Through the looking glass

I’ve been wearing contact lenses since the age of 14 and for as long as I can remember I’ve managed to ignore glasses. Yes, even when they were being sold in their hundreds by American Apparel to kids wanting to achieve that phony hipster look. Oversized glasses with no lens? Could it get any worse? Unfortunately, the mother of all battles is about to take place. I’ve been getting the most painful and uncomfortable eye aches for the past year. I got away with it for a while but it’s now happening more frequently. To the extent that I have to abandon whatever I’m doing at the time, take my lenses out, put some drops in and sit in complete darkness until it passes. I’ve seen a specialist and circumstances dictate that I wear glasses at least once a week (preferably twice) to give my eyes a chance to rest and re-oxygenate themselves. Laser eye surgery frightens me so there’s only one option left. And that’s a disaster. Only a few weeks ago I was talking to a friend about how I hate wearing glasses. I tried to explain that I think all frames look bizarre on me, that I don’t feel like myself, I would need a new style, I wouldn’t be able to wear all my jewellery like I do now (5 rings, 2 necklaces, a big watch and several bracelets), I would have to try and look more feminine. The detailed list goes on. My outburst was followed by an awkward pause and laughter. She clearly thought I was hilarious. Eyesight is my enemy. Without lenses or glasses I can hardly see anything! Naturally, now that I need to seriously envisage wearing glasses on a weekly basis, I’ve scoured the web for hours in search of frames and inspiration. I remain unconvinced. I look crap wearing glasses (what a brilliant turn of phrase)! But the pressure’s on. Between looking less than delightful aesthetically speaking and suffering, I can definitely tell you which one is worse. Yes, I’ll have to endorse looking shit! So, I’m now enlisting your help. Sabrina recommends Prism (and she looks damn cute wearing them) and Fred advocates the Iris Apfel style (he wears it very well but he's a boy. Boys can get away with anything). What do you think? I’ve looked at a variety of brands and so far only three appeal: Prism, Oliver Peoples and Moscot.
Let’s hope that a nice pair of glasses will make the experience less dreadful and a little bit more pleasurable. Oh, how I resent having such bad eyesight…

Photos courtesy of Prism and The Fashion Spot, collage by July Stars