Spex Appeal
MEN seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses, Dorothy Parker famously scribbled in 1937.
Though with Scarlett Johansson, Christina Hendricks and Eva Longoria just some of the stars seen in eyewear recently, the poet would surely revise that view if she were around today.
Around 63% of Irish adults now wear glasses or contact lenses according to market-research firm Mintel — and that’s not even counting those who fake it with clear-lens fashion specs.
“Glasses have become the latest ‘It’ accessory,” says stylist Lorna Weightman. “When Cheryl Cole first wore a pair of black-rimmed frames at a fashion show a few years back, it was a real turning point for glasses-wearers.”
“As a child, I used to detest wearing my glasses,” she adds. “But now I actually choose to wear them over contact lenses as they add to my individual style.”
“People aren’t embarrassed to wear glasses anymore,” agrees Yvonne Davis of Specsavers Ireland – who run an annual Spectacle Wearer of the Year competition. “With all these celebrities wearing them, it’s actually become quite trendy. Our biggest customers are 19-25 year-old women — even ones who don’t need glasses at all. It’s not unusual for women to own five or six pairs to go with different outfits.”
Despite being famous for his geeky glasses, director Woody Allen (76) reveals he copied the look from comedian Mike Merrick. “I got these black glasses, put them on, wore them and never gave them a second thought the rest of my life.”
But from horn-rimmed like Brad Pitt to cat eye like Katy Perry, these days choosing specs is a bit more complicated.
“Your glasses should highlight your best feature,” advises Patrick Barry, Ophthalmic Dispensing Manager at Touchstone Opticians in Blackrock, Cork. “For example, a blue frame to match blue eyes or lighter coloured frames to suit a pale complexion.”
“The frame size should also be in scale with your face size and the shape should contrast with your face shape. Most importantly, they should be comfortable.
“Don’t be afraid to ask your optician for help,” he adds. “I’m always honest with my customers so that together we find the perfect pair of glasses for them.”
Below, we rate some of the world’s most famous four eyes face furniture.
As Andy Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada, she played the gawky journalism graduate who morphs into a Manolo-wearing Manhattanite after landing a job at a top fashion magazine to perfection. Off camera however, it seems Anne Hathaway is going in the opposite direction — from glam to geek. The 29-year-old rocked up to the premiere of Rio in these Deirdre Barlow-inspired glasses last year. Naturally she accessorised with a Gucci dress and heels.
Expert says: “These oversized frames are all wrong for Anne’s face shape,” says Patrick. “As a fashion statement, they’re fine. For every day wear though, they’re not very practical.”
SPECS APPEAL: 2/10
Phwoar-eyed Depp is rarely snapped without his trademark blue-tinted glasses these days. The recently single 49-year-old is thought to be a fan of Moscot specs — a century-old designer brand seen on everyone from Truman Capote to Buddy Holly. Ironically though, the actor was unable to don 3-D glasses to watch his own movie Alice in Wonderland. “I’ve got a weird thing where I don’t see properly out of my left eye,” he reveals. “So I truly can’t see 3-D.”
Expert says: “Johnny is the quintessential hispster,” says Patrick Barry of Touchstone Opticians, “so these frames suit him down to the ground. Classic styles such as Ray-Ban are really popular with our male customers right now.”
SPECS APPEAL: 10/10
She’s practically got as many pairs as she’s got awards, but when Meryl Streep scooped another doorstop for her role in The Iron Lady, the veteran star suffered a senior moment. “Oh s***, I forgot my glasses,” the 63-year-old cursed during her acceptance speech for Best Actress at the Golden Globes. “Now I have to remember my speech.” In fact, the actress is so well known for working her eyewear on film there’s even a YouTube montage of “Meryl Streep’s Dramatic Glasses”.
Expert says: “Meryl’s wire-framed glasses make her look really elegant and classy,” says Patrick. “They’re stylish without being over-the-top. Lots of our more mature female customers ask for a similar pair.”
SPECS APPEAL: 8/10
He’s bringing specsy back. Unlike some bespectacled celebs though, singer-turned-actor Justin Timberlake revealed that he actually needs his designer glasses to get about. After being spotted in specs recently, he confessed to chat show host Jimmy Kimmel that he’s shortsighted: “I can see you, but I can’t see any of [the audience].” Still, the 31 year-old’s eyesight can’t be too bad — he’s engaged to Hollywood bombshell Jessica Biel.
Expert says: “Justin has been seen wearing both trendy black plastic glasses and subtler ones,” says Patrick. “But I think these minimalistic half-frame glasses suit his face best.”
SPECS APPEAL: 6/10
Specsy supermodel Helena Christensen has modelled glasses on the catwalk and been snapped up as the face of Silhouette Eyewear.
However, the great Dane admits she doesn’t even need glasses.
“I don’t wear prescription glasses,” says mum-of-one Helena, 43. “I wear glasses because I think they make you look more interesting and a little bit smarter. They make me feel grown-up.”
Expert says: “Helena pulls off these frames perfectly,” says Patrick. “Even though they’re rimless, the rectangular shape complements her face shape and still looks very feminine.”
SPECS APPEAL: 9/10
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