# Are glasses fashions changing again?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [November 29, 2014, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878 "2014-11-29T05:45:28Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/1 "2014-11-29T05:45:28Z")
I’ve noticed many of my coworkers and friends with new glasses styles these days. For about a decade, narrow framed lenses have ruled the day. But they’re wearing [browlines](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Browline_glasses.JPG) or “geek glasses” [aka this guy’s glasses](http://cache.g4tv.com/ImageDb3/149654_S/Elvis-Costello.jpg). Do you notice this too? What’s the advantage with them over the narrower styles? And will we soon be back to 80s style goggle glasses (shudder)?
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### Author:  [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/2 "2014-11-29T05:47:06Z")
It’s not new.
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### Author:  [@The\_Holdsworth\_Effect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Holdsworth_Effect)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/3 "2014-11-29T05:58:23Z")
Well I have three pair of “cat eye” glasses, in shades of tortoiseshell because the look better on my face, and more important, enlarge my field of view. I only need readers so have access to anything 2.50. One of them is really more professorial. I like them, and because they are timeless and I’m geezer age, will likely keep the professor type for a long time. The default would be rimless, large oval.
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/4 "2014-11-29T06:01:43Z")
“I was blinded, and complained. I regained my sight and wished for blindness.”
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### Author:  [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/5 "2014-11-29T07:07:37Z")
> [@installLSC](#):
>
> But they’re wearing [browlines](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Browline_glasses.JPG) or “geek glasses” [aka this guy’s glasses](http://cache.g4tv.com/ImageDb3/149654_S/Elvis-Costello.jpg). Do you notice this too?
When I saw the thread title, I thought you meant to ask if the prevailing style is changing _from_ that style to something new.
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### Author:  [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/6 "2014-11-29T07:46:00Z")
Geek chic, aka the hipster look has been around for some time. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a look found on younger folk who have no idea that glasses can make them look really stupid if the glasses don’t fit their face properly. I tried and failed miserably at hiding the look of surprise on my face when one 20-something at work told me the heavy black frames she was wearing were her “dressy” glasses. I nearly spat out my coffee.
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### Author:  [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/7 "2014-11-29T07:55:54Z")
I just bought new glasses on Tuesday and opted for geekish glasses (tortoise shell lined with a cool blue acrylic) instead of the thin wire-rims or rimless I’ve been wearing for 25 years. I picked them because a) I’m hoping the thicker rim will hold my thick-esh lenses in place better and because it doesn’t use the little nose pads but has a solid U shaped nose piece instead, which is more comfortable. I’m not sure if I’ll like them in another five years but I know they’ll be comfortable to wear.
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### Author:  [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/8 "2014-11-29T09:57:46Z")
For awhile, people who sold glasses seemed to push smaller and smaller lenses. I hate it. Below a certain size it starts to reduce my field of vision. Somehow, this argument never made an impact, because the notion that I wear glasses _in order to see things_ rather than make some sort of fashion statement seemed incomprehensible to some.
Rimless glasses don’t work for me due to the thickness of my lenses. The systems to hold such lenses in place don’t work beyond a certain thickness/weight.
The point about a larger surface area for support over nose also holds true, though it’s not as critical as used to be, as my lenses are not as thick as they once were due to advancing technology and becoming less near-sighted with advancing age.
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### Author:  [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/9 "2014-11-29T11:04:13Z")
I still wear the almost rimless glasses I have for over 35 years. But, yes, all the youngsters(20-50) at work have switched to the geek glasses over the last five or more years.
I asked my kids about this and was told that many of their 20-something friends, who don’t need glasses to see, have them just for show with plain glass in the frames.
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### Author:  [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/10 "2014-11-29T12:01:34Z")
I wear progressive trifocals and every year it’s a battle to find a pair with large enough lenses. I refused to buy the narrow ones, and I ain’t shelling out big bucks for “designer” frames. I want to see, not make a fashion statement!!
The ones I got last year were big enough, but they weigh a ton. With luck, I can find something in January that will satisfy my requirements. Stoopit eyes - they only gave me 45 good years, then gave up. 😛
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### Author:  [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/11 "2014-11-29T14:38:17Z")
I have noticed the exact same thing. That is pretty much the same style I have in my Zenni cart. I end up buying new glasses every year because o style changes. I’ve noticed a lot more people wearing this syle lately.
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### Author:  [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/12 "2014-11-29T14:43:29Z")
> [@Max\_the\_Immortal](#):
>
> When I saw the thread title, I thought you meant to ask if the prevailing style is changing _from_ that style to something new.
Me, too.
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### Author:  [@dofe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dofe)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/13 "2014-11-29T17:28:44Z")
[Hipsters](https://www.google.com/search?q=hipster&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=uwB6VJyHBoWoogS4kYKwCQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=601&bih=962)
I’d say the switch to the thicker frames first became trendy ten years ago, but did not go mainstream until about five years ago.
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### Author:  [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/14 "2014-11-29T17:30:25Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#):
>
> I wear progressive trifocals and every year it’s a battle to find a pair with large enough lenses. I refused to buy the narrow ones, and I ain’t shelling out big bucks for “designer” frames. I want to see, not make a fashion statement!!
>
> The ones I got last year were big enough, but they weigh a ton. With luck, I can find something in January that will satisfy my requirements. Stoopit eyes - they only gave me 45 good years, then gave up. 😛
[Mens aviator frames](http://www.39dollarglasses.com/1116_COFFEE.html). Classic, neutral, big. I have them in both bronze and silver colors. And duplicated, clear and sunglasses.
[URL=“[Pinterest](http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/)”]
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### Author:  [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/15 "2014-11-29T17:45:56Z")
> [@aruvqan](#):
>
> [Mens aviator frames](http://www.39dollarglasses.com/1116_COFFEE.html).
Mine are similar, but I suspect I may have grabbed frames intended for safety glasses. The woman at the optometrist’s wasn’t very helpful - she kept bringing out the fussy designer frames. Yeah, I know - upselling. Anyway, I think next time, I’ll get there early for my appointment and look at what they’ve got before my exam. I like to take my time when selecting.
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### Author:  [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/16 "2014-11-29T17:49:19Z")
I have narrow (vertically) frames and horn rims. I like the way the narrow frames look but man, the lenses seem to pop out easily. Never had a lens pop out on the horn rims. Note: this post from an actual, near-sighted eyeglass wearer, not someone with an opinion about hipsters.
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### Author:  [@Whatever4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whatever4)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2014, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/17 "2014-11-29T23:55:41Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#):
>
> I wear progressive trifocals and every year it’s a battle to find a pair with large enough lenses. I refused to buy the narrow ones, and I ain’t shelling out big bucks for “designer” frames. I want to see, not make a fashion statement!!
>
> The ones I got last year were big enough, but they weigh a ton. With luck, I can find something in January that will satisfy my requirements. Stoopit eyes - they only gave me 45 good years, then gave up. 😛
I, too, had to upgrade to rimless glasses when I couldn’t find frames that would hold my progressive trifocals. Nearly $500 for lenses and frames, but after about 5 years and two new prescriptions, the frames are still fine. I’ve worn wire rimmed or rimless glasses for so long I don’t think I could go back to plastic frames.
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### Author:  [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2014, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/18 "2014-11-30T01:42:09Z")
I’ve seen the couple of fashionista women at my office wearing large-ish, black, plastic-rimmed glasses similar to a pair I had in high school. I think they are “fashion” glasses, which is a concept I do not understand. But I wore glasses **for real** for thirty-odd years.
I’m not wearing glasses again until I need reading glasses!
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### Author:  [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2014, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/19 "2014-11-30T01:55:01Z")
I still wear some military issue ‘birth control’ glasses when working in the yard or on cars. They are so ugly no one would want to have sex with you.
I normally wear narrow line-less bifocals; however, I have a couple of pairs of single vision geek glasses for working at the computer. I may buy something like the geek glasses for my normal wear as they are much more comfortable on my nose compared to glasses with the little pads.
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### Author:  [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2014, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-glasses-fashions-changing-again/705878/20 "2014-11-30T03:58:23Z")
The glasses industry _has_ to keep the fashion trends moving to sell new frames. It cycles through. No advantage or disadvantage other than it sells more frames.
Currently I wear pinz-nez pretty much exactly like [this one](http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/390976214003?lpid=82). They were good enough for a range from [FDR](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bookdrum.com%2Fimages%2Fbooks%2F195098_m.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bookdrum.com%2Fbooks%2Fall-quiet-on-the-western-front%2F1915%2Fbookmark%2F179479.html&h=500&w=423&tbnid=-Sk4R-e9BJ8jTM%3A&zoom=1&docid=pypDFchJ3J7x6M&ei=HJJ6VIEnj8exBIyzgOAM&tbm=isch&ved=0CCoQMygMMAw&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=9290&page=1&start=0&ndsp=41) to [Fritz Haber](http://www.duhaime.org/LawMag/LawArticle-1094/Fritz-Haber-War-Criminal.aspx) to [Trotsky](https://www.google.com/search?q=pince-nez+glasses&espv=2&biw=1888&bih=985&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=tpF6VKz6DaaMsQS34ILIBw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=mtQkxR8xjKQshM%253A%3BVcuYrZ3vz2Ke6M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F_I8xQuJY0zgo%252FSRpYTlG8cfI%252FAAAAAAAAB8g%252FYbLEVytynxU%252Fs320%252Ftrotsky%252Bpince%252Bnez.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fgapersblock.com%252Fmechanics%252F2009%252F05%252F%3B247%3B320) and they’re good enough for me!
FWIW my last pair were fairly narrow thick frames … just because on my wife’s instructions I always bought what our regular optometrist said looked right on my face (her argument is that I don’t need to look at me as much as she does). I only got away with the pinz-nez (out of his old collection with some persistence over the years on my part) because it had his approval.
I do wear my old nerd ones for biking though.
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