in the 50s. However, he went on to take that music to the stratosphere and beyond, ultimately changing the world of music and pop culture forever. Fusing disparate genres like blues, country, gospel, and R&B, Presley was the voice of a generation, making him a household name early on in his career.
He translated his work in both film and TV into his music career, using visual formats to convey artistic statements through his songs. Iconic songs like "Jail House Rock" and "Love Me Tender" helped further immortalize his style and his sound (and his legion of global fans), allowing his legacy to inspire future generations forevermore. From there, acts ranging from The Beatles to Lana Del Rey decades later have cited him as a primary influence.
Leaving a mark on fashion
Presley's distinct stage presence is often defined not just by his other-worldly charisma, but his show-stopping fashion choices.
No Elvis impersonation is complete without the bedazzled white jumpsuit crafted by designers Bedew & Doucette in line with his vision. It stood out for breaking the strict gender boundaries that dictated fashion in the 70s, when he wore the jumpsuit during his Aloha from Hawaii concert. That has notably inspired the likes of David Bowie to Harry Styles and much in between, redefining men's fashion for decades to come.
And, of course, no discussion on Presley's mark on fashion is complete without mentioning his sunglasses collection. The artist was particularly taken by Ray-Ban's gold-rimmed Aviators, and he arguably popularized them way before Tom Cruise and Top Gun came along in the 80s. In fact, the accessory is so crucial to his image that Catherine Martin, the costume designer who worked on the Elvis biopic starring Austin Butler, tapped Foster Grant — a brand known for its trendy sunglasses — to design the specs Butler used in the film. Foster Grant's expertise allowed them to recreate Presley's iconic sunnies, albeit tweaked to be camera-ready and suit Butler's physiognomy.
Influencing the retro eyewear trend in music
Given Presley's one-of-a-kind style — and its subsequent immortalization through TV, film, and music videos — it's no surprise that the artist remains one of the major inspirations for today's retro eyewear trend in music some 47 years after his passing. Billie Eilish, who's covered Presley's iconic "Can't Help Falling in Love" and is popular for recent retro-inspired hits like LUNCH, is also known for donning similar retro specs as a nod to the late great crooner.
However, Bruno Mars' style probably reflects Presley's legacy the most. The singer's been impersonating him since childhood: in fact, he was featured in the 1990 Aloha Bowl halftime show doing just that. Today, Mars' whole brand is retro-inspired. He's often seen donning 50s-inspired outfits, which include a pair of sunglasses that closely resemble the Aviators Presley was so fond of. The music video for one of his latest collaborations with Lady Gaga, "Die with a Smile," comes with a few small details that can also be found in Presley's work. Many of the scenes are adorned with the curtains and Shure 55S microphones present in many of the star's own performances. And with Mars and Gaga themselves sporting denim while swooning with their modern day crooning, his legacy in both music and fashion clearly shines through.
[This was a collaborative post by Brenda Roberts.]
Featured photo credit via @elvis official Instagram
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