Changing Perceptions of Wearing Glasses
There was a time when wearing glasses, especially as a woman, was synonymous with awkwardness. A short form for Geeky, uncool, or – most hostile – unattractive. However, with the passage of time, perceptions have changed, and glasses have become a fashion statement.
Embracing Individuality
Olivia Attwood Dack, a reality TV star and presenter, has never been one to lean into stereotypes. She has long been associated with her bold glasses choices and has become proud of that. Attwood Dack has been wearing prescription glasses and lenses since her early teens, but she didn’t always feel safe wearing them.
Overcoming Reluctance
As she grew older, her reluctance to wear glasses faded. She started to see glasses as a way to express her fashion sense, especially when she had long nails and found contact lenses uncomfortable. The glasses have become more than a practical choice; they have become part of her identity. "You can be a statement if you want you to be. I think you have become a massive place of security for me," she says.
Extensive Collection
Attwood Dack’s collection of glasses is extensive, with over 20 pairs. She chooses frames like she would shoes or jewelry, considering the outfit she’s wearing. Her go-to pair is a black, chunky frame by Saint Laurent, which she says goes with everything and is robust.
Challenging Conventions
Attwood Dack has collaborated with Boots Optics on a style-led collaboration, presenting a selection of designer frames. She believes that glasses can be a fashionable statement and can be sexy, feminine, and cool. Throughout her career, she has worn the brunt of horrific sexist remarks, but she has managed to stay true to her beliefs and identity.
Priorities and Identity
As she has grown older, her priorities have developed. She no longer dresses for the male gaze but focuses on feeling good when she looks in the mirror. "I want the girls to love it, the gays to love it," she says. Despite her commitment to glasses as part of her style, she still finds resistance in unexpected places, like the glam team.
Glasses as a Fashion Statement
Attwood Dack believes that glasses are just as good an accessory as a bag or a bracelet, even if they don’t absolutely fit your face shape. She enjoys leaning into frames that are not her style, and sometimes she likes to wear frames that are very large or even too big on her face. It’s clear that she believes glasses are a fun way to express her fashion sense and challenge conventional beauty standards.
