# Those Sarah Palin eyeglass frames... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 8, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052 "2008-10-08T20:12:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/1 "2008-10-08T20:12:19Z")
Yesterday, I went Lenscrafters with my wife to pick up her new frames. While she was getting fitted by the optician, I kiddingly reprimanded my wife for not getting the Tina Fey frames. The Optician promptly corrected me, “Oh you mean Sarah Palin frames.” And then she took us over to the showcase to let us see them up close. They cost a mere $365. And think about this: All they consist of are two temples (or bows) which attach to the lenses. And, of course, the $365 price doesn’t include the lenses. ---
**Author:** ![CAT\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@CAT\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CAT_1)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/2 "2008-10-08T20:15:08Z")
I won’t be getting a pair of Palin frames any time soon then. The most I have ever spent on glasses with lenses is about $80 bucks! The pricey frames all look the same as the ones in the bargin bins to me. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/3 "2008-10-08T20:24:42Z")
BTW the Optician told us how she showed them to a lady who said,“You couldnt **give** them to me!” “Hmm hard core liberal,” I responded amusedly. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/4 "2008-10-08T23:50:53Z")
Why does everybody act like $365 is extravagant for frames? I go to Lenscrafter’s and look for cheap ones, and they still run $200 or so. (My frames are a few years old, so probably $250 or so now.) I’m a guy and not into “designer” anything, but I can see women’s frames costing lots more. **CAT** : where do you get yours? ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/5 "2008-10-09T00:23:47Z")
I got the most fabulous, flattering, “Where did you get those?” frames off eBay for a whopping $27, including shipping from Germany. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/6 "2008-10-09T00:47:47Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > Why does everybody act like $365 is extravagant for frames? I go to Lenscrafter’s and look for cheap ones, and they still run $200 or so. (My frames are a few years old, so probably $250 or so now.) I’m a guy and not into “designer” anything, but I can see women’s frames costing lots more. Yeah, but she’s got 7 pairs of glasses, last I heard. I got my (Anne Klein) frames at Lenscrafters for $120 or so. The lenses were the real cost. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/7 "2008-10-09T01:28:37Z")
I’ve had those Japanese frames for YEARS now. I pre-Palined Palin. And my lenses are tiny, and hexagonal. I am so much cooler. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/8 "2008-10-09T01:45:31Z")
Fun fact: Fukui Prefecture (a very rural region on the western coast) has found itself in somewhat of a bind over who to support in the election. On the one hand, Sarah Palin’s now-famous glasses are made there. On the other, Fukui is also where the town of Obama is located, which earlier threw their support behind the Democratic candidate. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2008, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/9 "2008-10-23T06:32:34Z")
I am still hoping for a clue as to where to get cheap frames (as I think I will need a new prescription before New Year’s Eve, and I have another broken temple), so I guess I will try the fine optometrists and opticians at Wally’s World. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2008, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/10 "2008-10-23T12:22:51Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > I am still hoping for a clue as to where to get cheap frames (as I think I will need a new prescription before New Year’s Eve, and I have another broken temple), so I guess I will try the fine optometrists and opticians at Wally’s World. Try your local COSTCO, Ours has an Opticianry Shop, replete with an Optometrist. I wish you well. ---
**Author:** ![tygre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@tygre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygre)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2008, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/11 "2008-10-23T12:28:19Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > I am still hoping for a clue as to where to get cheap frames (as I think I will need a new prescription before New Year’s Eve, and I have another broken temple), so I guess I will try the fine optometrists and opticians at Wally’s World. This site [http://zennioptical.com/cart/home.php](http://zennioptical.com/cart/home.php) got positive reviews from some people I know. You’ll need your prescription but the frames are decent quality. Sears also advertises a $69 complete pair of glasses: frames and lenses. Not sure what types they have but it might be worth it to check. If you are a AAA member, you can get good discounts as well. ---
**Author:** ![nd\_n8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/439d5e/32.png) [@nd\_n8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nd_n8)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2008, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/12 "2008-10-23T12:50:32Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > I am still hoping for a clue as to where to get cheap frames (as I think I will need a new prescription before New Year’s Eve, and I have another broken temple), so I guess I will try the fine optometrists and opticians at Wally’s World. CostCo, Sears, anywhere in the Evil Empire (Wally World & Sam’s Club) are a ton cheaper. My wife’s ex took his son to Lenscrafters and paid $222 for exam and glasses (with insurance). I took my son to Sam’s Club and paid $129 for exam and the exact same glasses (without insurance). If anything happens to them (and with kids it’s not an “if” but a “when”, and that when has happened several times now) I stop by the local WalMart and get them repaired free of charge. For myself I have fairly modest frames, not designer, and I think I paid about $80 for the frames and lenses. My Rx safety glasses for work were an even better deal at $45 (we get up to $50 reimbursement so my work glasses were $0.00). So yeah, $365 for two temples that attach to lenses that cost extra seems a bit extravagant to me. ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2008, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/13 "2008-10-23T13:15:59Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > I got my (Anne Klein) frames at Lenscrafters for $120 or so. The lenses were the real cost. I’ve had my glasses (United Colors of Benetton) for more than a few years, and I remember that the lenses cost a lot to replace\* a couple of years back, but that the frames were originally pretty cheap at $100 back in 2000. With my needs and my desire to not look like I’m staring back at you through the bottom of a Coke bottle, the lenses will almost always inflate the cost to more than the frames, so I tend to make sure that I like the frames enough to keep them through multiple prescription changes if necessary. Until I’ve got a lot more money, I’m not going to have more than one pair of glasses. [sub]\*When you combine high index lenses, Transitions, non-reflective coating and a scratch-resistant finish with my prescription, it ended up around $500 for the lenses after discount. I have, however, not needed to replace the lenses yet and I still like the frames. [/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2008, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/14 "2008-10-23T13:34:35Z")
> [@BarnOwl](#): > > All they consist of are two temples (or bows) which attach to the lenses. And, of course, the $365 price doesn’t include the lenses. Just as a pedantic nitpick, I would assume $365 also includes a bridge to connect the two lenses, otherwise it’s more of a Cyclops effect, which would be cool. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2008, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/15 "2008-10-23T14:40:59Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > Why does everybody act like $365 is extravagant for frames? I go to Lenscrafter’s and look for cheap ones, and they still run $200 or so. (My frames are a few years old, so probably $250 or so now.) I’m a guy and not into “designer” anything, but I can see women’s frames costing lots more. You must be kidding. I go for whatever will be free, or close to it, based on my insurance. The uninsured price of these is never even near $100. Joe ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2008, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/16 "2008-10-23T14:43:25Z")
I had wanted to get frames like Tina Fey’s next time I got glasses but now everyone would assume I was copying Palin. I definitely wouldn’t spend that much on frames though, no matter what they look like. I was a bit annoyed the other day when someone on TV remarked that someone else had Sarah Palin bangs. SP didn’t invent bangs. I have bangs, I’ve had the same hairstyle for a while now, before I’d even heard of Palin and if anyone dares suggest I have an SP hairstyle I might punch them in the nose. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2008, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/17 "2008-10-23T14:49:24Z")
Heh. I still have the Tina Fey dark frame glasses in my head for her [http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&hl=en&q=tina+fey+glasses](http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&hl=en&q=tina+fey+glasses) and this thread is mighty confusing! ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2008, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/18 "2008-10-23T15:07:46Z")
I’ve been wearing the rimless glasses for a while now and I love them. No one’s mentioned that they look Palinesque, which is a good thing for them. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![nd\_n8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/439d5e/32.png) [@nd\_n8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nd_n8)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2008, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/19 "2008-10-23T15:14:59Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > I had wanted to get frames like Tina Fey’s next time I got glasses but now everyone would assume I was copying Palin. I definitely wouldn’t spend that much on frames though, no matter what they look like. > > I was a bit annoyed the other day when someone on TV remarked that someone else had Sarah Palin bangs. SP didn’t invent bangs. I have bangs, I’ve had the same hairstyle for a while now, before I’d even heard of Palin and if anyone dares suggest I have an SP hairstyle I might punch them in the nose. [kim carnes] _She can field dress a moose And take down a bear She’s got… Sarah Palin hair._ [/kim carnes] ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2008, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052/20 "2008-10-23T15:43:57Z")
It amazes me that her glasses are such a big deal. People have been wearing that type for several years now – they’re not that startling! And I don’t live in the center of the fashion universe, either. I tried some on the last time I got frames, around 2006, and they really didn’t flatter me at all. But they’re cute and flattering on her, so I suppose that’s why they’re such a “sensation.” :rolleyes: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-sarah-palin-eyeglass-frames/467052.md?page=2)