'Are designer glasses worth it?' - Expert advice from Stephen Olwell Opticians

The truth about designer glasses

A lot of people ask me every day whether we sell “designer glasses” in my practice. I also see a lot of advertising for “designer glasses” on the TV, internet, and even through my letterbox. 

So, I thought I might tell you a little about designer eyewear, and why the answer is no and yes. No to “designers”, but yes to design.

Before the 1990s, fashion designers had little interest in eyewear. But one company, Luxottica, changed all of this. They approached the designers and offered to brand their glasses with the designer’s names and changed the way glasses are made and sold. Since then, optician’s shelves have been full of these designer specs, and Luxottica (now Essilor-Luxottica), owns approximately 50 eyewear factories, 600 laboratories and over 17,000 shops, creating and selling designer eyewear and lenses. 

Is that a problem?

If you want glasses, there are now frames from all of the major designers available to you, which is great.

The only issue is that they tend to all look the same. A lot of them are designed by the same people and made in the same factories, and they are generally made to fit the average person. Sometimes the same frame can suit lots of people, but people end up looking the same. 

Also, if you have a petite face or a large head, you can often end up with a poorly fitting frame.  

But what if you are an individual, who knows what they want, knows how to dress yourself and accessorise your look? Do you want a pair of glasses that is literally everywhere and suits any face? Where is the you in your glasses?

The truth is, there are true eyewear designers out there. There is a growing number of small independent eyewear companies who are different. They are producing cutting edge eyewear all the time. They design glasses with you in mind.

They don’t care if a frame will only suit 1 in 20 people so long as that one person loves it. 

These glasses are produced in smaller quantities. Some have interesting shapes, colours and finishes and can really create a WOW. Some are made for big heads, small heads, big noses and small. They fit better. These true designers don’t need to sell one hundred thousand of the same frame to make a living. So they can be brave and create something that’s just for you. 

If you are interested in showing your individuality, think about staying away from designer names. Don’t be another clone. Find a frame that is just for you. A unique style that shows your character, your style and your flair, and that feels good on your face.

Stephen Olwell Opticians

Address: 10 Grafton Court, Longford | Tel: 043 33 42653 

Website: stephenolwellopticians.com/ | Email: info@longfordopticians.com

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