Keeping up appearances is not part of my nerdy girl repertoire. I’d rather be watching Games of Thrones than say, curling my hair (who are we kidding? washing my hair), removing nail polish, shaving my legs, etc.
Add in everyday obstacles like oily skin and hair, orthodontics, and optometry, and the time and money to get a geek looking glam can be obscene. For my fellow near-sighted sisters however, there is an amazing outlet to be-spectacle those beautiful peepers without paying retail.
Enter Zenni Optical. For about five years now, I’ve skipped scrimping and saving for the dreaded annual visit to the eye doctor to pick out a new pair of glasses, and instead started taking my prescription straight to Zenni online. Their cheapest glasses start at around seven dollars, while the high end maxes out at about fifty. Each pair includes free scratch-resistant coating, light single-vision lenses with full UV protection, and comes tucked in a protective case with microfiber cleaning cloth. That’s it. There are no catches, no funny business– even for my heavy-duty prescription.
Rocking my ZenniOptical.com hipster specs.
The site’s FAQ explains: “There’s no magic in what we do, it’s just good business. We run a very efficient operation. We use the latest in modern eyeglass manufacturing equipment and materials, which reduces defects and remakes. And, we sell direct to you, the consumer! With Zenni Optical, there’s no expensive retail overhead costs or commissioned sales people. You are truly buying direct from the manufacturer.”
My last order was three pairs, including a pair of prescription sunglasses, and cost $28. I got black faux Ray Bans, a pair of plaid cuties, and white aviators with dark lenses. The orders arrive quickly and, so far, I’ve never received a bad pair. While trends have changed from sleek, skinny frames to big, black, retro Buddy Holly glasses, I’ve been able to adapt without being robbed blind (ahem), by the big box stores.
