Ask me about Eyewear!

[CityConnection]

Originally Posted by CityConnection

I dont know much about them, but I did some digging and found out a bit about them. Check my blog for a profile. But, I have not had any of them in my hands so I cannot vouch for their quality. But they are made of the best italian acetate. They are also handmade and by a company from the 1880s. My guess would be that they are well made. I dont know what their pricing is like though...
*EDIT Apparently the name Anglo American has been bought by is not trading as of yet. The original company made custom made hand made eyewear. I don't know what the company is like now...

 

[CityConnection]

Originally Posted by Frodo

I have a question. What is the current opinion of Ray Ban's various classic aviator style sunglasses? Similar to this: Are they completely out of style? I never see them worn much anymore, but to me they're timeless. I think most sunglasses I see these days look too reptilian and uber-cool. Just curious what you thought.
This style IMO is played out now. If you are young and trying to wear them, it is too played out. But if you are 50+ and you have had them since back in the day, wear them because they look cool and classy. Everyone is making copies and it just isnt as trendy as, say last year.

 

[CityConnection]

Originally Posted by naaaaate

Hey, can you recommend me some options for browline glasses a la rayban clubmasters? I have a round and sort of wide face so I kind of like the height of the glasses to be more shallow, do you have any suggestions? Preferably not super expensive. I want something old styley / classic but all the browlines i can find now with a shallow height are very modern feeling. Weird question sorry haha... Maybe I'll just find some old B&L clubmasters on ebay, I recently tried shurons but they were garbage.

Maybe not a less expensive option but Lafont has one that looks great. It has just been released, so I havent seen it in my hands, but I saw them in a magazine. If you want something inexpensive, Im almost positive that Club Monaco has one that runs for no more than $150.

But there are a lot of alternatives, I just cant think of any off the top of my head. But check out a brick and mortar store, they should have some. Check out a Lens Crafters, dont buy it there, but check them out because they carry basically all of Luxotticas frames. Buy it at an independent store though because you'll get a much better deal.

 

[winston]

What is Serengeti like as a brand?

 

[CityConnection]

Originally Posted by winston

What is Serengeti like as a brand?
Vocab: Photochromatic = changes colors (darker) when introduced to UV. I saw the collection 2 days ago. They are all photochromatic and glass (a few pieces of poly lenses). They have a niche market in terms of photochromatic lenses, as not many companies that I know of make strictly photochromatic lenses. The lenses are also available in polarized photochromatic which is also rare. The retail prices are around $300 up to $350 The frames are okay, nothing special but the style is slightly dated. They are trying to do the "keep old styles" like Rayban, and they have the Rayban copies too. Some of the plastic frames are a bit more trendy and edgy but nothing is "stylish" IMO. Bang for the buck, on a scale of 1 to 10 I would say its a 7. It is great if you are looking for photochromatic lenses. If you are looking for something more stylish, look elsewhere. For the price though, you can find another brand with polarized lenses.

 

[coffeequeen]

By any chance, do you know who makes the round plastic eyeframes Dominick Dunne, the author, wears?

 

[CityConnection]

Originally Posted by coffeequeen

By any chance, do you know who makes the round plastic eyeframes Dominick Dunne, the author, wears?

I dont know exactly what he wears but a lot of companies make something similar.

Hackett of London
Anne et Valentin
Prodesign (metal)
Oliver People "Emmerson"

Cheaper alternatives:
Banana Republic
Jones New York

 

[CityConnection]

Wayfarer Alternatives

Oliver People Shedrake
Prada
Serengeti
LaFont

 

[JohnnyLaw]

Hi CityConnection,

What is your opinion on the quality of François Pinton frames?

Thanks.

 

[CityConnection]

Originally Posted by JohnnyLaw

Hi CityConnection,

What is your opinion on the quality of François Pinton frames?

Thanks.

Francois Pinton is now a 2nd generation business with the son of the originator running it. It is based out of France. The quality of the frames are quite good. I carried them back in the day and I can still see that they are good quality. Find a style you like and go for the dive. I think they are worth the price...

 

[dusty]

I bought a pair of zyl glasses which are being shipped to me from the lens lab. I don't want to have to drive back to the place where I got them to get them fitted. Is this easy to do by yourself?

 

[winston]

Originally Posted by CityConnection

Vocab: Photochromatic = changes colors (darker) when introduced to UV.

I saw the collection 2 days ago.

They are all photochromatic and glass (a few pieces of poly lenses). They have a niche market in terms of photochromatic lenses, as not many companies that I know of make strictly photochromatic lenses. The lenses are also available in polarized photochromatic which is also rare.

The retail prices are around $300 up to $350

The frames are okay, nothing special but the style is slightly dated. They are trying to do the "keep old styles" like Rayban, and they have the Rayban copies too. Some of the plastic frames are a bit more trendy and edgy but nothing is "stylish" IMO.

Bang for the buck, on a scale of 1 to 10 I would say its a 7. It is great if you are looking for photochromatic lenses. If you are looking for something more stylish, look elsewhere. For the price though, you can find another brand with polarized lenses.

The ones I'm seeing are generally much cheaper than $300. Personally I like the classic styling they offer, as well as the styling of many Raybans.

Could you post photos of models which you consider to be stylish?

 

[PLaydice]

Any idea on the quality of Tom Ford?
Bvlgari?
I wear Cartier, so I want the lense quality to be similar.

 

[Robert]

I actually have two pairs of Anglo American frames from a few years ago that I love. They seem very authentically retro. I keep getting new lenses in them as my vision needs change over the years, but was just wandering if they had anything of note in the works re frames.

 

[Kique]

Do you have any experience with Zenni Optical or any other cheap glasses site? I'm thinking about picking these up. I'm not sure if they'll fit my face right, but its so cheap I thought I might as well try them out.