You aren't signed in     Sign In    Help

New glasses

New glasses by jkottke.
Got new glasses today...I have two weeks during which I can exchange them for another pair. What do you think? 

Comments

< Prev 1 2
(113 comments)
view profile

gordasm  Pro User  says:

Not enough of the Robert Evans. =)
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

skampy  Pro User  says:

it's like i'm looking at your smarter, more sophisticated identical twin. ;)
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

kately1  Pro User  says:

perfect. not too harry potter, not too harriet the spy. i dig.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

hensonkid  Pro User  says:

I think they're quite fetching.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

find eric  Pro User  says:

the shape works well with your face. not overpowering, not weird. they look really natural, actually. considered going 4 eyes full time?
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

mathowie  Pro User  says:

They look kind of girly. Go for something more square/blocky in lens shape.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

vindacatrix says:

I think we actually have quite similarly shaped faces; if I were you I'd go for a more squared-off shape, though stick with the chunky black frames as they're very cool.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

slowernet  Pro User  says:

agree mathowie
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

_christine  Pro User  says:

They're a little round- in a good way though. Kinda enphasises the eye sockets.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

:martin: says:

v. dapper!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

zacharyr says:

Personally, I like glasses that offer some contrast to brows and eyesockets...less like goggles. I'd go for a different shape.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

the real janelle  Pro User  says:

i feel like the shape could/should contrast the shape of your head. this is less my opinion (these look fine to me, but i have nothing to compare them to), just thinking about how there are guidelines & recommendations for this sort of thing floating around "out there". for example, i have a square-ish head so i can't really wear square-ish frames.

personally, i think this is a better direction for you:

3D glasses
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

superaleja  Pro User  says:

squarer frame ftw.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

jacobwolman  Pro User  says:

I'm on mathowie's side here, although I could be persuaded to side with "the real janelle" instead. Either way, go get some squarish frames!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

sbrinley says:

Go with rectangular frames. Your face is kind of round so you need some contrast. I say long, narrow rectangles with the thick frames (the "cool" version of the "nerd" glasses)
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Kyle Bunch  Pro User  says:

They need to be wider and/or more rectangular.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

lydia mann  Pro User  says:

Well Jason, you may recall my frame collection, so here's my two cents:
Too narrow for your face - you will do better with frames that are straighter along the base and extend at least to the width of your cheekbones.
Lighter color frame will also reduce the magnification effect caused by thick lenses and astigmatism. With your skintone I'd try blues and browns.
Better not to have the top of the frame *bump* your eyebrows though following the shape of the brow is okay.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

lapenn  Pro User  says:

I think I'd go for a squarer frame in perhaps a slightly lighter color (brown, I think).
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

mahke says:

You look like someone from a Palooka-ville book. Up to you whether that's good or not :) (I'm leaning towards the 'not' end of the scale)
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

jkottke  Pro User  says:

So, the problem with the more square-ish glasses, which I also favor, is that my prescription is bad and my lenses are so thick, that anything that's not small and oval results in Coke bottle-looking glasses and more distorted peripheral vision. Hence the "girly" glasses.

And I did ask Meg. The jury is still out (she wants to get used to them a little before passing judgment), but her initial comment was "they make you look a little too 1920s intellectual, like James Joyce or something".
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Adam Mulligan says:

Rather good looking.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

KDUNK  Pro User  says:

i'm with meg
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

ryanvailbrown  Pro User  says:

Yeah, you can't really go wrong with 1920's intellectual. Unless, of course, you've got something against the 1920's... which would be weird.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

sixfoot6  Pro User  says:

I agree with mathowie, and with Meg's comment re: James Joyce. There's a little too much 1920s German Auto Enthusiast here. I always imagined you with something a bit more square with thinner metal frames, though I'm no stranger to the Coke-bottle conundrum.

Do your best. And yes, I imagine all my online friends in glasses.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Plutor  Pro User  says:

There's no such thing as too 1920s intellectual. We could all stand too look a little more Joycesque.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

the real janelle  Pro User  says:

the coke-bottle thing is definitely an issue! i have a hard time with frames for the same reason. my current, cat-eye-esque shape has been good with that problem, since they're not too wide. but you can't go cat-eye, i'm sure. maybe smaller & rounder?

i think maybe the frames are a bit too dark for your coloring (i have this problem, my mom as well as the professionals always give me a hard time about it) - go with a lighter color, a "color" color, or a more mottled/tortoise. i always love when people do "clear" plastic frames, but not sure how that would work for you.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Mark Hurst says:

you're now ready for your dramatic Fast Company closeup
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

jkottke  Pro User  says:

I dunno, I'm pretty enthusiastic about our German auto, so maybe these are good.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Frankenstein  Pro User  says:

I'm with mathowie too. Though Meg has a point. Perhaps the 20s will make a comeback...
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

portifex says:

I'm with Plutor! These specs are edgy. There's also something about the thickness of the nosepiece that brings Snoopy's flying-ace goggles to mind.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Common d'Or says:

it's eccentric
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

mathowie  Pro User  says:

Oh, I forgot about your coke bottles. Yeah, stick with a small round shape like this then. Maybe with thinner frames/less dark color though. The small shape plus thick dark frames kind of overpower the look.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

CharlesHector says:

At Jason : wouldn't you love to look like James Joyce ??
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

JustGreg says:

Keep the glasses, you look stunning!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

airboss7 says:

Well son, brings back memories of Buddy Holly....give up your contacts !!!! ...........That´ll Be The Day !!!

see ya soon.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

blahjeffblah says:

Pure geeky goodness!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Ben Saunders says:

I think Lydia's on the money...
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Jen Bekman  Pro User  says:

This thread is far better than any makeover show I've seen on TV. (And yes, I've seen a lot. Shutup!)

My first reaction: too round, girly. But you have my coke bottle sympathies as I am blind like that too.

Here's a question: are they comfortable, both in terms of how they feel on your ears/face and also how you see with them. I mean you can make adjustment at the optician and all, but also how's your field of vision with them etc. I've found that that stuff can differ depending on the frames and the shape of the lens.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

sporky  Pro User  says:

those glasses are rather... effeminate. you have an oval shaped head and the oval shaped glasses (which give off the appearance of sloping inwards, v like, even though they aren't)... i don't know. they kind of make your face look more egg shaped.

narrow glasses are fine, just choose a different shape. i'm not sure if thick frames suit your narrow face either.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Andrew Huff  Pro User  says:

See, I was going to say "You look Norwegian," rather than German. I'm with mathowie on the thinner frame suggestion.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

ericn  Pro User  says:

Jason, I used to run a website "four eyes - i-i-i-i.com". My personal opinion is that because your face is more round than square you could do better with either a rounded rectangular shape, or a sharp rectangular shape as these would help contrast with your rounded face. Round frames tend to look best on people with chiseled features.

Frame color can be purchased in oil-like gradients that fade from one color to another, or have 2 colors contrasting within the frame... like, black on the outside, white on the inside. This helps mask the thickness of a pair (like mine).

Also, depending on how strong your prescription is you may opt for a darker, thicker frame. I can see just looking at the picture that your prescription is at least -4 to -7 range, not too strong. Mines is somewhere in the -8 to -10 range so I can not wear rimless, ittanium frames.

In the end, I think you should opt for squared frames... slightly larger than the height of your eyes. Also, ask your optometrist to provide a sanding / rounding of the lens to further reduce the visibility of the frame edge.

HTH, Cheers,
Eric
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

girmander says:

i think squarish/rectangular frame are the way to go. i have a prescription of -6.75 and -6.5 so, thickness is always a factor. if you are looking for frames that are quite unique, i would go with la eyeworks(www.laeyeworks.com), theo (www.theo.be) or Alain Mikli. i have 2 pairs of glasses from theo. 1st pair are rectangularish and 2nd ones are square. i get compliments all the time. both glasses can be seen in my imac/photobooth set.

it should be known that you're wearing a work of art on your face :)
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

scottpartee  Pro User  says:

I think these are better than square. Everyone is square these days and, quite frankly, square nerdy glassers are the bell bottoms, members only jackets or vuarnet glacier glasses of the early 00s. Nothing wrong with those things, but these glasses are more timeless and I dig.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

BrockLi  Pro User  says:

Little too round, methinks, but I don't know a damn thing about fashion.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Danookas says:

Goggly.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

sixfoot6  Pro User  says:

While we're at it, I'd like to see you wear less red, more green. Grow your hair out into a mohawk, but shave your eyebrows. Wear a bandaid under your left eye (THUG LIFE, BOYEEEE!) and please try to avoid brick. Better to stand in front of some old wood paneling. Or splay your skinny limbs across some orange shag carpet. Something real sexy.

And you might consider getting one piercing and investment in some hoop earings. Square ones. On second thought, let's pierce everything. Everything, Jason.

Lastly, it's time for Botox. Sorry to say it, but you asked.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Anthony Bosio  Pro User  says:

The 8-ball says, "Sorry, try again."
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

lejanvier says:

i think i'm in love !!!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Thibaut §-)  Pro User  says:

strange mix between old school and oakley style - from what we can see here.
I'm trying to find some new ones myself, and I've seen some pretty good ones at www.lunor.com/ well crafted and designed.
And (but?) really old school.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

jGregor  Pro User  says:

go square. brown. BUT...if you're going to wear them mainly on the computer go for lite, lots of coverage, and anti-glare. I've got about a dozen pairs and find that when i'm out I go with snazzy-mod-squarish but in the dark of night at home i go lite weight and love them.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Fortran  Pro User  says:

Show your love for "Heroes" and go for some classic, tortoise-shell horn-rimmed glasses.

That said, not bad for a blind grab.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

hollyziggy says:

Jason, I envision you as a cutting edge, metrosexual techno kind of information broker, like Moby with a degree. Your loaner frames make me think of one of the basic templates that come with a free website account. You are hot. Try another pair of frames, maybe something green, brushed titanium, squarish, etc.....?
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

jakebouma  Pro User  says:

I vote for rectangular.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

indigoskye  Pro User  says:

What disturbs me most about those glasses is how closely they echo the shape of your eyebrows and eye-socket. Gives you a bug-eyed look.

Btw, you may have two weeks to return the frames, but won't they charge you for new eye pieces again?
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

TripTie Ruffians says:

Yo Jason, those frames aren't bad but I think you could do better. The real question that I want to ask you is how you broke your contact lenses? I wear gas-permeable lenses as well and actually broke one of mine last week. Somehow, and this may seem impossible, but the lens became inverted. So I did the only thing I could think of doing, trying to pop it back; and that is what made it crack. Now I'm wearing glasses as well :(
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

dgibbphoto says:

No
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

justsayjolie  Pro User  says:

they're a hair small for your face... perhaps you could find a slightly bigger pair in a similar style?
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

stakhanov7 says:

Embrace the big frame. The coolest glasses were worn by Michael Caine's character Harry Palmer. With such nonchalance he removed them before a fight. Or maybe it was that Harry was cool.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Marco Raaphorst  Pro User  says:

photo is a bit blurry too :)

but black frames in general are cool, I think.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

tienmao  Pro User  says:

a george costanza joke is in order. okay, not really.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

mikeindustries says:

I know you're probably getting a lot of advice about your hard contacts, but I figured I'd add mine in: you should give Ciba Night & Days a shot. They are disposable, about $6 apiece and you literally leave them in for a month and then toss them. You don't even take them out at night. So nice.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

dps  Pro User  says:

I think they look pretty good!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

dps  Pro User  says:

Oh and BTW I'm an RGP lens wearer and also have scratched up 7-8yr old glasses, sympathize with your predicament. Perhaps I should get myself a nice pair of new ones at the weekend...
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

jkottke  Pro User  says:

I would love to get disposables, but every time I go to get my eyes checked, the doctor tells me the best option for my particular situation are gas perms.

And thanks to everyone for all the advice and discussion. Next time I'm bringing my laptop and webcam with me to the glasses store so we can do this in real time.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Messily  Pro User  says:

The shape of them, and how closely they mirror your face, kind of makes you look like you're wearing an old-time bandit/superhero mask. I think something a little more angled would be better.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

jbjoyce says:

From one four-eyes to another... Where's the library, Poindexter?!?!

Just kidding, although I prefer rectangle to oval.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

jmholloway  Pro User  says:

go with a little more square.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

RUHE Photography  Pro User  says:

To complete the look, you need to have that tape in the middle to make it look like its holding both eye pieces together.

Go for something more square with a with no frame around the bottom.

ORRRR

Corrective laser surgery
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

tokenblogger.com  Pro User  says:

I like them because you still look like Jason kottke.

When you get a new rx for contacts you ALWAYS replace the lenses in your spectaculars!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

_christine  Pro User  says:

Didn't you give me a book about glasses way back in the day?

My husband Robert has the same thick lenses issue (the last pair was buffed on the edge- which really adds to the bottle effect) there's just nothing he can do- he gets the "little head in big head" problem which by the looks of the photo leads me to suspect that you're in the same perdiciment.

Robert's glasses are angular- not good when the perscription is large at the corners- hence the round thing.

My first instinct is to go more angular- BUT maybe that's wrong- maybe that's cause everyone's going angular. I think the maybe the cool thing to do is to work it James Joyce style.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

abbottchalew  Pro User  says:

I just got these...

IMG_0004.JPG

Total bill including frames, lenses and shipping: $25. I ordered them online, put in my prescription details, and a week later they came in the mail. It's brilliant!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Eurylochus says:

Keep them. Square is everywhere.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Mafu  Pro User  says:

I like 'em. And I like your blog too by the way!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

heather  Pro User  says:

i think you need something squarer. the outside bottom corners seems a little..... odd.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

mcsixth  Pro User  says:

Does Helpetica get a matching pair?
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

bec.w says:

ugh, I feel your glasses shopping angst. This August I spent two hours in a store but still ended up returning the new pair... and keeping my old glued-up pair.

The pair I couldn't let go of? They're not too square and not too dark, more squared oval and subtly mottled brown, maybe similar to what people have been suggesting: Neostyle College 236. Not sure how they'd do with super-thick lenses.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

ae  Pro User  says:

I recently bought a pair of specs from a place which let me borrow three at a time -- it was fantastic!

I agree with some of the other posters that a more square shape would look good on you, maybe something slightly trapezoidal. And do let the shop people help you pick out some frames and guide you to something. If it's a good shop then they are experts!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Glynnis Ritchie  Pro User  says:

I'm also for square, despite your comment about distortion. Maybe there's some squarish-but-not-too-square frames that will make a kind of compromise? I feel like they would go better with the shape of your face. I'm not a huge fan of the ones pictured; they sort of make you look like Waldo of the Where's Waldo books, and I'm not sure that's a good thing.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Aria Fotografia says:

Jason, they make you look gay. Don't get me wrong: they look nice to me. But "gay New York City boy" nice. With maybe a job in publishing or design. You need to EMBRACE the fact that you wear glasses (after all: how often are you going to wear them after the lenses arrive?) You want something bold, manly, maverick and just a little "what everyone else will be wearing in 6 to 9 months." That might mean square. Or it might mean 1960's aeronautical engineer...not sure. But not (and I mean this kindly) round.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

redelizat  Pro User  says:

My first reaction was "how funny-he's wearing his wife's glasses." In other words, too round and femine.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

minxlj  Pro User  says:

Long time fan of yours, and also a fellow lens dependant!

You do need a more rectangular frame to offset your features - an oval face shape benefits from this. And from a design point of view, they're just nicer! :-)
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Urban Butterfly says:

I like them but I think you should try square ones.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

ChrisJ.  Pro User  says:

If your prescription is bad (like my -7), try thinner glass lenses (high index 1.7 or 1.8). They're more expensive, but very light and comfortable, and do not scratch like the plastic ones (I wear mine for 7 years now without any problems).
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Yellowhammer  Pro User  says:

ericn (above) has made the best points here- I would follow his advice.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

DorkStar  Pro User  says:

The most important thing is that the lens should be centered in relation the eye. Most people don't realize that, but yours sit where they should. I like them. And yes - square is everywhere.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

quaisi  Pro User  says:

I think a contrast would be good - square, etc.

Good luck!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Brenda Hervold  Pro User  says:

The frames look well balanced to your head and eyes. Is that what your looking for? Have you thought of getting the Corbu glasses? Similar to what Philip Johnson use to wear..... :)
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

frotzed2 says:

Dude, keep 'em. If your wife likes the way they look then that's all you need to know.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

ply&burl says:

If you can't go square, maybe just a little squarer. Perhaps more in the frame than the lenses.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

avi4now  Pro User  says:

Kinda boring. But if they're just for backup, does it really matter anyway?
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

jameskazao says:

Too Round.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

marilink  Pro User  says:

you look good
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

horsedreamer says:

chunky black is good, slightly squarer would be better. Be careful not to look too emo, though. Emo ftl.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

sbrinley says:

I would say that the ones bec.w linked to are perfect (if they work with your lenses, that is)
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

masukomi  Pro User  says:

I think they're ok but not great. I agree with the too round sentiment. To me they look like a slimmed down version of Robin's mask.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

sadalit  Pro User  says:

They look good, although I'm surprised you didn't go with the no-frame look that seems popular now... or was that 5 min. ago?
I thought I was the only person left in the world who still wore hard contact lenses.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

Lawsy says:

I think they are a little too round, but what would I know I don't wear glasses.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

sarah.frazier says:

i think they're fantastic!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

*Fatemeh*  Pro User  says:

There is something faintly Gatsby-esque about them, which I really like. I just wish the bridge was a wee bit wider, and the actual frame a wee bit narrower.

Just saying.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

view profile

ausualsuspect says:

You and your glasses are just adorable.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

< Prev 1 2
(113 comments)

Would you like to comment?

Sign up for a free account, or sign in (if you're already a member).

[?]
view photos Uploaded on November 27, 2006
by jkottke

jkottke's photostream

582
uploads

Tags

Click this icon to see all public photos and videos tagged with nyc nyc

Additional Information

All rights reserved Anyone can see this photo

Add to your map