Prescription glasses are cool again: How it happened

For the longest time in the fashion industry, spectacles were closely associated with nerd culture. They were deemed unsexy and unglamorous.  

Today, prescription glasses are making a comeback on runways and red carpets. Celebrities, influencers and style icons like Bella Hadid and Billie Eilish are, in fact, embracing them as everyday fashion staples. There is no doubt that, as of 2024, spectacles are cool again.  

This resurgence is transforming perceptions of eyewear in the fashion world. More importantly, it marks a significant shift in conventional beauty standards – one that celebrates individuality and personal expression, as opposed to conforming to a single style.

This unexpected trend of wearing prescription glasses also coincides with a broader shift towards choosing comfort and functionality over mere style. In 2024, skinny jeans, bodycon dresses and ankle socks that often lead to blisters have given way to more comfortable options like oversized shirts and tall socks. Wearing spectacles is just one way we’re redefining what it means to be stylish.

The resurgence of spectacles as a fashion statement began to take shape during Italian high fashion label Miu Miu’s March 2023 runway show, where many of its models donned chic, oval-shaped prescription glasses.  

Towards the end of 2023, online personality Emma Chamberlain collaborated with Warby Parker to produce an eyewear collaboration that included stylish rectangular spectacle frames. Even Kim Kardashian had come up with an advertisement around the same time for her shapewear company Skims, where she sported rectangular glasses – solidifying this eyewear style as a key trend. 

While there are many different types of prescription glasses, one particular look emerged as the defining style of the season – the rectangular frames. Often referred to as Bayonetta spectacles (named after the bespectacled protagonist of the Bayonetta video game series), these wide yet small frames evoke nostalgia for the 2000s.

Some may recall Giselle Bündchen’s character in The Devil Wears Prada, who sported the same eyewear style. This trend was brought back into the spotlight in 2024, with celebrities like supermodel Bella Hadid and actress Renee Rapp further popularising the look through Instagram selfies featuring Bayonetta prescription glasses. By January 2024, Google searches for Bayonetta glasses skyrocketed, reaching an all-time high. 

This trend has continued to dominate 2024. Any doubts about the appeal of Bayonetta spectacles were put to rest when singer-rapper Doja Cat appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, wearing a pair that looked both effortlessly cool and unexpectedly glamorous.  

While these celebrities have perfected the look, it’s not always easy to pull off a regular pair of spectacles with the same flair. For those looking to re-embrace prescription glasses, we have created a quick guide on how to pick the right spectacles for you and look fabulous while wearing them.

Choosing the right spectacles for your face shape can enhance your features and elevate your style. Here are the four main types of prescription glasses and the best ways to wear and style them.  

1. Rectangular spectacles

Let’s start off with the most popular style of prescription glasses right now. Bayonetta spectacles, with their angular shape and a frame that’s wider than it is tall, work well for those with a round or oval-shaped face. Their sharp edges complement and balance out softer facial features.

To make your rectangular glasses stand out, opt for a sleek hairstyle that keeps hair away from your face. Consider a clean bun or straight hair tucked behind your ears (similar to this example above featuring Julia Fox) to make sure it doesn’t compete with the frames. 

2. Round spectacles

Round prescription glasses are ideal for square, oblong and heart-shaped faces, helping to soften those angular jaws. With that said, it’s also important to consider the size of the frames.  

For those with a square face shape, smaller glasses will accentuate the largeness and sharpness of your face, so you should always pick glasses that look slightly more oversized. To further de-emphasise the sharp angles of your face, you can also pair your round glasses with loose, textured hairstyles.

3. Square spectacles

Square spectacles are similar to rectangular spectacles in that they both feature an angular design. However, unlike Bayonettas, square glasses often come in larger or oversized shapes. This makes them particularly well-suited for triangular face shapes, as they’re able to de-emphasise wide foreheads. They can also work well with round faces by adding definition and depth.  

4. Rimless spectacles

And now for the most versatile style of spectacles – rimless glasses. Although less commonly adopted, even by celebrities, rimless spectacles possess a unique charm. They represent the epitome of corporate chic, blending seriousness with stylish sophistication. The minimalist design of rimless prescription glasses makes them suitable for various face shapes.

What’s more, rimless glasses come in many forms – rectangular, round, square, oversized and more. When in doubt, simply choose the shape that best suits your face. In general, those who look best with rimless frames have an oval face shape, since oval faces complement nearly every style of glasses. 

Ready to elevate your look with prescription glasses? Head over to the Chew’s Optics optical shop, where you’ll find a vast array of spectacles to choose from. Having been around for over three decades, we’re more than familiar with the nostalgic spectacle styles of the 2000s. Our certified optometrists can also recommend the perfect frames for you after analysing your face shape.  

Visit us now at 144 Teck Whye Lane, #01-211, Singapore. We are open every day except Mondays and Fridays. Got questions? Drop us a line on WhatsApp at +65 8314 7093.