Oversized glasses: from the 1960s to independent designers
From Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s frames to independent designers: history, proportions and six oversized sun and optical models from the OCCHIO selection.
By OCCHIO
A bigger lens changes the way a face is read. Oversized is not a shape but a scale: it can be round, square, aviator or mask.
A matter of scale.
In the 1960s Robert Bonnet, a Parisian eyewear maker, crafts a bespoke round, very large tortoiseshell frame for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Very large sunglasses are still called “Jackie O” today.
In the 1970s the scale moves on stage: in the middle of the decade Elton John performs in oversized sunglasses. From the late 2000s, wide lenses return to fashion for good, in more measured proportions.
Independent designers use size differently: not to hide the eyes, but to build. A wide lens leaves room for thick acetate, bolted bars and metal details.
What makes a frame oversized.
It is not a shape but a proportion: the same rule applies to a round frame, an aviator or a mask.
03 / The models
Six oversized models.
Sun and optical, handmade in Japan, France and Italy: six frames with lenses from 55 to 60 mm.
How to choose.
Start from the total width, not just the lens width: the front should sit at the temples or just beyond. Then look at the lens height against your cheekbones, and at the bridge, which keeps the frame in place. Compare these numbers with a frame that fits you well, as we explain in our measurements guide.
For prescription wear, a wider frame needs larger lenses: with strong prescriptions, edge thickness increases. That is why frame and lenses are chosen together.
FAQ
Before you choose
What are oversized glasses?
Frames with lenses and a front larger than average. It is not a shape: there are round, square, aviator and mask oversized frames.
Do oversized glasses suit a small face?
Total width and bridge matter more than lens width. A thin or metal front lightens even a wide lens: the best way to know is to try them on.
Can oversized frames take prescription lenses?
Yes, many models are designed for optical use. With strong prescriptions, lens thickness grows with diameter; each product page states whether the frame accepts prescription lenses.
Do large sunglasses protect more?
They cover a larger area around the eyes. UV protection, however, depends on the lenses and is stated on each product page.
Can I try them before buying?
Yes, at the boutique in Crema. Online you will find photos, measurements and availability, with worldwide shipping.
OCCHIO · Crema
Out-of-scale proportions
Sun and optical, in acetate and titanium. Each model in a single piece.
Sources and images
Maison Bonnet, Jackie O. 1960 · Sunglasses, Wikipedia. Official brand photographs, used editorially for products sold by OCCHIO.