Too Old to Wear Nerd Glasses?

Are Demi, Madonna, Susan trailblazers or silly?

October 13, 2010
Madonna, Susan Sarandon, Demi Moore and Justin Timberlake in nerd glasses.Source: Clockwise: Marcel Thomas, Joe Kohen, Brian Harkin, John Furniss/Getty Images

Madonna, Susan Sarandon, Demi Moore and Justin Timberlake all wear trendy nerd glasses. But should they?

What's next? Pocket protectors and high-waisted plaid pants?

Nerd glasses, the big, black rim glasses made popular by, well, nerds have become the hottest trend around.

From high-profile nerd glass wearers like singer Justin Timberlake to Demi Moore (and a million fashionistas in between), the black rim nerd glasses have taken the world by storm.

Even people who don't need glasses are buying up the frames (at places like Hot Topic where they sell for less than $10.)

I won't bore you with the origins of the trend (OK, it was a combination of the street and runway) or what I think about it (it's actually kinda cute.)

I'm just questioning whether nerd glass wearing 60-something Susan Sarandon, 50-something Madonna and 40-something Demi Moore should be indulging in this particular trend, which is definitely aimed at youngsters.

Or is it?

On the one hand, it makes perfect sense that these three women would be wearing nerd glasses. They all three thumb their nose at society's idea of what it is to age: they date younger men, wear miniskirts and tattoos, run vital businesses.

On the other hand, nerd glasses are a somewhat silly, ironic take on fashion. And – like legwarmers, fingerless gloves, multiple face piercings and pink eyeshadow – seem to just be a better fit for kids under 30.

I love Susan, Madonna and Demi for their trailblazing, age-defying roles. If it weren't for Susan Sarandon, I might think I was too old to finally get that tattoo I wanted. Without Madonna, I might consider over 50 time to hang up my rock and roll looks. Demi made me rethink plastic surgery because she looks so great.

But.

Nerd glasses just look sort of ridiculous on older women.

I'm not suggesting the famous trio ditch all semblance of updatedness and wear trifocals and fanny packs. It's just that I sometimes think middle age and beyond deserves some level of dignity.

Maybe it's just that we need our own trends, instead of trying to adopt those of 20-year-olds.

What do you think about nerd glasses or other fads on women and men our age?

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Anonymous | Nov 10, 2010
If they suit your face and you like them you should go for it. The older I get the less I care what other people think about what I wear and whether it is age appropriate. For too many years my clothes, hairstyle, etc. were dictated by what was considered ok for the office. Now I am retired I wear what I want and if people like you don't like it too bad.
Anonymous | Oct 21, 2010
At 81, with snow white hair, wrinkles & excess poundage...is there any way to make me shape up or should I just disappear into the background of all family photos and gatherings. Oh yes, I also still have my childhood freckles which my mother assured me would fade with age!! .
Anonymous | Nov 2, 2010

Dear 81-year-old:

I think you should be front and center of all the family photos.  After they miss you, they will take out those photos and look endearingly at their wonderful grammy who they took for granted while she was here.  What they will see will not be your white hair or wrinkles.  They will see that gracious smile and eyes that twinkled with love for them.

Anonymous | Oct 18, 2010

I recently your article in my own blog about the revival of the nerd glasses trend and thought you might be interested reading: http://www.justeyewear.com/blog/site-updates/revenge-of-the-nerd-chic-ne... Cheers!

Anonymous | Oct 18, 2010
Oh, my goodness. Even beautiful women want to be nerds. It must be OK to be nerd. I have been a lifelong nerd, so I don't need to change my glasses. Don't let the bullies see their lunch money.
Anonymous | Oct 17, 2010
Hey, great article. I mentioned this article in my own piece about the nerd glasses trend: http://www.justeyewear.com/blog/site-updates/revenge-of-the-nerd-chic-ne... Please check it out. :) Thanks!
Anonymous | Oct 14, 2010
Cynthia- I beg to differ! I wear a pair myself,and have been for the last 4 years(when I first saw them used in a Prada ad). It depends on the person—their look, and style (especially hairstyle), makeup (women)—their personality. Check out my photo at www.sherriemathieson.com I have the same pair in a darker tortoise as well... 'Hope you like them on me. Best, Sherrie
carolyn_r_59 | Oct 14, 2010
I think the acceptance of a style is more a personal issue than "following a trend". Maybe they just appreciate the extra lens area for the invisible line tri-focals that they wear (it is tough to see through smaller lenses when you actually need glasses to see). Perhaps the frame designers had all these big black glass frames lying around and wanted to get rid of them, so they get a personality to wear them and tell them how great they look with them. (Kind of like "The Kings New Clothes" story but also using it as a marketing ploy to up the prices) Anyway, it's hard enough to choose a frame for yourself while having the salespeople tell you how great the ones you pick up are just to make a sale, especially if you're getting older and don't want to make a stupid mistake - Do we thank the movie stars for their boldness in wearing big-a$$ frames, proving that anything goes, or do we admonish them for not going with a little consideration for those of us who aren't "spectacular" (pun intended) enough to look "cute".
Anonymous | Oct 13, 2010
I like these women too but think that its a trend for younger people.
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