I am someone who has had spectacles since I was a little child. Yes, it was definitely unusual for those days. I remember being the only one in my class for a really long time who wore spectacles. I was mercilessly teased by being called Chashmish, which is a derogatory term in Hindi for spectacle wearers. I really felt conscious of the ugly plastic thing that sat on my nose making me look hideous. No matter how my mother explained to me that I needed to wear spectacles, I absolutely abhorred doing so. I ‘lost’ many pairs to get rid of them. But alas, I had to keep wearing them.
As time went by, the eyewear changed. The frames were still mostly in neutral colours like grey, brown or off-white, each one uglier than the other especially among the plastic frames which children had to wear. You see, no one actually thought of making frames that would complement the face of a child. Very unlike the choice that we have today in the same segment. School went by and then college. I never liked my spectacles, but the frames had gotten better by now. Some of them even looked good on me. Yet, I craved for my face sans it.
I got that opportunity in college when I tried contact lenses for the first time. My vision was definitely better, and I was happy to have no contraption hiding my eyes. I loved the freedom that contact lenses gave me. I even enjoyed wearing eye liner that I had not worn so far. And then guess what, I went and bought my first shades. Yeah, laugh all you want but then dark glasses were always a fashion statement. From models to film stars, if you wanted to look hot or cool, you must get them. There was a great choice available in a range of colors and shapes to flatter every face that was there.
Years passed and my love-hate relationship continued with my eyewear. Of course, I always owned spectacles as every contact lens wearer does to be worn occasionally. I had tried some funky ones in reds and blue by now. And, I openly liked how they looked on me.
Once, I had kids, I either found less time to wear contact lenses or felt more comfortable in wearing spectacles. I switched to wearing spectacles on a daily basis happily. Was it more to do with my comfort with my looks or that I just did not have the time, I don’t know. All I know is that, these days, the contact lenses lie in their cases to be worn on some rare days. Now the eyewear of choice for me are my spectacles. I recently bought a rimless pair that I love.
Indeed, life does come a full circle. Who would have thought that I would actually love my spectacles one day?
Do you have any eyewear tales to share?
Pic courtesy: sritangphoto on Freedigitalphotos.net
I am one of those who love wearing specs. I go to eye doctor with a hope that he will say i have to wear it now. Damn, it’s always a perfect vision. I have zero number which I wear to satisfy my desire. Silly, I know!
The frames do look so good now. I also have a friend just like you. She wears zero number frames. 🙂
How one changes with time.That was an interesting account Rachna.
Indeed, Indu. Thanks for reading. 🙂
Nowadays there are so many options and correct eye wear actually enhances the looks ! Recently got two pairs of glasses – one for distance and one for near vision…as I had different powers and didn’t want to go with progressive. Interesting topic to write on Rachna.
Yes, I got progressive power too last year. And the progressive glasses took a little time to get used to but now I quite like them.
As one Chashmish to another, I used to be fondly called “chaar-kan-dappan” in school. Oh yes, hideously thick frames and glasses. I yearned to wear dark glasses too – somehow they spelled style for me. My Mom used to look super in hers. I managed with photo-sensitive lens that doubled up as coolers in the sun. Then finally two years ago, my best friend gifted me with a pair I can wear on top of my regular glasses. I have a mini-book of eyewear tales, Rach! 😀
haha Vids, indeed we do. 🙂 A pair on top of your regular glasses. I would love to see that one.
Have I read it earlier?
No, Amitji. 🙂 This is a new post.
With age the desire to have eye glasses undergoes a change. It is only when we are adults, we understand the importance of spects. Touch wood! the spects suit you very much.
Yes, I believe that is true, Ushaji. Thank you for your warm words.
Little kids CAN be mean. By the time I got to the end of the post, I was glad they were making glasses just right for you. I almost let out a sigh of relief. 🙂
My story — There are times I wished I could wear spectacles. Sounds weird to you, I’m sure. 😀
Another story, is that I found it very difficult to wear sunglasses while driving. Never before had I noticed the frames around the glasses till I was behind the wheel. Gosh! they were so irritating. But then I had to get used to it, coz I learnt that sometimes the sun’s too sharp and I just can’t see the road or read signal lights. Phew!
Yeah I know many who have always wanted to wear spectacles. I just hated the bullying. Today I feel fine. 🙂 Wow that bit about finding the glasses irritating behind the wheel is certainly unique.