In the world of men's fashion, a subtle yet significant shift is underway, with eyewear taking centre stage as the must-have accessory. No longer just a functional necessity for vision correction, glasses are now a powerful style statement, reshaping how men present themselves to the world.
The Viral Spark: From Memes to Mainstream
Last spring, a meme featuring the 'Plimsoll' frames from eyewear brand Cubitts went viral, thanks to British actor Jonathan Bailey wearing them in leaked stills from the 2025 film Jurassic World Rebirth. Dubbed 'slutty little glasses' by the internet, this small, delicate unisex shape sparked a frenzy. Tom Broughton, founder of Cubitts, recalls how demand skyrocketed, with the brand struggling to keep up. A subsequent capsule collection in partnership with Bailey's LGBTQ+ charity, the Shameless Fund, sold out almost instantly, with thousands of pairs gone in minutes. Notably, nearly the entire run was purchased by men, signalling a broader trend.
Pop Culture's Bespectacled Icons
This phenomenon is not isolated. Across pop culture, cute guys are sporting even cuter specs. The same Cubitts frames reappeared recently, worn by Glen Powell in Edgar Wright's remake of The Running Man. In the new series of The Night Manager, Tom Hiddleston adopts a Clark Kent-esque look, removing his neat Mykita Mylon Triton frames as a plot device when transitioning from desk to field. Even reality TV has joined in, with Stephen Libby from The Traitors showcasing perfectly circular lunettes, which he revealed on Instagram are a family heirloom fitted with his prescription.
Perhaps the most prominent example is Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme, where his character is almost always seen in teeny tiny, rimless glasses. Their soft beveled curves contrast with his sharp jawline, creating a look that has dominated coverage and captivated audiences.
The Evolution of Men's Eyewear
Broughton notes that this trend has been building for years. Five years ago, the popular 'Panto' shape—a flat-topped, rounded frame with a keyhole bridge—evoked a mid-century, Gregory Peck aesthetic. Today, the market is bifurcated between oversized, almost cartoonish acetate frames and a super slim, almost-not-there vibe. Low-key frames are on the wane, making way for more statement pieces.
Fashion and Function Merge
Eyewear is increasingly appearing on fashion runways, such as at Paul Smith and Prada, where models wore spectacles—a rarity compared to the common sight of sunglasses. This year's awards season has been awash with tinted lenses, sitting somewhere between sunglasses and opticals, accessorising slick tailoring. Jacob Elordi and Michael B Jordan notably sported these at the Golden Globes, with tints as low as 40% to keep the wearer's eyeline visible.
Broughton attributes this shift to our collective increase in on-screen time, particularly in a post-Covid world dominated by Zoom calls. People now realise that elements like haircuts, makeup, and glasses are increasingly important for personal presentation.
Beyond Vision: Eyewear as a Social Tool
Interestingly, many of these style icons don't actually need glasses. Jonathan Bailey admitted to faking an eye test as a kid to get his first pair, despite having 20/20 vision. Timothée Chalamet wore special contacts under his spectacles for added authenticity. Broughton reveals that about 15% of Cubitts customers purchase frames without a prescription, proving that capable vision is no longer a hurdle for style.
For wearers, glasses offer more than just aesthetics. Stylist Tom O'Dell explains that with many men wearing limited jewellery or no watch, eyewear can soften a look, add colour, or provide interest. They can frame the face, accentuate the eyes, and lend an air of capability. O'Dell notes that tinted glasses can offer a sense of gravitas or act as a barrier in public, providing distance without the full concealment of sunglasses.
As a spectacles wearer myself, I've experienced this firsthand. Glasses can serve as a social crutch, offering little windows to hide behind in the world. Whether for style or subtle detachment, they have become an integral part of modern men's fashion, elevating outfits and personas alike.
