Rewear your sustainable sunglasses this summer

If you’re looking for sustainable sunglasses this summer, you can’t make a better choice than going for a vintage or preloved sunglasses frame. These ethical, eco friendly frames are already in existance so no new prescious planetary resources are being used producing them, so there’s a much lower impact on the environment.

We’re talking how to protect your eyes in the sun, prescription sunglasses and repairing and rewearing your current sunnies to keep you cool in the shade..

rewear old sunglasses

‘The most sustainable item is the one you already own’

If you’ve scratched the lenses in your fave sunglasses or want to add in your new prescription we can reglaze them with 100% uv lenses for that all important al fresco ordering or garden reading.

Still loving an old glasses frame? Turn your old glasses into sunglasses and give them a new lease of life.

If your sunglasses frame is in need of repair, take a peep at our repair and restorations services, we can fix broken hinges, polish out whitening and scratching and replace parts like nosepads and end tips.

If you’ve got old sunglasses you’re rewearing or you’ve purchased vintage sunglasses with the original lenses and aren’t sure how old the lenses are, you need to make sure the UV protection is still intact.

The UV protection in old lenses can degrade over time and this can be worse than wearing no sunglasses at all. Wearing dark sunnies opens up the pupil, allowing more light in and if the UV protection isn’t there, you could be opening yourself up to more damage. It’s a simple check - you can take them to your local opticians and ask to have them UV tested or send them into us and we’ll do it for you.

summer sun protection

Sunglasses are the most essential accessory (we’re biased but still) they’re not only super stylish, but have the important task of protecting our eyes. The sun’s UV rays are strongest between 11am and 4pm from early April to late September in the UK and this is where the sun can really do some damage.

Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet light and UV radiation is linked to some serious eye conditions like photokeratitis (corneal sunburn) and research has found that 5-10% of skin cancers occur on the eyelid - ouch!

Protect your peepers by investing in quality sunglasses that filter out both UVA and UVB radiation. Over 90% of UV light can pass through even light cloud - so don't leave home without your sustainable sunnies. When you’re shopping for sunnies go for UV 400 protection, we fully refurbish all our sunglasses frames before adding in new modern optical grade 100% protection UV 400 lenses.

The bigger the frame, the better the coverage. Oversized or wraparound sunglasses block the most sun, especially when those rays are bouncing off pavements and pools.

custom colour tints

Freshen up your sunglasses with a new tint colour. It's not the colour of your lenses that matters, it's the percentage of UV protection that counts. So you can go for that dreamy pale tint as long as you go for 100% UV protection, although darker tints can offer more comfort and relaxed vision in bright sunlight, as they reduce the amount of light that enters the eye - this equates to less squinting ergo less wrinkles.

Talk to us about custom tinting and take a peep at our latest custom colour creations of brown-to-pink and brown-to-yellow ombres, sheer 70s vintage sepia tint washes, or talk to us about colour matching your favourite shirt.

prescription sunglasses

We can add in your prescription to any of our vintage or preloved glasses frames. Prescription sunglasses are available for all prescriptions including far sighted, near sighted and astigmatism, as well as multifocal (varifocal) lenses. We also offer mirror tinting, lens thinning and additional anti reflective lens treatments, or go for polarising to filter out even more glare and enrich true colour.

Any of our sunglasses frames (or frame only styles) can be fitted with prescription UV sunglasses lenses, they’re even good for contact lens wearers taking a break when eyes feel irritated during allergy season or at the beach.

sustainable style

Choosing sustainable sunglasses is about more the materials they’re made from, it’s also about getting the most longevity out of your sunnies by choosing the right style for you and looking after your eyewear with regular cleaning (with the cloth) and proper storage (in the case).

Go for classic styles that won’t date, timeless designs and easy to wear shapes. Styles you know suit your face shape, colourways that work with your wardrobe and palettes that suit your skin tone and you won’t go wrong.

Take a peep at our ready to wear sunnies or create and customise your own from our frame only range and lower your carbon footprint this summer without lifing a finger.

Jo

Repair and rewear your glasses

With both a climate and cost of living crisis, there’s never been a better time to repair and rewear your existing glasses and sunglasses. We’ll show you to how to fix broken glasses, from an emergency repair remedy to our extensive glasses repairs and sunglasses restoration services - better for both planet and pocket.

how to fix broken glasses at home

When you’re in a fix.. the most common fix is having a screw come loose. Your glasses sides are attached by a tiny screw in the hinge and these screws can often come loose over time or even fall out.

A simple fix.. all you need is a tiny screwdriver - just line up the hinges, insert the screw into the hole and screw back in place. For a sprung side hinge it’s a bit trickier to align and replace the screw at home, so you’ll need some expert help.

If you can't find the missing screw, you could try finding a similar sized screw from an older pair of glasses you don't wear any more, or visit the store you purchased the frames from and they should sort you out with a replacement.

An emergency home remedy is to use a bit of twist tie wire. Thread the wire through the holes and secure until you can get your glasses properly repaired with a replacement screw.

glasses and sunglasses repairs & restoration

If your eyewear’s in need of a little tlc, repair don’t replace. Be sustainable and prolong the life of your glasses and sunglasses with our repair services.

If you’ve been told it’s not possible to repair your glasses and you must buy new, get in touch and see what we can do. We can salvage spectacles from the hands of children and we’ve even been known to remove the odd dog bite!

Restore glasses to former glory with our restoration services; repairing and reworking broken hinges, replacing broken parts and updating glasses with fresh new lenses and prescriptions.

We always recommend having a spare pair of glasses for use when restoration and repair work is carried out on your everyday frame, some repair services can take 1-2 weeks leaving you without your glasses.

Restoring and rewearing your glasses will keep them in use for years to come. It’s always worth repairing well made frames so when chosing glasses always go for the best quality you can afford and remember loved things last.

Glasses frame repairs

There’s a number of ways we can fix broken glasses and sunglasses with our frame restoration services..

Hinge repairs for broken glasses hinges - new custom made hinges will be made and fitted to your damaged glasses or sunglasses frames. If your sides are damaged we find a best match replacement sides which we’ll source and fit to your frame. Side tips, nose pads and screws can all be quickly and easily replaced. We offer soldering, bonding and pinning and an array of other glasses repair options too.

Frame adjustments when sides have been twisted or pulled out of shape, can be heat treated, adjusted and straightened back to their original state.

Ultra Sonic Deep Clean is a deep cleaning treatment where lenses are removed, before being cleansed, along with frame, in our ultra sonic cleaner ‘Bubbles’ to remove built up dirt from every crevice, before being hand finished and reassembled. This cleaning service is also included in the Peep Polish.

Peep Polish is our polishing restoration and refurbishing service for both glasses and sunglasses (frames only) that removes wear including scratching and discolouration and restores lustre, prolonging the longevity of your glasses.

Frames are dismantled before being polished on our polishing wheel and then buffed to restore sheen. The frame parts go for a dip in our ultra sonic cleaner Bubbles followed by an ultrafine finishing polish, then reassembled, heat treated and reshaped, screws tightened and oiled.

Cut, edge and fit this service is for you if your glasses are beyond repair, but your lenses are still good. We can find a similar style frame - we’ll show you some options for you to choose from and fit your lenses into them.

Replacing damaged scratched glasses lenses

To prevent scratching, keep your glasses in the case and face up when they’re not on your face. If your glasses lenses are scratched, they will probably need replacing.

There are some products around now, usually for jewellery and watch restoration, that may be able to polish out the scratched damage, but this could do further damage creating distortion or damage to the lens coatings so we really can’t recommend it.

If your lenses are cracked there’s no way to salvage them, they’ll need replacing - glasses and sunglasses lenses can be replaced with your updated prescription.

All our premium lens coatings come with a 2 year peace of mind scratch guarantee, so if you find yourself with scratched lenses, they’ll be replaced at no extra cost. This can be a good way to get the most from your lenses if you’re a dropper or share a home with children or animals.

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

If you want to save pennies and planet, extend the life of your glasses with a little repair shop treatment and take a peep at our Repair Services.

Jo

eco friendly sunglasses for summer

Few things are as important than a good pair of sunglasses, not only a style statement but an essential piece of holiday kit. But if you’re worried about climate change and want to make an eco friendly sunglasses choice this summer, you can’t do better than going for a vintage or preloved sustainable sunglasses frame.

These ethical, planet friendly frames already exist so no new resources or energy have gone into producing them and so they have a much lower impact on the environment. If you want to make a conscious choice this summer this is the way to go..

sustainable sunglasses

We know how important it is to protect your eyes from the sun rays while you’re chillin by the pool, so make sure your sunglasses offer 100% UV protection. While it may be tempting to buy cheap replicas of designer sunglasses, fake sunnies are not the way to go as they may not offer you the same eye protection. Quality sunglasses frames and lenses meet strict safety standards ensuring they block UV light from reaching the eyes.

Vintage and designer sunglasses are better built, so it’s worth investing in a well made sunglasses frame that will last you longer and stand the test of time. They offer much better value in the long run as you’ll get more cost per wear and quality sunglasses can also be repaired and restored. Poorly made sunglasses frames are likely to break after a few wears and are only destined for landfill.

Vintage and preloved sunglasses

Whether you choose one-of-a-kind vintage or planet friendly preloved sunnies, you’ve made a truly sustainable sunglasses choice. No new resources are used when you shop second hand sunglasses, they’re ethically produced, can often be handmade and they’re a low or no waste option.

Unlike the traditional production process of regular sunglasses which involves huge amounts of plastic waste and unsustainable manufacturing processes, vintage frames were made with very little or no production waste at all.

If you own a pair of vintage sunglasses with original lenses its always worth getting the UV levels checked to ensure they haven’t degraded and the UV protection is still in place. It’s a quick check at the opticians or we can do it for you and if the lenses aren’t offering you the protection, we can replace old lenses with new 100% UV protected ones to prolong the life of your sunglasses.

sunglasses repairs

If your sunglasses have suffererd a little wear and are in need a some tlc you can prolong the life of your sunglasses with our repairs and restoration services. We can repair hinges and replace nosepads and tips along with more complex repairs.

Our polishing service removes scratches and restores lustre to frames before a deep cleansing in our ultra sonic cleaner. Nearly new to rewear for another summer in the sunshine.

Driving in sunglasses

Not wearing sunglasses could now see drivers on the wrong side of the law as glare from the sun can adversely affect your perception of the road. Failing to take preventative measures like wearing sunglasses or lowering the sun visor could see you with a hefty fine and nine points on your licence.. eek.

Sun glare is tricky to drive with, unexpected bursts of light from behind a cloud can really harm our ability to see, while rainfall can reflect sunlight off puddles, consider a pair of polarised sunglasses which protect against glare and halos from reflected rays and be prepared by keeping a spare pair of sunnies in the car - just don’t leave them on the dash.

Take a peep at our eco friendly sunglasses and if you can't find what you're looking for check out our frame only range and turn them into the sustainable sunglasses of your dreams..

Bring on the sun!

Jo

How to care for your glasses + make them last longer

Glasses and sunglasses can last a lifetime if looked after - so treat those babies well. Grow your collection and keep your glasses lasting longer with some tender loving care. The most sustainable items are the ones we already own, so here's our tips on how to care for your eyewear...

Store in a case

Keep them in the case, it's their natural habitat (after your face) and not only keeps dust and dirt away, it prevents bending and breakages. A hard case is great for travelling or storage and soft pouches are great for beach days and picnics. Stow in the glove box on a summers day - don't leave them on your dashboard - they just can't take the heat.

the right way to wear glasses

Whipping frames off with one hand or sporting as a headband (guilty) will result in stretched hinges and your glasses becoming out of shape. If you’re taking your glasses on and off why not opt for a glasses chain and store safely about your person.

Your body naturally changes over time (also hello lockdown gains), so the shape of your frames may need adjusting from time to time to accommodate these changes.

Equally if frames are slipping from your face it’s time for an adjustment to the bend behind your ears - this is done by heat treating and manipulating the frame until it’s fits your head perfectly. Head to your local Opticians and ask for them to be adjusted or chat to us about getting back into shape.

Got a screw loose?

Your glasses go on and off your face many times over their lifetime, causing the screws to loosen over time. It’s worth investing in a glasses repair kit or mini screwdriver to carry out some simple glasses care and keep your sides secure. Cup the frame in your hand and gently tighten, being careful not to overtighten the screws. Tighten in tiny increments - small movements can make a big difference.

Cleaning your glasses

Wiping your glasses lenses with paper towels, napkins or the end of your top is a big no no. Fibres and particles of dirt can scratch your lenses and, unlike glasses frames, scratched lenses can’t be polished and will need replacing.

Regular weekly cleaning of your glasses will keep them sparkly clean and the best way to clean your glasses is with simple warm soapy water and a soft cloth. If you live in a hard water area like me, use filtered or distilled water instead of tap and use a mild soap - avoid detergent, scented soaps or ones containing dyes as they can damage lenses.

After rinsing, gently dry your frame with a smooth, clean, lint-free cloth like the one you get from us (they can be popped in the wash at 30 to freshen). If you can’t put your hands on your optical cloth, you can purchase another – ours are upcycled from recycled plastic bottles.

Take a peep at our article on how to clean your glasses the right way

Restoration services

If your lenses sustain some trauma or just natural wear and tear over time, take a look at our restoration services to bring them back to life and make them last longer..

Glasses Repairs

If your eyewear’s in need of a little tlc, you’ve come to the right place. Be sustainable and prolong the life of your glasses with our repairs services.

We now offer hinge repairs, replacement nosepads and tips, and if it’s something a little more complex like vintage pinned hinges, just get in touch and we can chat intricate repairs.

PEEP POLISH

Our polishing service for plastic (acetate and optyl) frames, cleanses and removes scratches while restoring lustre for frames that have lost their mojo.

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

GLASSES REGLAZE

If your lenses are scratched, damaged or have completely broken, 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 and there’s no going back, recycle them with us and check out our range of sustainable, planet friendly vintage glasses and sunglasses.

The more tlc we show our eyewear, the longer they will last us. Keeping glasses in action and out of landfill we can do our bit to stay planet friendly.

Jo