From subtle round frames to bold cat-eyes, vintage eyeglasses have long been a cornerstone of personal style. And when it comes to women’s eyewear, the best frames don’t just help you see – they help you be seen.
At MOSCOT, we’ve been designing vintage glasses frames for over 110 years. Our frames carry the stories of a century – handcrafted with care, built to last, and worn by generations who appreciate timeless design with a twist of downtown edge. In this guide, we’ll take a stroll through the decades, exploring vintage women’s glasses that continue to define – and defy – fashion trends.
So, whether you’re drawn to retro curves, minimalist lines, or bold shapes that turn heads, we’ve got the vintage eyeglass frames to match your mood and your moment.
1910s: The Beginning of a Legacy
Eyewear was built for function – but at MOSCOT, even early frames had character.
The HAMISH: This P-3 style frame nods to early 20th-century design with comfort-driven cable temples and a perfectly balanced round shape. The HAMISH delivers vintage style eyeglasses with purpose – a refined look for women who love structure and simplicity. Just like Grandma Sylvia’s living room, which was a delightful home-base for The Moscot family, The HAMISH emanates the same cozy embrace. Give this frame a nose to straddle and ears to grip with authentic cable temples that love to hug.
1920s: Round Frames & Jazz Age Flair
The Roaring Twenties embraced glitz, glamour, and a touch of rebellion.
The TUCHUS: A throwback with elegance to spare, The TUCHUS brings high-bridged, round frames into the now. These women’s vintage eyeglasses are sleek, stylish, and unapologetically retro – just like the decade that inspired them.
Looking for a little round frame that quietly shouts sophisticated? The TUCHUS draws inspiration from The MILTZEN and could even be called a mini-GLICK yet its thick, high bridge and smaller eye size gives this frame just enough artistic expression to leave all others behind. (Ha!)
1930s: Simplicity Meets Strength
The Great Depression called for quiet resilience – and a style to match.
The MILTZEN: A MOSCOT mainstay named after Uncle Heshy, The MILTZEN is all about understated vintage sophistication. Rounded and reliable, these vintage eyeglass frames are proof that elegance doesn’t need to shout. The round, full-vue MILTZEN, first introduced in the 1930s, is eponymously named for our uncle Heshy, who inexplicably everyone called Uncle Miltzen. And it stuck. So there you go, world… The MILTZEN.
1940s: Function with a Feminine Twist
War-era fashion leaned practical – but never dull.
The VILDA: With its sleek cat-eye silhouette, The VILDA blends 1940s durability with feminine edge. These retro women’s glasses reflect strength, resilience, and subtle glamour. Pure FDR style that enters the room before you do. Worn by strong, industrial, bold individuals who know how to keep it cool.
1950s: The Rise of the Icon
Post-war optimism brought bold shapes and polished details.
The LEMTOSH: Our best-selling frame for over 70 years, The LEMTOSH is a mid-century masterpiece. A bold browline, rounded lenses, and signature keyhole bridge make this one of the most beloved vintage eyeglasses for women (and men). Elegant, cool, and endlessly wearable. The LEMTOSH stands the test of time with its iconic design and continues to uphold a legacy of its own. This rounder classic has served as the calling card for generations of creative, thoughtful, free-spirited intellectuals, artistes, and auteurs.
1960s: Rebellion in Style
Designers pushed boundaries. So did eyewear.
The NEBB: Chunky, expressive, and full of ‘60s soul, The NEBB makes no apologies. These retro women’s glasses are bold, rectangular, and built for the spotlight. A must for women who want their eyewear to be as fearless as they are. The NEBB is chunky, rectangular, raw, aggressive, and in your face – just like a real New Yorker (except for the chunky and rectangular part).
1970s: Statement Frames & Counterculture Cool
The decade of self-expression brought oversized everything.
The SHTARKER: With its oversized aviator shape and solid construction, The SHTARKER captures the bold spirit of the ‘70s. These vintage glasses for women make a strong statement – because subtlety isn’t always the point. No matter what type of empire you sit atop of, you’ll project an air of strength that says you’re not to be trifled with… even if you’re just leader of the pack.
1980s: Power Dressing, Big Accessories
It was the era of confidence, ambition – and big frames to match.
The SHEISTER: Teardrop lenses and a wrap-around design give The SHEISTER its signature 1980s appeal. These vintage style eyeglasses for women are for anyone leaning into a strong, structured silhouette with attitude. Throw on some shade without looking too shady in The SHEISTER. A family masterpiece, say saluti to five generations of eyewear expertise. Father, Son, House of MOSCOT.
1990s: Effortless, Minimal, Cool
The ‘90s brought back balance – think slip dresses, denim, and sleek accessories.
The MOYEL: Clean wire rims and a minimalist silhouette make The MOYEL the embodiment of 1990s simplicity. These minimalist vintage eyeglasses offer a chill, low-profile style for women who know that less is often more. A cut above the rest, The MOYEL takes heritage craft into the 21st century. Pair the vintage-esque frame with colorful Custom Made Tints™ and you’ll have a striking style to last generations.
2000s: A Fusion of Past and Future
The early 2000s blended Y2K experimentation with vintage nods.
The ZEV: A refined take on a classic shape, The ZEV pairs Italian acetate with a P-3 silhouette for a polished look that channels both nostalgia and innovation. These vintage glasses frames for women are equal parts tradition and trend. Inspired by the British Public Health Service “Poor Boy” Spectacles of the 1960s, The ZEV is named for GREAT Grandpa Sol’s cousin and neighborhood lawyer, Zeyfer Braunstein (or Zev for short), who wore this clever, dapper frame (British accent included) when he needed to put his best face forward, helping neighbors whose reputations were on the line, get off the hook.
2010s: Heritage, Remixed
Social media brought a renewed love for archival design – with a twist.
The ARTHUR: Built on the bones of The LEMTOSH, The ARTHUR is a modern remix with a thinner profile and contemporary angles. These women’s vintage eyeglasses are a love letter to the past – tailored for today. This frame is based on The LEMTOSH silhouette, but with a slimmed-down look, a thinner gauge, and a keyhole bridge that’s just a bit more business. They say not to mix business with pleasure, but we couldn’t help ourselves.
2020s: Bold, Inclusive, and Individual
Today’s eyewear is about owning your look – without apology.
The DAHVEN: With thick block acetate and rich tonal hues, The DAHVEN is bold, expressive, and unapologetically modern. These vintage women’s glasses reflect the energy of the moment and celebrate individuality in every detail. No need to pray for a sunny day with these iconic frames! Crafted from thick block acetate in rich tonal hues, The DAHVEN brings good fortune – and good looks – wherever you take it.
Why MOSCOT? Because Heritage Never Goes Out of Style
- Real rivets and sturdy hardware.
- Premium acetate and metal materials.
- Classic silhouettes in contemporary colors.
- Designed in NYC, worn everywhere.
Final Thoughts: Vintage Glasses for Women That Tell Your Story
Whether you're into oversized cat-eyes, sleek wireframes, or chunky retro shapes, vintage eyeglass frames offer a world of style steeped in substance. Women’s vintage glasses aren’t about looking back – they’re about carrying legacy forward.
So whether you’re wearing The MILTZEN to a gallery opening or The DAHVEN on your morning commute, know this: when you wear MOSCOT, you wear history – with a whole lot of style.
Explore our full collection of vintage style eyeglasses at MOSCOT.COM
Find the frame that fits your face – and your story.
