- Surge in the number of ‘plain-glass’ requests at Vision Express as eyewear becomes a must-have fashion accessory
- “Men REGULARLY make passes at girls who wear glasses”, national poll confirms
Vision Express, the national eyewear and eye care specialists, has seen a surge in demand for frames with plain glass, with sales currently running at up to 1,500 pairs per week. The surge has been so pronounced that the new group of wearers are being dubbed “Suspecs”.
Glasses have become such a prized status and fashion symbol that a growing number of people with perfect eyesight are buying plain glass spectacles or seriously considering it. One in five (21%) 18-24 year old said that they were wearing plain glass eyewear for reasons of style or were considering it. Almost one in 10 (8%) 18-24 year olds admitted that they wear plain glass spectacles.
The age-old cliche that men avoid women with glasses has also been debunked today by a YouGov research for Vision Express.
The study reveals that a majority (53%) of glasses-wearing 18-44 year old women have been on the receiving end of amorous approaches from men.
Celebrity role models – from newsreaders to Hollywood stars – have also had a huge impact on public perceptions. Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson and Nicole Kidman have been seen wearing glasses and Daniel Radcliffe’s portrayal of Harry Potter, the bespectacled wizard, is also thought to have had a positive impact on perceptions. At this year’s Oscars ceremony, many celebrities, including Johnny Depp, Seth Rogan, Jack Nicholson and Wesley Snipes took to the stage with glasses.
Sixty-four percent of respondents to the YouGov poll said that they felt glasses create a more positive impression today than they did a decade ago.
16-year-old school student, and budding ‘Suspec’ Imogen Overton said: “When I’m out with my friends, I always pinch people’s glasses because I think they make you look more interesting and I always get compliments when I wear them. A whole load of my friends are thinking about getting them. They’re now sexy as opposed to geeky.”
Respondents also reported that glasses have a positive impact in the workplace, with 22% of 18-24 year olds indicating that they felt they would be taken more seriously if they wore glasses and 32% saying that that they were more likely to be seen as more intelligent.
The shift in the attitude of men follows several years of rapid innovation in the eyewear market, with many world-class designers developing their own ranges of eyewear.
“Not so long ago, glasses were seen primarily as a medical aid rather than a stylish accessory”, said Bryan Magrath, CEO of Vision Express. “The benefits of professionally made and fitted glasses are enormous and it is encouraging to see that the introduction of style has had a huge and positive impact on people’s perceptions.”
“There is a real sense that eyewear can boost your confidence and your desirability today – both to potential partners and to potential employers,” he added. “The world has turned on its head in the last ten years – and the message is that rather than being a hindrance, glasses are in fact a clear advantage.”
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About Vision Express
Vision Express is one of Britain’s leading chains of opticians, with a national network of more than 300 stores. Built on a passion for the optical profession and a drive for unparalleled customer service, Vision Express opened the first ‘one hour’ Opticians in 1988 and remains the pioneer of a genuine one-hour service today. Vision Express is part of Europe’s largest optical retailing network that includes eye care brands Grand Optical, Solaris and Generale D’Optique.
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