1970s Yves Saint Laurent 8129 Y21 Aviator Sunglasses

These aviator sunglasses, model 8129 Y21, were made in France for Yves Saint Laurent in the 1970s. They have a red plastic frame, brown lenses, gold-tone hardware and the YSL logo plaque on the temple. In the 1970s Saint Laurent's name extended across accessories, and eyewear carried his sense of colour and modernity to a wide audience.

The aviator shape, born as functional eyewear for pilots, became a fashion staple in the 1970s, worn oversized by both men and women. Designers reinterpreted it in colours and materials far from its military origins. A red plastic aviator shows that shift clearly.

The 1970s embraced colour in every area of design, and eyewear was no exception. Coloured frames and tinted lenses became part of a personal look, worn as much for style as for protection from the sun.

The red frame is bold, while the brown lenses keep the look warm and wearable. Gold-tone hardware and the YSL plaque on the temple provide discreet signature details. The teardrop lenses, 7 cm wide, give the frame its generous, period proportions.

Vintage Yves Saint Laurent sunglasses from the 1970s are sought by collectors and by those looking for distinctive frames. This red aviator, in very good condition, can be worn today as a statement piece.