Reading Glasses Depot

Big & Tall

I am surrounded by tall men…my husband is 6 feet, my brother is 6″3″, my father is 6’2″, my father-in-law is 6’4″, and my grandfathers were well over 6 feet- in fact, my maternal grandfather was the shortest man in his family, placing him at 6’4″.  {All this begs the question where my tiny little son came from?  Fortunately, he is cute as a button, so he’ll just need to find an equally short girl, and he’ll be just fine.}

Reading frames that fit your frame!

Anyway, one thing about tall men is that they’re often large-featured, too.  Many men, even those with less height, are just bigger guys- barrel-chested, thick, strapping men.  Hence, the beginning of the “Big and Tall” store, where these strapping men could finally find clothes that fit properly.

Interestingly, it’s not just the clothes that need to be altered.  If you’re a big or tall man, everything you wear needs to be proportionate- we all remember what happens to a “fat guy in a little coat.”

As you can see, everything needs to be bigger to appropriately flatter your size, including your accessories and reading glasses.  Here’s a great pair if designer reading glasses that are oversized “just so” to fit your frame.

Julian frames are oversized, and come in 3 colors: espresso (pictured), moss, and caramel.

As you shop, just remember to try things on and take someone (a wife, girlfriend, or a very good guy friend) who will be honest in whether the garment, accessory, or glasses look right.

Rick Moonen

How to Look Sauve 101

There’s little I like more than a put-together look.  Looking sauve and debonaire in a chef’s jacket is nothing short than a miracle…but that’s Rick Moonen.  Well-spoken, witty, and ever fashionable, Rick Moonen takes sauve and debonaire to a whole new level.  I love his crisp, clean-cut look that speaks volumes about the comfort he feels in his own skin.

With nothing more than a black chef jacket and a starched pair of jeans, Moonen’s best accessory is his eyewear.  Whether judging or competing on Top Chef, Rick Moonen sports classic, but strong frames that draw attention to his eyes, of course, and his equally strong features.

As a man, presenting yourself confidently is key in making a good impression.  So, if you’re cool enough to get a massage at Whole Foods after doing your competition shop, maybe you’re cool enough to wear these reading glasses:

Lincoln

Hubert

Studied

Go ahead- make an impression.  It’s hard to ignore “debonaire.”

For me…for you…Dawg

Randy Jackson of American Idol sports a pretty sweet look.  To get noticed as a guy, and one with a less than ideal physique at that, on a show with countless gorgeous contestants is quite a feat indeed.  I personally do not believe that you should have to have a perfect body or face to make an impression- therefore, I love Randy Jackson because he embodies style and normalness.  What Randy brings to the table is confidence in himself and who he is.  To try a bold look or even to be well-established in your own normal look, you too have to be confident in yourself.  Look how well he pulls off that tie…you have to be a bold man to pull that tie off.  So, for me, for you, Randy, you’re in it to win it.

In it to Win it

Above all else, Randy Jackson is known for his eye wear.  The problem is it can be quite spendy, and all you need is a rockin’ pair of readers.  So, here are some great, more affordable options for reading glasses that are as bold {but not as expensive} as Randy’s.

I LOVE Renew.

Sleek black frames with clear accents.

Bowery is pretty awesome, too.

I love the brown plaid accents.

Lastly I offer you Roebling St.

With these, you an throw in a little color.

Good luck, Dawg.

{photo credit}

Jack Shephard

We’ve discussed Sawyer, Ben Linus, and Desmond Hume from LOST, and how they each rocked out their frames in their own way.  It just wouldn’t be right to leave out Dr. Jack Shephard, the conflicted, but sworn to do no harm surgeon. From season 1 to his last days on the island, Jack is constant, someone we can trust to make the right choices.  It’s not that Jack doesn’t stray from time to time, but that’s due to a broken and heavy heart that compels him to ultimately make the biggest sacrifice of his life.

Another thing we can count on from Jack is his look-from scrubs to jeans and a tee-shirt, Jack looks pulled together and confident in his everyday look.  And just because he doesn’t need reading glasses doesn’t mean he can’t look super-cool in some sweet shades. Here Matthew Fox sports black, darkly tinted sun glasses.

Jack is always cool, especially in the sun.

For you, my bespectacled friend, is an equally cool, dark sun glass option that also provides magnification.  So, you, too, can relax in the sun…and still be able to read!

Slick

Nice dark frames

Just because you need reading glasses doesn’t mean you can’t look uber-stylish at the same time.  With summer around the corner, you can’t go wrong with Slick.

{photo credit}

Ben Linus

From his early days as Henry Gale to the fully-developed character of Benjamin Linus, Michael Emerson has captured America’s wrath and, interestingly enough, her heart by the end of LOST.  There is simply no denying that, though small in frame, Ben Linus was nothing if not clever, conniving, and powerful.  In fact, Ben Linus can make anything sinister.

Spectacular Specs

I think a lot of it is his super-awesome frames.  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again- making an impression traces it way back to the details.  Ben Linus’ glasses are spectacular. Rather than big and square, Linus opts for a little subtlety with these circular specs.  Make no mistake- it was the right choice for the genius mind behind them.

Circular Specs

As promised, here are some Ben Linus-inspired circular specs.

Toby

Black-rimmed circular specs

Luna

A cool half-frame option

Just by donning these spectacular specs, you, too, can make an entrance no one will forget.  Don’t forget to check back soon for more looks from LOST.

{photo credits}

LOST

Whether you sat on the edge of your seat for the finale of LOST this week or not, there’s no denying the appeal of the LOST men.  From Sawyer to Jack to Desmond, and even to Ben Linus, the men of LOST could not help but attract the ladies- on and off screen.

Today, let’s focus on Sawyer…no difficult task, I assure you.  Even though Sawyer was gruff and macho, his mismatched frames were a dead give-away for his softer side…the well-read and educated side.

Only Sawyer could pull these babies off.

It seems that with the passage of time and several off-island excursions, Sawyer was able to get his hands on some more attractive frames.  The consistent theme for Sawyer was a big, bold set of frames that can only be described as strong and masculine.

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Where can you find these frames, you ask?  Always eager to serve my fellow mankind, here are some great Sawyer-inspired options that also display strength and masculinity.

Insight

Notice the square tortoise shell. It's a strong look.

Julian

{espresso}

Clark Kent

It's hard to go wrong with Clark Kent.

Check back soon for some more LOST looks and how to get them.

{photo credits}

Sweet Frames

A few days ago, I went out to dinner at a favorite restaurant.  The ambiance was great, and the meal was delicious.  As I am an avid people watcher, I can’t leave out the table of 20-somethings sitting next to us.  Since we currently live in the UK, I am always fascinated with their accents and styles- where we’re alike, where we’re different.  What I noticed last night was this one guy’s “look.”  I am a happily married woman, so I don’t mean he was hot or anything.  In fact, he wasn’t that great looking in all honesty.  He just had a cool style and the girls at the table were definitely drawn to him.  I think what stood out most were his reading glasses.  I’m not kidding.  They were just cool.  There’s no other word for them.  I don’t even wear reading glasses, and I was wishing I did as I checked these bad boys out.  They’re designer reading glasses, called Hubert St. {Try saying it with a silent “t” and you’ll get the vibe.}

Aren't these amazing?

I guess I am realizing over and over, that no matter your country or even your gender, we all like making an impression.  We’re more alike than I knew.

A Sight for Sore Eyes

It's not just your eyes that struggle to focus- you do, too.

Do your eyes ache by the end of the work day?  Do you have a hard time focusing as a result?  It’s probably because you stare at a screen all day, or at least the majority of the day.  Your eyes don’t blink as frequently and staring at a 3D image on a 2D screen is not easy on your eyes.  In addition, it could be that you don’t have the right reading glasses.  In fact, many people who need reading glasses for up-close work still need something else for computer screens.  For instance, a lower prescription works for this- if you need a +2.0, a +1.0 or +1.5 will allow you to read your screen without straining to see it or leaning forward for a better look.  (Your neck and back will thank you, too.)  Interestingly, a word to the wise: the higher quality lenses of designer reading glasses often reduce headaches as well as prescriptions, meaning if you use a +2.5 in the cheapie drug store brand, you may go a full step down in higher quality lenses.

Here are a few more tips for having a less straining, more productive work day in general :

• As stated above, get the right reading glasses, possibly higher quality
• Blink more intentionally and try to break up your computer-related tasks with non-computer tasks
• Consider using a lift mate to raise your monitor for less glare and a better angle
• If possible, use a desk without a glare (i.e. not glass)
• If you struggle with focus, you might also consider white noise (like this free generator) for fewer distractions and more productivity

Do what you can to keep it all in focus.

Picking the right glasses can really make the look stand out- cuz not everybody can pull off the Clark Kent look. (photo from metro.co.uk)

You might not be Clark Kent, but you can still be Superman with the right frames

Glasses can make a spectacle of you- either good or bad.  Choosing the right frames, even for reading glasses, is essential because you never know who you’ll run into…while reading?  In all seriousness, making a great first and lasting impression starts with what you’re wearing, including your glasses.

So, sure, you can customize your frames to be lime green with “Playa” on the side, but you might consider making a statement that doesn’t scream I’m trying too hard.  That said, you still have great choices for being you.

You could go blast from the past with tortoise, modern with colors that are sure to pop, cool geek (like Clark), or even show your extroverted side with these bad boys.

There are so many cool options out there- even people with 20/20 wish they could look so sleek.  Don’t blame yourself, you can’t help looking hot.