BY DESIGN : Framing the Arguments for Glasses
F orget the four-eyes jokes. Coordinated eye wear has the fashion-minded buying one, two, three and more pairs of glasses. The point: an eye on variety, enough looks to launch several fashion identities. We’re all for accessorizing ourselves to the nth, but just how many eyeglasses does one person need? (Or want?)
SHE: Well, here comes another one of those uncomfy confessions. I have a thing for glasses, especially shades. I have a drawer full of them--purple, tortoise, brass, red, turquoise, black, you name the frame colors.
I also have about seven pairs of regular glasses--several with black frames, a pair that combines red with black, another that combines blue with pink.
I’ve never walked out the door sans shades (no Garbo jokes please; I have very sensitive eyes, and consequently, virtually no crow’s feet). And now that I can barely see across a room, I love having a bunch of eye-looks to wear inside.
HE: This is another one of those fashion territories, I think, where women can get away with being expansive (and expensive) and men generally can’t. If a woman buys three pairs of glasses to go with the paint job on her sports car, she’s fashion-conscious. If a man does it, he’s a vain pretty boy.
No complaints, though. I have two pairs of faithful face-hiders--Ray-Ban aviators and a pair of conservative square gold-rimmed everyday corrective glasses--and so far nobody’s told me I look like a blowfish or that I ought to seriously consider wearing a ski mask full time.
SHE: According to Pearle Vision, an eye-wear retailer out of Dallas, there are some interesting eye-frame trends afoot. Metal frames with matte finishes, for one. This look complements natural tailoring styles and neutral tones.
Another hot look: tortoise color treatments such as calico, leopard and amber (gone are the days of the traditional thick plastic tortoise frame in single colors).
But, believe it or not, basic black is still the most popular choice for frames. As they become a status accessory, frames are meant to be noticed. And what is more defining or dramatic than black?
HE: Whether you want to look like Jayne Mansfield or Don Knotts, one thing’s certain: eventually you’re probably going to have to make an eye-wear choice. According to a study by the Optical Industry Assn., 94% of all United States residents over the age of 45 wear some sort of corrective eye wear. This means that you’re likely going to be looking through a pair of lenses for quite a few years, so you’d better be thoroughly happy with whatever option you pick.
Something to consider: If you decide on contact lenses, you won’t look one bit different, no better or worse, unless you get those tinted things that make nearly everyone who wears them look vaguely reptilian. If, however, you opt for glasses, unless you go for something freakishly retro, you’re going to look smarter. In the right glasses, you’ll look like you work at Caltech. Honest.
SHE: Vaguely reptilian, eh? Well said. These days, when I find myself going gaga over someone’s eye color, I stop and ask myself: true or false? The answer is usually false. Being a nosy reporter-type, I always compliment them on their eyes, then, very carefully, find out what their real eye color is.
One stylish society maven wore emerald contacts over her coffee-colored orbs to a splashy gala. Why did she change her soulful browns to bright green? To match her emerald taffeta party frock, of course. Her glittering emerald necklace and earrings completed the picture.
HE: Contacts have always given me the willies. Imagine willingly poking something straight into your eye. I wouldn’t do it on a bet, much less to match my evening duds. Yeeeeeecchh!!
Besides, with glasses a whole new repertoire of facial expressions opens up for you. Two of the best: 1) peering quizzically over the tops of the lenses when somebody says something stupid and 2) removing the glasses entirely in a theatrical motion, leaning forward and staring in utter disbelief when somebody says something REALLY stupid.
SHE: For sheer style-power, you can’t beat the look of huge sunglasses, a la our late beloved Jackie O. Her quiet elegance was magnified by the mystery she projected behind her owl-like shades. She took a practical accessory, exaggerated the look and made fashion history. And it was all about her penchant for privacy.
There is a style lesson there. Better to develop your own look with a pair or two of wisely chosen eyeglasses than follow a trend for trend’s sake. My two choices: basic black accented with gold and classic tortoise shell.
HE: That’s why I’m such a fan of Ray-Bans. Their Wayfarer model has been on people’s faces for many a year and has even enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in the past decade.
The one I love, though, is their large-size aviator style, favorite of fighter jock wanna-bes everywhere. They exemplify the two golden traits of any piece of eye wear: They look like a million and work even better than that. You can almost watch an eclipse of the sun through them, and they can make Billy Crystal look like Chuck Yeager.
The only problem: They’ll bend if you fall face first into the snow while skiing. So better to stick to strafing Saddam Hussein’s patio in your F-15.
