Few things exude timeless charm like a gentleman in the right pair of eyeglasses. Even in stillness—brushing a finger along the frame, offering a subtle nod—he transforms into a scene of quiet magnetism, the kind that lingers long after he’s gone. Through the lens, his daydreaming eyes take on a hint of mystery; his presence feels both familiar and intriguing.
People might forget you, but they’ll never forget your glasses.
Gone are the days when glasses branded you a “nerdy bookworm” or a sign of poor eyesight. For decades, they were a functional afterthought—until the 1990s, when society finally embraced them as more than just a medical device. Today, eyeglasses transcend function: they’re a style statement, an extension of your personality, and a way to harmonize your look with your vibe. They’ve become a partner to anyone who loves looking good—blending utility with beauty, practicality with passion.
Finding a frame that matches your aura isn’t easy. If you’ve visited countless opticians and still couldn’t find “the one”—the pair that feels like you—here are three unique brands to explore. Because the best way to know if a frame fits? Put it on.
Unlike most eyewear brands that start with factory-made frames, Cubitts began with a kitchen table. In 2012, founder Tom Broughton forged his first frame in his London flat—raw, hands-on, and stripped of unnecessary frills. As a lifelong glasses wearer, Tom has an emotional bond with frames: he’s obsessed with making them feel like something you love, not just need. His inspiration? Watching his dad remove his glasses for family photos, even though 69% of people wear them daily. That small act revealed a truth: buying glasses still felt like a doctor’s visit, not a joy.
So Tom built Cubitts to change that. Named after the first street he lived on in London, the brand honors both personal history and timeless craft. The Cubitt brothers—three Victorian engineers who revolutionized London’s architecture—serve as a touchstone: Tom wanted to reinvent an old trade while staying true to the craftsmanship and aesthetics that made it enduring.
In a world of trendy, mass-produced eyewear, Cubitts stands out with its handcrafted detail. The colors are soft like jade, the lines have the weight of a sculpture—each frame blends modern minimalism with vintage soul. They’re artistic, yet surprisingly wearable; unique, yet never flashy.
If you’re ready to trade boring, generic frames for something with soul, Cubitts is your answer. Their pieces aren’t just glasses—they’re wearable art, built to stand out without shouting.
Oliver Peoples is the epitome of West Hollywood cool, born on Sunset Boulevard in 1986 by brothers Larry and Dennis Leight. A favorite of A-listers like Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt, and Tom Cruise, the brand draws inspiration from LA’s creative melting pot—where fashion, film, art, and music collide to spark something new.
Larry, already a veteran of celebrity eyewear design, wanted to create frames that felt like LA: innovative, laid-back, and full of story. He looked to the 1920s–1960s for inspiration, blending the era’s classic details with modern silhouettes. Then, by chance, he bought a house filled with vintage glasses—mechanical lenses, rimless frames, and forgotten pairs from old American brands. That find became the backbone of Oliver Peoples’ identity: ditching the overly polished look of traditional brands and the futurism of the 1980s for something classic, yet timeless.
Today, every Oliver Peoples frame is crafted with a mix of machinery and handwork, focusing on the smallest details to nail that “perfect eyewear aesthetic.” Natural tortoiseshell, subtle engravings, and balanced proportions—each piece feels like it’s been worn by an icon, yet made for you.
For gentlemen who want LA’s effortless cool with a touch of vintage soul, Oliver Peoples delivers. It’s the kind of frame that makes you look like you belong on a Sunset Boulevard rooftop—relaxed, confident, and impossible to ignore.
Kirk Originals carries a century of legacy with a modern twist. Though the brand launched in 1992, its roots trace back to 1919, when brothers Percy and Sidney Kirk opened Kirks Brothers in London’s Clerkenwell—a shop that would become legendary for its craftsmanship. Sidney, a design genius, even modified a sewing machine into a lens cutter; Percy, the marketing mind, saw glasses as more than a product—they were a way to express style.
After the war, Kirks Brothers vanished—until a distant Kirk relative found a box of vintage frames and decided to revive the family legacy. The result? Today’s Kirk Originals: a brand that honors the past while leaning into the present.
Every Kirk Originals frame takes 72 hours to make, from sketch to finish. Every step—forging, shaping, polishing—still uses handcrafted techniques passed down over a century. It’s slow, intentional work—and that’s what gives their frames that artisanal feel: sleek yet rebellious, polished yet free-spirited, gentlemanly with a hint of boyish edge.
Creative Director Mark Brown still draws inspiration from the 1900s, mixing retro vibes with modern sensibilities to make frames that feel “forever cool.” The result? Glasses that look like they belong in a British film—timeless, charismatic, and full of character.
For gentlemen who want a frame with history and heart, Kirk Originals is the choice. Their pieces aren’t just accessories—they’re heirlooms in the making, built to be worn (and loved) for years.
If your face is a canvas, your eyeglasses are the frame that shapes the masterpiece. The difference between a forgettable pair and one that defines you? The tiny, intentional details—the craftsmanship, the story, the soul. A gentleman’s glasses aren’t just something he puts on; they’re part of who he is.
And that? That’s the art of eyeglass frames.
