Utterly Armless

Celebrating the Roaring Twenties in a Special Series

I think it was late last year that I visited a vintage fair in Melbourne with my friend Rapunzel. Most of the goods for sale were very expensive, and each of us limited ourselves to a pair of vintage 80s sunglasses costing about $35 each.

I had always wanted little round sunglasses. With grey frosted plastic frames and tortoiseshell arms, they were reminiscent of the 1920s and suited my new bob admirably. I wore them often, and they were often admired.

Until recently when I pulled them out of their green leather case … and I discovered an arm was missing. Not the screw, mind you – that was in the case – but the arm. Now whoever heard of losing a sunglasses arm and not the screw? Ridiculous. The missing arm was nowhere to be found, and I was quite cross. And in a case of friendly synchronicity, Rapunzel had already lost hers.

A couple of weeks later I visited my favourite designer sunglass discount shop and found a new pair of round sunglasses that were such clear plastic they look like glass, with reflective shades. They are by label Mink Pink and cost only $25. Win. One of the arms exhorts me to Be Brave & Free.

Free is better than lost for sure.