MetaChat - I'm getting new glasses for the first time in 20 years and

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05 June 2007

I'm getting new glasses for the first time in 20 years and →[More:]I want frames like what Horn Rimmed Glasses guy on Heroes wears. They're retro-geeky-cool, and I think they're making a comeback (sans, fortunately, pocket protectors and slide rules).

However, my optometrist didn't have these types of frames, and when I go looking on the web, I can't find what I'm looking for. Are these *really* horn-rimmed glasses or are they called something else? Hope me bunnies!

post by: WolfDaddy at: 11:41 | 25 comments

Cute! I think you need to use the search term semi-rimless, if you want that horn trim only at the top.

posted by iconomy 05 June | 11:51

My prescription sunglasses are the same kind of frames as the ones in your first link, WolfDaddy... I've had them for about 15 years, and when I looked into replacing them about a year ago (I wanted some more just like them), the folks at my eyeglasses place said, "Nobody makes that kind anymore." So I just keep getting them patched and repaired.

Maybe that show will bring them back, though. I hope so.

posted by BoringPostcards 05 June | 11:52

Here's the best pic I can find of my sunglasses right now:

≡ Click to see image ≡

(matildaben calls that my "serial killer" pic)

posted by BoringPostcards 05 June | 11:55

My friend used to (possibly still does) wear similar glasses, and he almost always bought his frames in Italy (which sounds hideously pretentious, I realize, but he knew cheap places there).

Anyway. "Italian eyeglass frames" into Google seems to turn up some stuff close to what you're looking for. These Adensco frames look similar (these have the frame all around, but seem close). Luxottica also may be close?

(And I could totally be tripping about this being a particularly Italian design, too. Also, I have no idea if FramesDirect is a reputable site, it just seemed to have a large selection. /caveats)

posted by occhiblu 05 June | 11:58

Hmm. Horn-rimmed glasses come in many different styles ("horn-rimmed" just means that the frames are horn or tortoishell), and what you're looking for is the semi-rimless in a retro style.

posted by Specklet 05 June | 12:04

Ooh, these are cute, and very close. Though again, not semi-rimless. Is that part of it important to you?

posted by occhiblu 05 June | 12:06

Oh that actor! I just realized he was on Dynasty in the 80s. He's aged well....mmm hmmm.

posted by iconomy 05 June | 12:09

Me, I want another pair that are EXACTLY like the ones I have now, so I'm hitting all these links as y'all post 'em. The ones I've got have a decade-and-a-half of sweat corrosion and will, one day, dissolve into a pile of dust, I just know it.

(I don't mean to hijack WolfDaddy's thread, though... I'll hush now and just keep reading.)

posted by BoringPostcards 05 June | 12:21

They don't curve quite as much, and the shape's a bit different, but there are also these, in the brown tortoiseshell.

These also seem close, though a bit more modern.

posted by occhiblu 05 June | 12:27

I swear I'll stop posting soon...

These, in the tortoiseshell. They're not rimless on the bottom, but the frames do fade toward colorless.

posted by occhiblu 05 June | 12:29

Wow, AWESOME-fu is being displayed in this thread. Me--and BP too, it seems--is a very happy bunny! Keep links coming! I will find the perfect frames yet! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

posted by WolfDaddy 05 June | 12:41

They won't let me paste the search results, but just go to the Frames Direct Advanced Search page, specify male, adult, and plastic frames, and you'll have 30-something pages of things that are very close. (I did post the ones that I thought matched best above, but you may find something that works better for you. It's always hard to tell when you don't really know the shape of someone's face.)

posted by occhiblu 05 June | 12:46

What you really want are Browline glasses. Like these.
You can try these too.

posted by plinth 05 June | 12:55

Hi! You must model them (and post photos) after they arrive.

posted by safetyfork 05 June | 13:01

PLINTH YOU ARE THE WINNER!!!!!!!!! The Shuron Ltd link (2nd one) you provided are the manufacturers of the frames used by HRG in Heroes, Matt Damon in Good Shepard, Denzel Washington in Malcom X, Kevin Costner in JFK. I could go on but you hit the bullseye baby! I called them up and they were TOTALLY nice people, very helpful. And only 85 dollars for the frames.

Modeling and posting to follow!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

posted by WolfDaddy 05 June | 13:35

Wooo!

posted by occhiblu 05 June | 13:40

Excellent!

posted by safetyfork 05 June | 13:45

Thanks for all your searching work occhiblu.

And BP, the people at Shuron told me they'd been making the frames I wanted since 1941, so I bet you dollars to donuts (mmmmmm, donuts) that they make your style too!!!

posted by WolfDaddy 05 June | 13:47

That's it, plinth!! "Browline"... of course.

And that's awesome to hear, WolfDaddy. I'm going to start combing the site. (And actually, the 2nd ones plinth linked to are close enough (esp. since they have 'em in black) that I may just go with those when the time comes.

posted by BoringPostcards 05 June | 13:49

Those are awesome, WolfDaddy. You're going to look so secksay.

posted by iconomy 05 June | 14:05

You're welcome! I was in a browsing mood, so it was fun. Glad you found what you wanted -- those sites that plinth linked to are awesome. (And make me wish I had a better face for retro glasses!)

posted by occhiblu 05 June | 14:10

I am glad that you both found glasses that suit you. Me, I started looking at that site plinth posted and teared up because those are exactly the frames my beloved grandfather wore. I can almost feel him hug me. Thanks much for a totally unintended result. :)

posted by Luminous Phenomena 05 June | 14:36

Very Costner/JFK-esque, WD ... woof!

posted by rob511 05 June | 18:24

Jumping on the woo-hoo train! I need to get a new pair & don't think much of current styles, so this is just the sort of thing I"ve been thinking about. Now I've just gotta make the appointment for the check-up. Thanks, y'all.

posted by bmarkey 05 June | 18:36

They're not horn-rimmed glasses on Mr. Bennett of Heroes fame. They are "Browline Ronsir".

posted by Eideteker 05 June | 22:29

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