Eyewear isn't a new staple for musicians, but more and more are embracing their frames as part of their style. Whether they're going about their everyday life or performing in festivals and concerts, glasses and sunglasses have become practical and fashionable accessories.

Glasses have particularly become a style statement in recent years and are no longer a nerdy item. Artists have become more unapologetic about wearing them when needed, even for top stars like SZA, who isn't afraid to rock her prescription pair on one of music's biggest stages. More than just offering clear vision or UV protection, musicians' eyewear has shaped the trend cycle for decades, and their impact only grows stronger.

Here's a look at how musicians' specs have changed the fashion and music world and how musicians can find their own look:

A Rcognizable Look

Glasses and sunglasses provide clear vision and protection to keep the eyes safe, but musicians also use glasses to create a signature style. Buddy Holly's thick horn-rimmed glasses became instantly recognizable and impacted music and fashion for decades. He even inspired John Lennon to embrace his own frames, setting the foundation for his iconic circular specs later in his career. While the rock'n roll era gave rise to more carefree and rebellious looks, eventually, more avant-garde eyewear took center stage. Legends like Elton John often wore oversized, geometric, or bedazzled sunglasses to complement his extravagant looks. Today, he's still known for these bold shades and continues to wear unique pairs with tinted lenses, establishing him as an eyewear icon in the fashion world. Many musicians use eyewear to make a statement and help their image stick in the minds of fans and non-fans alike, making them essential accessories for recognizability.

Reviving Trends

Musicians play a massive role in setting fresh fashion trends but are also at the forefront of trend revivals. Especially with nostalgia culture reshaping media from music to film, artists are in a great position to rock items from fashion's past, including eyewear. Singer Billie Eilish has long captivated audiences with her unique sense of style; at the 2024 Golden Globes, she turned heads in a geek chic ensemble reminiscent of the same mid-aughts trend. Her small, wire-rimmed glasses were a subtle yet impactful addition to her oversized blazer and khaki skirt and referenced the nerdy couture of the mid-2000s that have made a comeback in the 2020s. Olivia Rodrigo has also helped introduce younger audiences to the '90s style, which she often does with narrow oval and rectangular sunglasses, usually paired with graphic tees and maxi dresses. These younger music stars often spearhead trend revivals among their young fanbases, who are just beginning to explore the fashion world and its history through what their faves are wearing.

Shaping Fashion's Future

People look to their favorite artists to get a glimpse of what new styles are set to be in vogue. K-pop stars have been incredibly impactful in bringing attention to new eyewear looks. Blackpink's Jennie Kim made waves with her collaboration with eyewear brand Gentle Monster, releasing three collections so far. The brand has been garnering attention for futuristic glasses and sunglasses featuring unique detailing, charms, colors, and shapes, veering away from the standard black square and rectangle frames to push the limits of fashion eyewear. Jennie isn't the brand's first high-profile collaborator, but she helped put the brand on the map for many K-pop fans who adore her feminine and edgy style that she shows off with her glasses and shades. The eyewear and fashion world has also been eyeing K-pop idols for domestic and international brand awareness, meaning more stars will be shaping fashion's future and dictating what's hot.

How to find your own iconic pair, Find a flattering frame

Eyewear can make you more recognizable and become a signature part of your look as a musician, so finding a flattering pair can help you make an impression. Your face shape is a great starting point for narrowing down styles, as it can help you figure out which features to minimize or highlight. For instance, round faces can look sharper with angular frames, while rounder glasses can soften square faces. You can measure your face with a tape measure or use lipstick or a dry-erase marker to trace the shape on your mirror. For more precision, online tools from reputable retailers can help you better understand flattering options. For instance, you can find your ideal glasses for face shape using LensCrafter's innovative technology. The cutting-edge software offers personalized choices based on your face shape, width and length, and pupillary distance. It can even analyze your skin undertone, hair, and eye color to find a suitable palette to highlight your natural look. Whether you want something fashion-forward and designer chic or more of an everyday classic, you can virtually try them on to find the perfect pair to help you stand out.

Match Your Music

While you can't go wrong with simplicity and sophistication, subtle looks might not be the move if you want to turn heads and get people to tune in. Your glasses and sunglasses can draw attention to you and can even help create a look that complements your sound. For instance, aviator shades or mirrored lenses have become a staple in the rock scene, while many jazz artists have rocked vintage-style horned-rimmed frames for decades. Pop star Charli XCX is a prime example of matching music with luxury eyewear. She's often seen wearing large wraparound black sunglasses from brands like Balenciaga, known for avant-garde frames. These chic yet eye-catching shades pair amazingly with her latest electropop album, "brat." The hyperpop-adjacent sound inspired by eccentric rave culture suits her equally unique eyewear look, drawing cohesion between artist and art. Your personal fashion and music style can highlight your sound and personality, key aspects that can attract more people to your music.

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Music & Eyewear: How musicians' specs changed the fashion world