Pair your eyewear with vintage jewellery

If there’s one thing we love more than eyewear, it’s vintage jewellery and the two make perfect partners. Team your eyewear with authentic vintage and preloved jewellery - we’ve teamed up with jewellery experts William May Jewellers to get their take on the hottest retro jewellery styles to wear with your vintage frames.

Aviators, squares and hoops

For an authentic 70s luxe look (think BBC’s The Serpent), pair your oversized Aviators with classic gold hoops. Oversized thin hoops or smaller creole hoop earrings both work well with aviators and other 70s large wire and acetate frames.

gold creole and skinny hoops from William May

Oversized 80s frames with big bold jewellery

If you want to channel the Lady Gaga’s look from House of Gucci (and frankly who wouldn’t) go with oversized round or square glasses from the late 70s and 80s, team them up with chunky yellow gold jewels.

Big bold chains are having a moment, are oh so retro and are best-sellers at William May, from classic yellow gold, to chains set with sparkling crystals.

chunky gold chains from William May

And to complete the full on House of Gucci look, go for big yellow gold bracelets, dress rings and chunky gold earrings.

vintage gold selection from William May

I’m currently obsessing over gold jewellery and I’d be happy waking up to any of these in my stocking on Christmas morning.. or you could just treat yourself.

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

The Serpent sunglasses - seventies styling at its best

lucas-ricardo-ignacio

We’re more than a little obsessed with the BBC’s latest drama, The Serpent, set in 1970s Bangkok, where notorious French criminal Charles Sobhraj targeted tourists on the Asian hippie trail posing as a gem dealer. We’ve created a mini collection in homage to The Serpent - original 70s sunglasses for your viewing pleasure.

Seventies sunglasses steal virtually every scene throughout the series, although the rest of the styling is equally en flique - kudos to the BBC style team. Tahar Rahim and Jenna Coleman knock it out of the park with their roles as Alain and Monique.

Square shapes, oversized frames and aviators with washed out sepia and graduated tints showing off the eyes were huge in the 70s. Headscarfs, halternecks and woven bags - team with your seventies sunnies and you won’t go wrong for that authentic 70s aesthetic.

The seventies were all about making style statements and showing your personality in palettes of earthy tones with yellow and graduated tints - take a peep at our brand new Serpent Collection

You’re welcome.

Jo

Coming Clean

Photo by Philipe Cavalcante on Unsplash

You've spent time selecting the perfect pair, agonising over shape and colour. Help your glasses last by looking after them and treat these babies well. Here's some hints and tips to help...

Store it

Store in the case baby - it's their natural habitat and not only keeps dust and dirt away, stops them becoming bent or broken. Protect from handbag hazards and stow in the glove box on a summers day - don't leave them on your dashboard - they can't take the heat.

Photo by Vishal Banik on Unsplash

Always place your precious eyewear lens up - otherwise it's just asking for trouble. 

Clean up your act

The cleaner you keep your glasses, the less your eyes will strain to see through dust and dirt.

Photo by Nik MacMillan on Unsplash

Clean with the cloth people - only the cloth.

NEVER dry your lenses with paper towels, tissues, napkins or the end of your top - you know who you are! These materials have a textured surface which can scratch the lenses.

You can keep your frames and lenses looking good by regular cleaning with simple warm, soapy water and a soft cloth.  Avoid scented soaps or ones containing dyes. After rinsing dry your frame thoroughly with a smooth, clean, lint-free cloth like the one you get from us.

You can use lens cleaners, which work well, but make sure they're suitable for coated lenses before using.

Be sure to avoid harsh chemical cleaners on your frames or lenses! 

Damage control

Photo by Fabian Møller on Unsplash

If your frames do suffer some scratching don't panic, we offer a polishing service for acetate/optyl frames to remove scratches and restore lustre.  

If your frame or lenses have sustained serious trauma or if you just fancy a different tint or prescription, get in touch, we're here to help.

Sign up to our newsletter and look out for our new frame saving accessories coming soon.

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

 

It's my party

and I'll cry if I want to

Dry your eyes and remember

'Accessories make the woman' Coco Chanel.

It's the season for sparkle, opulence and decadence - read on for our party ready updates...

hold on to your hat

We have a longstanding love of the Beret, which is having a moment. Add a little 'je ne sais quoi' with a headdress in leather, faux fur or velvet - perfect for late night taxi trips.

bag it up

No more dancing around the handbags - straps are where it's at...

No 21 Knot Velvet Evening Bag

all that glitters

No longer the preserve of Granny, the Brooch is back in fashion favour - the best bit? There are masses of unloved beauties just waiting to be discovered. Create your own embellishments with this instant party update and source at vintage fairs, antique fairs and preloved stores. 

Dolce & Gabbana styling out vintage brooches

Pearls are everywhere this season, but, the eternal classic, they deserve to be seen.

The morning after the night before

After the party, comes the debrief. In winter the sun sits lower in the sky, so it's important to shade those party worn eyes from both the sun and the paparazzi. Rock up in your vintage sunglasses and you're ready to face the world... 

If you need a little help with your disco days - give us a shout!

Jo