Vintage revisited – Men’s eyewear trends 2018

By Denis Langlois

What’s old is new again when it comes to one of the hottest trends for men’s eyewear in 2018.

Eyewear companies say many of today’s modern men are drawn to specs with a vintage look as well as frames that take their inspiration from classic architecture and those that feature classic metal designs, shapes and colours.

Beverly Suliteanu, vice-president of product development at WestGroupe, says the look for men’s eyewear in 2018 moves to a more minimalistic realm.

“Designs will continue to have a vintage feel, but with a modern twist that draws inspiration from architectural and contemporary design,” she says.

“Metals continue to see a resurgence with a focus on thin, lightweight materials. Stainless steel and titanium are becoming increasingly popular as are thin metal wire styles reminiscent of the ‘90s.”

The Kliik denmark K-604 by WestGroupe, available in sand smoke, grey smoke and crystal, is a vintage-inspired style that is trending high this season for men.

It features a squared-off round shape and keyhole bridge combined with a multi-hued translucent acetate. It also features a metal rectangular, 5-barrel hinge that is visible at the end piece giving it a retro twist.

The Kliik denmark K-601 in brown black is also a popular model for WestGroupe. It boasts a sleek modified square shape and a unique soldered bridge inspired by the vintage revival.

The Kliik denmark K-596, meanwhile, boasts a classic round shape with a vintage subtle keyhole bridge. The frame features a clean minimalist design with metal end cap and discreet branding with the logo plaque only at the temple tips.

WestGroupe’s Evatik E-9159 frame features a round shape, an ode to ‘90s styling with a modern twist, that is one of the most popular eyewear trends for 2018. The frame’s keyhole bridge is matched with a diamond-cut front edge for a luxurious, architectural appeal.

Suliteanu says acetates will remain popular in 2018 but with a thin and light silhouette. Neutral tones like black, tortoise, crystals and grey will dominate, but with new finishes, patterns and combinations due to advancements in custom lamination and C&C milling techniques, she says.

Mixing materials within frame design is also a strong trend for men, she says, while round and square shapes continue to trend.

Chesley Wright, designer at Ogi Eyewear, says “a revival of vintage metal design” is proving to be a popular trend for men’s eyewear for 2018.

It can be seen in the Seraphin Niles by Ogi, a metal frame that reinterprets a vintage style for today.

Wright says materials driven by science and engineering are revealing themselves to be a prevalent force in the men’s eyewear market.

“Ogi Eyewear emphasizes innovation, originality, quality, and value into every one of our frames,” she says.

For 2018, Ogi Eyewear forecasts continued unique manipulations of acetate will be popular.

The Ogi 9235 fuses two earth-toned acetates together to create a distinct style, while the 9240 fuses two separate temples that co-ordinate without being identical.

Paul Storace of Alternative/Plan ‘B’ Eyewear says many of the frames in the company’s Staag Spectacles collection feature vintage styling.

“We strongly suggest for 2018 combination titanium with acetate embellishments featuring our elevated vintage appeal. Like gold filigree discreetly paired with vintage acetate colours that move from the boardroom to the bar,” he says.

“These are distinctive details that transcend trend. It is cool, light and very smart; vintage elevated.”

The Ashdown is a high-density acetate frame that features a round front and classic tortoise colouring for a vintage look, while the Dalby plays on vintage design with a clubmaster look and vintage details on the temples.

The Fife, meanwhile, is a minimalist and masculine frame that boasts delicate vintage details on the temples and bridge, while the Swinley is a vintage and industrial-looking frame that includes interesting details like a metal eye wire and cool patterns on the bridge and temple.