Can glasses change the look?
The short answer is....well yes
This Sunday edition of Consider Yourself Cultured is brought to you by Warby Parker.
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The first pair of prescription glasses I have a distinct memory of having were square wire frames. I don’t have any recollection of picking out these spectacles for myself, I more so remember my mother and the optician telling me that these were the ones for me.
As I got older, I made sure to have more say in choosing my eyeglasses. But since my mother was footing the bill—and as the saying goes, mother knows best—there were still some constraints. However, once I landed my first job and had my own money, one of my first major purchases was a pair of glasses I picked out myself! Fittingly, they were from Warby Parker, and the style is still sold to this day!
For those of you who have met me in person, there’s a good chance you’ve seen me without my glasses—or maybe you didn’t even realize I wear them (to those people, surprise!). The main reason I rarely wear my glasses is that, for the longest time, I believed I simply didn’t look good in them—that they threw off my entire look. But as spectacled style superstars like Jenna Lyons and Iris Apfel have shown, the right frames can completely transform an outfit.
Think of it this way: how many belts does the average person own? Two? Three? You could have a whole collection, but chances are, you rotate between just a few favorites. The same logic applies to glasses. Most people have one or two pairs, and it’s easy to grow frustrated with them—just as I did. Because if you think about it, glasses don’t just complement a look; they can define it.
The first pair I reached for at the Warby Parker store were these sunglasses, and what immediately sold me was their collapsible feature. The design feels very of the moment, and the green-tinted lenses exude power and sophistication. They instantly made me want to put together working-girl power-lunch looks to complement the frames even more.
The next pair I gravitated toward was a set of circular wire frames. Lately, I’ve been drawn to wire frames—not just for the way they open up the face, but for their distinctly vintage charm. The moment I put them on, I instantly envisioned the quintessential College Joe—though in this case, one with a penchant for maritime influences.
I also felt the glasses would add a striking touch to a more corporate-leaning look.
Not straying too far from my the previous pair, I decided to try out a circular wire-frame pair of sunglasses with green-tinted lenses. While the opticals felt more suited for the office, these had a distinctly unconventional, almost bohemian feel. The moment I put them on, one image immediately came to mind: Woodstock—1969, of course, not 1999.
With Woodstock in mind, my thoughts drifted toward a more unconventional approach to dressing. A checkerboard-print knit, denim styled three different ways in three distinct silhouettes—and not just three denim pieces, but a jacket tied around my waist for good measure!
Or something even more unconventional—like a relaxed take on formalwear. Think a tuxedo jacket paired with cargos, finished with an eclectic mix of clashing accoutrements.
Perhaps the same jacket styled with something a bit more louche, like velvet trousers.
They also complemented a look that wasn’t exactly boho but certainly leaned unconventional—because, really, how often are you pinning brooches to your hats?
Continuing with the vintage-inspired theme, I decided to try on a mid-century-style pair. But rather than leaning into a Mad Men look, I felt these glasses would pair better with a more eclectic looks.
I essentially threw inhibition to the wind and got adventurous with the pairings. No matter how eccentric the combination—whether it was a belt cinched over a coat
or a graphic tee juxtaposed with sequins and fur—the inherently conservative nature of the glasses blended seamlessly. In some cases, they even served as the unifying element, tying together all the distinct parts of the look.
The final pair I gravitated toward felt oddly familiar, but I couldn’t quite place why—until I got home. While trying on all the glasses for my boyfriend, I turned around and realized I had picked up the exact same pair he wears every day.
It made me appreciate just how special it is to match with the people you love and admire. And while, as I’ve shown, the right pair of glasses can completely transform a look, the best ones are the ones that make you feel most like you—which, luckily for me, was every pair I chose!
Talk soon!
XX
JJ
Love the Tory Burch suit!
Winstons? Try Twinstons! 💕 I love, love, love this article, Jalil!
I have four pairs of prescription frames, and one pair of prescription sunglasses, and I totally agree they make the look. Most of my glasses are by Theo, a Belgian company known for their quirky frames. I also have a pair by Rapp, a Canadian company. The shapes and colours vary: purple rounded ovals, turquoise cats-eyes, pink-red asymmetrical, and black and clear plastic aviators (my most recent purchase, to complement my sporty Adidas looks).
Your styling is, as always, absolutely fabulous. Just one look after the other of amazing layering, textures, and colour. 💕 Rock on!