UK designer Ayush Kejriwal on why women look great in glasses

Before any of you get on your high horse and think, what does he know about how it feels to be considered unattractive when someone wears glasses? Well, I wear glasses, and whatever I am going to say is heartfelt. Trust me, I do know what I am talking about. So, please just hear me out! 

The decision to wear spectacles is never an easy one, as we worry about the effect it will have on our perceived attractiveness. In reality, though, is this concern justified? Are glasses really beauty killers or is this an unfounded stereotype? I am not sure when or why glasses got a bad reputation, but since their invention, glasses have symbolised intelligence, sophistication and even wit. Think about it. That’s a stigma, isn’t it?

And, I’ve asked this question over and over again: Who doesn’t want to be perceived as being intelligent? And, since when is intelligence not sexy? I dare you to find me one dating profile that says, “Hi, I am looking for someone attractive, funny, and just as dumb as a box of rocks.” Everyone wants to be intelligent, everyone wants to surround themselves with things intelligent and yet, we’re ashamed of something that is correlated with — or that makes us look — intelligent? 

If we think about it rationally, spectacles should not really have a big impact on our beauty. After all, they do not change our facial features in any way. Having said that, we all know in the world of looking good, rational thinking takes the back seat, doesn’t it? One of the most common tropes on TV and in cinema is that characters who wear glasses are dowdy and undesirable, or geeks. Actors are often shown taking off their glasses, to instantly turn gorgeous. In the Hollywood movie, The Princess Diaries, for instance, Paolo, the stylist tasked with giving the nerdy Princess Mia a makeover, literally snatches Mia’s glasses off her face. “Do you wear contact lenses?” he asks her, before snapping her glasses in half and replying, “Now, you do.” 

Apparently, it’s very offensive to sport eyewear. There are many such examples that could be shared here, but I won’t bore you with them just yet. The ‘get rid of the glasses’ trope is a staple feature of most makeover scenes on TV and in cinema. It’s rather sad for those with poor vision who wear them out of necessity to be disparaged as ‘unattractive’. However, what irritates me most about this trope is the nagging question that often accompanies it and is rarely addressed: Once the glasses are gone, what happens to the vision problems that once necessitated the eyewear? Who knows... 

Okay. That’s my little rant for now. Moving on! Look at these beautiful ladies featured in this article — they wear spectacles, and they are very desirable. The society has conditioned us to believe that once the glasses are off, and the ponytail is let down, a strange little caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. Don’t listen to them, they are evil. Just take a moment and look at these gorgeous women... I insist, please go on and look at them. You and I, we should wear our spectacles with pride, and keep telling ourselves that we are sexy — with or without glasses. If anyone tells us otherwise, well, they might need to get their eyes checked. Maybe they are in need of a new pair of glasses! Next time, don’t forget to beam with glory if someone calls you Miss Chasmish. Be ‘Miss Chasmish’, be you, be fantastic!  

Flaunt those eyes 

“I proudly wear glasses and absolutely love them. I think they are very stylish, and should be embraced fearlessly. Once again, if styled correctly, glasses can become a beautiful fashion accessory, rather than stand out like a sore thumb. Not that I am an expert, but I could still share a few tips that might make your life a little bit easier, and help you love your spectacles: 

■ The first thing you need to be mindful of is the use of a proper foundation for your face. Make sure your make-up is wiping- and water-resistant so that unattractive lines below the glasses and at the sides of the nose do not even develop.

■ Given that the frames of the glasses frequently cast a shadow across the face, it helps to use a foundation that is one shade lighter than your natural skin tone in these areas. Apply a thin layer to the lid, and beneath the eyes. 

■ I feel, if the colour of the frame is distinctive, it might help to use a subtle lip colour. 

■ The glasses should be embraced and used to create a cohesive look, by incorporating them in the overall style quotient, rather than being seen as an unwanted troublesome accessory. 

■ Last but not least, they should be worn with confidence, and an ‘I know I look good’ attitude! 

■ Oh yes, please do remember, just because you wear glasses, it does not mean you cannot wear anything you want. You can dress up in any which way, yes you can! 

 Pics: Satwik Paul Hair and make-up: Abhijit Paul Clothes & accessories: Ayush Kejriwal, Models: Riya Bhattacharya, Ankita Singh Location courtesy: 2, Ashoka Road