A Seriously Stylish Eyewear Edit
Five pairs of achingly chic glasses that will convince you to ditch your contacts.
Are there any two words in the English language less alluring than ‘prescription glasses’? Up until fairly recently, I would have said no. For about a decade now, since my first year of university, I’ve officially been a glasses owner. And yes, I deliberately say ‘owner’ not ‘wearer’ here because for nine of those 10 years, my hideous, cheap spectacles barely left their case.
What changed was Jenna Lyons. The former J. Crew creative director turned TV personality has been one of my style icons for some time, and she just kept popping up in my feed in the Coolest Eyewear Ever. Eventually one day last summer, I walked by Jimmy Fairly on Portobello and spontaneously booked myself in for an overdue eye test (surprise surprise, my sight had not miraculously healed). After some deliberation over how bold to go, I took the plunge and ordered the Nax, a 1970s-style oversized aviator, in homage to the best-dressed Real Housewife of all time.
Going for a statement pair rather than something easy and unremarkable absolutely paid off. Throwing the Nax on instantly gives a low-key outfit a jolt of personality, and they always get a tonne of compliments. This past year, I’ve gone straight from loathing glasses to being something of an eyewear evangelist. In fact, I’m convinced they’re probably the most transformative accessory you can put on – so long as you select them with as much of an eye to style as you would anything else in your wardrobe.
If I’ve learnt anything from the last decade, it’s that you have to be led by your taste in this department. That said, if I were advising a friend doing some specs shopping, I would say lean towards substantial rather than flimsy frames – they’re less likely to break when you inevitably drop them, and they provide a level of structure and lift to the face that’s not unlike a great contour. For shapes, I love a cat-eye and an aviator, or a very oversized square lens. And with those more out-there styles, I find a tortoiseshell or clear frame to be softer and more wearable than black or brighter colours which can sometimes give wacky art teacher.
To inspire you to ditch the contacts or upgrade your own specs, I’ve put together a tight edit of some of my current favourites below. And while no one really needs tips on how to ‘style’ glasses, I’m of the firm belief that a grown-woman hoop makes for the best companion – just to help balance out the nerdy notes.
Thick frames from Loewe*
£310
When it comes to accessories, Loewe can do little wrong in my book. They’re my personal go-to for sunglasses at the moment, although I wouldn’t sleep on their opticals either. I’m obsessed with the just-right size and shape of these – especially the thickness of the tortoiseshell frames which instantly makes them the focal point of an outfit. And though I’m not typically a huge fan of heavily branded eyewear, I feel like the glint of the Loewe Anagram at the temple just makes them look all the more luxe.*
*For the more expensive ‘designer’ pairs, I’d find a bougie independent glasses boutique, try them on and haggle for at least 20% off.
Clear frames from Ace & Tate
£125
If I were to invest in a second pair of glasses to expand my eyewear wardrobe, I’d go for something a bit like these. They’re substantial but not quite as oversized as the Nax (for when I’m feeling a bit more low-key) and come in a translucent frame just to provide a point of difference – plus I like the boxiness of the lenses. For those less familiar with the brand, Ace & Tate is one of those no-middleman eyewear makers (see also Jimmy Fairly, Cubitts etc.), which means you’re getting a pretty decent-quality pair of glasses for a reasonable sum, along with a free eye test. Even better, if you buy a second pair (I’d go for the Leia in Tigerwood), you get them for an extra 40% off.
Silver aviators from Jimmy Fairly
£135
I won’t lie: I changed out my Jimmy Fairly pick a couple times (I love the Rumi and the Lou too) before settling on these, the Lizzie. Typically, I’m not a huge fan of wire frames, but I absolutely make an exception for aviator eyeglasses, which look chic whichever way you spin them. For what it’s worth, of all those youngish eyewear brands, I find Jimmy Fairly does the most interesting styles – and I personally had a very pleasant experience with the retail staff and optometrist in their Notting Hill store. Their sunglasses are also just as covetable to me as some of the big-name luxury brands – make sure you check out their recent collab with Reformation.
Two-tone glasses from Linda Farrow
£400
Linda Farrow does some of the very best frames (shades and opticals alike) on the planet. Yes, they come with a hefty price tag – but IMO, having tried on a few pairs in Selfridges and been very reluctant to take them off, they’re worth it. If I were to pick one style, it would be these oversized – nay, supersized – square specs (‘Renee’) which somehow feel retro yet incredibly modern. I also love how there’s a two-tone situation going on, which makes them feel unique but without shouting about it.
Cat-eye frames from Celine
£300
I’m probably the last person in the world who still harbours a bit of a grudge over what Hedi Slimane did to Céline Celine (I’m sure even Phoebe Philo has moved on by now). Even so I will humbly admit that his iteration of the brand has some reaaaallly good accessories. Case in point: these throwback eyeglasses which will make a statement whatever you wear them with, but equally aren’t too overpowering. And though the cat-eye look is probably the trickiest to pull off out of the bunch, the choice of a sleek, always-classic tortoiseshell will help counteract the kookiness.