3 things to make specs wearers very happy

Nikki Parkinson Fashion 24 Comments

Last time I had an eye check-up, the optometrist thought he was SUPER funny.

I’m all, like … “so are my eyes worse because I spend a lot of time on my computer and can hardly see my iPhone … maybe that’s the cause of it?”. And he’s like, “no, they’re worse because you are older”.

At which point, I attempted to emit a laugh which was meant to be all jovial, you know … let’s be buddies, I’m not old, I’m really quite cool. Unfortunately that said sound came out with a squeak and a muttering under my breath about how he was in nappies when I was learning the finer skills of beer drinking games at uni. Hummph!

Anyways, I am over it. Totally. Or should that be, totes.

And I’m really ok that specs are part of my life. I mean, what’s not to like about another accessory, right?

Today’s post is dedicated to other specs-wearing readers. May you age gracefully and look even more stylish with the help of these three suggestions:

1.  If you need glasses for driving or long-distance, say at the beach while you’re trying to keep an eye on your kids, then you may have already discovered that your choices are limited because of the shape of the fashion frame. Until now. OPSM has introduced the latest optical technology, which allows for more than 80% of sunglasses to be fitted with optical lens – which means bring on the fashion sunnies baby. I’m in. Prices starts from $249 for a complete pair of prescription sunglasses. Just hope MBF puts through my claim for these Miu Mius.

These Miu Mius can be turned into prescription sunglasses at OPSM

2. Do you ever feel under pressure to choose a pair of specs quickly? I love this idea from Vision Direct – where you can use 3D try-on technology to play online and find the ideal pair to suit your face shape, hair and skin colour. Virtual 3D Try On also allows you to store photos of your fittings and share them with friends who may help you decide on which pair of frames fits you best. Yep, that’s right you could conduct a poll on Twitter or Facebook before hitting the buy now button. Very cool.

vision direct virtual 3D Try On

 

3. I’m still can’t quite believe that I got to meet Gok Wan last month. Seriously, that man knows his shiz. He’s the latest to team up with Specsavers to create his own collection: GW by Gok Wan. In it you’ll find 25 styles with a very retro and iconic feel. Gok’s vision was to design specs that were sexy, strong and glamorous but most of all different. These glasses are fashion statement pieces for the face, which are affordable and accessible to all spec wearers. “Gone are the days of hiding behind your specs, this range is for specs wearers who love to embrace fashion and dress to be seen.”

Gok Wan for Specsavers

Do you wear specs? Does your optometrist make *funny* jokes with you? How do you show your style with your specs?

 

Comments 24

  1. I have worn glasses since I was 10 – OMG they were ugly. Now I treat myself to outrageously priced but gorgeous frames. This year I got a pair of Zenkas that have changeable clip on frames. My Boz sunnies are designed for optical lenses but I would buy them as normal sunnies even so. However I’m not coping too well with the need for multifocals & am considering Lasic surgery next year. Part of my 50 before 50 list. I quite like wearing glasses though so I am torn.

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  2. What a brilliant idea. I love the idea of being able to share the images via social media and get votes from your friends.

    Next time I need a new pair of glasses I will try it out.

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  3. Hi Nikki
    a timely post as I had my 2nd ever eye test last weekend and saw the gok range.
    No – they didn’t suit me 🙁

    I settled (though I don’t mean that in a down way when I say settled), for a gorgeous pair of Alex Perry and Karen Millian
    Can’t wait for them to be ready 🙂

    (pity I only need them every now and then for reading extra fine print

    Have a wonderful day,

    loulou, from hereiamloulou blog

    x

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  4. I wear glasses all day now for reading and looking at the computer screen. They are actually not that nice, but I don’t care because noone sees them anyway. My optometrist told me that these glasses are not right for my face and they’re too big. He’s right, but at least I’m not constantly seeing the frame instead of the letters and it’s super light. When it comes to reading it’s comfort over style. This all changes of course if I go out in public with glasses…. but shopping for good glasses is one of the toughest exercizes. And I want my sunnys on strength as well. I really need some new ones though!

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      Yes, I guess not many see my computer glasses now – was a different story working on computers in an office. I also need different glasses for distance – driving at night and at the movies. It’s why I’m a little excited about the prescription sunnies at OPSM.

  5. I’m an optometrist, and I’ll tell you now- if there is any way I can avoid the word ‘old’ I run with it. I hate seeing mini-meltdowns in my office.

    My patients usually feel better when I tell them that I’ve had glasses since I was 12 🙂

    Great post! I love hearing things from the patient’s point of view 🙂

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  6. I’ve had glasses since I was about 11 or 12. I was the first girl in my entire school to rock a pair of thicker framed, not tortoise-shell coloured, rectangle glasses. And the following week, all the girls with glasses were wearing them!

    I don’t mind wearing glasses – in fact, there are times where I think my outfit just isn’t complete without some ‘face bling’. But I do love my contact lenses too – especially when it comes to swimming with the Toddler or doing anything outside in the wet season that would have my glasses falling off my face from the sweat!

    I am making an appointment at Specsavers for next week to get my eyes checked and get some new contacts, AND frames 🙂

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  7. I’ve worn glasses since I was 5. As soon as I had my first job, I saved up and got contact lenses. Which I wore until I was pregnant with my first child. For some reason pregnancy stuffs with my eyes, so I alternated wearing contacts with glasses.

    A few years ago I gave up on wearing contacts. The frames available today as so much better then even ten years ago. I was going to get refitted for contacts – but decided that my glasses are a part of me. I love them – guess it helps that my partner thinks they are sexy too! 🙂

    having said all that, and having worn them for so long, I was a tad disgruntled when at my eye exam this year I was told I had to get multifocal lenses… to add insult to injury, just because your short sighted, and have been for 36 years, doesn’t mean you don’t get the added bonus of developing long sightedness!!

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  8. I wear glasses. Or should that be I *should* wear glasses. I have them, I ignore them as much as possible. I don’t suit the glasses look.
    I cannot see long distances. Like, it’s deadly so. The TV is a blur of colours, I can’t read road signs until I’m a couple of metres away, I can’t read the aisle signs in the supermarket until i’m directly under them. Yeah. It’s annoying.
    I got my glasses when I was 16….with them on things are a little clearer but still blurry. I’m obviously way overdue for another eye exam.

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  9. Thank you, thank you for sharing the news you can now fit optical lenses to 80% of sunnies. I have not been wearing sunnies for the last few years for this very reason. I’ve just made my appointment. x

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  10. I picked up my first-ever pair of specs yesterday. Old lady reading glasses (they don’t look old-lady, it’s just that my eyes are old lady’s…) They’re rather fabulous – and sitting in their case in my handbag because I’m still not used to wearing them. Whoopsies.

    I loved Gok’s specs, but fell in love with another geeky pair that suited me better. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m just going to go put the damned things on!

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  11. Great tips Nikki – there’s just so many more options for glasses out there (remember getting your first pair? no one was exactly spoilt for choice in the fashion department!)

    But the picking can still be hard… you want to be trendy, but it’s more important to find something that really suits your face. That’s why I love how so many optical shops offer a 2 for 1 deal… I opt for one classic, conservative look and one a little more fun, hyper mod, or totally retro. I also like to clip pictures from magazines – it works for hairstyles, and it works for glasses inspiration too!

    – Catherine @ The Spring

    http://www.thespringblog.com

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