Why Every Vaporwave Lover Needs A Good Pair Of Sunglasses

Despite many Vaporwave lovers enjoying the elements of its culture, they often underestimate the massive impact of a simple accessory: sunglasses. The reason for Vaporwave enthusiasts to overlook accessories is to focus on music and visuals and less on fashion accessories.

There is also the idea that Vaporwave is mainly happening in online spaces, so the focus should be on concealing identity rather than showcasing style. Furthermore, there is intense variety in the culture, giving its lovers other priorities that do not revolve around traditional fashion styles.

However, every Vaporwave lover needs at least one pair of sunglasses; that features a retro-futuristic design with neon-colored frames or lenses, mirroring the vibrant and nostalgic aesthetics of Vaporwave.

Below, we discuss the top 8 reasons why every Vaporwave lover needs sunglasses.

1. Aesthetic Appeal

Vaporwave is a fashion trend that is all about the 80s and the 90s retro-futuristic nostalgia. It draws inspiration from this era’s visual culture, where sunglasses with unique designs and vibrant lenses were a common accessory.

Incorporating sunglasses with neon colors, iridescent coatings, and bold geometric shapes into your Vaporwave style can enhance and complement the overall aesthetic of your look. As it adds a touch of vintage charm with a distinct retro appeal to your outfit.

Additionally, it is a great way to pay homage to the era’s fashion and design with the neon hues and iridescent finishes evoking the bold and dreamy atmosphere of the era, while the geometric shapes pay homage to the iconic design elements of the past.

2. Timeless Style

Sunglasses have stood the test of time as a timeless fashion accessory. They have transcended various fashion eras, making them perfectly align with the Vaporwave theme of drawing inspiration from different decades, particularly the 80s and 90s.

As a Vaporwave enthusiast, you can showcase your love of the 80s and 90s through your well-thought-out sunglass choices. The obvious is going for sunglasses that have a retro-futuristic aesthetic, for example, a pair of neon green cat-eye sunglasses.

3. Protection from Neon Lights

There is no way you can mention Vaporwave without talking about the intense neon lighting. It's one of the most defining aesthetic elements of the genre, and it's used to bring about a futuristic element and create a dreamy atmosphere.

While the use of bright neon lights and intense lighting effects is an integral part of the Vaporwave aesthetic and experience, prolonged exposure to bright neon lights can be harsh on the eyes and may cause discomfort, and eye strain, and potentially contribute to eye complications.

Sunglasses offer a solution by shielding your eyes from the intense neon lights, thus minimizing potential eye strain and discomfort. This allows Vaporwave lovers to have an enjoyable experience while still prioritizing the health of their eyes.

4. Protection from UV Lights

Traditionally, neon lights did not emit harmful UV radiation, as they relied on gas discharge tubes to create a distinct neon glow.

However, in today’s Vaporwave events and settings, modern neon lights and signs utilize UV lamps that make fluorescent and phosphorescent materials glow brighter in the dark, creating unique visual effects.

While these UV lamps can enhance the aesthetics of a Vaporwave event, overexposure to UV radiation is very dangerous to the eyes, resulting in eye damage. Sunglasses help to block out some of the UV light emitted by the neon lights, thus protecting your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.  

5. Color Enhancement

Vaporwave is a subculture committed to capturing the bold and visually captivating aesthetics of the past. The use of color-enhancing sunglasses can help create a unique and nostalgic atmosphere that resonates with Vaporwave enthusiasts.

Color-enhancing sunglasses can create a sense of nostalgia for the 1980s and 1990s by mimicking the vibrant and unconventional aesthetics of this era. Making them an essential accessory for Vaporwave enthusiasts seeking to immerse themselves in the subculture's unique visual language and relive the past.

Tinted sunglasses are a common option as they allow you to see the colors through a filter, increasing the vividness and enjoyment of the colors. There are many tint options, depending on the needed effects on the perceived colors. For example, a Vaporwave lover who does not like bright colors can go for sunglasses with a gray tint, while those keen on contrast and depth perception can go for a brown tint.

Experiment with different colored tinted sunglasses until you find one that highlights your favorite   

6. Versatility

Vaporwave is a subculture that encompasses a wide range of niche interests and elements of its aesthetic, making it a diverse and inclusive community. Sunglasses with their versatility and broad range of styles perfectly align with Vaporwave aesthetics.

No matter what your personal Vaporwave style is, there is always a good pair of sunglasses that will match and complement your outfit. For example, classic Vaporwave lovers can opt for sunglasses with bold neon frames or iridescent lenses, such as wayfarer or aviator styles while Future Funk fans can opt for round, oversized, and eccentric sunglasses that align with the funk and disco music of that era.

7. Privacy

While Vaporwave is primarily characterized as a visually captivating fashion trend because of its use of vibrant neon colors, it also incorporates themes of privacy and mystery. This is perfectly captured by Its use of blurred images, hidden messages, and other cryptic elements within its fashion.

The reason for the elusiveness is to preserve the enigmatic nature of their fashion subculture. In addition, the culture originated from online spaces, where fans create anonymous online personas. They interacted without revealing their true identities.

Sunglasses are a great option for creating anonymity in the real world. This is because they obscure the wearer's eyes, which are a key feature of the human face. Additional sunglasses create a cool, relaxed, and mysterious vibe.

8. Escape from Reality

Vaporwave serves as an escape from reality. With its dreamy aesthetics, mellow music, and 1980s and 1990s nostalgic references are far off from the pressures and realities of daily life.

Sunglasses can be used to block the world and fully immerse you in an alternate, retro-futuristic universe. Wearing them is like stepping into a different reality, and it perfectly aligns with the Vaporwave culture.

For example, wearing a pair of bright pink sunglasses can transport you back to the 1990s concerts and raves.

As we come to the end of this article, we would like to hear how a specific set of sunglasses helps you escape the reality of this world.