Q. I have 20/15 vision. I probably could’ve been a sniper in the army, so I’m very jealous of those who wear glasses. In my field there are people I specifically remember based on their cool colored glasses. Would it be too much to begin to wear glasses that match my tie, etc.?
A. I did a double-take and had to read your question twice before I realized that you were not only serious but were actually complaining that you do not need glasses! As a nearsighted woman - and vain - who has for years rushed to take off my glasses any time I saw someone near me pick up a camera, it was hard to believe you could possibly be jealous of those who wear them.
When I was a kid, no one wanted to wear glasses. That’s why contact lenses became so popular. The fact that there are people who wear glasses with noncorrective lenses was hard to imagine. It’s even harder to believe that glasses are considered cool now. Still, I have learned that it is true.
So I suppose your question really is two-pronged: Would it be unreasonable to wear glasses as an accessory rather than a need, and is it appropriate for one’s glasses (or a man’s glasses, more specifically) to be coordinated to his clothing?
The answer to the unnecessary, accessory glasses question is generally less about fashion and appropriate wear than it is psychological or societal norms, and therefore is less in my wheelhouse. That said, and given that a tie or a pocket square is hardly required to keep a man warm, I suppose I do often focus on those elements that complete a look. Certainly Clark Kent (plus every undercover agent posing as a scientist) feels that spectacles make him less of a spectacle, and I do know of very good-looking men who have switched back from contacts to glasses to seem less threatening. Many people (and often they are women) think that glasses give an air of intelligence or sensitivity, even sophistication. If you like the look, I see no reason you should go without.
Glasses are part of the current retro “geek chic” trend. Other elements of this look include the renewed popularity of bow ties, tie clasps, and more snugly fitting clothes. The truth is that some men just look better in glasses. If you think you’re one of them but you don’t happen to need eyeglasses, the “vanity frames” that have plain window glass in the frames and have no effect on your vision, only on your appearance, make sense.If glasses seem to make a noticeable difference for the better and you like the look, it’s no different from any other bit of jewelry or accenting that you might add to suit your personal taste.
It used to be that, if you had to wear glasses, they should be as unobtrusive as possible. The problem is that some of these styles may not be the best look for every man’s face. More modern fashion treats glasses as an expression of one’s style, the same as wearing a hat or braces. The shape and color of the frames can become part of your look.
As with any accessory, they should complement your style, not overwhelm it. Avoid anything too eye-catching or too memorable. What you want are glasses that are flattering and act as an accent. So use restraint and good judgment when you make your selection.
OK, let’s assume you are wearing the glasses in an office or traditional setting (perhaps even in a design office); still, you should not go to Buddy Holly or Elton John extremes. Matching the frames exactly to a tie is such an extreme. Just as I have said that matching a tie and pocket square exactly is done by many men, but it is wrong, so is this. Coordinating is an option and something that women have done for years.
Another plus: Glasses can help visually reshape and flatter your face. If a person’s face is too long or too round, selecting the right frame can help balance his proportions. Just as women use makeup and different hairstyles to accomplish such improvements, well-chosen eyeglass frames can help do the same.
Anything that enhances a man’s look and does not make him feel uncomfortable or self-conscious is fair game. Men have always used facial hair - beards, mustaches and sideburns - to improve their appearance, and no one thought it strange or effeminate. And every man knows that a really good haircut can make a huge difference (improvement) in his appearance. At the same time, in our society men shy away from any obvious form of makeup for fear of the stigma and embarrassment it might cause. Yes, they may apply a bit of “bronzer,” but not actual makeup.
As to vanity: Research has revealed that a quarter of women who need glasses refuse to get their eyes tested. Not so with men. Apparently, male vanity is not wrong. Only the apparent display of it.
On the other hand, almost everyone thinks of a guy wearing sunglasses as a cool look. So if wearing fake glasses designed to flatter is your “vision” of a look you want, why not?
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High Profile, Pages 41 on 05/04/2014