Recycling Fashion

Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ fashion trademark, made popular more than 50 years ago, is now hotter than ever. The oversized sunglasses are back in the fashion scene, and Columbia has eagerly embraced the trend.

“They sell immediately,” said Laura Wilson, owner of Blackberry Exchange. “About 95 percent of our first order has sold within the first three weeks.”

The large-framed glasses, usually rectangular or oval shaped, became popular last year when celebrities such as Jessica Simpson and the Olsen twins were shown wearing them in fashion magazines. The trend has now infiltrated the Midwest and can be seen all over Columbia, resting on the noses of college women strolling to class, lying in the sun or enjoying an afternoon at the local winery.

“When I saw them, I thought they were cute and fashionable,” said Carla Englof, an MU sophomore. “Before, I usually bought smaller styles, but these also keep the sun out really well.”

Libby Gray, an MU junior, was inspired to buy a pair of the sunglasses after seeing them in the pages of her favorite magazines.

“They are still in style now, and I bet I will continue to wear them until the end of the summer,” Gray said.

Courtney Faron, manager of Britches Clothing, agrees the trend is here to stay, at least for a while.

“We got our first order of sunglasses in for the spring last week and already sold half of the order,” Faron said. “We plan on carrying them for most of the summer.”

Besides the fashion appeal, the sunglasses are now available at considerably cheaper prices than the designer brands that originated the style comeback. Gucci and Burberry sunglasses can run up to $210 a pair, but similar styles sold at Britches and Blackberry Exchange run at $10 and $14, respectively.

“The ones we have look like a knock-off of Chanel,” Wilson said. “A lot of people have been asking for them, and we plan on carrying them until they stop selling.”

Gray bought her pair from a department store last summer and paid $30 for them, but she didn’t mind paying a little extra for higher quality.

“I didn’t want to spend too much on a pair of sunglasses, since I know trends only last so long, but I also didn’t want them to break, so it didn’t bother me to pay a little bit more,” Gray said.

Wilson and Faron are not surprised the large-frames are in style again.

“I think all trends come back,” Wilson said. “It was bound to happen.”

“The glasses go with the style of clothing that is popular now,” Faron said. “The whole era is coming back; everything recycles.”