As it happens, I do fancy a change, as, like just about every other four-eyed git in Britain, I have little oblong specs, because they seem to be the only ones you can get. I don't like them, though. I'd quite like something that improves my peripheral vision as well as the main focus. Little oblong jobs don't do that. I have it on good authority that Hank Marvin wears big glasses partly because they're his trademark, but also because with little frames, he wouldn't be able to see his guitar properly when he glances down.
When I was at university, I affected a pair of round tortoiseshell specs that can only be described as Richard Wattis-chic. They came from Specsavers - bliss it was in that dawn to be alive. No chance that
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they'd carry similar styles now, the swines. Fortunately, Opera Opera in London have very similar frames in stock. They know how to charge, but as they have them custom-made in Britain, rather than stamped out in an oriental sweat shop, that's understandable. They also offer them in clear plastic, which would be wonderful as long as I don't wear them with a dark suit. I admire Jonathan Meades too much to invite even superficial comparisons.Back to the high street: in one shop, I asked why all of the glasses on display were little, oblong jobs. The assistant replied "There's no call for any other kind, sir". I replied that I was calling for them, couldn't find any anywhere and that maybe, just maybe, there would be some other calls for them if they had any in stock. "We tried, sir, but no-one wanted them". Having a suspicion that I was well over halfway round a circular argument, I gave up. I also suspected that the alternative styles they'd tried had come from the Dennis Nilsen Serial-Killer-About-Muswell-Hill range. So, what's the story there? Does an optometric insider have the skinny on skinny glasses? What, to be frank, are they trying to pull?
STOP PRESS: I've gone for these in tortoiseshell. Named after the Two Ronnies and only £34. It had to be done.
Hmm, black would have been more classic Harry Palmer, just right for the winter and a Funeral in Berlin.
ReplyDeleteOr you could have gone for some giant white Buggles ones, to look like a 1980 ad man. But who would though.
By the way I listended to the P Barnes tape, very good. If you mention Stan the number one Crosby Fan to PB he'll know the old man.
Black would have been classic HP, but I've always had a preference for the tortoiseshell. I will be sure to bring Stan up with the Barnes-stormer when I next speak to him.
ReplyDeleteI've just got new specs for computer and reading use only. They are little and oblong, and give me a touch of the Nana Mouskouris (which I believe can be cured these days). Because they are so strong, for looking at people, I have to assume that 'looking down your nose' attitude, which gives me instant superiority, hurrah!
ReplyDeleteDidn't you have a pair of very similar specs to the ones you've just bought when I first met you circa 2000AD, Louis? (In black, like the illustration.)
ReplyDeleteOr am I cracking up?
In 2000, I had horn-rims with tortoiseshell tops and metal bottoms, I think. I got a black pair and a tortoiseshell pair in a 2-for-1 after that, but they were little oblong bastards. A pox on 'em.
ReplyDeleteWell, I think they're very smart.
ReplyDeleteI've never needed glasses (and I'm not trying to be smug), so I've never had the dilemma of what frames to choose. It'll come eventually, I know