Vintage Eyeglasses

[Edward]

Certainly was quite a lot of variety.... though the only ones I remember being an option in the eighties were the ones no the bottom left, with same-colour acetate legs. Not sure if that was all that was left at the tail end of it.... I don't think there is such a thing as NHS specs at all now, which is a shame. I'm sure the quality was better than most comparably priced commercial alternatives, if for no other reason than economy of scale.

 

[Mean Eyed Matt]

Vintage one - don't know exactely how old...

 

[Lexybeast]

Any room for vintage inspired here? Got a good deal on these Lafont Orsay eyeglasses, and proceeded to do my best French New Wave impression.

 

[prairieschooner]

For years I've wanted a pair of the old half-octagon eyeglasses; I think I read somewhere that there's some sort of safety restriction and they're not allowed to sell the any more. True or not I don't know but it wouldn't surprise me, given all the steps that government is taking to try to save us from ourselves. The pair I wear today is similar, but not quite the same.

 

[Retromoto]

For years I've wanted a pair of the old half-octagon eyeglasses; I think I read somewhere that there's some sort of safety restriction and they're not allowed to sell the any more. True or not I don't know but it wouldn't surprise me, given all the steps that government is taking to try to save us from ourselves. The pair I wear today is similar, but not quite the same.

I wore the Artcraft, Art-Bilt, Rimway, 1/2 Octagon for over 30 years and was very happy with them. I have also heard Shuron's version is very nice also. I believe they're both still available presently. IMO, they're actually safer than the older models due to the advent of poly lens. I found them very durable and repairable if tweaked a bit, actually more forgiving than a lot of frames.
Retomoto

 

[WideBrimm]

I wore the Artcraft, Art-Bilt, Rimway, 1/2 Octagon for over 30 years and was very happy with them. I have also heard Shuron's version is very nice also. I believe they're both still available presently. IMO, they're actually safer than the older models due to the advent of poly lens. I found them very durable and repairable if tweaked a bit, actually more forgiving than a lot of frames.
Retomoto

Agreed. I can vouch for the Rimways. I've been wearing them for over twenty years. Rimways are semi-rimless, drill mount frames. I've got them with cable temples. They are very comfortable to wear and are very durable. To illustrate, I picked up my glasses one day to put them on, dropped them and grabbed them before they hit the floor and in doing so totally bent them closed at the bridge. So I took them to the optician who was able to unbend them making them good as new. Years later I am still wearing them. To go with Rimways or any "drill mount" frames, the thing to do is to find an optician who is experienced in working with this type of frames. Working with them is a skill which not too many opticians have today. I would think that Art-Craft or Shuron ought to be able to link up a customer to an experienced optician.

 

[Fading Fast]

Just had my reading prescription updated (strengthened ) and the guy I buy my lenses (and once-in-a-blue-moon new frames) from knows I love vintage / vintage-inspired frames, so he showed me these.

He said he had tucked them away and forgotten about them as he no longer carries the line, but when he saw them when he was looking through his old stock, he thought of me.

I forget their name (and can't find it on the frame anywhere) - sorry - but thought they had a real nice vintage look. Also, they are quite light - which can be a drawback to some true vintage frames. Anywho -here there are:

 

[cookie]

Just had my reading prescription updated (strengthened ) and the guy I buy my lenses (and once-in-a-blue-moon new frames) from knows I love vintage / vintage-inspired frames, so he showed me these.

He said he had tucked them away and forgotten about them as he no longer carries the line, but when he saw them when he was looking through his old stock, he thought of me.

I forget their name (and can't find it on the frame anywhere) - sorry - but thought they had a real nice vintage look. Also, they are quite light - which can be a drawback to some true vintage frames. Anywho -here there are:

View attachment 96761 View attachment 96763

Seriously nice

 

[Fading Fast]

Seriously nice

Thank you, I've now worn them for several days and they are very comfortable and look vintage-as-heck cool (which means most people don't think they look cool at all).

 

[Winston Carter]

My collection of Vintage eyeglasses. All are prescription. Some are tinted and some have Transition Lenses. All are vintage.

 

[Winston Carter]

My 60's Tart Optical FDR Eyeglasses.

 

[1930artdeco]

Ok here is a question for ordering off the net. I saw some new glasses that are made (the no rim style) that I like. But since they come in different sizes-my face is on the small side-how do I measure for what I need to order? I would like originals but they seem to all run big for my face. Maybe I will luck out and find some kids glasses.....

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Winston Carter]

Ok here is a question for ordering off the net. I saw some new glasses that are made (the no rim style) that I like. But since they come in different sizes-my face is on the small side-how do I measure for what I need to order? I would like originals but they seem to all run big for my face. Maybe I will luck out and find some kids glasses.....

Thanks,

Mike

If you have some glasses that fit measure the width. All glasses come with MM measurements such as 136mm or 138mm etc.

 

[Takedeadaim]

Ok here is a question for ordering off the net. I saw some new glasses that are made (the no rim style) that I like. But since they come in different sizes-my face is on the small side-how do I measure for what I need to order? I would like originals but they seem to all run big for my face. Maybe I will luck out and find some kids glasses.....

Thanks,

Mike

This site has instructions on measuring for vintage glasses. I have bought several pair from him, a great source for new old style frames. I have the Rimway with with standard temples and a pair of P3 as sunglasses with cable temples. What I have found, at least with the wire frame vintage glasses is you need to buy them a bit smaller than you would wear in modern frames for them to look right. Reason being is eyeglasses from that era were glass lenses and therefore much heavier than the polycarbonate lenses of today and smaller sizes were worn to save weight. The temples can be shaped to keep them off the sides of your head

http://optometristattic.com/index.htm

 

[Winston Carter]

This site has instructions on measuring for vintage glasses. I have bought several pair from him, a great source for new old style frames. I have the Rimway with with standard temples and a pair of P3 as sunglasses with cable temples. What I have found, at least with the wire frame vintage glasses is you need to buy them a bit smaller than you would wear in modern frames for them to look right. Reason being is eyeglasses from that era were glass lenses and therefore much heavier than the polycarbonate lenses of today and smaller sizes were worn to save weight. The temples can be shaped to keep them off the sides of your head

http://optometristattic.com/index.htm

I think they are in Austin, Tx. if i'm not mistaking. I ordered a pair of the Criss Yank plastic frames about a year ago. Great service and fast delivery.

 

[Michael R.]

For anyone that might be looking for some great classic frames try : http://www.angloamericanopticalltd.com/home/
Check out their Classic Collection . I have worn Anglo American Model 406 for several years and they are well made in England .

My currant color is Parisian Tortoise - seen below -

I'll go with Classic Tortoise next order . Anglo American Optical has a variety of styles and colors .

 

[Retromoto]

Nice site and frames, that said, I don't understand why some frames are only made in one size, seems unproductive. I've run across several expensive frames I like only to find out it's a one size fit's all equation. I wear progressive lens and their limitations are magnified by limited frame sizes. I like the P-Lux frames on this site although OSFA...

For anyone that might be looking for some great classic frames try : http://www.angloamericanopticalltd.com/home/
Check out their Classic Collection . I have worn Anglo American Model 406 for several years and they are well made in England .

My currant color is Parisian Tortoise - seen below -

I'll go with Classic Tortoise next order . Anglo American Optical has a variety of styles and colors .

 

[Michael R.]

Nice site and frames, that said, I don't understand why some frames are only made in one size, seems unproductive. I've run across several expensive frames I like only to find out it's a one size fit's all equation. I wear progressive lens and their limitations are magnified by limited frame sizes. I like the P-Lux frames on this site although OSFA...

Yeah , thats another reason I like the Anglo American frames , they're the first I've found that offer sizes that fit , especially arms/ear pieces . High Quality Frames ! Great Style ! The Model 406 come in 4 sizes . I just checked the P-Lux and they only show one size .

 

[31 Model A]

For years I've wanted a pair of the old half-octagon eyeglasses; I think I read somewhere that there's some sort of safety restriction and they're not allowed to sell the any more. True or not I don't know but it wouldn't surprise me, given all the steps that government is taking to try to save us from ourselves. The pair I wear today is similar, but not quite the same.

I bought a new old stock pair a couple of years back off Ebay. There is a fellow that buys optometry estates and then puts them together like they did back in the 30s/40s/. Love them and they are better than my modern pairs.

 

[31 Model A]

Here's the guy....took awhile to remember and then find him. He is still in business.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/C-O-C-Rimw...jkAAOSwzhVWtgqn:sc:USPSFirstClass!62045!US!-1