Local Celebrity: A New Way To See Things

It's the technological age. Nerds are back and better then ever. Gates, Jobs, the Googleites, and that nerdy little Facebook troll are the leaders of the bulging wallets club.

But does anyone remember when nerds were kind of ... well, nerdy? Pocket protecters, blue pens, and thick black-rimmed glasses. The only thing thats stuck with that look are the specs - and boy let me tell you what, large framed glasses are bigger and better. A-List celebs like Jay-Z, J. Depp, and J. Timberlake are stealing borrowing iconic looks from Warhol, Costello, and Malcom X. However, although this trend is becoming more and more popular with the masses, it doesn't always mean that guys and gals are wearing their readers the right way. By all means, let me share my wisdom with you. What else am I here for?!

3 Tips

Substantial plastic frames are the way to go as opposed to thin wiry ones. You want to be noticed, not gawked at.
For your very first pair, go for thinner/slim frames. Think of them as training wheels for your eyes. When you become a seasoned pro, then go thick or go home.
Beware online shopping. Unless you're SURE the frames will work, I'd suggest you try them on in person.

Making a bold statement is very easy when it comes to accessorizing your eyes. However, like I stated above, beware of glasses that will make you look cartoonish or worse yet ... unattractive. It's very easy to get the wrong size and fit - so it's better to maintain minimalism with frames with a simple design (stripe, tortoise, or a bold color) or a simple black as opposed for a vintage 60s large round frame. Don't be a doofus.

Now for those of you who wear REAL prescription glasses, have no fear. I found a great pair of vintage glasses in a boutique the last time I was in Chicago that I bought for 75 cents. I loved them so much that I forfeited the change even though they were lensless! With that in mind, I took them to my optometrist and looked into having lenses fitted for the frames - and with a little bit of encouragement, they were able to send them off and create a truly amazing pair of spectacles. A nice pair of Ray Bans always makes the fitting easier, but really anything can be fitted - but keep the requests simple.

Typically you'll see most framed glasses in jet black, very much in the style of Buddy Holly and Clark Kent. But if you want to move from trendy to classic, trade in the black for tortoise for a more mature and elegant look. Also, not all tortoise patterns are created equal - make sure that the frames have a good mix of color and it's not too yellow or too orange for your liking (or whoever has to look at you all day).

When it comes to clear frames, I have some reservations. I know that they are out there and I know that a lot of hipsters love to wear them, but unless you are oozing creativity or are, in fact, an artist I'd think twice about the selection. But who am I to say that you're not the exception to the rule? If you honestly think you can pull them off then by all means sport them. That way you can let the rest of your outfit do the expressing for you.

Last, but certainly not least, FIT is everything.

Your frames should be roughly the width of your face and the top of them should hit your eyebrows. If these dimensions don't work, neither will the look.
If your fave glasses aren't fitting at the bridge of your nose, in some cases eyeglass designers can add silicone or pads to help.
Get your specs serviced once a year to maintain their upkeep - refitting, retighting, and rebuffing.
Pay more for good lenses - ones that are lightweight, antireflective, and thin. Definitely worth it.

My all time favorite place to shop for readers, sun glasses, and all things retro & exciting is Giant Vintage. They have all kinds of simple and classic styles, as well as more modern and futuristic frames to match any kind of funk you seem to be in. Here are some of my favorite picks:..