A Brief History of Browline Style Sunglasses

Can One Style of Sunglasses be Nerdy & Hip at the Same Time? We’ll Show You How.

Aviators and Wayfarers dominate the sunglass style landscape, but Clubmaster style sunglasses hold a meaningful place in the history of Men’s fashion and in the hearts of menswear aficionados. The Browline style is bold and instantly recognizable while also being subtle and classy. If you don’t already have a pair or two in your collection, (or if you’re a history or trivia buff) keep reading.

So What’s a Browline Style Frame

Browline frames describe themselves pretty well in the name. The frames are thicker along the top of the lenses, along your browline, with a thinner frame, sometimes just a wire, around the bottom of the lenses. Sounds simple, but in 1947, this was a revolutionary design. For the first time, customers could easily change lens color and size, all within the same frame.

Optical company Shuron invented the browline frames and the same company still makes them today. Browline frames weren’t considered for anything except clear prescription lenses for almost 35 years.

Then in the mid-80’s, Bruce Willis wore a pair of clubmasters with tinted frames for the show ‘Moonlighting’ If you are over 40, you know the cultural impact that show had on America.

Bruce Willis in Moonlighting Wearing Browline Sunglasses

This led to a surge in demand for browline sunglasses and Ray-Ban responded with a new style they named ‘Clubmaster’ sunglasses. Ray-Ban owns the name “Clubmaster” but the style and often the name is used generically by most everyone in the industry.

Hallmarks of the Browline Frame

Browline-style sunglasses are designed with an upper frame that is thicker or appears bolder than the bottom portion of the frame. Traditionally, the upper — known as the brow or cap — is made from a thick plastic or acetate that is also used on the temples. However, the remainder of the frame, including the bridge and eyewires, are usually made of metal. In more contemporary frames, the design can sometimes replicate a round sunglass but use a lighter shade or different plastic on the bottom to showcase the upper portion of the frame.

Traditional Browline Eyeglass Frames

They come in a range of color combinations, sizes, and variations, so this is a great classic frame that can suit most face shapes, sizes, and complexions given the range of options out there. Most Browlines would have originally come in black or tortoiseshell with silver or gold rims.

Evolution of Sunglasses Style

During the 1990s, there was a distinct backlash against the consumer culture of the 80s, to which the clubmaster style was closely associated. For a hot minute, the style was seen as either too bookish and nerdy or too conservative and right-leaning. The film Falling Down in particular linked the idea of browline glasses with angry, white men.

Michael Douglas in Falling Down 1993 Wearing Browline Prescription Eyeglasses

Following the release of the film Falling Down in 1993, this style became associated with angry, right-wing Americans pushing back against the left which they felt had stolen the America they knew from growing up in the 1950’s. Eyewear trends change and this natural evolution was compounded by the Hollywood stereotype of geeks and middle-aged men. Browline glasses were briefly considered uncool.

What’s Old is New Again

Malcom X starring Denzel Washington (1992) was released before the movie Falling Down (1993). This movie planted the seeds of the Clubmaster’s resurgence; a smart and retro 1950’s look.

Malcom X starring Denzel Washington wearing Browline prescription glasses and planting the seeds of a browline style resurgence, even before they became uncool.

By the mid-2000’s the negative associations had disappeared completely. Shows like Mad Men created a new style of 1950’s inspired classic retro styles that still influence Men’s fashion a decade later. Along with skinny ties, and well-fitting suits, Clubmaster style sunglasses and even traditional Browline prescription glasses were back in vogue.

Mad Men (released in 2007) brought 1950’s style back into vogue virtually overnight, and it’s influence, on men’s fashion at least, still reverberates in 2023.

How to Wear Browline Style Sunglasses

Browlines are perfectly appropriate to wear with business attire, but the beauty of Browline frames is their versatility. They look perfect with a suit and still excellent in jeans and a t-shirt. But don’t be a slob; even a great pair of Browlines can’t save you from bad style.
While Wanderers are bold (think Tom Cruise in Risky Business), and Aviators are Sporty (Think Tom Cruise in Top Gun), the Browline is more subtle. 
Browlines make you look smarter and more elegant when wearing a suit – and hipper when wearing your country club attire. They really can perform double duty.

Here are Some Wooden Browlines Your Clients Will Love

Yes, Browlines are a bit more formal than aviators or wayfarers. While you won’t look out of place by any means rocking them with a laid back summer outfit, they may be the better choice for a suited look, or even a posh vacation outfit – think more ‘Hamptons’ than ‘South Beach.’ Pop on a pair and you can’t help but feel classic and classy!

Browlines tend to work well on different face shapes -- especially round, oval, and squarish faces.

Whatever you choose, these glasses are all about style – not really functionality. They do let light in, so they’re really designed for sports or other activities that require real sun and wind protection.

Although popular, they are not nearly as common as more typical styles like wayfarers and aviators. Browline sunglasses are unique and will help you stand out from the crowd, while still being understated and elegant. No one will accuse you of being arrogant. Browlines just don’t have the same stereotype of men face when wearing aviators. In other words, you’ll look cool without trying to.

CONCLUSION

The perfect choice for a man with some understated style, Browline style sunglasses lend some classic history and elegance to an otherwise boring accessory choice. A style we highly recommend. How many pair of Browlines do you have?

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

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