Essentially, fashion is a plethora of fads – a wave of trends. Though, there will always be one that will continue to come and go, often reminding us why we need it in our wardrobes. Take nerdy specs, for example. More than just an aid for better sight, they are guaranteed to make even the less educated, look intellectual and the scruffy, more put-together.
Geek chic glasses may seem like something that has been introduced in the last few years by the celebrity du jour, but they have actually been around for much longer. They were invented during the 13th century in Italy, where various techniques made the production of glasses possible. As history tells us, glasses were seen as a symbol of wealth and status – few people could read at the time and the material used for the frames were made of bone, horn, tortoiseshell and ivory. From then on, aristocrats used to wear them without the lenses, in order to look smarter.
By the 1940s, optical shops were present in every town and glasses were being coordinated with clothing in the 1950s. As frames became lighter, styles became more daring and by the 1990s, spectacles were a firm feature in fashion shows.
Nowadays, geeky frames can add an androgynous element to an otherwise feminine ensemble, as proven by Alexa Chung sporting tortoise shell glasses with her Luella frock. Secondly, they can evoke a more suave, edging on sexy, aesthetic. This is shown by the latest Dolce and Gabbana eyewear campaign, with help from model-of-the-moment, David Gandy. Publicised as “the accessory that complements the wardrobe of the contemporary man” the specs are marketed as a symbol of masculinity. Alternatively, Givenchy’s Autumn/Winter 2011 ad campaign shows the glasses adding a level of sophistication to bright hues and punchy florals.
If you dare, are you going to don a pair of wayfarers, like Buddy Holly, or channel John Lennon and try a rounder option? Nobody wants to look like they’re going to school, when they are in fact going to work. Though just remember, cinema-goers, this is not an opportunity to recycle 3D glasses.
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