Stylish + Affordable Eyeglasses That Also Help the World
*this post does contain affiliate links but does not increase the amount you pay, only helps to support the new wifestyle’s operating costs should you order. i received a small compensation for reviewing their service. thanks for supporting companies that support TNW!
affordable eyeglasses are hard to find, let alone cute and stylish ones. i have a theory that they are made from some magical thing found only in a forest that is a three-day uphill hike where you have to re-fight lord voldemort. my husband says i’m dramatic but i just don’t see it.
i first got eyeglasses in 7th grade and i hated them so i begged and pleaded for contacts, which i wore until freshmen year of college. after late night drinking studying and early mornings, i realized that glasses were on to something because it didn’t involve putting something in your eyeball and now here we are.
both my husband i wear glasses and have spent a stupid amount on glasses in the past. even with vision insurance, those glasses on my face in the picture below still cost over $300 (with anti-glare and anti-scratch costing an extra $80). it hurts to stomach to think i paid that much.
remember when i reacted less than desirable after my husband came home with his new glasses (pictured above with my diva-priced glasses) a few months ago and i screamed “YOU LOOK LIKE A DAD- EWWW!” but now i love them a lot a lot.
i especially love that his new glasses are very different from my glasses because when we both had dark-rimmed glasses people said we looked like brother and sister. ew. we do sexy things together, you sicko.
i actually get terrible anxiety about picking out a pair of glasses. i mean…it’s something i wear every day. they are in every damn instagram photo and i get worried about picking the wrong ones that will send me back to 7th grade when my only response was “4 eyes are better than your stupid eyes!”
i used drag my husband with me when i went to pick new frames out but i might be there for hours (truly) and apparently he doesn’t love to spend his time that way.
this is where www.WarbyParker.com comes in. they are offering a FREE Home Try-On program! you get to pick out 5 pairs that you like and they send them to you completely free, with a pre-paid return label! you even get to keep them for 5 whole days so you can ask grandma what she thinks or bug your husband in the comfort of your own home.
you do have to give your credit card information as part of your order in case you try to steal the glasses or break them in half. that’s fair.
when they arrive, it’s even more exciting! they totally had me the five-second rule.
now that i have had my diva-priced glasses for almost two years, it’s time for a new pair!
i decided to pick four for the home try-on i’m normally drawn to and then a wilder pair. basically i was trying to be grace from camp patton but that didn’t happen. i tried…but i couldn’t hang.
these ones made me feel like dexter, the cartoon as opposed to the good-intentioned serial killer. that’s also the same face i make if you try to make me eat beans. ANY type.
there were three i really liked and was able to show them off to my husband while we were hanging out, eating and while he was showering (don’t worry, dad. i couldn’t see anything because they aren’t prescription lenses). you can also tweet them a picture of you in the glasses and they will weigh in!
i found the winner; a two-toned frame that is similar to the same shape i wear now because change scares me. what do you think? also let me know if you need 100 fresh holiday ideas because i’ve got access to that too.
guess how much they cost. $95! this includes UV-protection, anti-glare and anti-scratch! you do have to have a current prescription but i just had my eye doctor send it to me and done! we are totally using them for our eyewear needs now because that’s a smokin’ deal but it gets even better.
they do a Buy One Give One program, which my social worker soul loves and appreciates even more than my frugal self!
they have a fantastic model where warby parker makes a donation to their non-profit partners after we buy a pair of their glasses. this non-profit partner buys a pair of glasses and distributes it to one of the entrepreneurs they trained to do basic eye exams in developing countries and then sells it to their community. they have donated over 1 million glasses to people in poverty and people in need. incredible.
at first i was like, why don’t they just donate a pair of glasses? this is what they have to say about that:
“It’s a sticky fact of life that kind-hearted gestures can have unintended consequences. Donating is often a temporary solution, not a lasting one. It can contribute to a culture of dependency. It is rarely sustainable.
Instead of donating, our partners train men and women to sell glasses for ultra-affordable prices, which allows them to earn a living. More important, it forces our partners to offer glasses that people actually want to buy: glasses that fit with local styles, look good, work well, and make the wearer feel incredible. Because everyone wants to feel incredible.”
please also be impressed that i figured out how to get this banner here so go scope them out, try on some sweet and affordable eyeglasses to support a company that is doing good things for the world.
i leave you with the best quote from a 6 year old about marriage…
her: you guys must be married.
me: how can you tell?
her: you both have glasses (walks away and says DUH with head snap)
questions:
1) do you wear glasses or contacts? when did you first get them?
2) be honest, do you kind of look like your spouse?
3) how good are you at making decisions on things you use/wear daily?
ps. after looking at their website more, here is actually how your frames are made. i still think lord voldemort has something to do with it somewhere.
Alison
December 4, 2014 at 10:35 am
I loooove the ones you picked! Looking forward to seeing them in person, and super impressed with the Warby Parker packaging!
chelsea
December 4, 2014 at 11:06 am
thanks alison! i was also very impressed with their packaging too! the outside of the box also said “get excited.” totally speaking our generation’s language. i will await your double approval in person about the glasses 🙂
chelsea recently posted…Stylish + Affordable Eyeglasses That Also Help the World
Paula Howley
December 4, 2014 at 11:09 am
1) do you wear glasses or contacts? when did you first get them?
2) be honest, do you kind of look like your spouse?
3) how good are you at making decisions on things you use/wear daily?
I like your new frames too but I think you should also have a fun crazy pair for those fun crazy days. 🙂
I just started wearing glasses about 2-3 years ago when my eyes started telling me “Hey! You’re getting old!”
Now an old friend of mine told me that when your eyes first start to go around 40ish, they change frequently so it’s not worth getting a prescription for a while. So I go to the drug store and spend a good half hour trying on different glasses. I only wear them when I read but I like them to be a bit over the top. My last pair were red frames with rhinestones. I know, it’s the ex-stripper in me. lol
2. I don’t think so but we’re both short.
3. I take a long time to decide too Chels because it’s a HUGE deal. I even make sure I’m wearing stuff I like when I’m going to get my driver’s licence pic updated.
Paula Howley recently posted…Head Start Public Speaking for Kids-Week 8- Use your VOICE! Vocal variety!
chelsea
December 4, 2014 at 12:58 pm
thanks paula and maybe next time with the crazy pair! trying not to be jealous you only needed glasses 2-3 years ago-good job paula’s eyes for hanging on this long!
bahah…the ex-stripper in you is coming out in red and rhinestones-amazing! and thank goodness i’m not alone when it comes to making sure your driver’s license picture is up to snuff too 🙂
Amanda
December 4, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Umm…I am SO in! Do you get any sort of deal if I buy through your link or something? Because I totally think I’m gonna do this. I HATE eyeglass shopping, and this looks like it makes it way easier.
Amanda recently posted…Tips on how to feed your dog a raw diet
chelsea
December 4, 2014 at 12:55 pm
you should totally check them out amanda! at least do the in-home try on to see if you like any of their styles (i actually did it two times!) i feel you on hating the process and this really did make it A LOT better (and cheaper).
that’d be great if you could click and then order through one of the links if you’re interested! i am an affiliate with them so i get a small percentage 🙂
chelsea recently posted…Stylish + Affordable Eyeglasses That Also Help the World
Lindsay Ropella
December 4, 2014 at 4:03 pm
These look great on you! Picking out glasses is rough, for sure! And I hate having to pay an arm and a leg for them, so these seem like a great deal!
Lindsay Ropella recently posted…Hosting a Party On A Budget
chelsea
December 5, 2014 at 10:25 am
thanks lindsay! i’m really happy with the whole process and the ‘funness’ and giving of the company! super great deal too because i like my arms and legs 🙂
chelsea recently posted…How Small Gestures Make a BIG Impact on Your Relationship
Nathanial
December 4, 2014 at 8:41 pm
I got Warby’s last week!
chelsea
December 5, 2014 at 10:25 am
heeeyo! yay for joining the warby club too, nathanial!
Vivien
December 5, 2014 at 1:57 pm
1) I wear glasses 95% of the time. My eyes are naturally dry, so wearing contacts long term are not a smart move for me. I’ve been told I look cuter wearing glasses: I figure I will rock that.
2) If I get one, I suspect we will look alike. Not sure if that is good or bad.
3) I can spend hours picking out new glasses too, cause of the whole “I am going to be wearing this every day for years!” and trying not to panic as a result. Thankfully my prescription is still pretty simple, so I am tempted to take advantage of the buy one get one free prescription glasses that come about once in awhile. Then again my glasses are still expensive when you ask cheapo me.
chelsea
December 5, 2014 at 3:28 pm
that’s rock, vivien…rock what you feel best in! i’m not sure if it’s good or bad to look like your spouse but get ready for weird comments that you don’t know how to respond to. sometimes i say “oh we’re just cousins” to see what happens next. ha!
yeah glasses are crazy expensive that’s why i think the dark lord has something to do with it.
chelsea recently posted…How Small Gestures Make a BIG Impact on Your Relationship