For your eyes only
Isn’t it funny how we are willing to spend a lot of money on clothes and shoes on a yearly or even monthly basis but not on something as in your face and important as a pair of glasses? Most people own just one pair of glasses which gets worn every day for sometimes years on end. My current glasses are almost three years old and I had been on the lookout for a new pair. The frame has lost its shine and both glasses are lightly scratched. I had to decide between two pairs (see below, I went with the first frame in olive-gradient) but to be honest, I might get them both because they are so reasonably priced and it might be nice to be able to switch pairs every now and then.
While I usually opt for a subtle pair in a dark color, I wanted to do something a little more bold this time around. What makes it difficult though, is that I’m a -7,75 which means very thick lenses with distortion. You can get them in a thinner version but the person looking at me will still see a distorted image on the outer sides of the lenses. D. says he doesn’t notice. But what has been seen, cannot be unseen so it bothers me. The only solution is a smaller frame but those don’t suit me and make me look older, not to mention nerdier, than I am for some reason. Trust me, picking the right eyewear is much harder than picking out your daily outfit, haha.
Luckily you can try these for 30 days and if you’re not happy, you can return them and get your money back or choose another pair. Maybe it’s just a matter of getting used to them because my previous glasses were all so safe and the distortion was always there anyway. I hope so. You may wonder why I don’t invest in a pair of designer glasses. I did that years ago and those didn’t last me any longer than these will. And quite frankly, I get bored with them after a few years, wearing them day in, day out, so it’s not worth the cost to me.
Do you wear glasses? Would you rather play it safe or go crazy with your frames?
Agreed that glasses are definitely one of the hardest things to shop for, for all of the above reasons. I like both the framed that you picked—the tortoiseshell seems like a great alternative. I wonder if it would be slightly lighter because the frame carries a little less acetate? The shape is also quite classic and unobtrusive.
If you are referring to a thinner version of the lenses, I’m an advocate! My prescription is close to yours and I noticed a significant decline in discomfort and headaches after choosing high-index lenses and a partial titanium frame (hence my obsession with the overall weight). Looking forward to seeing how it works out for you!
Both are luckily very light. And you’re right, the tortoise option isn’t really that bold when you take the shape into account. The other one has a more vintage vibe to it.
Ah lenses! I couldn’t find the right word so I used ‘glasses’ instead. I’ll edit my post to make it more clear. Thanks! Have you been wearing glasses for a long time? I remember that getting thinner lenses etc. was so expensive. I used to pay around €400 for a pair. Nowadays it’s a lot cheaper hence my consideration to buy a second pair to rotate.
I’m wearing them here: http://www.daarboven.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/img_0812.jpg. Sorry about the stupid IG filter haha.
My glasses are close to your first choice. They are the Jardinette by Olivier Peoples and I bought them two years ago. They are still impeccable. I prefer to investe in a good frame I think that last longer and usually it’s lighter and prettiest.
Oh I like those! They are similar indeed. I would buy a more expensive pair if I wanted to wear them longer than 3-4 years. But like I said, I do get bored with them after a few years and mine hold up long enough. How long do you usually wear yours?
The previous ones were from Miu Miu [black and white striped!] and I used them for six years. They are still perfect actually, but I get bored with them too, and I’ve changed lens prescription. For Christmas I think to buy a pair of classic Rayban Wayfarer in black, because I need a reserve!
I’m the same way. I’ve had the same pair of glasses (and prescription sunglasses) for 3 years now. It is very difficult to decide on a pair. I have a friend who has something like 6 pairs in bright colors and she changes them out as she feels like it. I’ve seen her in light blue and bright pink frames. It’s endearing how colorful she is, but I’m much more of a dark color type. I don’t want to fuss about what I put on my face and bring more attention to it, especially the older I get.
I like the tortoise shell frames above.
I got my glasses at eyes and more here in Germany. They don’t have brand frames but they have a huge selection. This was important to me, because I feel with glasses it can be the tiniest difference in width or height that makes them look great or horrible on my face.
Mine are a dark subdued red. I wanted something different than black frames (too severe) but also not as out-there as my previous pair of gold-rimmed cat-eye style (bought at the fleamarket).
I sometimes think about getting a second pair, as they are quite cheap (around 120€) but in the end I like mine just fine and mostly wear them for work anyway (I tell myself I’m fine without them when not sitting in front of a computer).
I wear glasses daily, and usually own up to two pairs of glasses at any given time – when I travel I always bring a back-up pair because I’ve actually broken glasses on the go, and then found myself practically blind while waiting for a new pair to be ready.
When I’m not travelling, I just rotate between the two pairs, and this allows me to wear them for years and years (5 to 6 years usually). My eyesight has stabilised and doesn’t require me to get the lenses changed unless I scratch them. I’m happy to spend on good frames and lenses since I wear them daily – I want them light but not flimsy, firm enough to keep their shape but flexible enough to be comfortable and not snap easily.
My current preferred pair is from a Japanese brand called Yellows Plus, which are perfectly sized for small and flat Asian faces, and they always come in subtle but interesting colour ways, like dark tortoiseshell frames with khaki arms, or lovely dark blues and greens. They’re also really durable.
I broke my spare pair last year, so I bought a Gucci pair I found in an outlet mall, which are quite nicely made, but just a little heavy so it slides down my nose more often than I like. These ones are a bit more “bold” than the Yellows: the frames are thicker and two-toned (dark brown and clear), and make me look a little serious, which is quite useful at work! They also make me feel less boring when I’m in a very plain outfit (white T-shirt, jeans).