Glasses home try on - don’t leave your sofa

Time is a luxury in 2025 and we want to spend our downtime on things and people that matter, so why not choose your next pair of prescription glasses online from the comfort of your sofa with our Try at Home glasses service. Trial frames at home, hold them in your hands and seek opinions from family and friends or if you need some help choosing the right frame check out our Personal Shopper service..

try glasses at home

Sometimes you need to hold things in your hands - and pop them on your face. Choosing prescription glasses online doesn’t mean you can’t try them on first.. you can choose your glasses without pressure, at your leisure, from the comfort of your own sofa.

In an optical store you might try on lots of frames before finding your style, but there are ways to help narrow your online Home Try On selection down and help you find the right frame for you. We also wrote an article on choosing prescription glasses here.

Over in our online store you can use categories to filter out frame colours, shapes and size - small, medium and large glasses frames. You can shop different vintage eras if you’re searching for a particular decade, or shop our collections if you’re in need of inspiration.

Our top tip is to measure the total width of a current pair you already own, or a pair of sunnies if you’re a first time glasses wearer, though these can come up a little larger. Compare this to our FW (frame width) measurement in the product description for an idea on sizing your prescription glasses.

Try before you buy

The way the Home Try On service works is once you’ve found your four favourites, just add to basket and purchase up to 4 pairs of glasses frames - we find four pairs give a good chance of success and is much more eco friendly than ordering single frames, keeping our carbon footprint down with multiple packages.

Tick the Home Try On option at checkout and use code

TRYATHOME

This reduces the price of your trial frames by 50%, to keep the inital outlay low for you and works as a frame deposit for us. Any frame balance can be paid for with lenses later.

Enjoy free delivery, seek opinions from friends and family and see if they suit for up to 7 days. If none suit, you can simply return free of charge for a full refund - please note that this service is for our UK customers only.

Returning the home trial box is easy, just place frames back into their glasses try on pouches, in the original box, use our pre-paid postage label and return via your Post Office or arrange a Royal Mail Collection (Royal Mail charge a small fee for this).

If you want to exchange and try more frames, you can order another Home Try On once we’ve received your previous one just tick Exchange on the order card and let us know which styles you’d like to try next.

Don’t worry about adding your prescription lenses - we’ll guide you through options once you’ve decided on your frame, based on your prescription and visual needs.

or

Personal shopper service 

If you’re struggling to decide or unsure what styles will suit, let us walk you through shape, style, colour and brands that we think will work.

Our experience in optics and keen eye for matching faces with frames means we’re pretty good at giving style advice, along with finding the right fit for your face.

When you shop small and sustainable and choose to buy from a small indie family run biz, we get to know you and what you like. It means we can offer you a really personal service.. it’s like sourcing frames for our friends and we wouldn’t let them walk out the door looking anything less than fabulous.

On the other hand if you know exactly what you want but just can’t find it, this service is perfect for you too. We have a studio full of frames that haven’t yet made it to the store, so we can source from our eclectic range of styles and brands and we’ll work with you to find your perfect pairing.

You can order a Studio Home Try On with a selection handpicked just for you, before they hit the website, just get in touch..

Jo

How to clean your glasses

Keep your glasses in tip top condition by keeping them clean. They’ll naturally last longer and they won’t need replacing as often, which will make them even more sustainable - here's our top tips to taking care of your eyewear..

shape up

Get your glasses in shape - did you know there’s a right and a wrong way to remove your frames? Whipping them off one handed and wearing them as a handband will result in stretching and before you know it you’re out of shape.

Like many other things in life - it’s better if you use both hands. If you’re guilty of this, head down to your local Opticians and ask for them to be adjusted and reshaped or send them into us.

Keep them in your case - it's their natural habitat and not only keeps dust and dirt away, prevents bending and breakages. Stow in the glove box on a summers day - don't leave them on your dashboard - they just can't take the heat. And always place your precious eyewear lens up - otherwise you’re just asking for trouble.

how to clean your glasses

Cleaning in the wrong way with the wrong tools can damage your lenses and frames, so we’re answering your questions on how to clean and care for your glasses...

What do i clean my glasses with

Clothing is made up of fibres and can contain particles of dirt, both of which can scratch your lenses. Drying glasses lenses with paper towels, tissues, napkins or the end of your top is a big NO NO.

A scratch resistant coating will give you some protection, but even that can’t save you from yourself. Unlike frames, scratching to lenses can’t safely be polished out without danger of removing coatings and they will need to be replaced.

The only thing that’s qualified for cleaning is your glasses cleaning cloth. If you can’t put your hands on your optical cloth, you can come to us and purchase another – ours are upcycled from recycled plastic bottles.

Optical cleaning cloths are also ace at cleaning mobile phones too and you can pop your cloth in the wash at 30° to keep it fresh.

how often should I clean my glasses

Keep your frames and lenses in good condition with regular cleaning.

We recommend a daily lens clean with your optical cloth and at least a monthly deep clean of both frame and lenses.

Upgrade your routine to a weekly deep cleaning regime if you’re prone to perspiring, wear make-up daily or have an oily skin type. This will remove the build up of oils, make-up and grime, keeping both your glasses and your skin tip top.

How should i clean my glasses

The best way to clean your glasses is with simple luke warm soapy water and a soft cloth. If you live in a hard water area like we do, use filtered or distilled water instead of tap and use a mild natural soap - avoid detergent, scented soaps or ones containing dyes and alcohol based solutions as they can damage lenses.

You can use a soft bristled toothbrush to get in and around detailing and motifs, but take care not to use on your lenses.

Adding a bit of the hand soap onto your fingers work it onto the lenses in a circular motion to remove the build up of dirt, dust and oils.

After rinsing, dry your frame thoroughly with a smooth, clean, lint-free cloth like the one you get from us.

Lens cleaners can work well, but you need to make sure they're suitable for coated lenses and they generally come in a plastic bottle so the best choice for planet and pocket is good ole soap and water.

Be sure to avoid harsh chemical cleaners on your frames or lenses to avoid damage and keep them in pristine condition.

what if i’ve scratched my glasses

If you’ve committed one of the spectacle sins and your glasses suffer some scratching or damage don't panic, we’ve got all the solutions with our refurbishing and restoration services…

peep polish

Our polishing service for plastic (acetate and optyl) frames, cleanses and removes scratches and restore lustre for frames in need a of some tlc.

We dismantle and clean in our ultra sonic cleaner ‘Bubbles’, before taking a turn on our buffer where they’re lovingly polished, then they’ll be oiled, re-assembled, heat treated and adjusted, becoming reborn and restored to former glory.

glasses reglaze

If you’ve been cleaning them on your clothes or storing them naked in your handbag and your lenses have sustained some scratching, our reglazing service is for you.

We can replace the lenses in any frame, vintage or modern, prescription or sunglasses.

If your glasses have sustained serious trauma take a peep at our Repair Services. We can repair and restore most things but if they’re beyond help check out our range of sustainable, planet friendly vintage and preloved glasses and sunglasses.

For more info, take a peep at our article on what to do with your old glasses.

Just remember to keep it clean!

Jo

Buying prescription glasses online

If you haven't bought prescription glasses online before and don’t know where to start - we’ve got you covered with our handy how to guide. With our eco friendly, try at home glasses service, exclusive to our uk customers, we’re here to help make your glasses journey both sustainable and stress free..

Choosing your prescription glasses

Ecrin

Finding the right shape and style of prescription glasses online can seem daunting, but if you follow a few simple rules you can’t go wrong.. and if you do, that’s where our Home Try On service comes in.

Frame shape should contrast face shape to achieve a good balance. So if you have angular features, soften with curved shapes and if you have round features, get some angles going on. Use square shapes to break up length and add sharpness. Or try a cat eye to break up squarer and more rounded face shapes.

Choose colours that compliment you - colours that you know work with your skin tone, eye and hair colour and current wardrobe. Black and tortoiseshell frames will always stand the test of time, but there’s never been a better time for some dopamine dressing with colourful print and pattern prescription glasses frames.

Above all else go with your gut and wear what you love.

finding the right frame

Try before you buy with our virtual mirror. This will help match you with your perfect prescription glasses with the added bonus that it reduces down the number of styles that don’t suit and returning packages, keeping our carbon footprint low.

Simply click on the TRY ON text to the left above the frame image, it will ask you to allow us camera access, so tick allow and remember to remove your current glasses! Have a play and see what suits.

This feature will help you decide on the right style. You can finalise options and decide which to try IRL with our Home Try On Service.

If you’re struggling with styling utilise our Personal Shopper service - we have lots of frames that aren’t yet in the store - using our expertise and your input, we can source the studio and style you in frames handpicked for you.

Try prescription glasses at home

Cottonbro

Sometimes you just need to hold things in your hands - we get it. Choose your glasses without pressure, at your leisure from the comfort of your sofa.

The way our Home Try On service works is you choose and purchase up to 4 pairs of glasses frames - 4 pairs give a good chance of success and is eco friendly keeping our carbon footprint down with multiple packages.

Simply select Home Try On at checkout, take free delivery, seek opinions from friends and family and see if they suit for up to 7 days. If none are quite right, you can simply return free of charge for an exchange of styles. We have lots of extra styles that aren’t yet up on the website, so be sure to ask if there’s something particular you’re searching for.

Don’t worry about adding your prescription lenses at this stage - we’ll walk you through the options once you’ve decided on your frame, based on your prescription and visual needs.

The fit of your prescription glassses

Cottonbro

A good fit is crucial to comfort. When choosing glasses, oversized or not, pay attention to the width of the frame. Balance your features and keep some proportion above and below the frames. 

The most important thing is to measure the total width of a current pair you own and compare to our FTW measurement in the product description, for a good guide on sizing your glasses.

Top Tip : use the measurements on your old eyewear to find a similar size that works for you. Glasses, especially modern frames, have eye size and other measurements on the inside to help - three sizes, measured in millimetres, for the eye, bridge and arm and a series of numbers, such as 50 18 145, can be found on the arm or bridge of your glasses.

Once you find your perfect pair - note the frame size and measurements and use this when in search of your next piece.

how to buy prescription glasses

Choosing the right lenses makes all the difference, the correct lenses prevent digital eye strain symptoms like neck pain, headaches and blurred vision that can occur as a result of wearing the wrong lenses.

The type of lens you’ll need depends on your lifestyle, job, optical needs and how you prefer to use your glasses. From screen glasses, to office and varifocal lenses, there’s an ideal lens for everyone and with our decades of optical expertise we’re here to help you find it.

When choosing your lenses you’ll need an up-to-date prescription from your Optometrist and a PD measurement which we can help you with.

Being a small family run online opticians, you can chat your options through with us - on an actual telephone - or via WhatsApp or email.. get in touch and let’s chat.

Take a peep at our article on choosing prescription glasses lenses and head on over to our eco friendly prescription glasses and sustainable preloved frames to find your perfect pairing.

Jo

How to take care of your eyes... during a pandemic

We’re working from home, constantly staring at screens and wondering when to brave an eye test. Here’s our guide to taking care of your eyes during the pandemic.

Is it safe to get an eye test?

Along with correcting your vision and updating your prescription, regular eye tests can pick up other problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure, so it’s really important your eye test is kept up-to-date.

If your eye test is due, there’s lots of procedures in place to make it as a safe as possible..

Most optician’s are operating a closed door policy, meaning that eye tests are now by appointment only – so no drop-in eye examinations, you need to book first.

Appointments will be spread out, so there’s time to clean down after each patient. There’s no waiting in store, so go alone if possible. Social distancing will be in place where possible and minimal people in store at any given time.

Everyone will be wearing PPE (including you as masks are mandetory), testing rooms will be disinfected between patients and frames will be cleaned throughout the day.

Browsing and trying the frames may not be permitted, but a selection of glasses styles might be provided on santisied tray for you to try on.

Better still, take advantage of our Home Try On service without leaving your sofa. Try up to 3 pairs and take free delivery to see if they suit. We can advise on styles and sizing and adjust frames to fit. Frames are cleaned in our Ultra Sonic Cleaner ‘Bubbles’ before/after being sent for Home Try On.

If you are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19, have been in contact with someone who has symptoms, or are considered high risk, and it’s a routine eye appointment, it’s better to wait. If it’s urgent contact your usual practise and they will help.

Personally, I would opt for an independent optician over the busier high street alternatives. They tend not to be as crowded and will have more time to spend with you.

Home working and screen time

CottonBro

Remote working is now the norm for many of us and as a result we’re all spending more time glued to our devices. Productivity might be up (yay flexible working) but it’s easier than ever to get digital overload. Too much screen time can lead to poor mental health and trouble sleeping, as well as eye strain and muscle fatigue.

So how can we stay mindful when we’re working from home?

Not getting the natural breaks you find in the office – we need to create those water cooler moments and lunch breaks. Make yourself a barista coffee, take your time over a tea ritual or phone a friend to give yourself a break.

Track your time online so you can keep control, schedule in regular mini and longer detox breaks.

Step away from your screen, get outside, walk, pull up weeds in the garden or listen to your favourite podcast. Choose a chapter of a paperback over a digital book.

Make notes, brain storm or journal with good ole fashioned pen and paper in a beautiful bound book to help take a screen break.

Switch off completely a good few hours before sleep.

Staring at our devices without blinking for long periods will cause eye strain so take regular breaks - follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

screen time and blue light

Smartphones, tablets, televisions and LED lighting all emit blue light and here’s the science.. blue wavelength light stimulates sensors in your eyes to send signals to your brain’s internal body clock.

Our eyes are not very good at blocking blue light, allowing it to pass straight through to the retina, disrupting melatonin and negatively impacting our sleep.

Blue light suppresses the brain’s release of the hormone melatonin, our sleep inducing hormone, so artificial night time light really throws out the body's biological clock, the circadian rhythm.

Poor sleep can cause so many health issues, so we need do everything we can to secure a good nights sleep and blocking out blue light in the evening can help.

Take a peep at our Blue Control screen blocking glasses lenses to filter out that blue light and promote good sleep. We can put blue light blocking lenses into any of our frames, check our range of screen glasses here. Our Blue Control lenses help to reduce the amount of blue light from your screens by filtering to help optimise sleep and reduce eye strain.

So step away from the screens, take regular breaks and no scrolling past nine.

Stay safe and stay sane peeps.

Jo

How to choose prescription glasses

ksenia chernaya

What do you look for in a perfect pair? We’re here to help show you how to choose prescription glasses and get it right.

Your glasses are one of the first things people notice about you and can completely change up your look. Make a statement about your personal style and find the perfect fit for your face, here's our handy how to guide to choosing the perfect glasses frame…

choosing the right shape for your face

It’s all about contrasting face shape with frame shape to achieve balance. So if you have angular facial features, soften with curves and if you have round facial features, get some angles going on.

Use darker tones and square shapes to break up length and add sharpness. Or try a cat eye to break up squarer and more rounded face shapes.

Above all go with your gut and wear what you love.

how to find the perfect fit

ksenia chernaya

A good fit is crucial to comfort. When choosing glasses, oversized or not, pay attention to the width of the frames and the distance between the two lenses.

Your eyes should sit as close to the horizontal centre of each lens as possible and vertically in the top third of the frame.

Balance your features and keep some proportion above and below the frames. 

Look at measurements on your old eyewear to find a similar size that works for you. Once you find your perfect pair - note the frame size and measurements and use this when in search of your next piece.

common fit problems

Glasses ending up on the end of your nose - make sure you’re wearing the correct frame width, if you are, a simple adjustment at your local optician’s all that’s needed.  

If your nose pads are pinching and leaving indents, they’re probably too tight. This one is easily remedied with a fitting adjustment.

Aching behind the ears - if you’re experiencing this, it’s due to the bend of your glasses sides - this is solved by having a professional adjustment at your local opticians.

COLOUR

francesco-ungaro

Choose colours that compliment - colours that you know work with your skin tone, eyes, hair colour and also that work with your current wardrobe.

We’ve broken the rulebook when it comes to colour, just as long as you choose the right shade for you.

A good rule of thumb is if your coloring is warm, stick with colours that have warm undertones. If your coloring is cool, go for colours that have cool undertones...

• Cool (pink, red or blue undertones)

• Warm (peachy, golden or yellow undertones)

• Neutral (a mix of warm and cool undertones)

Black and tortoiseshell frames are classic for a reason - they look great and work with everyday wardrobes.

Or go bold, make a statement and break all the rules with bright colours and patterns. Check out our range of fun 80s frames for a pop of colour.

QUALITY

Never compromise on quality - a good pair of optical frames can last a lifetime if loved and looked after.

That's why we love vintage glasses - they're only still around today due to the quality and craftsmanship of the often handmade frames. You only have to hold a pair of vintage frames in your hand to feel the difference.

Preloved designer frames are also a good bet. Quality frames will always be repairable and rewearable as opposed to cheaper counterparts. Buy the best you can afford, quality over quantity always.

Home try on

ksenia chernaya

If you’re spoilt for choice and struggling to decide our Home Try On Service is for you. Sometimes you just need to hold things in your hand and pop them on your face - we get it.

We give you the option to purchase up to 3 frames, take free delivery (UK only), seek opinions and see if they suit for up to 7 days. This process will help you find the perfect pair for you.

Now your hunt for the perfect pair can begin in earnest and here's the perfect place to start.

Your face will thank you.

Jo

Make do and mend, a tale of recycled fashion

In bygone eras materials weren’t as readily available so everybody practised repairing and recycling in some form, whether unpicking knitted jumpers to knit into new, to shoppers bringing their own paper to wrap purchases. Housewives learnt to make do and mend and people did imaginative things with potatoes.

Recycling and upcycling is close to our hearts and we’re looking to the 1940s for inspiration on what can be restored, repaired and made ‘new to you’ again...

Re-invent your wardrobe

What’s already in your wardrobe? Do you know? Spring is the perfect time to take inventory and get the most from your clothes. Take time to work out which styles suit you and what works for your lifestyle right now. Style things differently – have a play and change up looks with accessories. Layer up, try a polo neck under a dress or a tee under a slip to get more wears and make your wardrobe work harder.

Make Do and Mend

Garments can be tailored to fit and you can make your own repairs alterations – tune in to The Great British Sewing Bee and be inspired to learn a few basic stitches, take up hems and make simple amendments. We’re loving Tilly and the Buttons and Love Your Clothes for mending and making tutorials.

Or find a local tailor to take up and take in, they’ll also be able to rework necklines and replace zips inexpensively. Shoes can be taken to cobblers to be re-heeled and resoled, while bags and belts can be mended there too.  

When it comes to your favourite glasses they too can be restored and revived with our restoration service. We offer both a polishing and reglazing service that saves frames from landfill and gives glasses a new lease of life. From oiling to polishing we remove scratches, general wear and restore lustre.

If you've scratched your lenses, had a prescription change or just want to change your lens colour we can reglaze your glasses.

Customising your clothes

Use embellishments and adornments to customise your clothes and make your mark. Additions of fringing, beads and vintage patches work a treat.

Try your hand at simple embroidery and add to denim, tees and shirts to update your current wardrobe. Check out Mollie Makes for inspiration.

Bear Shark Embroidery

Let it go

If you’ve worked out it’s got to go, host a clothing swap party with friends and go home with new threads.

If garments are beyond saving, recycle at your nearest Clothing Bank.

The Big Closet Clear Out is happening in March - see the Love Your Clothes website for more tips to get involved.

Shanna Camilleri on Unsplash

Remember loved things last.

If you want to chat about restoring your glasses or tell us about your latest recycling projects please get in touch, we’d love to hear about it.

Jo

The history of sunglasses

It's International Sunglasses day and we think that's a day worth celebrating. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and check out the history of sunglasses…

Ocean vintage sunnies

Sunglasses or 'suncheaters' have a colourful history, from the Roman Emperor Nero who viewed gladiator matches through an emerald, to the Inuits ingenious snow goggles design, featuring small slits to limit the suns access and prevent snow blindness. 

Inuit wooden snow goggles

The Chinese were known to use pieces of smoky quartz as vision aids. Known as Ai Tai, meaning ‘dark clouds covering the sun’, the scrolls say they were worn in court to conceal their facial expressions during trials - handy!

The first tinted sunnies 'Goldoni Glasses' appeared in Venice, Italy in the late 18th century. Named after the famous playwright Carlo Goldoni, they were worn by gondoliers on the sunny canals of Venice. At the same time 'eye preservers' were popular in Britain with peeps that suffered from light sensitivity.

In the 1920s sunglasses were sold off the Atlantic City boardwalk by Sam Foster and became a fashion staple amongst the rich and famous. Actors and actresses loved them as they shielded their eyes from the blinding movie set lights. Off screen sunglasses were perfect for remaining incognito. 

During World War II, the military designed spectacles for pilots that would enhance vision and reduce glare at altitude. The US Army Air Corps enlisted the help of eyeglasses maker Bausch & Lomb, who developed the iconic Ray-Ban Aviator in 1939. They went on to use ground breaking plastic molding technology in the 50’s and the Wayfarer was born.

In the 60s and 70s everything got supersized and we have Jackie O to thank for making oversized sunglasses a thing - and the rest as they say is history (of sunglasses).

Photo by Hust Wilson on Unsplash

Sunglasses are so important for blocking the sun's ultraviolet light. Exposure to light and UV radiation is linked to serious eye conditions... cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis (corneal sunburn), and cancerous growths of the eye... ouch!

Protect your peepers by investing in quality sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB radiation. It's not the colour of the lenses, it's the percentage of UV protection that counts. Go for 100% every time. Although tiny 90s glasses are enjoying a revival, it's oversized or wraparound sunglasses that block the most sun, especially when those rays are bouncing off sand and sea. 

Stay safe and celebrate those sunnies!

Check out our latest summer styles here.

Jo
 

I can see clearly now...

Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash

Want to see the world through rose tinted glasses? Need a little prescription with your eyewear? Then walk this way... 

Peep Optics has landed, bringing you all the options to customise these babies. 

Bringing Vintage into Focus

If you've found your perfect one-of-a-kind vintage frames but need a prescription popping in, we've got the solution. Our expert team will find your perfect match and with an up-to-date optical examination you're good to go! From glasses to custom coloured sunnies, we've got you covered. 

Photo by Mason Wilkes on Unsplash

Bend me shape me anyway you want me

Check out our new range of vintage styles and remember - you're the boss - you can have these frames any way you want - sunglasses, reading or spectacles.

Vintage Eyewear Real Silk Frames

Home Trial

Try a couple of pairs on at home, make sure they're 'the one' and then return (postage is on us) for glazing with the experts. A ‘selfie’ and current Optical Prescription (for Peeps eyes only) is all you'll need to find the perfect fit and frame.

Frame Only

Photo by Mag Pole on Unsplas

Now you can shop our vintage frames without lenses, available to purchase as frame only and glaze elsewhere.

If you do need lenses sorting, we're here to help - just visit our How It Works page.

Pimp your peepers

Sunnies with blue lenses but you wanted green graduated? No problem - Pimp Your Peepers any way you like. Talk to us about polarising. We've got a range of coloured tints and graduations to suit your style. 

Rose tinted lenses - why see any other way?

Shop now

WIN

To celebrate the launch we're giving away a pair of customised frames - sunnies or spectacles! Read more here or hop on over to Instagram to enter!  - Competition now closed!

Need to know more - visit our How It Works page or get in touch for some friendly advice.

Your face will thank you.

Jo