Fuddy-duddy, Old World, Melbourne Club - It's The Look
THE SUNDAY AGE
Saturday May 18, 1996
THEY are the new badge of power - as much a part of the uniform of authority as the steely gaze and the dark suit. They are the half-lens, usually wire-framed, glasses now sported by everyone from Premier Jeff Kennett to AFL chief Ross Oakley and businessman John Elliott.
Optometrists say the trend is less an affectation than a signpost at one of life's crossroads: power is on the rise when eyesight is on the slide.
The acting manager of OPSM's Bourke Street store, Mr Tony Darcy, said half frames were popular with middle-aged men whose close vision had gone - but who could still spot a far- off tram number or an interjector up the back.
``By the mid-40s many people need glasses for reading or any close work; they look over the top so things aren't blurry in the distance," he said.
Mr Darcy said public speakers preferred half frames because they could read a little from their speech, glance over their glasses at the audience and back to their speech.
But why the sudden proliferation? Could our leaders have taken to wearing reading glasses to add a certain gravitas to their demeanor?
``Well, there are people who do want just clear glass, just for the look, but not with the half glasses. Most middle-aged people need them; they wouldn't wear them for the look."
And some people wouldn't wear them even if they had to. The manager of Collingwood's designer eyewear shop I Spex, Ms Helen Purcell, said she steered her customers well away from half frames.
``Oh no, they look daggy, like a chemist. Or who was that guy who was on `It's Academic' ?" That was no dag, that was Danny Webb.
For the young, hip but long-sighted, Ms Purcell recommended small, rectangular full frames. ``They're so small now and sometimes - obviously when there's no one around - they can push them down their nose out of the way."
And she predicted dangerous times ahead for those addicted to half measures. ``When they need glasses for distance, it will be a lot harder to adjust to the full frame, because they are used to looking over the top all the time," she said.
But sometimes the half-frame wearer has already planned ahead. ``There are a lot of politicians who wear contact lenses for distance and buy reading glasses for convenience."
Ms Purcell said it was almost impossible to make contact lenses suited for distance and close vision but many people, particularly public figures, preferred to wear contact lenses all the time and use reading glasses when necessary.
``It's a vanity thing."
Image consultant Mr Jon Michail said half frames were chosen by executives and those in powerful positions. ``It's a fuddy-duddy look, very old world, very Melbourne club."
And extremely unattractive. ``It's not a good look. Women would never wear them in a million years; it's ageing and suits very few face shapes."
© 1996 THE SUNDAY AGE
