In music, an artist’s style is crucial to their image as a performer. When you think of Elvis, KISS, or Michael Jackson, you can easily visualize their signature looks. Fascinatingly, scientific literature finds that musicianship and perceptions of sound-related aspects of performances are heavily influenced by visual cues. How a musician looks and moves onstage can enhance auditory cues, such as rhythmic accuracy, tone quality, intensity and emotion, expressiveness, and the audience's emotional responses.
When it comes to style, no accessory is as much of a staple as the eyeglasses. Easy, distinct, and striking, they enhance even the most understated outfits. Here are some of the chicest artists who’ve rocked them.
Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly has significantly influenced many legendary artists, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. But it wasn’t just his music that made a mark—it was his unique eyewear, too. In fact, Elton John has credited Holly with being his inspiration to wear spectacles at age thirteen. Buddy Holly is perhaps the reason why glasses aren’t considered uncool or nerdy in the music industry today, with fresh new debuts like Winnetka Bowling League lighting a passionate fire in the scene while still rocking Holly's trendy glasses look.
Holly wore glasses to deal with severe nearsightedness, thereby birthing the classic “Buddy Holly glasses," which remain go-to frames for wearers today. The Ray-Ban Wayfarer is a testament to this legacy. The bold, black frame and angular rims have withstood the test of time and remain a trendy staple among celebrities. If you’re looking for a classic and classy flair inspired by Buddy Holly, then these might be the perfect frames for you.
John Lennon
It’s challenging to think of anyone with whom we associate round glasses more than John Lennon. One of the four members of the legendary Beatles, Lennon reinvented rock and pop as a songwriter, singer, performer, and activist. Today, conjuring an image of the icon will most likely come with the stylish round glasses that he sported from his moptop days to his solo career.
But his signature look was also functional, as Lennon was legally blind and needed prescription glasses to deal with nearsightedness. Today, you can easily copy the look by browsing through a large selection of glasses available on the web. LensCrafters’ Versace glasses are perfect for replicating the style that Lennon often turned to, with its metal rim and rounded edges—reminiscent of the vintage charm, with a modern flair that suits a versatile range of styles. Taking the cue from Lennon, these glasses can be paired with vividly colored and patterned clothes to subdued and casual outfits, all of which he rocked throughout his prolific career.
Bono
Bono is one of the most resonant musicians to have come out of the 1980s. Having won 22 Grammys and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the U2 member is just as well-known for his music as his activism. Another thing that stands out? Bono’s signature wraparound tinted glasses. However, aside from style, Bono wears them out of necessity due to glaucoma, a condition caused by damage to the optic nerve.
Tinted glasses are widely used by glaucoma patients, who may be more sensitive to glare. Because of this, they are encouraged to wear glasses with side shields or UV-protective tints. And because Bono is always under stage lights or camera flashes, he wears wraparound glasses that protect him from all angles. You can easily find eyewear similar to his among the selections provided by Oakley, a brand known for its high-quality sports sunglasses designed for optimal protection. In particular, the Oakley Fuel Cell offers a statement wraparound style similar to those rocked by Bono onstage. Distinct and sharp, Bono's look remains one of the most impactful in music history.
Style is a significant aspect of a musician’s legacy. These three rockstars exemplify how lasting eyeglasses have been in music chic over the decades.