Lipstick, Lettuce & Lycra

Channeling My Inner 50s Librarian

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by

Retro Chick
in

I know you hardly ever see me in my specs, but I do wear them!

I wear the sort of contact lenses that you sleep in for a month, then I spend 2 or 3 days in glasses at the end of the month before going back to lenses. I have a super cheap pair that I bought all the way back in 2010, but for a while I have been on the hunt for something a little flashier for times when my contact lens free days coincide with doing something where I want to look a bit more special.

As much as I love 30s and 40s style rounder styles they do nothing for me, so a pair with a bit of a cats eye shape was on my wish list.

Cats Eye Glasses 50s

I bought a vintage pair at War & Peace in 2011, but my optician wouldn’t replace the lenses in case they broke. I’ve been meaning to try another optician, having removed the old lenses myself, but now they are in a box somewhere and are temporarily “lost”.

I’ve been sent press releases about “retro” glasses ranges in the past, but they’ve always tended to consist solely of those sort of heavy framed NHS specs that hipsters wear, that make me look ridiculous. Then I got an email from MyOptique and I spotted the glasses of my dreams.

london retro

 

These retro cats eye glasses are from London Retro Glasses and I love them, they’re not too “wingy” if you see what I mean, and they’re not encrusted with diamonds or anything so I can wear them every day. They also have some rather fabulous 1940s style rounder frames in the range, some lighter wire frames and, of course, a good smattering of those heavy NHS style specs.

I’ve been wary of ordering prescription glasses online before in case they didn’t suit me. In this case there was no risk for me as MyOptique sent them to me for free, but I was pleased anyway to note that if you do change your mind and they look awful you can exchange your glasses for different frames for a £20 handling fee.

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They’re far lighter to wear than the vintage ones I bought, and sturdier for every day wear. I’m still planning to get the lenses changed when I finally turn up those vintage frames though as it’s good to have a choice, and those are white, so I can match my specs to my outfit!

You might notice in the photos above that I currently have lilac hair. I probably won’t keep it long, but the blue rinse effect is sort of growing on me and with the new glasses I think I have a full on 1950s librarian look going on.

See:

1950s librarian

dhs65-20Me:

librarian

 

Comments

54 responses to “Channeling My Inner 50s Librarian”

  1. Joanna Kiely avatar
    Joanna Kiely

    I LOVE those glasses!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Nikk avatar
    Nikk

    Hi, I always use a company called deadmens specs to deglaze my vintage frames. They are based in Norfolk, and their customer service is amazing x

    1. Nikk avatar
      Nikk

      *Relgaze! Oops

    2. Gemma avatar
      Gemma

      I have heard of deadmen’s spex. Can’t remember why I didn’t try them now, it was either price or because I’d mislaid my frames or prescription! I had to make a special trip into town to get the prescription to get these and I’m really lazy so probably never bothered before!

  3. Sunae avatar
    Sunae

    I love your glasses! I wear glasses every day but have been thinking of getting some cat eye vintage style ones for days when I want to look a little more special 🙂 I tried all sorts of contact lenses and they didn’t work for me, so I may as well make sure I feel pretty in my glasses!

  4. @ carolinesweetie avatar
    @ carolinesweetie

    I love those lasses, they really suit you.xx

  5. @ carolinesweetie avatar
    @ carolinesweetie

    Glasses, not lasses, obv I need a pair if I cannot type!

  6. Tricia avatar
    Tricia

    I choose to wear glasses over contacts and use them as an accessory (I have 5 plus pairs) and while most are vintage frames, the risk sometimes of changing the lenses is sometimes too great to have them for day wear, so I shall be taking a good look around this website – thank you
    One tip I have is to go to an independent opticians or optometrist rather than a high street chain.
    Some of the independent shops put lenses in on site or have a technician that comes in so they can advise before being sent off.
    The pair you chose looks great on you. I hope you enjoy wearing them

  7. Helen Mae avatar
    Helen Mae

    I really like them, the photo in the library is great.

  8. Lori Smith (@lipsticklori) avatar
    Lori Smith (@lipsticklori)

    Super cute! They look amazing on you! As does the lilac hair 🙂 Will definitely check out that site now that I’m wearing glasses more.

  9. Sean MacKenzie avatar
    Sean MacKenzie

    I love cat eye specs! 🙂

  10. Miss Fairchild avatar
    Miss Fairchild

    Gorgeous! These suit you so well! I love them.

    As for getting your lenses put in vintage frames, all I had to do was sign a form that let me know they might break during the lens fitting and then I wouldn’t be able to sue.

  11. sarahpearson4 avatar
    sarahpearson4

    Wow – that look really suits you! I love those glasses – you look amazing!

  12. Jacqui avatar
    Jacqui

    Your new glasses look fabulous!!

  13. Mim McDonald (@crinolinerobot) avatar
    Mim McDonald (@crinolinerobot)

    Those are really pretty glasses. I need to get new ones and usually go for a modern style ‘cos I have no idea what to choose. You’re very brave ordering online!

  14. Margaret avatar
    Margaret

    Very lovely glasses :3 I absolutely love those cat eye frames, but they don’t really suit me xD Otherwise I would probably be sporting those as well ^^

  15. avatar
    Anonymous