Celebrate Pride month with these 7 LGBTQIA+ optical collections
Pride month is upon us, and the celebrations have begun all across the country. This June, you may find yourself attending a parade, tipping performers at a drag show or flying the rainbow pride flag high. Because, this month, we salute a vital segment of our community.
And these aren’t the only ways to participate and support LGBTQIA+ organizations. Advocating for and supporting those who identify as queer are crucial actions to honor your peers both during the next few weeks and beyond.
You can also champion the cause by purchasing items from LGBTQIA+ businesses or brands. And that includes eyewear. Many companies donate proceeds from their sales to organizations that support our peers financially, educationally and more.
All About Vision stands with the LGBTQIA+ community. We’re proud to highlight seven LGBTQIA+ -owned or -inspired optical brands to check out in June (and all year-long).
1. Tan France
Tan France may be best known for his iconic look and styling advice on Netflix’s Queer Eye, but he’s also an author and fashion designer.
One of his fabulous creations is his line of eyewear he designed with EyeBuyDirect. The contemporary collection features 20 different frames. And the line is designed to fit wearers of all age groups, genders, skin tones and facial features.
France believes it’s important to find eyewear that fits your personality: Nothing is one-size-fits-all. The right eyeglasses should make you feel good and “completely confident.”
Our favorites from Tan France x EBD include:
Aroma ($59): Cat-eye, transparent acetate frames that come in colors, including purple, pink and raspberry.
Coxon ($42): Aviator-style prescription glasses with lightweight, metal frames. Colors include black, silver and golden tortoiseshell.
SEE RELATED: How to choose the right frames: Style, materials, taste
2. D.L. by Dan Levy
If you’re a Schitt’s Creek fan, you know that Dan Levy is an aficionado of chic, both on and off the screen. Although his character David Rose doesn’t always sport eyewear, Levy has been wearing glasses since childhood. He’s been seen wearing bold frames on red carpets time and time again.
As an avid collector (he estimates about 100 pairs in his collection), it only makes sense that Levy would start his own line of eyewear. And that’s exactly what he did with D.L. Eyewear.
The collection features everything from classic silhouettes to oversized frames to cat-eye styles. Sunglasses are also available in several styles, including new on-trend rectangular frames.
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Levy proudly gives back through Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). LISC is a support system that empowers those who identify as LGBTQIA+. This includes women, people of color and communities that are historically disadvantaged.
Our picks from D.L. Eyewear include:
Walker ($150): Bold, rectangular shades in exciting colors like electric blue and powder pink.
Rose ($140): Cat-eye frames inspired by Levy’s TV mother, Moira Rose. Frame colors include antique tortoise, dark tortoise, vintage pink, vintage cream and matte black.
SEE MORE: Dan Levy relaunches namesake eyewear brand
3. Elton John
This list wouldn’t be complete without mention of the legend himself, Sir Elton John. The songster has made an impact on music fans for decades, inspiring love, hope and freedom to be yourself. His wardrobe is also nothing short of awe-inspiring — from head to toe.
Who can forget Sir Elton John's signature pink shades?
Eyewear in particular is often associated with John. He’s sported everything from oversized, white, round frames to costume-style glasses. Who can forget his signature pink shades?
John partnered with Walmart and Sam’s Club to create Elton John Eyewear, a line that features both subtle and zany styles. (Yes, this includes several pink-lensed pairs). With more than 60 pairs to choose from, you’re sure to fall in love with at least one.
Walmart Inc. is also giving back. On an annual basis, the company donates a minimum of $1 million of proceeds from the collection to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. This is an important step to help educate and raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.
Our favorite Elton John Eyewear frames:
Folk Song ($139): Quirky mustard-colored eyeglasses, which feature frames that are rounded on the bottom and flatter on top.
Encore ($349): Round, purple-lens sunglasses that loudly display the name Elton on the stems of the frames.
4. Eyewear Love Affair
Eyewear Love Affair is a Black and queer-owned eyewear company based in California. And the boutique is also accessible online. It was founded by Autianna Wilson, an optician and self-proclaimed “Optical Goddess.”
The shop features only the boldest, most unique and fierce frames for adults and kids. Some of the fabulous brands include Karen Walker, Kirk and Kirk and GlamBaby. Plus, there are several fashionable glasses chains available to add an extra oomph to your look. (There’s even a rainbow chain!)
There’s a lot to see in the upscale Eyewear Love Affair boutique. Plus, virtual and in-person fittings are offered under the guidance of the Optical Goddess herself. You can also follow the Instagram account for the latest updates and stylings.
Our picks from the boutique:
Kirk and Kirk Robin frames ($580): a bold, bright red frame with pink stems. The look is a chunky nod to the aviator style and is sure to get noticed from afar.
GlamBaby Ayla frames ($30): An adorable pair of toddler sunnies that provide 100% UVA/UVB protection for your child’s eyes. The Ayla frames are shaped like flowers and designed for kids ages 1-4.
5. The Freedom collection from EyeBuyDirect
Looking for budget-friendly options for your pride-inspired eyewear? Look no further than the Freedom collection from EyeBuyDirect. The line features an assortment of frames in every color of the rainbow — in both solid colors and rainbow ombrés.
Glasses start at just $19 and stand for EyeBuyDirect’s values: freedom of expression and love for all.
Additionally, 5% of all sales from the Freedom Collection are donated to the Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is dedicated to preventing suicide in the LGBTQIA+ youth community. They provide education, counseling and other resources.
Our favorite pairs from the Freedom Collection include:
Freedom ($19): Full-rim, square, rainbow colored glasses.
Equality ($39): Rectangular eyeglasses that come in every shade you can imagine.
SEE RELATED: Eyeglass frames for teens: 5 shopping tips
6. Zenni Optical’s Pride collection
Rainbow heart-shaped glasses are just one of the highlights from the Pride collection by Zenni Optical. The selection also includes sunglasses and stylish browline glasses. And all the frames are available in the brightest, happiest tints.
This collection is one of the most affordable, starting at just $12.95 a pair (before prescriptions and other customizations). It’s an excellent choice if you like to have options in your own optical wardrobe. Zenni also features two colorful glasses cases and cleaning cloths printed with the phrase, “see more love.”
Zenni proudly donates a portion of the sales from the Pride collection to the It Gets Better Project, which supports LGBTQIA+ youth.
Our picks from the Pride collection include:
Rainbow heart-shaped glasses ($15.95): as bold and lovely as they are named. The rainbow hearts are one of two heart-shaped frames in the collection.
Rainbow browline glasses with clip-on shades ($35.95): The perfect combination of fun and sophistication. These frames come with a pair of equally colorful clip-on sunglasses for outdoor celebrations.
7. Muse Love is love collection
Muse Love offers simple, yet bright frames with a powerful message in their Muse Love is love collection. The rainbow-colored glasses come in prescription and non-prescription glasses and sunglasses. You can upgrade to photochromic or blue light lenses as well for an additional cost.
Each pair of the wingtip frames is engraved with the phrase “Love is Love” on the arms. GlassesUSA.com sells the collection and donates $5 from each pair sold to the True Colors United organization during the month of June.
Bonus: You can try on the Muse Love eyeglasses ($98) virtually before you make a purchase.
SEE RELATED: 10 stylish trends in men's glasses
Be a visionary in your new frames
Whether with rainbow heart-shaped frames or fabulous purple lenses, show your true colors during pride month. Consider companies that donate proceeds from eyewear sales to LGBTQIA+ organizations. And make your purchase go even further.
Bonus: You can sport both your support for the community and your pride-inspired glasses all year long.
And don’t forget, choosing your frames and the person you love is entirely your decision. Happy Pride!
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Page published on Friday, June 3, 2022
