THE SUPERMAN EFFECT text by brian thomas photo by kathy collins model: jake greene
Casting off the right glasses in a fit of apprehension can bring out your inner superhero. Sandy-haired little nerds wearing thick-framed glasses scurry like neurotic mice flee through the hallways in efforts of survival. Bullies, cloaked in black leather jackets, lurk behind every corner scoping the area for another unsuspecting victim. These thick-framed glasses labeled the nerds and geeks in the 1950s, but now they have taken on an entirely new meaning – The Superman Effect. Now, think of Clark Kent. Calm, collected, and quirky, he blends in with the rest of the reporters at The Daily Planet. However when his arch nemesis Lex Luther takes another shot at world domination, Mr. Kent throws off those glasses and flies out as Superman – buff, heroic, bold. Like this division between Mr. Kent and the Superman, certain glasses can add a second layer to personality.
“These thickframed glasses labeled the nerds and geeks in the 1950s but now they have taken on an entirely new meaning...”
Being frame conscious is essential for choosing the right glasses. Relate frame thickness directly to facial width. Thin, long faces deserve more streamlined frames, while fuller faces should go with extra thick frames. Different frames can distinguish and communicate an intellectual flare. Also, certain colors can be that small detail which makes an ensemble. Black, with its timeless and versatile nature, is always a great choice. Or if black bores you, try red or blue. Just don’t be distracting– beauty lies in subtlety. Unlike the 1950s negative label of nerdinesss, today thick frames are synonymous with intellect and an attractive quirkiness; think Woody Allen or Ray Bradbury. Then when pressing matters arise, take off those glasses and kick some ass.
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