My New-Old Glasses!!!

We interrupt our regular installment of Workbasket Wednesday for this more important post. Workbasket Wednesday will be back next week at the regularly scheduled time. That is all. 

I got vintage new old-stock cat's eye glasses! Woo Hoo!

Okay, so I know that this may be a slightly vain and glasses geeky post, so please forgive me ahead of time. I've just not been so excited about new glasses in a very long time, if ever.

It all started with our insurance company. Up until this year our insurance hadn't paid anything for new glasses, so I hadn't gotten new ones for about four or five years, even though my prescription had changed a little (I know, I know, but seriously it didn't change that noticeably). This year, for the first time, they would pay half for new lenses. Yippee!

I love how it changes everything about my face.

Well, I had thought I would just select a pair from the regular stock at my optometrists, but I just kept seeing all these cute vintage frames all over other vintage bloggers and pinterest. So, I went to the two places you go to to find unusual vintage stuff: ebay and Etsy.

I searched a surprisingly short time when I found these brand new old-stock (meaning they were never even worn) frames for $29.95 on ebay! I knew almost instantly that these would be the perfect pair of frames for me, and could not wait to get them fitted with my lenses.

I do have some tips for finding your own vintage frames on ebay or Etsy.

1. Be sure that you know the measurement of some frames that fit you and/or of your face. Sounds weird, but if you buy a pair and they don't fit, it would be horrible. Any legitimate seller on ebay or Etsy should be able to provide the measurements or already have them included in the item description.

2. Look at all the pictures, read the descriptions, and ask any questions you might have of the seller. This is sound advice for any purchase from ebay and Etsy. With vintage frames you'll need to look at things like condition of nose pieces, hinges, and any wear that might make the difference between you purchasing them or not. I chose to go with a pair of new old-stock frames specifically for this reason. I knew I would want to be wearing the frames for as long as they would last and on a daily basis, so I decided to go with what had the best chance for lasting a while.

3. Know that buying prescription lenses isn't necessarily cheap and whether or not your insurance will pay for new lenses when the frames were purchased elsewhere and without any insurance. To get an estimate of cost I called my optometrist before I got the frames and also checked out what or if insurance would cover any of the costs. I don't like surprises in cost.

4. Be prepared to wait. It takes longer to get vintage frames fitted with new lenses, even at the one-hour places. The frames usually have to be shipped off somewhere else because the lenses will have to be custom cut to fit the frames. Vintage frames are shaped differently than modern, so they won't keep any lenses in stock that could fit the frames.

5. You will have to sign away any liability for your vintage frames. Because vintage frames are pretty much irreplaceable and they have to have lenses especially cut down to fit them, you will have to sign a waiver saying they aren't responsible if they break your frames while trying to fit the lenses for them. I wasn't too worried because I knew my frames were pretty solid and in good shape. I did wonder though while they were gone whether or not they would be broken.

6. It's a big commitment. Now, if the vintage frames are not the only pair you will have, it won't be such a big deal, but if you plan on wearing your frames on a daily basis know that they will look very vintage, because they are. I mean that you won't have a totally modern look no matter what clothes you wear if you're wearing vintage frames. I knew I wanted a vintage look even for my more modern clothing, so again not a big deal to me, but definitely something to consider.

7. Choose a pair that closely matches frames that suit you already in basic shape and size. If you've worn glasses for any amount of time (I've had them since I was nine), you've probably tried on lots of different style frames. Even if you've never worn glasses before you can use a pair of sunglasses that flatter you for an idea. Think about the colors of the frames as well. Having an unflattering color on your face and so near your eyes could be a disaster. I chose frames that weren't too far from the shape, size, color and basic design of frames I've had in the past and currently wear. For example, I like the contrast of dark frames on my pale skin, so I looked for darker frames. I don't like nose pieces either, so I went for a pair of plastic frames that had no nose pieces. It's all about your personal preference, what flatters you, and what's most comfortable.

I hope this helps and if you're on the fence about vintage frames, I can't tell you how excited I am about mine, and encourage you to take the plunge for yourself. I absolutely love my new old frames!

Check out the awesome cut detail on the aluminum sides!

What do you think of vintage frames? Would you wear them with your daily style?