Baghdad Through the Lens: A Stylish Journey from the 50s to the 90s

Baghdad wasn’t just a city of history and culture—it was a place where fashion thrived, where elegance was second nature, and where eyewear wasn’t just about vision—it was about style, confidence, and identity.

And at the heart of it all? Sami Optical.

For decades, Sami Optical has been more than just an eyewear brand—it’s been a piece of Baghdad’s history. A name whispered in the bustling streets of Al-Rasheed, a storefront that generations have trusted. From the old-money intellectuals of the 50s to the trendsetters of the 90s, Sami Optical has been shaping Baghdad’s look—one frame at a time.

So, let’s rewind the clock. Let’s step back into the golden days of style and see how Baghdad’s eyewear evolution unfolded—decade by decade.

The 1950s – The Era of Timeless Elegance

Baghdad in the 50s was sophisticated, sharp, and full of charm. Think well-tailored suits, neatly combed hair, and a strong sense of refinement. And eyewear? It was a status symbol.

Men’s Style: Thick, black-rimmed glasses—sharp, bold, intellectual. The kind worn by doctors, professors, and businessmen strolling through Al-Mutanabbi Street with a newspaper tucked under their arm.

Women’s Style: The cat-eye frame was all the rage. Feminine, playful, and elegant. Paired with a polished updo and a silk dress, these glasses were the ultimate fashion statement.

Lenses: Practical yet stylish. Glasses were functional, but they weren’t boring. People took their eyewear seriously, visiting Sami Optical to get hand-fitted lenses, crafted with precision.

👉 Fun Fact: Sami Optical’s first shop was in the heart of Souq Al-Maghayez in Basra, where people flocked for European-inspired, high-quality eyewear.

The 1960s – The Age of Chic Minimalism

The 60s were about modernity and effortless cool. Music was changing, culture was evolving, and eyewear followed suit. Frames got thinner, sleeker, and more refined.

Men’s Style: Out with the chunky frames, in with the thin-rimmed metal glasses. Round and sophisticated, they gave off an intellectual, bookish vibe.

Women’s Style: Cat-eyes evolved—sharper edges, more dramatic curves. Jackie O meets Baghdad chic.

Lenses: Anti-glare coatings started appearing, and more people visited Sami Optical for high-quality, customized lenses that balanced function with fashion.

👉 Fun Fact: By the 60s, Sami Optical was the eyewear brand of choice for professionals and intellectuals. Custom-fitted lenses, precise measurements—Baghdadis wanted quality, and they knew exactly where to go.

The 1970s – Big Frames, Big Personalities

The 70s were about expression and individuality. Fashion exploded, and eyewear followed.

Men’s Style: Aviators everywhere. Whether prescription or sunglasses, they were the mark of confidence and effortless cool.

Women’s Style: Oversized sunglasses were the moment. The bigger, the better—especially when paired with gold accents and tinted lenses.

Lenses: This was the era when colored lenses took off. Yellow, brown, even blue-tinted lenses made their way into the mainstream.

👉 Fun Fact: Sami Optical introduced some of the first custom-tinted prescription lenses in Baghdad, setting a trend that lasted decades.

The 1980s – Bold, Loud, and Unapologetic

The 80s were flashy, experimental, and fearless. Everything was bigger, louder, and bolder—including glasses.

Men’s Style: Sporty wraparound glasses gave a futuristic, sci-fi vibe. If you weren’t wearing thick, rectangular frames, were you even in the 80s?

Women’s Style: Colored frames, geometric shapes, and power glasses. It was the era of statement eyewear.

Lenses: Transition lenses were the big innovation—glasses that changed shades in the sun? Magic.

👉 Fun Fact: By the 80s, Sami Optical was a household name. Everyone knew someone who wore Sami glasses.

The 1990s – Effortless Cool Takes Over

The 90s toned things down. Minimalism returned, but with a twist. People wanted sleek and practical glasses—but still fashionable.

Men’s Style: Thin wireframes were the ultimate flex. Gold, silver, and black rims ruled the streets.

Women’s Style: Slim, oval sunglasses were everything. Think Baghdad street style meets Hollywood grunge.

Lenses: Polarized lenses became the new must-have, making glasses not just fashionable, but functionally better.

👉 Fun Fact: The 90s was the decade Sami Optical expanded further, serving multi-generational families. Grandfathers, fathers, and sons—each had their own preferred frame, and Sami had them all.

AI Imagines Baghdad’s Golden Era of Eyewear

To truly capture Baghdad’s stylish past, we asked AI to recreate black-and-white photographs of how eyewear shaped the city’s fashion.

And the results? Timeless.

The streets of Baghdad, filled with men in sharp suits and aviators, women in elegant cat-eyes, the bustling shops of Al-Rasheed Street with people trying on the latest styles. It’s a reminder that Baghdad has always been a city of elegance, sophistication, and great taste.

✨ Eyewear has never been just about seeing better—it’s about looking better.

And through every decade, Sami Optical has been there, shaping the way Baghdad sees the world.