I started wearing glasses when I was about 9. I can't recall minding much at first, but between my school teacher's first remark upon seeing me ("Oh, you look just like a perfect little secretary!" - would she have said that to a boy, ever?) and my schoolmates' mocking words, I soon came to hate the glassy appendage sitting on my nose. In high school, it's really not a good idea to be bookish, socially clumsy, and wear glasses; I would try to wear them as little as possible and went around squinting, blinking and miserable.Trust, Hal Hartley's poetic and raw movie, had a lovely girl sulk about her glasses, "They make me look brainy, like... a librarian." "I like librarians," a handsome Martin Donovan shot back before kissing her. Though I now mainly wear contact lenses (the blessing! salvation!), whenever I wear glasses I try to think of that line.
I've been wearing my smallish Guccis, above, for over 7 years and as they are showing sign of serious wear, I am considering a change. I wonder - should I go for one of those barely-there models, such as those in Titanium (but nothing rimless, thank you very much, I don't want to look like Sarah Palin), or should I embrace and go for bold frames?
Please advise.
Emily Dickinson
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37 comments:
embrace the glasses! of course, i'm someone who wears mine only when i'm at home, but i still say go with the "obvious" frames. personally, i have a pair from Face à Face, and on those rare occasions when i'm seen out in them, i always get compliments. i've had them for 5 years, and the frame is super strong. happy hunting!
Whatever you choose, go for the plastic frames – they’re so light and leave no marks on the nose!
I envy you being able to wear contacts.
Embrace and go for bold!!! I love my contacts but as I get older I am loving my glasses too... Own them!
It is so difficult to decide, because you can't see yourself in them (oh...but, then, you have contacts). Look in all the current fashion mags and decide who "you" are. It is so important, as they truly are an accessory that are with you much of the time. Since you are a California girl now think about shading on the top so those pretty eyes will always be protected.
You have to try and try some more. I love my glasses and feel naked without them when I wear my contacts. I guess it's my armor now. LOL. Whatever you do have fun.
I am about to change mine too. i have had it for 2.5 yrs now. They are still good but often get slightly off its alignment when my grandson accidentally fall on me while playing with him.
Frame to choose from is the one best suited your face, light metal and rimless... shame to say, i broke mine only after a year wearing it. There are "wire like" metals that are very light and easy to handle. I envy you with contacts... i am estig so can;t wear them.
Enjoy frame-hunting.
Get something that surprises even you!
I'm really needing glasses but can't bear to give into the aging process!
JOSEPHINE - thanks for the tip, I'll check out that brand.
BETH - ah yes, don't you HATE those marks on the nose!?
SPANGLER - thanks for the excellent advice; you know, you are one of the ladies I admire when it comes to glasses - you wear your bold frames with style and elegance.
ROYAL T. LADY - it must be so much fun playing with your grandson! I just adore children.
WENDY B - LOL - I know lots of people who tried to keep glasses at bay for as long as possible.
Maybe you should see them as a chic fashion accessory?
I think you could totally pull off something bolder, so I say go for it. Who knows...you may just start liking your glasses-wearing self more than your sans-glasses self. :-)
If you mostly wear contacts, then I am guessing you won't be wearing glasses much except for around the house. So, don't worry about spending much on the frames. If however, you will be wearing them out, black statement glasses always look good. Maybe a few rhinestones or bling. Round or cat eyes. Just go somewhere with a lot of styles and take your time trying them on.
Hmm, I don't really know what advice to give you! I usually wear contacts when I'm not at home, and glasses at home. A couple of years ago, I wore black-rimmed ones that were kind of geek-chic (perfect for high school I suppose!) But for the past couple of years I've been wearing small rectangular frameless ones and really love them, because if I DO want to go out in them, I don't feel like they are covering up my eyes or make up. So I suppose it really just depends on what kind of look you want to go for! :\ Sorry I can't be more helpful!
DONNA - you are SO right, I really just wear them around the house... Thanks for your pragmatic and smart input!
LEIA - no, you are being helpful! I like the geek-chic idea.
Well though I am almost fully blind and glasses cannot save my vision at this point (and they don't make glasses for pets... how rude and inconsiderate), I turn to my beloved owner for advice. And she says:
you are so pretty, anything would look good on you. Personally, I like the tough CEO look (black rims, oval/ rectangular shape), but at the end of the day, I enjoy buying pricey glasses as it is my brush with luxury. How about a nice pair of Chanel?
TAOCITO - don't you recognize those glasses?
The day after I got them you chewed on them like it was chicken, and I had to have the whole thing replaced...
bold frames
check the reedition of
fabulous fanny's
optical antiques and oddities
335 east ninth street
NY
212 533 0637
http://store.fabulousfannys.com/catalog/spectaculars/viola
try many different ones and ask randomly people in the shop .. they should not be biased!! And try several shops, they carry different brands. the Gucci look lovely (timeless it seems since that style is all over the shops)
Go for a basic timeless classic model by Prada or Armani. I have a few glasses *blush* I always hated my glasses but now i use them as fashion accessory. I have a different one with every outfit. Have fun frame hunting!
-M
Hmmmm...well I've got roundish John Lennon type black thin steel framed ones and they are very non descript and versatile - but really I think it's a matter of going in and trying them all on until you feel comfy.
CHLOE - je savais bien que tu aurais une suggestion originale...
MEL - I'd love to see your collection of glasses. Maybe you could post about it on your blog?
SAM - I love the round steel frame look.
I say gold bold and fun! I love wearing my glasses and have since 9th grade tried contacts, a couple of times but another story for another time. Maybe if you are lucky the glass place will have a special going buy one get one free or half off. OK I'm dreaming. smile... Keep us posted on your choice. Have a golden day! xoxo
Enough with the accusations!
Yes, I chewed your glasses and a pair of your sergio rossi shoes. But that was decades ago (in dog time)!
I like looking like a librarian. Oh, wait, that is what I am!
Go bold, but no rhinestones, OK?
M-L...
Until recently, I had to wear my glasses every day for nearly a year unless a meeting or something similar due to finances. (I remedied this with an order of TWO years' worth in July.)
Some people like to wear their glasses more, some do not. To me, the glasses became a symbol of what I could not do.
Many have given good advice, but my experience was that I hated nearly everything I've had since I was a kid.
In late 1999, I was determined not to make the same mistake again. I asked a friend with a good eye (ha)to accompany me on a shopping expedition. Along with the owner of the small shop that was recommended to us both, we came up with some excellent choices & then I picked the most classic-but-cool pair (to me).
(I only need help with glasses; I do just fine with clothes & house decoration. I suspect it is my upset at bad eyesight since a child.)
The optician has always been intent on building her business of repeat customers & a good reputation. I recommend her, as does my friend, & now our friends to so many people. So this was smart, especially during this financial crisis. I also like supporting a local businesswoman.
I tell people, if you can afford slightly more than the cut-rate places, she will keep one's glasses beautiful for as long as possible; she will repair the ghastly damage one (ahem, me or Tacocito) does, & if that can't be done, she will replace the frames at cost if you're a good customer or have a sad story:) (Seriously.)
I'm back to loving my glasses now that it is again a choice when to wear them.
This does not help at all, I realize. But I'm so glad that I had in-person help & they didn't try to talk me into something that they might have liked but what would suit me & what I liked. The end-result is that nearly 10 (!)years later, I still love my glasses & they do not look dated. I cannot replace them anytime soon, so that's a good feeling.
[To Tacocito. Stop making excuses for your wretched behavior, you little devil. Just like a dog...GG aka Julie the Cat]
I'm sorry, M-L. That was Giulia. She claims to love dogs & then this. I have lost control of the apartment. Must go look for adoption notices for yet another.
ciao-meow!
Susan
I say go bold. Glasses can be such a great statement. I wear contacts but have Norma Kamali for when I need to rest my eyes. Be sure to show us what you choose. I know they'll be great.
I wear contact lens most of the time, (yes, thank goodness for contacts!) and I had some small black metal DKNY glasses, but now I've gone for some BIG chanel tortoiseshell colour ones. I'm picking them up tomorrow!! I say go for something BIG! (ut I'll let you know if I regret it!)
i love bold frames!
I had a love hate relationship with my glasses. But, I just got a new pair and I'm leaning towards the love side now! A new pair of frames can really win over a girl
I think going for bold would be pretty fun!
OK, I'll weigh on this one. I've worn glasses forever and plastic frames are really the best, light weight and there are some very cool/cute ones out there. My favorite designers are Kate Spade and Nine West. Even when I don't know who makes what I like, it's always those two. SCARY. Get Anti-glare coating, you have to be a little careful, but it's worth it. I'm light sensitive so I have my indoor glasses tinted slightly, it helps with reading and makes me feel a little like James Joyce.
Your glasses are adorable! I have some that are somewhat similar, so I'm a bit biased -- I like bold frames! Though I will confess to preferring my contacts. :)
I got glasses around that same age and would only put them on in school if NO ONE was looking and I was desperate... though often I just squinted and guessed or looked at someone else's notes. How sad!
ive just recently bought my first pair of glasses(!) and its been hard adjusting. i don't need to wear them often (mainly for reading at a distance, at uni or when i see a film with subtitles) but for someone who has never liked even wearing sunglasses, its been strange having something on my nose :) i got a pair of thick rimmed, i agree, rimless frames just look weird.
TAOCITO - they were Ferragamo, not Sergio Rossi.
BRENDA - yay, go librarians!
SUSAN AND GIULIA - your comments made me laugh! I'm sure you'd like Taocito if you met him though, he's a real darling.
Susan, I agree that a good optician can be priceless. Too bad I don't know one (yet?) here.
EVERYBODYSAYSDONT - yes, toirtoishell is really pretty, very elegant I find.
Enjoy wearing your new glasses and please feature them on your blog!!
LIZZY - if only. Sigh.
D MOLL - I agree, Kate Spade always has lovely designs.
Wear an old black felt hat and you'll feel even more like James Joyce!
REBECCA - I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who hated wearing glasses as a kid!
MARIE - I'd love to see you with your glasses! I'm sure you're super cute.
LOL yes, spiting image of JJ!
I always go bold..."if you're gonna wear 'em, flaunt 'em" is my motto :)
I, too, do not embrace my glasses at all. I squint my way through driving, social outings and everything else! Though I always wear them when reading and watching TV.
I always go for rimless (since I lose them so often) and barely there glasses. I never liked them before, and don't like them still!
It's easier for kids to adjust nowadays, I think. A pair of glasses has become part of the retro image, or in some cases the geeky look has become quite hip. In general, the frames these days are better-made and more fashionably inclined. I think it's quite fun - as wearing them outside is more comfortable since many see them as an accessory.
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