How did glasses go from necessity to accessory?
Glasses were originally created as far back as the Middle Ages to correct sight. The craft of making eyeglasses took off in Venice, and for centuries afterwards they were used by people all over Europe and America to enable them to see more clearly. Benjamin Franklin is credited with creating the first bifocals in 1784, with British astronomer George Airy inventing lenses to correct astigmatism in 1825.
Although glasses were used solely to improve vision over the centuries, developments led to different styles emerging. Originally designed to be held up to the eyes or balanced on the nose using the bridge, glasses as we know them today - with rigid temples that fit over the ears - were created in the early 1700s. By the 1800s, monocles were being worn as a fashionable alternative to glasses, proving popular with the upper classes.
The 1900s saw further developments in the design of glasses, with frames becoming lighter and more durable thanks to the use of plastic, titanium and high grade steel. This improved not only style but also comfort. In addition, lenses became thinner, even for those with strong prescriptions.
Modern eyewear
While these broad changes benefitted glasses wearers all over the world, the idea of them as a fashion accessory didn’t really take off until the 1950s. Sunglasses had already been a style accessory for some 30 years, but until this decade, most optical glasses were round with metal frames. Now manufacturers began exploring a range of shapes, sizes and materials, enabling people to choose a pair based on their personal style and preferences.
The 1950s were when one icon of eyewear really achieved cult status: the cat eye frame. Developed in the 1930s by Altina Schinasi Miranda, who observed a need for more ladies’ eyewear options as she passed an optician’s window, these were one of the era-defining trends of the post-war West.
Through the 1960s and 1970s, glasses took on a new life, moving from a trendy way to correct vision to a full fashion accessory. Celebrity culture had its part to play in this shift, with musicians such as John Lennon and Elton John, as well as Christopher Reeve’s Clark Kent in Superman, all contributing to the notion that glasses could make a statement.
Today, shape, size and materials are not the only factors in our choice of glasses. High-end brands lend extra weight to a stylish ensemble, with the likes of DITA, LGR and GLCO eyewear gaining popularity among celebrities and socialites alike. This has placed glasses firmly in the fashion arena; indeed, some celebrities - such as Helena Christensen - are known for their use of non-prescription glasses as an accessory.
High-end glasses and sunglasses in London
Whether you’re looking for a pair of prescription glasses that suit your style or GLCO sunglasses to protect your eyes this summer, we at The Eye Establishment have a range of eyewear to meet your needs and preferences. Discover our DITA, LGR, Eyevan, Mykita and Garrett eyewear, and receive specialist advice when it comes to choosing the perfect frames.