I See You

Once only for practical use, it has now become an everyday staple. Since the 1920s, when mass production began, sunglasses have only become more popular. At this time, the transition from pragmatic to trendy accessory began with actresses and actors wanting to hide their faces from the paparazzi. The eye-catching shapes and sizes sparked the general public’s interest, leading to their mainstream growth. Sunglasses hold a certain mystery to them in that they allow the individual behind the lenses to show less emotion and boost morale. Through obscuring your eyesight, you see the world from a different perspective. Sunglasses are an expression of who you are. As more styles have become available, no longer do individuals conform to the same style of glasses. Instead, they can follow their own personal taste.

A 2022 study conducted by the Department of Psychology at British Columbia found that “when people’s eyes are physically camouflaged from others, they will make overt eye movements that do not conform to societal norms.” You don’t always have to follow the ‘in’ crowd to feel included. You can create your own world and show them who you are by seeing things through a different lens. Throughout the years, the message of sunglasses remains the same: hiding your eyes. From big to small sunnies, there is still some form of a barrier. Your eyes are a means of communication. Camouflage this communication and it’s harder for individuals to see your true emotion. Whether it be shielding your eyes from the sun or going out with friends, your eyes are hidden. This changes the way you see the world and how the world sees you. You are not confined by society’s norms, and you can look without worrying about others around you.