Second hand designer glasses and why you should shop them
Second hand isn’t second best. All the pieces in our curated collection of preloved designer glasses are chosen for their quality and design including discontinued models and deadstock. If you’re not shopping secondhand you’re missing out.
Our preloved designer glasses collection is a curated collection of second hand designer glasses handpicked by us for their quality and design. A mix of modern unworn deadstock and lightly worn beautifully refurbished preloved glasses frames.
To compliment our range of true vintage glasses and sunglasses we felt it was only natural to offer a more modern preloved option.
why buy second hand designer glasses?
Second hand doesn’t mean second best, in fact the opposite can be true with eyewear. All the pieces in our preloved collection are chosen for their quality and style.
A major bonus of shopping preloved is affordability. Designer glasses frames can be more budget and pocket friendly when you buy them second hand, but you’re still obtaining the same innovative design, high quality materials and skilled production.
If your favourite frame broke or it’s been discontinued, you might just find it in our Preloved Collection. If you’re coveting something you can’t see in store, get in touch and we’ll do our best to source it or something similar for you from our extensive range of styles not yet in the store.
There’s also our waitlist feature on the site - if a frame is marked out of stock there’s a chance it’s on a Home Try On, so add your name to the waitlist feature in the product description and you’ll be notified if it comes back in stock.
shopping second hand designer glasses
Shopping second hand is a truly sustainble way to shop, no new resources or materials are used, so energy, materials and water are saved and no nasty chemicals are involved. We’re reusing what’s already out there in the world without drawing on the planets resources to create more stuff.
Saving frames from landfill or a lifetime in a darkened drawer, when they have so much life left in them, is what we do. When you choose second hand over new you’re shopping sustainably, free from the burden of adding to our ever growing landfill problem.
There’s so many great quality secondhand frames already in existence there’s really no need to buy new - as fashion is cyclical you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.
repair and rewear designer frames
Our secondhand preloved glasses frames are either unworn deadstock frames or lightly worn, with lots of life left in them.
But we don’t stop there, each piece is refurbished; ultra sonically cleaned, oiled and polished, with any fittings replaced with new where needed. We love bringing things back to life and these frames have all restored so beautifully, many come up like new.
The beauty of buying quality designer frames is that they should stand the test of time and they can be repaired and restored unlike their cheaper counterparts.
Add in your prescription with our glazing service and you’re good to go and if, over time, you damage your frame or lenses, you can return to us for a litte tlc with our restoration services, a closed loop circular system.
Millions of glasses are ending up in landfill when they could be reworn which is why we launched our Designer Glasses Preloved Collection making sure what you buy is as sustainable as it can be.
Join the rewear revolution.
Jo
90s sunglasses and Y2K glasses aesthetic
90s and Y2K glasses and sunglasses are having another moment, don your bucket hats and take a peep at our range of original preloved vintage noughties frames.
90s and Y2K glasses are having a moment, bust out your bucket hats and take a peep at our range of original preloved vintage noughties and Y2K glasses and sunglasses.
Y2K covers off the late 90s and early-to-mid 2000s and the retro aesthetic is here for those who like clean lines and a little narrow frame nostalgia.
90s narrow rectangle
Inpired by 90s sitcoms and celebrities, rectangular glasses were the shape of the moment - just pair with oversized sweats and cycling shorts for off duty Princess Diana vibes.
Oval sunglasses
Vintage styling and shape of the moment like these original 90s sunglasses by Jean Lafont. Made in Paris, these rare beauties are a fabulous example of a noughties oval cateye in stunning leopard print on amber crystal acetate... meow.
90s minimal metal frames
1990s metal frames are a vibe, from Brad & Jens matching rounds to Brad and Gwyneth’s matching ovals, sleek simple lines and minimistic stylings like these Cazal sunnies with their cut away detailing and intricate metal work make a subtle statement.
y2k oversized sunglasses
Oversized and wrap around sunnies are perfect examples for Y2K and also for giving maximum protection to your peepers from the sun’s glare. Go big and bold for the win.
What’s not to love about noughties and 90s frames - there’s styles for every face shape - checkout our range of preloved planet friendly frames.
Jo
Shopping secondhand glasses and sunglasses
It’s Secondhand September and it’s not just for clothing, secondhand glasses and sunglasses are a sustainable investment in both your pocket and our planet.
It’s Secondhand September so there’s never been a better time to shop secondhand - planet and pocket friendly, it’s not just for clothing, second hand glasses and sunglasses are a sustainable investment in both your wardrobe and our planet.
second hand september
Oxfam started Secondhand September to shine a light on preloved where people pledge to shop only secondhand for the month, usually associated with Fashion Week, urging them to shop style over trends.
In contrast to thrifting through charity and musty vintage rails (which I’m still a sucker for), Preloved fashion (and homeware) has evolved to chic new levels from designer pieces, deadstock vintage, professional restoration and highly curated stock through the likes of independent Instagram vintage stores, eBay, Vinted and Depop.
In hopping off the trend cycle you can develop your personal style, reducing overconsumption and investing in what suits you; rewearing and repairing for years to come.
Overproduction in glasses, just as clothing, alongside a dollop of dubious 2 for 1 marketing (though we do recommend a spare pair) has resulted in frames floating around the country - mainly ending up in landfill. Unless frames are repurposed by a charity or preloved organisation and thats where we come in..
All secondhand frames donated to us are either restored and resold, benefiting our charity partners, reused through Lions Club across the globe for eye charities, utilised for repairs or if we really can’t find a use and they’re beyond repair, broken down into individual components and fully recycled.
We give a £10 voucher towards a new frame with donations, so if you have second hand frames hanging around head here to donate and recycle your glasses.
Vintage glasses
Shopping secondhand is easy with our vintage glasses range, either glasses frames are restored back to former glory or choose from deadstock vintage frames that have never been worn (New Old Stock).
One of a kind pieces, when they’re gone they’re gone, there’s nothing mundane about these babies. Made in bygone days, produced in smaller batches, low waste and often handmade. You can pick up on current trends with an original piece from the era of origin.
If you’re looking to source a secondhand glasses frame from a vintage seller, look for a solid well made frame, made by a reputable eyewear manufacturer like Oliver Goldsmith, Silhouette, Persol, Anglo American, Rodenstock or best of all a made in England stamp. We can restore these to former glory with our restoration services reworking broken hinges, replacing broken parts and updating with fresh new lenses and prescriptions.
Preloved designer glasses and sunglasses
Our preloved designer glasses frames are fully restored and brought back to life or choose from our never worn deadstock designer frames. It’s amazing how some of our preloved frames need very little work - they’re lightly worn and well looked after, but this is often a result of customers being encouraged to overconsume and buy new with every prescription update.
The joy of choosing secondhand designer glasses is they become much more affordable. You enjoy a premium quality piece from your favourite designer and know you’re doing your bit to save the planet at the same time.
How to take part in Secondhand September
Take the Oxfam pledge and find out more about the problems with throwaway fashion at Fashion Revolution.
You don’t have to shop to take part - why not host a clothes swap with friends.
Do a wardrobe edit and mix things up so you fall back in love with what you already own.
Repair and rewear - get to that mending pile and if your eyewear needs some tlc check out our restoration services.
Happy Secondhand September!
Jo