RETRO SPECS
FORGET tattoos and bed head. Geek glasses are the rebel accessory showing up on everyone from indie rockers to fashion models.
Thick plastic glasses, trademarked by Buddy Holly in the 1950s, are on the noses of rockers such as Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo and even actresses such as Kirsten Dunst and Drew Barrymore.
They’ve given a sexy-intellectual spin to recent runway collections for men and women. At Luella’s spring 2007 show, models donned the quirky frames paired with the Mod-inspired shirt dresses and graphic trench coats. At the fall 2007 shows of Tommy Hilfiger and Corey Lynn Calter, the bespectacled muse was more schoolgirl. The specs’ retro appeal has also fueled a run on Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses.
Some of updates are slightly thinner, smaller and tortoise shell -- but the original clunky black classics are the ones to reach for. Just hold on to your wallet: Chrome Hearts and L.A. Eyeworks are making the basic frames for $595 and $320 respectively. Heaven help you if you need prescription lenses.
Fortunately, Zenni Optical offers black geek frames, which Holly himself might envy, for only $12.95 (at zennioptical.com, frame No. 3555).
And that’s with the cost of the lenses, so there’s money left over for tickets to your favorite concert this summer.
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Nerd vs. Nerd
Old school geek or new beta male? A few hints:
Alcoholic Beverage of choice
Proto-nerd
Zima
Beta Male
Hendrick’s Gin (rocks only)
Grooming products
Proto-nerd
Mennen
Beta Male
Baxter of California
Pop-Culture Stereotype
Proto-nerd
Urkel
Beta Male
Steve Carell
Man Bag
Proto-nerd
JanSport backpack
Beta Male
Jack Spade
PDA
Proto-nerd
Trapper Keeper
Beta Male
Palm Treo
Favorite Pastime
Proto-nerd
Magic the Gathering
Beta Male
Collecting celebrity Miis
Dream Job
Proto-nerd
CEO of Microsoft
Beta Male
CIA director of counterintelligence
Casual Footwear
Proto-nerd
Crocs
Beta Male
John Varvatos for Converse
Trousers
Proto-nerd
Haggar
Beta Male
Thom Browne
Dress Shirt
Proto-nerd
Van Heusen
Beta Male
A.P.C.
On the TiVo
Proto-nerd
“Star Trek”
Beta Male
“Ugly Betty”
Geek Crush
Proto-nerd
Princess Leia
Beta Male
Sarah Silverman
Mogul
Proto-nerd
Bill Gates
Beta Male
Steve Jobs
Signature accessory
Proto-nerd
Plastic pocket protector
Beta Male
Cotton pocket square
Default Neckwear
Proto-nerd
Piano-key tie
Beta Male
Band of Outsiders
