Photo by Muffy Aldrich
The Modern Guide to The Thing Before Preppy

Friday, February 12, 2021

Horn-rimmed Eyeglasses


Dear Editor,

Thank you for such a wonderful blog. My husband and I both read SWNE daily and love your insight, images, and devotion to Volvos - haha! I had a quick question that I was unable to find an answer or related articles when searching your blog, so I figured I'd go ahead and write.

My husband and I both wear eyeglasses and are curious to know if you or your readers have recommendations on where to shop for quality frames (horn-rimmed, classic styles preferred). I'm curious to know if anyone has recommendations for brands or shops that offer quality without obnoxious "designer" logos. 

Thanks so much!

 

39 comments:

  1. I've been wearing Ray-Ban Clubmaster in the mock tortoise for years now, and I really like them. There is no noticeable logo. My husband likes his Persol round tortoise glasses so much, he bought another pair and had them made into prescription sunglasses. Again, no noticeable label.

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  2. Having worn classic horn rimmed classes, I now only wear Lindberg because they are excellent glasses. Bought first pair of Lindberg sunglasses in Paris 25+ years ago, which are still fine. Quality comfortable glasses which are expensive, but represent real value over time. Strongly recommend Eric at Specs in Darien as he is knowledgable, honest and will do his best for you.

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    1. I couldn't say it any better. I've been wearing Lindbergs for about ten years. They are lightweight, totally flexible. It's like they float on my face. People look at my face, not at my glasses. Love them. A bit costly, but in my opinion it is an investment in something that I use everyday. Explore the line.

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  3. Ben Silver has a superb selection. I am a fan of classic P3s. I love Anglo American. I have been wearing this style for many years. I believe I got my last frames from AA online. I also have a pair of Warby Parker tortoise shells, as well as a pair that are clear, in non-prescription sunglasses, although for anything active I prefer the Ray-Bans that clip behind the ears. I got those at Jomashop. For classic readers I like the Eyebobs "topless" in dark tortoise. They are a good deal for a quality half frame reader.

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  4. I’ve been wearing the classic Anglo American 406 for a long time and love them, but several years ago bought a pair of Warby Parkers for an inexpensive backup. Honestly I might like the $95 Warby’s even more. GLH

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  5. Ray Ban and Persol have never failed me!

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  6. Warby Parker have no external branding, and they are very fine quality. You have to choose a more classic look, because they also have "on trend" frames. But I like them. Apparently, even Fran Lebowitz wears them!

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  7. I can recommend without reservation the Anglo-American Optical style 406. The color they call “Japanese Havana” is the tone that we remember from the Good Old Days. These are the frames worn by the estimable G. Bruce Boyer. They are the ultimate classic frames.
    I can also recommend this source. They shıp to the U.S. free of charge:
    https://www.theoldglassesshop.co.uk/japanese-havana-retro-anglo-american-406-classic-panto-glasses-frames/

    Here are some articles on such frames:
    https://oxfordclothbuttondown.com/2012/07/trad-eyewear-p3-glasses/
    http://www.ivy-style.com/specs-appeal-p3-the-most-properly-preppy-eyeglasses.html
    http://www.keikari.com/english/the-p3-eyeglass-frames/

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  8. For the last 15 years I have worn the model "Governor's Poor Boys" from Focusers in Philadelphia. I have been very pleased with them. https://focusers.com/

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  9. These British frames from Focusers are one grade above the "Governor's Poor Boys". The color they call Demi-Black is very similar to the "Japanese Havana" offered by Anglo-American:

    https://focusers.com/collections/all/products/peabody-pierce-import-trim-frame-poor-boys-8?variant=3375548727336

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  10. I've been wearing Ray Ban's Wayfarers for several years now- both tortoise shell and black frames. I like how they look and they're quite comfortable.

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  11. I wore AA 406s for many years and agree they are the standard. For some reason they can sometimes be difficult to find.

    Ben Silver has a terrific selection with many variations on the theme. Their demi-blond Pantheon frames are the most attractive out there; I tried them for a while but found they sat too high up on the beak. I now wear BS horn rims that are slightly more squared off. I have one pair in Paris Tortoise and another in Japanese Havana.

    Focusers and Warby seem good too. The happy news is that horn rims are very much in fashion right now so you don't have to look too far.

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  12. So interesting that you mention this topic. I have been looking into this a lot lately. Here are a few links that I think might be helpful:
    https://www.classicspecs.com/
    https://focusers.com/
    https://www.bensilver.com/Ben-Silver-Classic-Eyewear.html
    https://www.garrettleight.com/collections/eyeglasses
    https://www.oliverpeoples.com/usa

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  13. All the above are great recommendations. I have also heard of Vint and York, which are animal- and eco-friendly. There is also Moscot Eyewear, a five-generation family enterprise (since 1915) that has very high quality specs. As I get older, I prefer lighter frames and have been wearing Lindberg (Danish) and Mykita (German) frames and both of those have some retro styles or modern takes on the retro styles. I made the mistake of purchasing a pair of Tom Ford (designer) specs a couple of years ago. They're quite stylish and have a lovely dark Havana colour, however the frames are too dense and heavy on the face and by the afternoon I have a headache.

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  14. what I don't like is that many opticians either do not carry many of the frames noted above or do not carry the size and model number wanted; therefore one has too purchase the frames separately. Often the optician will not warranty the glasses if the frames are supplied by the owner.

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  15. Ditto the Governor's Poor Boys

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  16. Cheap-EyeBobs (Board Stiff in black) I have two pairs
    Expensive- CW Dixey and Sons (Churchill's brand) Chartwell 02 and 03

    Will

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  17. La Font Pantheon is another good choice. The lens are interchangeable with AA406s, which I had to do when my AAs needed replacing.

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  18. I have two pairs from a brand called State Optical. They are made in the USA, in Vernon Hills, Illinois I am from a town not too far from there and am proud to support local and American made. They are quality frames and I do not see myself growing tired of them any time soon. They have many classic frames and colors, as well as more whimsical colors, if that is your style.

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  19. Ben Silver for thirty years. Reliable and consistent. How many purveyors earn either of those adjectives these days?

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  20. I wear three different pairs of Tiffany frames purchased from a locally owned shop. There are no obvious logos on them, they are retro, conservative and attractive. I'm very happy with them. (I don't like progressive lenses so I have my reading, computer and distance glasses.)

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  21. I highly recommend Sharon frames. Made in the US for over 150 years. You can order the exact size of bridge, lense, and temple. Replacement parts are always available.

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    1. I believe you mean Shuron? I wear Shuron Sidewinders, and the sizing provisions really are wonderful.

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  22. Of topic, but for sunglasses please consider American Optical. Their aviators, compared to the cheap feeling Chinese made ray bans, will thrill you.
    And they just re-issued JFK’s Saratoga’s. I’m obviously a big fan, but I’m just trying to pay you back for discovering Alfred Beale for me., not connected in any way to AO.

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    1. I am really glad to hear they are bringing back the Saratoga..In 1968
      I bought a pair. I wish I still had them.

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  23. Ben Silver used to sell the Anglo American 406 as their "Liberty" model.

    In addition to The Old Glasses Shop (mentioned above), the 406 is available from The Optometrist Attic:

    http://optometristattic.com/7687_Optometrist_Attic.htm

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  24. Cubitts. Based in London.

    https://www.cubitts.com/

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  25. Right now I’m reading this with the help of Pantheon Dark Tortoise’s from Ben Silver. Great – and they also offer clip-on sunglasses – making them versatile.

    When my contact lens are in, for readers I use Eyebobs’ “What Inheritance?” models (in regular and sunglass versions) in dark tortoise. Got those from Orvis years ago.

    I’m encouraged to hear that people seem to like Warby Parker. I’ve seen their commercials and thought they looked too good to be true. Will look into. Thanks.

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  26. American Optical brought back the Saratoga sunglasses last summer. Many people mistakenly think that JFK wore RayBan Warefarers, when in fact he wore American Optical Saratogas.

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  27. Warby Parker. Large selection of tortoise shell,,,,

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  28. Morgenthal Frederics has a line of naturally-harvested buffalo horn frames. They're pricey, but if your style isn't going to change and you're careful, they should last forever. https://morgenthalfrederics.com/collections/horn-optical/products/201-horn?variant=19214251425862

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  29. Lots of great advice here. I wear a light prescription, mostly for computer use, but I do like Ben Silver, Morgenthal Frederics and Oliver Peoples for classic frames, as well as the lighter but well engineered offerings from Mykita and Lindberg, also mentioned above. There are a couple of more worth mentioning. Lunor is a German brand that offers classic styles, and SALT Optics is a California based but Japanese made brand that offers quality eyewear as well. If you are slightly more adventurous, Masunaga frames are made in Japan and offer slightly more modern takes on classic styles. Robert Marc NYC also has slightly modern takes on classics, such as the 877 model.

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  30. Thanks for the suggestions, folks. I decided on the AA406. They look like what we wore in the 1950s. Perfect!

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  31. Here are the AA 406 frames in Japanese Havana:

    https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e0/fa/44/e0fa44da5b68d45d46d781e30264d44c.jpg

    Linkman

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  32. I've worn the P3 from May Optical for many years. Mine pair is getting worn out. May Optical has gone out of business. E-Bay will sell me a pair for more than a thousand bucks.

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  33. This is rather late, though I think NYC-based Moscot offers quality and timeless looking frames. I went for them after ditching my third pair of broken Warby Parkers and I haven't looked back! I wear the Miltzen, which are round and horn-rimmed.

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