Celebrity

Tina Fey was instrumental in popularizes female 'geek chic' with her plastic-framed, horn-rimmed eyeglasses.

You'll notice that she doesn't necessarily wear the same glasses, but glasses of a similar theme: Plastic horn-rimmed-esque frames.

Want your own Tina Fey glasses? Well, first decide if you want designer, name brand glasses at a premium price or generic glasses at a hefty discount. Let's look at designer glasses:

The Kate Spade "Bebe" is an attractive choice and is available for $129 (retails at $217) plus the price of lenses. Probably about $230 out the door.

The Gucci 1579 is another classic choice that will fit the bill. A little pricier at $172 (compare with $286 at most eyeglass shops) and maybe $300 out the door with lenses.

Maybe you want to change your look without dropping so much coin?
Look no further than the "Mona" frame at EyeBuyDirect.com. It isn't a name brand, but it carries a one year guarantee and includes a basic frame for free! Use the coupon code in the side bar and save a little bit more. You could have these to your door for $50!

Whatever you choose, "geek chic" Tina Fey glasses are only a few clicks away!

Large plastic glasses are not only stylish in that indie sort of way, but they are also very practical. The large lens provides an enormous field of vision and improves peripheral eyesight. Using online eyewear merchants, you can get a pair of shuron designer frames to match Mr. Carey, shown above. The style is known as the "freeway" and is available in black, tortoise shell, or a couple of other colors.

Click on the picture or here to see these frames at bestbuyeyeglasses.com The frame runs $68 (about half of retails) and with lenses, the price will probably be twice that. Though $130 isn't chump change, it is far less than the $250-$400 for which these designer glasses would retail.

She doesn't wear glasses often, but when she does, she looks great! Stick with the glasses, Meredith!

From MSNBC online:

Question: I love the glasses Meredith was wearing on Monday. Would you mind sharing the designer? I have had trouble finding some I like. Monday was my birthday so this info can be your present!!!

Mary Ellis Gabriel
Lexington, South Carolina

Answer: In case you missed it on Monday, Meredith forgot her contact lenses at home on Monday, prompting her to unveil a new bespectacled look on the show. I talked to her afterwards, and she told me that her glasses are by Paul Smith. She was surprised to learn that Mr. Smith is a famed British fashion designer -- she had no idea how fashionable she was!

After doing some research, I learned that Paul Smith prescription glasses can only be purchased at B&M (Brick and Mortar) retailers. Does this make Meredith a fool for buying eyewear through a traditional retailer. No, it makes her rich! For the rest of us, who prefer paying well under $75 for a pair of prescription glasses, we look online.

For the same look, search no further than the EyeBuyDirect.com Homepage. The model is "Dana," and it sells for just $39.95, including a basic prescription. They are tortoise-shell, modern horn-rimmed glasses, practically a replica of the Paul Smith design worn by Meredith in the picture above. Click the picture or text to go straight to the product page.

You can click here to go directly to the product page

[Technorati Tags: Glasses Online, Designer Eyewear, Meredith Vieira, Eyewear, Eyeglasses]

I find myself watching the Colbert Report more and more. My wife finds the Comedy Central show hilarious. I like to see her laugh and have found Colbert very...perhaps interesting is the word? My wife loves the way he addresses the audience as "nation."

Anyhow, when I watch the program I can't help but notice his glasses. Or should I say, notice how I can hardly notice his glasses. Why? He chooses rimless frames. They provide a professional look--not a, "look at me, I'm professional" look, but rather reflect a sophisticated attitude of, "I want glasses that look nice, but I don't need people noticing how nice my glasses look."

His frames, shown in the picture here and on the right, have brown bows and a matching nose piece. They are rectangular yet generously rounded, making them appear as ovals if you squint a little.

Update 11/9/08:After some additional research, it appears Mr. Colbert wears the Kazuo Kawasaki 631 series frames. It seems that this series has been replaced by the 632 series. So if you want the real deal, the exact frame, click here to get it. It runs a cool $300 with a basic prescription, but this sure beats that $500-$700 you'd pay at a store -- if you can even find a store outside of NYC that sells this frame.

If you want something a little--okay a lot--cheaper, you'll find some good alternatives at the discount internet shops. The glasses above (click the picture to go to the product) are a close match to Mr. Colbert's frames. $50 to match the glasses of someone much wealthier and more famous than any of us. They have, however, a slightly wider bridge which will accentuate the face of someone with a slightly wider head than Mr. Colbert (which is, well, almost everyone).

I particularly recommend these frames if you plan on running for the President of the United States. Apparently, Colbert is even helping South Carolina Schools

I've always viewed online glasses buying as a great way to get glasses if you either (a) can't afford them otherwise or (b) are a cheapskate. However, my research suggests a third reason: (c) you hate being pushed around and overcharged. This website has a bunch of complaints of Lenscrafters on file. One guy, after cleaning his glasses with windex, was denied warranty coverage on cracked lenses. As they say on HGTV, apparently that is what you get for the money. Other customers complain of rude staff and bait-and-switch advertising where they couldn't take advantage of advertised specials.

In today's world, we consumers don't have to stand for such nonsense! We have options all over the internet and can get our glasses at a fraction of what "discount" lens stores like Lenscrafters charge, plus we have control and won't be pushed around! I think that stores like Lenscrafters must adopt to the new world of options available to consumers or they will sink like a stone.

Update 10/9: A Blog entry I found from another Lenscrafters hater