Vice Presidential Specs Inspire Fall Trends in Eyewear

Much to my surprise, it seems that Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin has sparked a flurry of self-reflection across our country. Her face time in front of the camera has motivated the masses to take a look at themselves in the mirror. They aren’t reflecting on earmarks or oil exploration. No, men and women alike are admiring Palin’s intelligent, lightweight, angular eyeglasses.

Indeed, Sarah Palin’s eyewear has sparked a fire in the industry with retailers across the nation hounding the manufacturer for more of the stylish specs.  As USA Today pointed out in an article earlier this month, “matching the look won’t be easy. Although the frames are sold at many optical boutiques, the shape of the strongly rectangular lenses was custom-made for Palin by Home Optics, an upscale retailer in Chugiak, Alaska.”

I recently chatted with a local optometrist, Dr. Joe DiGirolamo of Primary Eyecare in Charlottesville, who confirmed that even Cville’s own spectacle-wearing residents are requesting this particular style.

“Regardless of where each of us stands politically,” Dr. Joe remarked “it is hard to deny that her eyeglasses are a part of her persona.”

Regarding the apparent push back on the cost (Palin’s prescription frames run somewhere around $700), Dr. DiGirolamo noted, “The fact so many people miss is that Palin’s glasses create a first impression. This is true for anyone that wears eyeglasses.” While $700 might be pushing it for most, you certainly shouldn’t skimp on quality when it comes to such an important element of your appearance.

If the eyes are the window to the soul, do you want your window frame to be poorly constructed or, worse, ugly? I don’t wear glasses, but if I did, they would probably be my biggest wardrobe investment (next to my Prada trench).

Regardless of my political stance, I agree with Dr. Joe that Palin’s glasses convey an air of intelligence, confidence, while still maintaining a level of approachability. Maybe the framelessness makes her seem more open? Compared to Palin’s head shot today, one could argue that her earlier frames featured below convey less global, more small town leadership:

Dr. Joe adds, “You can instantly create an impression- fun, artsy, business-like, and so on - through your eyewear…No one should overlook eyewear as a sensible investment in style and persona. Let alone the function of seeing.” 

What do your specs say about you?