Tinted lenses: The weirdest ’00s trend making a comeback

by Randi Bergman June 8, 2016

We’ve gotten real comfortable with ’90s trends making comebacks in the last few years—so much so, that they’ve actually been confused as full-blown current trends. Crop tops, chokers, baggy plaid shirts—how often have you been like, “excuse me, teen, but I had that exact outfit 20 years go!” (before crying in the bathroom)? Well, it seems that the fixation has moved forward a few years—landing squarely in the mid 2000s. Fittingly, the latest trend to make its way back into our hearts is the tinted lens, which lived a Carrie Bradshaw-fuelled heyday circa ’01, when Sex and the City‘s OG wore a pair while vacationing in the Hamptons.

Since, tinted lenses have been hiding out on Johnny Depp, Bono and other aging rock stars requiring light sensi prescriptions. But lately, they’ve been reappearing on everyone from Cate Blanchett to Bella Hadid. Are we ready to give ’em a whirl? Only time (and a few cleverly placed red carpet appearances) will tell. But meanwhile, peruse this excellent gallery of hideously Y2K looking styles.