Fashion Mode

Most people think clothes, or possibly shoes, when they think about creating their personal style, but they may be missing an important way to create a look that is uniquely their own. Over the years, many people have established their own look just by consistently choosing eyeglasses that help define their personalities.

The trend to create a personal look via eyewear goes back decades to legends like Buddy Holly and Audrey Hepburn, but it didn't stop there. Paris Hilton has adopted the Audrey Hepburn look with oversized round sunglasses. Johnny Depp is often seen sporting red-tinted round glasses a la John Lennon. The use of glasses to define one's look even slips into fiction. After all, who can picture Harry Potter without his round wire frames? And after Top Gun, it seemed like half the nation was sporting Aviator sunglasses, just to look cool.

Buddy Holly

Almost every picture of 1950s rock legend Buddy Holly features his black plastic frame eyeglasses. With a slight point at each corner, the glasses are reminiscent of the cat-eye glasses popular in the decade and the so-called "birth control" glasses that are standard military issue. The reality though is that Holly worked closely with his optometrist to find just the right look.

The doctor found the black frames by Faiosa in Mexico and convinced Holly to give up his other choices. The glasses were so much a part of Holly's image that after he died in a plane crash, it was noted by the coroner that his trademark specs were not found in rubble. They were recovered months later and sat unclaimed in the sheriff's office for the next 19 years. Eventually they were returned to his widow and became part of an exhibit honoring Holly in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas.

Audrey Hepburn

After Breakfast at Tiffany's, Audrey Hepburn established her style with trademark cat-eye sunglasses that are sometimes mistaken for Wayfarers. The tortoise-shell frames and double bar across the nose seemed to be designed for Hepburn and her eyes certainly caught movie-goers' attention when she lowered the glasses just enough to look over them.

The sunglasses were officially the Manhattan style and were re-released in 2011 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the movie.

Creating Your Style

Working with your optometrist or optician to create an eyewear look that is distinctively your own puts you in great company. Whether one needs corrective lenses or not, glasses can add a signature style to any fashion look.

To choose yours, start with a basic eye exam. Just like your skin, your eyes can be damaged by the sun's UV rays, so pick up a pair of flirty and fun sunglasses or release your inner geek chic with lenses eyeglasses that will help you see better. An annual eye exam will help keep your eyes healthy and a great frame can help you be a more iconic you.