Tuesday, May 20, 2014

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?

17 comments:

  1. those glasses look great on you

    retro rover

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    1. Thank you. I'm definitely digging them right now.

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  2. Love, love, love (!) your classic, awesome new frames and think that they suit your face shape fabulously (that can be darn tricky to get right - I speak from experience). Excellent points and advice. I've never bought vintage specs, just modern ones with a classic look to them, so I appreciate your advice and am going to bookmark this terrific post for if I one day do get some mid-century eyewear of my own.

    Tons of hugs & the deepest of sincere thanks for your caring, supportive comment (re: my Etsy shop) today, honey.

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thank you! I've been on the fence about getting an actual vintage pair for a while and even held onto this pair as empty frames for some months before I took the leap. I was anxious about costs and whether or not they would get broken while have lenses fitted for them. I've worn glasses since I was nine, so I have a pretty good idea of what I like and what I think is comfortable and will look good on me, so I was actually not worried so much in regard to that.
      You're ever so welcome. I hate to see how people can be so unbelievably rude. My dad and one of my brothers as well as myself have all at some point been self employed and/or owned a business. It's never easy, but longevity and being able to cover costs is just as much a success in small business as big revenue in major corporation.
      Sarah

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  3. I really like your glasses! They look great on you.

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    1. Thank you! I still love them and how they give more modern clothes and hair a vintage flair, but they don't look like part if a costume.
      Sarah

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  4. This is so spot on! These look goregous by the way you look like a doll! I've got my heart set on some interchangeable Perfect Mate cat eye's for my birthday but I'll definitely keep your tips in mind about buy vintage for prescription. It honestly didnt even occur to me to see if insurance would pay for it.

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    1. Thank you! We have pretty good insurance, but they didn't pay anything for glasses until this year. I found out they would pay a little less than half for new lenses and these lenses would've cost me over $200 if I had to pay for all of it. My prescription is such that my lenses always have to be custom made, so lenses may be cheaper for you. Also you can get vintage frames And turn them into sunglasses if you don't want a very vintage look all the time.
      Sarah

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  5. Those glasses look fantastic on you! Great choice, they flatter your face & eyes so well. So often I look for new specs online, but fret that they'll end up being the wrong size or shape, something you, having also been a long-time eyeglass wearer no doubt understand. Still, perhaps I ought to try, being due for new lenses myself. Good post!

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  6. Hi Sarah! I really like your new vintage glasses. I think you provided some great tips about committing to vintage frames. Some people might not find them comfortable to wear with their daily style. but I think you're sporting yours really well. I completely agree with you about being careful of how people should thread about buying new frames as well. Thank you so much for a great read! :)

    Penn Moody @ Moody Eyes

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    1. Thank you. I'm definitely enjoying them. They are my favorite frames I've eve had so far and seem to be holding up really well with daily wear, not to mention kids tugging and pulling at them.
      Sarah

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  7. Thank you for linking me to this post, what a great read! I've been thinking about vintage frames for quite some time, because of both cost and style, so it's great to hear something about the process of getting lenses for them. I'm glad to hear that your experience with the whole thing was so positive - that makes me feel much more confident about looking for my own pair of vintage glasses.

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    1. You're welcome! I still love mine and they seem to be holding up well even after months of little sticky fingers pulling at them, lol.
      Sarah

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  8. It looks nice on you! Then again, what’s not to love about vintage frames? Just choose the best frame that could complement the shape of your face, and you could practically match them with whatever style you choose!

    Bryan Strickland @ Optical Ware House

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    1. Thank you! I love these south that I'm already dreading the day that I will have to replace them, but could definitely see myself going with another vintage frame.
      Sarah

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  9. Your new glasses look great. I enjoyed reading your post and I love your vintage looking glasses, they are a nice shape and colour. Thank you for the tips about finding vintage glasses online. I will definitely be having a look for some. Your really lucky that you got half the price paid by your insurance company. I would love to find such cute glasses.

    Lucius Calhoun @ Bolton Vision Centre

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