Reading Glasses Depot

Penelope Garcia is not just a happy hacker, she’s also a fashion icon for the rest of us- you know those of us who are real people.  Penelope (aka Kristin Vangsness) solves FBI conundrums while sporting an alternative vintage look every episode.  She wears vibrant colors that come close to mirroring her endearing feistiness.  Penelope’s flirty look is much to be admired.

A cool "geek" look.

A brighter look.

A huge part of Penelope’s look is her ever-changing frames.  As usual, here are my “inspired-by” reading glasses:

Havemeyer

Striking

Gwyneth

Pearl St

Sidney Place

In the power of Penelope, the Queen of all Knowledge, go forth and express yourself.

You don’t have to be a Top Chef Master to Make the Cut

You may or may not be a fan of Top Chef, or its spin-off, Top Chef: Masters, but it’s hard not to notice the style of some of the contestants.  Let’s take Susan Feniger.

Susan Feniger

Susan cooked her way to the finals of Top Chef: Masters, which is a culinary achievement and honor.  And even though she was recently eliminated, we can’t help but notice her fun flair.   I personally am a lover of real people, with real figures.  Susan is not your typical size 0, 6-foot model- she is a real woman who lives a real life.  {Remember- never trust a skinny cook.}  Just by looking at her style, you can immediately deduce that Susan knows who she is and she is completely comfortable with herself.  I am always in awe of people, especially women, who are comfortable in their own skin.  From her tortoise specs to her orange Converse, Susan tells a story of where she comes from and where she’s going, and I’d like to hear it.

And since I focus on (pun intended) the glasses side of things, let’s take at look at those round, tortoise shell frames. Here’s what I found on the reading glass front:

Luna

A half-rimmed pair of reading glasses

Sugar Babe

A fun variation on color, while still going round

Diane

An ever-popular Amy Saks design

Soto

A fun variation of shape, while still going tortoise

Whether you go tortoise or round, or a totally different direction altogether, the important thing is to be you and to embrace that.  All cliches aside, it’s time to enjoy what you offer the world!

Rocking Out Reading Glasses

I am seriously in awe of people who rock out reading glasses.  Last week I was waiting at the airport for my sister-in-law when I ran into a friend disembarking from a long flight back from her home country of South Africa.  She had caught a red eye from her home back to Scotland and was eager to get home and refamiliarize herself with her bed.  While her eyes and flat hair spoke the story of how tired she was, I was quite impressed with how cute she still looked!  Jane wore lightweight, comfy linen pants and a blue tee-shirt with a stylish sweatshirt.  She tied it all together with a pair of equally stylish back and blue frames.

Pretty snazzy, eh?

As usual, I am impressed with how the details lend a hand to the whole look.  Instead of looking haggard and stressed, my friend looked put together and chic.  Who doesn’t want to be noticed as stylish and trendy?

Make an Impression

Fashion is about making an impression.  Whether you’re going casual, formal, or in between, no one walks out the door and thinks to herself, “I hope I look horrible today, like I just rolled out of bed and don’t care at all.”  Most women want to be noticed for the right reasons, such as looking nicely put together.

I am a firm believer that fashion is head to toe.  You don’t have to spend a lot, but you do have to pay attention to detail.  You can’t go all out on the outfit and ignore the accessories.  In fact, accessories, as we have previously discussed, make or break a look.

For example, check out these blue tights.  Normally, I would say no to blue tights.  But this particular combination of stripe and color really appeals to the eye.  The tight is indeed bright, but it is simultaneously subtle, in that most of it covered by dress or boots (as you can imagine when she stands up).  It’s a great accent for a chic look.

Designer reading glasses can do the same thing.  They can take a good look and make it great.  They can step it up a notch.  Check out some of my new favorite pairs:

Havemeyer

Colorful but not overpowering. Chic and shaped for trendiness.

Striking

Striking is an understatement. You can't help but look cool in these.

Ellery St

Love the lightweight design and use of subtle color.

It used to be that people dreaded having to wear glasses of any kind.  They felt nerdy, or at the very least like they stood out- and as Heidi Klum would say “not in a good way.”  I’m not sure when it happened, but finally some designer realized that those with less than wonderful eye sight should be able to see well and look fab at the same time.  Genius, I say.

These readers are unique, without trying too hard.

Why You Should Wear Reading Glasses

Reason 1:  You may need them

So, quick test- pick up your favorite mag.  Relax on the couch with a cup of coffee and start reading it.  Stop mid-way and see where you’re holding said magazine.  If it is touching your nose, or on the flip side, if it’s at arm’s length, you may want to consider a quick jaunt by the eye doctor.  (S)he will be able to asses if you need reading glasses and will offer you the best prescription.

Reason 2: They’re crazy fashionable

Maybe less motivating that the first reason, is the fact that these days you can still be you and wear reading glasses.  They’re not just for librarians and old ladies anymore.  There are oh so many great options that let you show your flare- whether it’s sleek and sophisticated or funky and artistic.

Why should you wear designer reading glasses?

Reason 1: They hold up better

Designer reading glasses will cost a bit more- hence designer.  However, they usually last longer than the cheapie kind at Target.  Plus, there’s a wide range of prices, so you don’t have to throw down a ton of cash for a great look.

Reason 2: They can make you go down a whole prescription

Many people have found that spending a little extra on nicer glasses helps them get a lower prescription- some have gone down from a +2.0 to a +1.5 or even +1.0 simply by buying better glasses.

Reason 3: They’re fashion-forward.

Designer reading glasses have that extra edge without being cheesy or goofy.  You don’t want to go overboard with your new look by looking like you’re trying too hard by grabbing the craziest pair off the rack.

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.

Accessorizing to Keep up with the Trends

Ladies, we all know looking great is all about accessorizing.  It’s hard, not to mention expensive (though I think I just did), to keep up with all the trends, especially when our figures show the wear of passing time as well.  So, focusing on accessories might be our best and most flattering bet.

Let’s talk about a few trends because they do change- I really can’t believe some of what I’m seeing out there on the streets, mostly because I grew up in the 80′s and was fairly certain I’d never have to see skinny jeans or cinched looks again.  As it is, the looks are slowly growing on me, though it’s possible I’m just losing my resolve due to sheer volume and exposure.  Or maybe it’s because I live in the UK- you cna’t help but notice British fashion.  Either way, here are some must-haves that are both fashion-forward and do-able for the modern, busy, but still wants to be chic (or at least  not sloppy) woman from head to toe:

• Designer tortoise glasses
  
• Tortoise reading glasses for way less
• Headbands and hair accessories
• Long, dangly earrings and necklaces, though not necessarily together
• Wide belts on the waist and over clothes
• Tall boots with tucked in jeans or skirts or leggings
• Leggings

I gave you some great and affordable options- that way as the trends shift, you won’t have wasted your pay check on stuff you can’t wear more than a few seasons.  Plus, all of it works for most sizes and you’re sure to find a fun color to celebrate the warmer weather.  Happy shopping!