Several weeks ago I had an optician appointment for a check up.

As a contact lens wearer, I make sure that my eyes are checked every year, whether I have any issues or not.

Contact Lens Time

My current lenses are ones that can be worn for a continuous 30 days before they need to be removed and discarded. Due to the fact that I sleep, eat, work, swim and more in my lenses, I am very careful of the fact that no permanent damage is caused.

I also hadn’t had any new glasses for a couple of years and I was finding that the varifocals I had were not working to the best of their capabilities. Indeed, I was pretty sure that my prescription had changed somewhat and I would need to address that.

Going to my local branch of Specsavers, I had both my eye test and contact lens check and was advised that my prescription had changed a little and I would benefit from some new glasses.

Ravishing Red

Now, don’t get me wrong. Specsavers have a great selection of glasses but when it comes to the more vintage style, I can usually only find one or two pairs that tick my boxes.

I upgraded my contact lens prescription and decided to take my spectacle prescription to a fantastic company that I have used in the past; Retropeepers.

Retropeepers is a fantastic company run by Lauretta and Caroline. I first started using their services several years ago. Firstly I purchased some ready readers, before moving onto single prescription lens glasses.

This was going to be the first pair of varifocals that I was looking at ordering.

Ready for the Reveal?

My favourite styles were the Betty and the Peggy but I had also had a pair of Marilyn which I had loved too. I wanted to have a look at some new styles but one of the biggest problems is choosing from so many wonderful styles.

I sat down and looked at each style in turn, marking which ones I liked most.

They Are Here!

I emailed the contact us link and asked what would be the process for ordering varifocals. Thankfully the lovely Caroline emailed back quickly and explained that they needed the prescription details and sent the cost for various options such as coatings, thinning the lenses and other specialities that they can arrange.

Most people who know me, know I prefer my contact lenses as I don’t like the blurriness that occurs when I look over the top of the glasses or look over my shoulder when driving.

Retropeepers!

This meant I didn’t see the need for lots of fancy trimmings on them and instead settled for getting three pairs of basic varifocals for the cost of one with all the bells and whistles.

So, which ones did I choose?

Lots of Lovely Styles

My first pair was the beloved Betty which I went for in a completely different colour than I have ever had.  Betty is one of the most iconic looking 1950’s styles and extremely recognisable.

I have had ready readers in black, tortoiseshell, red, brown and graduated black. My single prescription Betty’s were Olive green and I can honestly say I have loved every pair that I have had.

Beautiful Betty

This time though, I went for Turquoise.

These are a translucent acrylic in a bright aqua/turquoise blue and I absolutely loved them. They were bright, fresh and different to the standard colours and I knew I had to put them on the list of final options.

Betty in Turquoise

Also at just £16.00 per frame, they are a great price whilst giving an amazing vintage look.

Brilliant Betty

One of the bonuses of choosing Betty is that I already know what they look like, how they feel and how comfortable they were to wear for several hours at a time.

Bright and Blonde!

I know how to wear my hair, what the glasses look good with and I already knew I had a lot of accessories that would compliment them, as well as clothing.

My First Pair

Into the basket they went.

My second pair was a brand new style to me; Violet.

Vivacious Violet’s

This pair of glasses are classified as cat-eyes however they are a slightly square, early 1950’s version of a cat-eye. Called Violet, they are also Violet in colour with a hint of sparkle in the arms.

Viva Violet!

The front has a set of lines arcing across the top which gives it a little bit of style.

Versatile and Beautiful

Whilst Violet/Purple is not a colour of glasses that I have ever really had before, I liked the unusual shape a lot and thought it was worth a go.

Passionate Purple

Priced at £29.00 the frames are very reasonable, but of course you do have to add the cost of the lenses on top of that.

Funky and Fabulous

My final pair were a little off piste.

Retropeepers have an amazing array of William Morris design glasses. For those that are not au fait with William Morris, he was a 19th Century British designer renown for his textile, wallpaper and fabric designs which feature repeated motifs, many based on flora and fauna.

William Morris

One of the leading designers of the Arts and Crafts movement, Morris’ designs are colourful, busy, cluttered and full of life.

Whilst you might not know the name, you would possible recognise some of the designs, especially if you spent any time visiting large homes and stately manors as they were very popular for walls and windows.

Strawberry Thief

Anyway, I digress.

Retropeepers currently have over 60 different pairs; glasses and sunglasses in several patterns and colour combinations. The prices aren’t ridiculous either as they start at £29 a pair rising to £165 for some really fancy styles.

There are also special cases that you can get with different patterns to compliment or even contrast with your choice of spectacles.

I was immediately drawn to ‘The Strawberry Thief‘ which is a pattern that Morris based on visiting thrushes to his strawberry patch. The repeating motif is one of his most recognisable and popular and I have to say I really liked the coloured arms and red frame combination.

Cat Eye Chic

Thankfully this style was at the cheaper end of the scale, £29.00 a pair and of course I needed to add the cost of the lenses on top.

I had finally made my decision and emailed Caroline with my options and she quickly advised that she would send me an invoice for payment.

Strawberry Thief and Strawberry Blonde

Just over a week later a parcel arrived on my doorstep containing the three pairs of varifocals I had ordered.

Ravishing Red

And I was absolutely over the moon with them all.

Vintage Vixen

I immediately took my contact lenses out and tried them all on. I have to admit I was immediately drawn to the Betty’s (of course) but I was really pleased with how the other two pairs looked on.

Gorgeous Side Arms

All three pairs are light, easy to wear and very comfortable. The William Morris pair are the lightest of the three although none of them are bulky or cumbersome.

Fiesta!

Given that I now have three pairs in three different colours, I have a very good range to mix and match with much of my clothing.

Saying that, I am very drawn to the Rose crystal Betty’s and the Amethyst Peggy’s. 

Racy Retro

At £16 and £25 a pair, they won’t break the bank either!

Till next time,

SPSG xxx