How to Wear Nerd Glasses in 2012
By Simone Smith
Did you get the memo? Nerds are cool. Very cool. Hence it comes as no surprise that more and more people are angling to look like them. Some are even going so far as to purchase nonprescription nerd glasses to complete their nerdy ensembles.
Are nerd glasses awesome? Undoubtedly. 2012 is going to be a particularly big year for nerd glasses what with the whole geek/nerd movement gaining even more momentum. Trendiness aside, these spiffy specs can really spice up your look or complete an outfit.
Does everyone wear them well? Sadly, no. Not to worry - I'll give you some modern wearing tips, and also walk you through the major types of nerd glasses to consider when accessorizing.
After reading this guide, you'll be all set to let your inner nerd emerge like a big, awkward butterfly.
The Latest Developments
On my latest visit to Tokyo, I scoped out as many fashionable boutiques as I could to hunt for any noticeable developments in the nerd glasses trend. I noticed two particular developments that I believe will influence the way people wear and display nerd glasses throughout 2012:
- People are wearing glasses without any lenses in them: This is a new level of irony- folks aren't even trying to pretend they need glasses anymore- they're just going for the fun frames!
- People are using nerd glasses frames (without lenses) as keychains and purse accessories: I saw quite a few pairs of glasses with the temples removed that were just used to adorn purses and bags. They've become so much of an icon that people are just using the shape as a decoration.
I also noticed that bright, solid colors were the most popular choices, frame-wise, so if you want to stay on-trend, shy away from patterns.
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Tips on Wearing Nerd Glasses
There are, believe it or not, right and wrong ways to wear nonprescription lenses just for fun. If you really want to rock the nerd look, you should keep these things in mind:
Consistency is Key
One of the best ways to rock vanity glasses frames is to make them a signature part of your look. I have a friend who wore vanity frames all the time, and he really made it work - it was a part of his unique style, which he rocked every single day, and the glasses helped to bring his ensembles together in a very pleasing and cohesive way.
If you are actually serious about making the nerd look work for you, you have to be consistent - you can't decide to wear your nerd glasses just one day a week. You'll need to make them an element of your overall style.
Dress the Part
Even if you do not want to incorporate vanity frames into your everyday look (or if you only want to wear them as part of a costume), you should be sure to wear them properly, which is to say that your outfit should jam well with your frames. Nerd glasses look best with nerd outfits- or else contrasted against another very distinctive style. If you wear them with your normal jeans and t-shrt/sweatshirt, your desired fashion statement is likely to do a very unsatisfying belly flop.
Types of Nerd Glasses
There are four major categories of nerd glasses out there: Wayfarer-style, Clark Kent-style, Half frame-style, and costume style. I'll walk you through each type and share some examples of models that are readily available online.
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Wayfarer-Style Nerd Glasses
Ray-Ban Wayfarers. Wherefore hast thou taken over American culture? And how didst thou capture the hearts of nerds and badasses alike?
While Wayfarer-style sunglasses are worn by the "cool" set, Wayfarer-style glasses frames are considered to be on the nerd (albeit hipster-nerd) end of the continuum. Today, Wayfarer-style frames are by far the most popular nerd glasses style.
Made iconic by such cultural icons as This American Life's Ira Glass and that obnoxious "Can You Hear Me Now?" Verizon guy, these frames are both fun and flattering - and very easy to obtain. They're also more versatile and can be worn with a lot of different styles. The only downside to Wayfarer-style nerd glasses is their ubiquity. By going with these, you'll hardly be setting yourself apart from the crowd.
 | Amazon Price: $9.98 |
Clark Kent-Style Nerd Glasses
If you would like to be a bit more original with your nerd glasses choice, consider going with Clark Kent-style frames. They're a bit less trendy, but they're also not so unusual as to not stick out like a sore thumb on the streets, plus they've got some great pop culture connotations.
The other perk to these frames is that they're a bit more true to the nerd legacy - unlike Wayfarer-style frames, Clark Kent-style nerd glasses have no tie-ins with bad boys and hipsters. Nay, they're reinforced with images of nerdy reporters- and yet, they also suggest awesome hidden powers. Who could ask for anything more from frames?
Half-Frame Nerd Glasses
If you want the Wayfarer look (which is admittedly flattering), but want to ditch the cool/hipster connotations and replace it with a bit of quirky vintage spunk, go for half-frame Wayfarer-style glasses.
Though you can purchase them new online, you can also find these by the barrel at flea markets and in a lot of vintage clothing shops. I recommend getting a used pair and either filling them with nonprescription lenses or simply popping the lenses out altogether. Wearing frames without any lenses really pops some quirk into your look and takes away any possible suggestion that you are an odd little glasses poser.
 | Amazon Price: $1.99 List Price: $2.94 |
Costume Nerd Glasses
Finally, if you're just trying to dress up as a nerd for a party, and you want your look to be more of a charicature than an actual replication, you might consider getting a pair coke bottle-style nerd glasses intended for costume wear.
Though these are not fun to wear for more than an hour, they really pack a punch visually and make everyone laugh. They also make for great costume pieces to have on hand for funny profile pictures and visits from bored younger relatives.
Common Stores Selling Nerd Glasses
If you want to find suitable nerd glasses without purchasing expensive frames, you have a couple of options.
First, I recommend checking flea markets and thrift stores - they frequently sell old frames (usually without lenses) that you can either fix up with prescription lenses or leave lens-less. As a side note, if you're looking for unique lenses for prescription glasses, flea markets make for an excellent resource - you pay next to nothing for them and can find some truly unique pieces.
You can also check out Hot Topic stores - they have been selling nerd glasses for quite some time now. They currently go for $9.99 and come in various colors.
Happy Nerding!
Comments
I think of those Carrie Donovan (RIP) oversized, black-framed glasses as the glasses those with true geek gusto should wear. :)
Hehee thanks for stopping by the Hub, Hyphenbird! Of all people, I have found nerds to be the most fashionable. And you're SO RIGHT livelonger!!!
Now this is a unique topic. Great read. :-)
Darn! I should have kept my big glasses that I wore for years after the current fashion became smaller. Last year I caved in KNOWING that they will probably become larger again...and here is your hub to prove it...for nerds like me. Haha! Fun hub to read and rating it so.
I wear nerd glasses and have an interest in computer science. Somehow I think this hub is aimed at me. Gee, thanks, Simone. :P
Nerd glasses are cool, NOT dorky.
Thanks Rosefall! And yeah Peggy W - you TOTALLY should have held on to those frames!! The funny thing about glasses is that they'll all end up back in style... eventually! And your glasses ROCK, melbel!! You're so right. Nerd glasses are WAY cool, and far from dorky!
I am in the process of upgrading my eyewear. I don't know if I'll go for the nerd look but you certainly make it look fun!
What a great topic! And very important to us nerds!.
Hehee, thanks tritrain!
And ShyeAnne- I think nerdy glasses are a really fun way to go! Keep them in mind ;)
Great hub. Thanks for info.
'Revenge of the Nerds' is finally complete; style-wise that is. I don't think they're as cute unless they are actually prescription glasses, but some seem to pull it off despite only being cosmetic. I rock my nerd glasses when I want to feel smart and cool!
Seriously though, Ebower! And I'm super pleased about it. I agree that 'real' glasses are best... though I'll admit that I wear a non-prescription pair every now and then!
I recently resurrected my Clark Kent nerd glasses from my closet and have been trying to figure out how to wear them. I called them my "Sexy Librarian Glasses" in college.
So far, I've settled on wearing them to meetings with clients. I find they respond positively to my authoritative and "smart" (read: nerdy) frames.
Way to go, theseattlegirl! Sexy librarian glasses FTW! You know, I do think they make a difference in some professional settings... it's hilarious! My current LinkedIn avatar has nerd glasses on... hehehee!
Amazing hub.
I suddenly feel like having a Revenge of the Nerds movie marathon this weekend...
ha ha I love the glasses on the neckless. I will tell you, I am never throwing out anything ever again. It is amazing how things that used to be nerdy or out of style become high fashion and cool.
Thanks y'all! You should TOTALLY have a revenge of the nerds marathon, LittlePayday. That would make for an epic weekend.
And isn't it hilarious how that works, Jennie Demario? Fashion trend resurgences will be the death of me... it's so hard to justify getting rid of something when one knows it'll be back in fashion sooner or later!
Definitely fun to read. Keep up the good work!
Although you have put me in a sort of dilemma, as I had already decided on which new glasses I was going to order... now I am in doubt... :)
I found this a fun Hub (even if I'm not so much one of the nerd-glasses set and am more a member of the need-reading-glasses set - and unfortunately, as far as I'm concerned. :) )
I love my nerd glasses. I feel like I can hide behind them.
I love those huge oversized black frame ones
I am in love with my nerd glasses. Great hub about them. I actually didn't know what to call my glasses. Even the sales attendants just understand "large, somewhat-roundish specs", not the real fancy term, "wayfarer". :) I now know what to call them!
Don't be in doubt, bjornborgboxers! I bet you made an excellent choice!
I'm glad you did, Lisa HW! Reading glasses, nerdy or not, need not be unfortunate. The ones in your profile picture are adorable!
And I bet you rock your nerd glasses well, cblack!
I do too, anonymous. I'm a big fan of heavy frames.
And that makes two of us, inaniLoquence! I'm glad to have given you some new glasses vocabulary to play with.
Having a nerd glass is not for worst, it is a fashion right? There's a lot of people that hiding their great looks on that nerd glasses.lol But it is true.
Absolutely, naturalsolutions! But I think nerd glasses *augment* good looks :D
You are hysterical! I love funny people and funny hubs. Thanks!
As an eyeglass wearing nerd, I love this hub! Very funny and I think this is the Halloween costume for 2011! Gotta share for those who need costume pointers for their next costume party! Funny stuff Simone, thanks.
Cheers~
K9
I like the rubber duck with glasses.
It seems I am needing some reading glasses, so is there such thing as a mature nerd? I want to at least look like I understand what I am doing with computers.
i like nerd glasses! love this kind of fashion
That makes two of us, dagny roth! Thanks for the compliment :D
And YAY! Eyeglasses-wearing-nerds ROCK!!! I'd agree with you on that, K9keystrokes. It's amazing how geeks and nerds have risen in the past couple of years. Isn't it marvelous??
I do too, leroy64. And mature nerds are all over the place- and rather cool! You should make your reading glasses nerd glasses. I'm sure they'll make you look more like you know what you're doing with computers 'nall that!
Glad you do, jesintabb! Glad you do!
LOVED this hub! I'm definitely down with the nerd glasses but I never realized how many different types of 'nerd glasses' there really are until now!
I see a lot of people wearing these glasses. Good hub.
Nice, I didn't know I was already trendy!! : )
Glasses make hot girls hotter!!
Loved this fun read! Interesting and funny...And good timing i needed a light read to pull me out of a difficult day. :)
Awsome hub !! great sales pitch enjoyed every minute reading your hub keep up the great work.. if you have some free time come look at a few of my hubs and let me know what you think. Thank you
I love this hub. I am a nerd...been rockin my nerd frames since 1998...but that was when they were still going by the rule "girls who wear glasses, don't get any passes" I loved that they were repellent in school.
What a surprising and refreshingly different hub. I liked all the different areas of nerd glasses wearing you covered. I vote you up on this one.
I think the pool of acceptable nerd glasses has expanded, JeniferRW. Perhaps it's a result of nerds getting cooler!
They really are all over the place, gmv.
And you totally are, jessicatools!
I can't disagree with that, mary-lambert.
And thanks for reading, PeanutButterWine! Glad to have offered a bit of a distraction from a trying day :D
Thanks, GistngRosePetals!
Nicely done, Erin Boggs1! You're a genuine nerd-glass-wearer, which makes you even cooler. I don't imagine that nerd glasses are repellent anymore though... guess girls are going to have to find something new!
Thanks for the vote, Carlon Michelle!!
Yes Simone the augment really looks good :D
But there are some people that use nerd glasses to make them look so cool but they didn't know that it is bad. lol
great hub
I've been wearing nerd glasses since I was 10 and never realized how cool I was. Thanks for the ego boost, lol.
Hahaa, this is true, naturalsolutions.
Thanks Rose Frankie!
And well done, Zurich11! Now you know! And bravo!
This is really a fun hub Simone,
Always love reading your works of art. I suppose I will just have to pull out my old nerd glasses and give them a whirl this weekend.
-Nicolas
Gosh, I still remember the blue cat eye with grindstone glasses I wore in grade school.
I agree with your tip above "Consistency is key" If you love something you got to own it and rock it!
This is funny! I have nerd glasses that the Air Force issued to all of us back in the day. I am going to start wearing mine again, just to mess up people's day!
This is hilarious! How did you ever think of writing about this topic!? I think it's great :) Voted up! Looking forward to other unique hub articles!
Haha. Nerd glasses now more than ever are popular.
This one is out of leftfield. Very funny :).
ha ha .that's really cool Glasses
Well, i have rayban oversized black frame nerd glasses and they're adorable!! XD i love my glasses
Call me a nerd idc(:
Nerd glasses are indeed, very cool. Wayfarers have stood the test of time and have been in vogue since more than half a century now, much like the aviators. Nice hub, Simone.
Princesswithapen
Nerd glasses are indeed, very uncool. I don't mind them on someone that needs them. 15 yrs ago, they were passable. But you just look like a tryhard if you wear them now. You can see reams of people with them on, all of them thinking they look individual, standing around not having fun, aiming to look cool.
Pointless really.
Interesting points, Rain Defense! Nerd glasses certainly aren't for everyone. I think one way to get past the 'contrived' problem is to wear them SUPER ironically- without even putting lenses in the frames. That's how they're being worn in Tokyo now.
Love the rubber ducky with nerd glasses! It's about time for me to get new glasses, so perhaps I'll consider one of these to give me the complete nerdy (but cool) scientist look:)
Nerd glasses when put on an attractive woman would make her much much appealing :3 And ya know, a lot of young teenage girls like to wear this esp. for the 'cute' look when they self-admiring or self-photoing themselves.
Love it!
Like the hub! I still find it weird that people wear glasses without lenses though.
Nerderific! Well, the nerd fashions are cool and I don't think it is for nerds though.
That is me! Nerd classes!
Great hub. I think I need some nerdy frames myself!
I'm looking for a pair of glasses like the one Harry Potter wears. Do you know where I can get some? I've seen some that come close but not just right.
I have been wearing prescription glasses for two years now. I regret for not choosing a nerd frame. Just did not remember it at the time.
As soon as I damage these or spare some cash for the new ones, I'll start to wear something like Clarke Kent's type :)
Great question laringo! I suggest going to an antiques store, unless you want to get a brand new pair of frames from a less-designer-obsessed glasses shop. I've seen some Harry Potter-like frames in antiques faires and the like.
That said, I think you'd find it easiest to just Google shopping results for "harry potter glasses frames"- there are lots of exact replicas to buy online :D
great nerdy hubs!
You can never go wrong with a Clark Kent-Style Glasses. You just need to disappear for long periods of time on 'secret missions'.
I do need glasses tomread now that I'm getting so much older. I'm so glad that I caught this - I may be able to still look cool AND nerdy! I'm also practicing to speak with a nice slur to round out the package! Thanks for the great ideas (and laughs!) ha!
Hee, thanks howtojunkies! NERDS RULE.
And word, happyturtle.
RealHousewife, you shall look splendid in your new frames! I'm glad the Hub has encouraged you to look at the prospect of getting glasses a bit more favorably.
I was only kidding you - I wear glasses all of the time - actually I love them! Now they have great frames and colors for every outfit! It does totally crack me up to think about people walking around with frames and no lenses tho:) lol
Hahaa, it is really fun to see, actually! It just makes me wonder what stunt fashionable trendsetters will be pulling next!
Funny hub. I love to watch the trends and it's good to see young people enjoying the Nerd look. I just can't go the half frame though. My ex-husband wore them back in the 60s. I couldn't stand them then, and I can't stand them now. By the way, I hope the huge oversized frames of the 80s don't come back around. With the lenses in them they were so heavy that they sometimes gave me a headache.
Great hub!
I just saw a fun show on local TV in Cambodia and the presenter using this big glasses as well...look cool!
This is a funny topic and I really enjoyed reading it! I love fashion and these glasses seem to be a huge trend!
Great hub, very funny! I am a card carrying nerd and push my nerdling glasses up constantly. What a hoot!
Great hub! it's fun and interestring to read :)
That was sucha cool hub! :)
so nerdy glasses still cool
Aye, that they are, damnit kool aid.
I never throw my old glasses away. Recently I was looking at my old nerd glasses, and the plastic frames had deteoriated so badly that they couldn't be reused if I wanted to. I have a small face, and they always made me look like Fearless Fly anyway (remember him from the cartoons) so I don't plan to go back to them. Now the aviators were my bag! I still have my old aviators and they can be reused.
We were discussing these in college today. They can help your career, depending upon what it is. SO heads up :)
Can we not call them "nerd" glasses, please?
Nerd glasses rule! I wonder if outdated glasses also qualify as nerd glasses? I have a pair of oversize frames, circa 1989, that looked incredibly trendy at the time, but now seem both comical and nerdy. Who knows? They may be seeing the light of day again. Loved the Hub!
Well, anon, it's tough... they've become known by the term!
And they totally do, lindacee- hehee! Many outdated glasses can qualify as nerd glasses, but they also fall within the vintage category, so folks often more associate them with being vintage-focused or artsy. And I bet those frames will make a comeback one of those days!
This article should be about why to not wear nerdy glasses. get your own style and jump off the trendy train. its dead.
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Hyphenbird 13 months ago
This is a great fun Hub. As a nerd, I appreciate fashion tips!