Written By Naomi Pang
Edited By Ella Caverson
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had two things in common—the struggle of poor vision and a passion for fashion. Since eyeglasses rarely made an appearance in fashion media, I never wanted to wear them. This developed a deep reliance on contact lenses for years. However, I’ve noticed an increase in wearing specs as an accessory in recent years. This shifted my perception to embrace their look and practicality.
This change marks an evolution we’ve been seeing in the fashion scene. In the recent Milan Fashion Week, a few of Prada’s runway looks incorporated eyeglasses; the statement frames created an elegant business-casual look. Similarly, Bottega Veneta’s Spring 2026 Ready-to-Wear Collection showcased models sporting glasses, blending practicality with high fashion. The inclusion of eyewear on the runway displays its functionality and ability to elevate an outfit.
Celebrities have also been driving this trend. Stars like Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Kaia Gerber have been spotted styling glasses in creative ways, from oversized retro frames to minimalist metal designs. Most notably, Bella Hadid is often seen wearing anything from a pair of big chunky spectacles to thin metallic frames. Bella’s ability to mix styles by pairing frames with both casual streetwear and high-fashion looks has highlighted the shift from glasses being a solely functional piece to a compelling and practical fashion statement.
The eyewear wave can also be traced to the popularised librarian-core—a geek-chic fashion trend on TikTok. The social media platform has shifted the narrative of specs from that of an undesirable ‘nerdy’ look to a coveted aesthetic ideal. The trend included some of the so-called clothing “librarian staples,” such as pencil skirts, loose blouses, crewneck sweaters, and tailored trousers, into everyday style. However, geek-fashion wouldn’t be what it is without the widespread cultural determinant of a “nerdy look.” This undoubtedly contributed to the popularisation of glasses in everyday looks.
Specifically, the small frames that hit full saturation in the early 2000s have made their comeback. During Paris Fashion Week, in Miu Miu’s Fall/Winter 2023 runway, they revived the iconic small-frame look and it took the fashion world by storm. The black and tortoiseshell spectacles were sported by many models, instantly becoming one of the most sought-after items. Fast forward to today, these styles are still dominating the eyewear market. This resurgence is in part driven by nostalgia for Y2K fashion, calling to mind supermodels and on-screen stars from the era, such as Gisele Bündchen in The Devil Wears Prada.
Whether they’re for vision or style, it’s safe to say that specs have become a definite closet staple—for those of normal and poorer vision alike. From their appearances in runway looks, TikTok trends, celebrity style, or simply in everyday wear, glasses have made their case as a lasting item of both practicality and style.