Exploring 90s running sunglasses that escaped the hype

90s running sunglasses are in, and there's much more to explore than just the Oakley Eye Jacket.

I’m one to believe that a stylish pair of shades instantly elevates your running style. Regardless of the outfit choice, I can usually get an idea of someone’s personal taste just by analyzing their eyewear. Why does such a tiny accessory speak volumes, especially for runners? It’s one of the key elements that bridges the gap between performance and aesthetic. It’s a way for runners to express themselves without trying too hard. Based on the currents trends, we’re seeing that runners want to merge more of the casual streetwear styles with their activewear. Right now the 90s/y2k styles have the floor, and it’s clear the sunglasses from that time have started to overtake the market. One influential product in particular is the Oakley Eye Jacket. Its popularity is due to a trendy, bug eye frame that simultaneously is built for performance. However, the mainstream hype for the eye jacket is fading as it shifts from a novelty to a saturated trend. This tends to happen when a product loses its exclusivity. I’m not denying they’re still a sick pair of shades; I have my own pair that I wear from time to time, but I think challenging trends is essential for rediscovering your own style.

Oakley Eye Jacket Redux sunglasses silver

@ me influenced by the hype

This prompted my online hunt for shades from the 90s. It turns out there’s countless hidden gems just waiting to be rediscovered. There’s a strategic way to go about your search when exploring sunglasses from 30+ years ago. If you just search ‘90s running sunglasses’, you’ll be bombarded with styles and brands that may not actually be from that time period. You’ll need to get a bit more detailed, researching the names of 90s styles from your favorite brand and the exact frame that suits you. For example, I have two pairs of Oakleys I wear regularly and I know it’s a brand that works for me. I also know that a product’s value increases over time, and I’ve been on a journey to find running apparel and accessories at a more reasonable cost online (see my previous article below).

Right now these niche brands are having their moment (and rightfully so). They put forth a design with a strong sense of intention. But why can’t we as runners channel that same creative energy, and even better, doing it for a fraction of the cost on Depop?

Since I knew a pair of authentic vintage Oakleys would probably be pretty expensive, I decided to use their 90s styles as a starting point and see if I could find a similar, lower cost pair with another brand that provides UV protection/non-slip wear. I’m currently into the oval shape lens with a metal frame that I would wear both for a run and in a social setting.

I searched for ‘models for metal oval Oakley 90s sunglasses’ and found these results:

• Oakley E-Wire (1.0 & 2.0)

  

  1.0 (left) 2.0 (right)

• Oakley A-Wire (1.0 & 2.0)

  

  1.0 (left) 2.0 (right)

• Oakley C-Wire

Although it doesn’t have a metal frame, another personal favorite of mine is the Oakley Minute (1.0):

I’ve been successful in finding most of my second hand running gear on Depop, but I found that wasn't the case when it came to sunglasses. I was having a hard time finding authentic pieces, noticing that sellers were marking knock-off products as true vintage. I noticed that eBay, while it’s still important to be cautious of fake items, had a wider variety of reputable options. These are the 3 P’s to look out for when verifying a pair of sunglasses:

1. Price - If it’s a real pair of 90s Oakleys, the price shouldn’t be drastically low.

2. Photos - The photos should be clear with product details on the lens and the frame such as SKU codes or etchings.

3. Packaging - The glasses should come with authentic packaging where manufacturer, bar codes, and/or SKU numbers are listed.

Once you’ve determined the exact pair of sunglasses that you’d like to buy, you can then type that into eBay’s search engine. Since I wasn't willing to splurge on a pair of Oakleys, I searched for other popular running/cycling brands in the 90s. I found the French brand Bollé and searched for ‘Bollé 90s metal oval sunglasses’.

I found a pair for $45 and recently tried them out on a run. There was no slippage and they blocked the sun well on a warm day.

This is your sign to elevate your look with a fashionable pair of vintage sunglasses that fits your unique vibe. Check out my latest reel on Instagram (@adrienneruns) for more details on my 90s shades.