History's Best Selling Fashion of 1939

Extra! Extra! Step right up to inspect the definitive collection of first-rate fashion releases from 1939. Discover the genuine articles of American ingenuity that captured the public's fancy and won nationwide acclaim during this historic era.

1. Cat eye glasses

   Released in 1939 by Altina Schinasi Miranda

   The iconic cat eye glasses, with their distinctive upswept frames, first emerged from the inventive mind of Altina Schinasi Miranda, who patented her 'Harlequin' glasses design in 1939. While the broader 'cat eye' style gained immense popularity in the 1950s and 60s, Miranda's original creation laid the foundational aesthetic. These glasses immediately captured the imagination, offering a refreshing departure from traditional round or rectangular frames. Their unique shape quickly became synonymous with sophistication and playful femininity, making them an instant cultural and commercial success, particularly as they were embraced by fashion-forward women and, later, Hollywood's elite.