Cycling glasses: How a sports accessory conquered the streets
Last year, stylists, fashion editors, buyers and influenzaers suddenly began to try on bicycle goggles in combination with clothing of various genres. Kim Kardashian appeared in sports models, then Bella Hadid and even Princess Anna (including thanks to which vogue.com declared such glasses a "big fashion trend"). In the summer, Vetements presented spiked cycling goggles, and in the fall, during the fashion weeks, there was a boom - they were shown by Alexander Wang, MSGM, Stella McCartney, 3.1 Phillip Lim and other brands. We tell how the sports accessory got accustomed in everyday wardrobe and why it will be everywhere this summer.
Text: Anna Eliseeva
How it all began
Today, professional athletes hardly sit on a bicycle without special glasses: dirt, dust, stones, insects - only part of what threatens them while riding. But sports models of glasses appeared much later than the bicycle itself. Only in the first half of the 20th century, cyclists began to wear glasses, which were borrowed from pilots with a leather strap and glass lenses. In the 50s, cyclists already performed in prototypes of modern “aviators”, and in the 60s - small rectangular glasses.
The first real bicycles were released by the Oakley company in 1984 - the Eyeshades model was distinguished by large and bright lenses that hide the eyebrows line (so the rim does not interfere with the view). A year later, the next three-time winner of the “Tour de France” Greg Lemond and another titled cyclist Phil Anderson performed in new futuristic glasses, and after two of them, half of the peloton was cut through them. There were companies that specialized exclusively on this sports accessory, for example, Briko and Rudy Project. The models themselves were also improved: if earlier cyclists with vision problems had to ride in ordinary glasses, now curved lenses were made with diopters.
In the 90s, sports penetrated street fashion and practical bikes became part of everyday wardrobe. One of the most recognizable models is the laconic Oakley Romeo, which was advertised by Michael Jordan. More than one hero of the militants of that time tried on similar ones: special agent Ethan Hunt in the second part of the cinema franchise Mission Impossible, and the character Eric Bana in the movie Black Hawk Down. But with the advent of the kitsch fashion of zero, the velos were left in the wardrobes except for the athletes themselves and loyal Oakley fans (such was the actor Robin Williams).
How the bike came back to fashion
Cycling glasses were actively talked about at the beginning of last year - as often happens, thanks to Kim Kardashian. A TV show star from time to time combined a sports accessory with leggings, tight shorts and tops, windbreakers and jackboots. He tried on Oakley and Farrell Williams bicycle goggles, which he described in his instagram. After that, Rita Ora, Bella Hadid and even Princess Anne, who wears it with classic clothes, appeared in the sports accessory more than once. And after the July show Vetements, which presented their variation of cycling glasses, the trend was obvious.
Sports style has long become a constant of modern wardrobe, and its elements are a routine: sneakers, leggings, crop tops in everyday looks are no longer surprising. That’s why combinations of cycling glasses, for example, with blue jeans and even dresses, do not seem unusual. Kenzo, Heron Preston, Marine Serre and Courrèges demonstrated the sports accessory at the spring-summer shows. He penetrated into the new autumn-winter collections: Palm Angels, Marine Serre, Iceberg, Mary Katrantzou and others combined bicycle goggles with down-padded coats, dresses of different lengths and style, strict jackets and massive earrings. Brands of medium and low price categories are not far behind - Mango, ASOS, Topshop and others will find budget bike glasses (although they can hardly protect them from the sun - they can only be used as a bright accessory).
What to wear
Designers offer to wear cycling glasses with almost any clothing. In our opinion, the most interesting options are obtained in the game with different styles. For example, Sportmax added goggles to a turtleneck, mini-skirt, and woolen jacket, and Kenzo to a down jacket, flying dress, and fluffy hat. If the glasses with huge gradient lenses seem too extreme, pay attention to the laconic translucent models - these can be found in the Heron Preston and Nike collaboration.
But if you are going on a bike ride, you should not rely on a mass market, but on specialized companies - they pay attention to technology. Glasses must be very durable, really protect from the sun, not fog up while driving and provide a free and clear view.
Photo: wikimedia, marineserre, mango, km20 (1, 2)
