You may have noticed more and more browline frames popping up lately, especially on celebrities. While they're undergoing somewhat of a rebirth, this Browline style-- also known as the club master-- is actually nothing new. First invented in the late 1940s, they reached the peak of their popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, and have been more or less a staple style ever since.

What are browline frames?
The name "browline" comes from the design of the frame: the top half of the frame is thicker than the bottom half so that the wearer's natural brow line is noticed. The top part is usually made of acetate or plastic and the bottom part of the lens is wrapped in a thin wire frame.

The first Butterfly glasses were completely customizable, having interchangeable bridges, temples, and brow lines This contributed to their popularity because people liked having the opportunity to express their individuality by customizing the size, fit, and color of the frame.

Timeline of Browline Frames
1940s: Browline eyewear was invented in 1947 by Jack Rohrbach, vice president of Shuron Ltd. eyewear company.

1950s: Browlines rise in popularity and account for half of all eyeglasses sold and worn in that decade.

1960s: The popularity of Browlines declined as plastic eyeglasses came in more shapes, sizes and colors. Plastic eyeglasses with clear bottoms and solid tops, "Plastic Browlines," also appeared in frame form.

1970s: The hippie subculture led to a rapid decline in the popularity of eyebrows, a phenomenon considered conservative.

1980s: Bruce Willis wears tinted lenses in his "Moonlight" collection, which leads to a surge in demand for eyebrow sunglasses. In response, Ray-Ban introduced the Clubmaster, a traditional browline frame with sunglass lenses.

1990s: Browlines were strongly opposed to 1980s consumer culture. They were also seen as too nerdy and conservative.

2000s: Browlines continue to be seen as overt conformists and associated with 1950s culture and fashion.

2010s: The influence of the TV series Mad Men and the hipster subculture inspired a renewed love of classic retro styles (especially to-colored brow glasses).

Whether classic or elegant, browline frames are more formal than other retro styles (like aviators or hikers). That said, you can easily pair them with jeans and a T-shirt just as easily as you can wear a suit and tie. This style is especially good at adding sophistication to a young face and is excellent for anyone who wants to combine classic style with a bold statement.