Shop Clubmaster Sunglasses

Wouldn’t it be nice to look cool without trying to? There is no denying the appeal of the Clubmaster style sunglasses. An undeniably iconic shape that has stood the test of time. 

The Making of an Icon

First released in 1947 by Shuron Ronsirs, the browline is the brainchild of vice president, Jack Rohrbach. The idea behind the design was innovative at that time: he wanted a pair of  glasses that could be customised. It was made from interchangeable bridges, brows, and eyewires that would suit a person’s style, mood, and size. The browline was a hit and other companies copied the design, such as Bausch & Lomb. By the end of the 1950s, the browline had accounted for around half of the eyeglasses worn during this decade. 

It continued to be in popular use by the swinging 60s, but advancement in plastic technology made it possible for other styles to flourish. By the 1970s, the browline was seen as too nerdy or old-fashioned, something your grandparents would wear. Somehow the browline also began to have a more political significance: it was a symbol of conformism and being too conservative. 

By 1980s, however, things changed for the browline: Bruce Willis was sporting a pair with tinted lenses in the TV series, Moonlighting. Ray-Ban saw this business opportunity; never had a company released a browline with tinted lenses. Browlines were exclusively made prescription glasses prior to the show’s release. Thus the Clubmaster was born. It was the 80s third most coveted sunglasses design, behind only Ray-Ban’s own aviator and wayfarers. 

Adding to their popularity in the 80s was the appearance of a sleek pair of clubmasters on everyone’s favourite fearless and larger than life teen – Ferris Bueller. Every teenager dreamed of being Ferris, and when he wore a pair of clubmasters as his accessory of choice, you better believe that spoke to an entire generation of teens. 

The design wasn’t as popular in the 90s, however. Stigma surrounding the decadence of the consumerist culture of the 80s caused a backlash against anything remotely associated with the 80s, which included the clubmasters. Still, the browline had a firm grasp in the eyewear industry, and thanks to the marketing prowess of Ray-Ban we still saw the sunglasses pop up in pop culture. 

The 2000s saw the true revival of the Clubmaster, thanks to shows like Mad Men that depicted life during 1950s Americana. Both the glasses and sunglasses styles were reinvigorated, and now many major sunglasses brands now feature their own browline, clubmaster inspired design. 

The Clubmaster Today

Thanks to the media, the clubmaster is one of Ray-Ban’s most popular styles. What was once connected to being a “nerd” and part of the pack, the browline styles has become a fixture in hipster culture today. 

The clubmaster has undergone very slight changes, but it still features its distinctive brow and metal combination. Nowadays you can see some clubmasters that have a rounder frame. This style is best suited for oblong, oval, and square-shaped faces. 

What makes the clubmaster so appealing is how versatile it can be.  Fitted with different coloured lenses and browline colours, these shades can be tailored to suit the individual wearer.  Your personal style can be reflected in a pair of clubmasters.