Vintage Eyeglasses

[AtomicEraTom]

I'm a big fan of the 50's/60's style FBI/Malcom X kinda glasses with the thick top frames, very classy.

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

I went to my optometrist to have them make me some "stage shades" with a gradient tint that would look cool, function when in sun, yet allow me to see in low light if performing in a nightclub. Oh, and in my scipt too.

We went through a lot of frame choices, y'know the $400 kind which is what I expected to pay, but nothing grabbed me as being funky enough. Then the gal says, "We do have these old frames that one of our senior customers gave us and we'd give them to you, no charge - just $80 to make the lenses."

Perfect! They are genuinely old frames with a lot of interesting and tiny geometric engraving all around, including on the edge and back of the metal.

 

[chanteuseCarey]

I got mine from...

Allyn Scura, here in No. Calif. They have a website with all kind of vintage frames. Had the prescription put into them, their prices are very reasonable. Mine are gold frames by American Optical, from the 1940s.

 

[univibe88]

Allyn Scura is another great recommendation. They also make brand new frames under their own label with classic designs.

I have some of these made up as shades: http://allynscura.com/legend.htm

 

[John in Covina]

http://www.berkshirechase.com/

I am hoping to get some rounder type frames from these people next time around.

 

[chanteuseCarey]

thanks univeive88...

Yeah, I'm getting these as sunglasses next in the honey tortoiseshell with green lenses to use for 20s-40s.

Allyn Scura is another great recommendation. They also make brand new frames under their own label with classic designs.

I have some of these made up as shades: http://allynscura.com/legend.htm

 

[Edward]

For late 50s / early 60s check out Shuron: http://www.shuron.com

In particular, the ZYL was THE frame from that period: http://www.shuron.com/ronsir_zyl.htm

Shuron invented them and still makes them today.

The Ronsir Zyl model was very dominant in the 50s / 60s, though they were first introduced in 1947, making them pretty flexible for a wide range of period looks. I'm actually in the process of ordering up a pair or two myself, direct from Shuron. Eventually I might pick up a pair or two of earlier styles for a more 30s look, though day to day I think the Ronsirs are much more my taste.

I'm a big fan of the 50's/60's style FBI/Malcom X kinda glasses with the thick top frames, very classy.

Yep, that's the Shuron Ronsir Zyls.

 

[WideBrimm]

ArtCraft

Another good option is ArtCraft Optical with their "Legendary Looks" collection.
I've been wearing their Rimways for years now.


http://www.artcraftoptical.com/products/dress/legendarylooks/legendary-looks.htm

 

[chanteuseCarey]

James Stewart as Glen Miller frames??

Let's get some input here. If DH wants a 40s lookalike pair of eyeglasses such as JS wore in The Glen Miller Story, do you think the Art-Bilt Rimway with Perimetric #1 lenses could fit the bill??

 

[GWD]

Old Shurons

I photographed this study last year.

 

[MisterGrey]

The Ronsir Zyl model was very dominant in the 50s / 60s, though they were first introduced in 1947, making them pretty flexible for a wide range of period looks. I'm actually in the process of ordering up a pair or two myself, direct from Shuron. Eventually I might pick up a pair or two of earlier styles for a more 30s look, though day to day I think the Ronsirs are much more my taste.

In the future you may want to check out the aforementioned bestbuyeyeglasses.com. They sell Shurons, in addition to several other retro styles. Although I've found Shuron's customer service department to be very helpful, they are selling you their product at "sticker price," as it were. Bestbuy is much less expensive, and like Shuron, you can order multiple pairs and return the ones that are too large/small/whatnot and get a full refund, minus the price of shipping.

 

[Edward]

In the future you may want to check out the aforementioned bestbuyeyeglasses.com. They sell Shurons, in addition to several other retro styles. Although I've found Shuron's customer service department to be very helpful, they are selling you their product at "sticker price," as it were. Bestbuy is much less expensive, and like Shuron, you can order multiple pairs and return the ones that are too large/small/whatnot and get a full refund, minus the price of shipping.

Do they offer to ship as 'commercial samples'? This makes, you know, a difference.

I wish the Shuron stuff was widely available over here.... The opticians I use are great in terms of service, but alas their range of frames is very contemporary-fashion driven. Be it clothes, glasses, music or whatever, I've always been the sort that knows what I like and doesn't care whether it's in fashion or not.

 

[Esme]

My new glasses.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3459181376_b26ed33c4a.jpg

 

[Lillemor]

My new glasses.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3459181376_b26ed33c4a.jpg

I really like your frames. They look great on you.

If I had the money and excuse to buy new glasses (bought mine less than a year ago) I'll probably go for the slimmer version of the 60s because of my prescription so smaller/slimmer glasses work better for me. Who knows.....that time, that money, and that's the real issue here.

 

[Spitfire]

Finally managed to get of hold of a pair of "Harry Palmer" frames.
Or as close to the original as I could get.
What do you think?

 

[Ghostsoldier]

I'm a big fan of the 50's/60's style FBI/Malcom X kinda glasses with the thick top frames, very classy.

Tom,
Malcolm X wore American Optical glasses; I have several photos of him, and none of them are Ronsir models....the AO's have a "wing" on the frames, not a solid "wedge" bar...

They are cool...I have 3 pair myself, off of eBay...incidentally, the same frames used by Tom Hanks' FBI character Carl Hanratty, in Catch Me If You Can...

Hope this helps!
Rob

 

[AtomicEraTom]

If I ever need glasses, besides the cheaters, which I may do this with them too, I would love to get those frames! They're my favorite.

 

[Edward]

What do you think?

Look good! Are they, by any chance, RayBans? They have the look of Wayfarers about them to my eye.

Tom,
Malcolm X wore American Optical glasses; I have several photos of him, and none of them are Ronsir models....the AO's have a "wing" on the frames, not a solid "wedge" bar...
They are cool...I have 3 pair myself, off of eBay...incidentally, the same frames used by Tom Hanks' FBI character Carl Hanratty, in Catch Me If You Can...

Aha! I see the difference now. I know Shuron came up with the browline design first, but yes theree seem to have been plenty of folks got in on the look pretty quickly. Actually, I have a pair of AOs, sunglasses, that I picked up on eBay myself recently. Interesting to see Hanks with them too - just the other week I happened to see, on television, that film for the first time (oddly enough, just as I was beginning to look into the Shurons for myself). I very much enjoyed it. Hanks' glasses looke great on him - I especially liked thed look of the clip on sunshades.... while I'm going, for practicality's sake, to opt for my regular photochromic lenses in all but one pairs of new glasses I plan to acquire over the next few months, I am sorely tempted to pick up a set of the clip-overs just for the sheer look of them.

 

[GWD]

American Optics

These are my reading glasses. Very similar to Malcolm X's.

 

[carter]

These zyl frames were my reading glasses until I broke them. Now I'm looking for another pair.

I recently picked up these two pair of NOS zyl frames on Ebay.

70's zyl tortoise aviators - $24.95

70's zyl tortoise by Linea Flex, Italy - $19.99