Vintage Specs Appeal

Hello all,

Hope you are well on this fine Tuesday eve. I have just gotten home from my second Tap dancing class, and my feet are super tired! Tap is so much fun, and much more difficult than I remembered, but I haven't done it since I was 6 so I'll give myself a break!

Getting Speccy

I have had to wear glasses when on computers and reading for about four years, but I'm a bit naughty and don't always wear them when I should be. As a result (or perhaps its just ageing) my eyes have gotten worse, and rather than just get a new prescription put into my current frames, I thought I'd treat myself to some new ones just in time for my new job. The pair I have had for a couple of years are reproduction lucite cats eyes glasses from Opera Opera. This is a really great shop in Covent Garden that sells spectacles from almost any decade you can think of, both vintage and reproduction. Unfortunately though, it's not cheap. This pair set me back more than £200! At the time I saved up for them and I do love them so, but I felt that it was time for a new style.

The High Street opticians in the UK, I personally think, have an appalling choice of frame styles. At work I see people from all over the world. I have noticed that French and American people often have really unusual and stylish frames, all different colours, shapes and period styles. In Britain everyone seems to be wearing the same rectangular frame with wide arms in garish colours. But fear not my ocularly challenged vintage loving friends! There are some fabulous frames out there for you.

As you can see, I have gone for a much more 1940s frame. They are really delicate and round, and (excuse the horrible yellow photo) a lovely mottled red and brown. I took the risk of buying them online, but cheekily went into Opera Opera before hand and tried on similar styles (that I can't afford!) to ensure that they suited me first. The brand is Anglo American and I bought them from Retrospecs for roughly £100 less than it would have cost me for a similar style at Opera Opera. Whaddayathink??

Another great online shop to buy glasses is Dead Mens Spex. They have a really great choice of vintage frames at excellent prices. You may have seen them mentioned before on Diary of a Vintage Girl as Fleur has a beautiful pair from there. They also have an ebay shop.

Fleur's Fabulous Frames!

Of course you can buy vintage frames on ebay, in charity shops and at car boot sales. You may even find an old pair of Granny's lying around in the attic, and you can simply get your prescription put into them. This is a cheap option. I also know people who have gone abroad to buy glasses because it is much cheaper and as I said before, there is much more choice.

Do you have vintage glasses or know where you can find good reproductions?

Cheerio! J.x