Fashionably four-eyed

By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer

Playful: Joey Caldarone dons these semi-cat's-eye specs for those fun nights out. Photos by Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser What kind of glasses fit you? Most experts follow one rule of thumb: The shape of the frame should be the opposite shape of the face. With the help of optical experts, we sized three different shoppers with the right frames at three different shops. Here's what we learned: Square: A square face features a strong jaw line and a wide forehead, chin and cheekbones. Narrow styles minimize squareness and lengthen the face. Frames should be more horizontal than vertical. Round: Frames should make the face appear longer and thinner. Avoid excessively round or square styles which exaggerate facial roundness. Oval: Someone with an oval face can wear almost anything. Choose frames that are as wide or wider than the broadest part of the face. Source: Vision Council of America Scholarly: Perfect for professional types Athletic: A sporty look for the gym Casual: For Sunday mornings

Everything about Joey Caldarone shouted "scholar" for those few moments.

But that was before Caldarone slipped into his gym suit, replete with red, Clark Kent-like specs to emphasize his brown eyes and thick eyebrows.

Earlier, he had sported a colorful Cavalli shirt and cat glasses — a look fit for a night of drinks, dancing and friends.

The more outfits, the more glasses, the more the pattern became eye-poppingly evident: Even if Joey Caldarone had perfect vision, he would still wear eyeglasses.

His spectacular spectacle collection is more than two dozen strong and growing. Caldarone's obsession — or "disease," as the Kahala resident calls it — comes from a constant craving for change.

"Using glasses as an accessory allows you to express who you are without drastic change," said the designer and real estate investor, 27. "It's something very simple to put on, but it can change your look completely."

Spectacles are more than just what the doctor ordered these days; glasses are a prescription for cool whether your eyes need help or not. The whole craze has become a spectacle, with frames coming in an array of styles, colors and prices.

All of which makes it easier than ever to be fashionably four-eyed.

"They're all different," said Lovella Khaopraseuth, manager at InSpecs, an eyeglass shop at Ward Warehouse. "You can have one for the club, for work, to suit (different aspects) of your lifestyle."

Eyeglass wearer Shawna Jim, 24, sports oval-shaped, black metal frames daily.

Scholarly: Perfect for professional types

Yes, those who wear glasses today are more likely to be seen as chic, instead of old-fashioned geeky.

Some of the craze can be traced to celebrities. Jack Osbourne, Ozzy's famed, foul-mouthed son, sports retro Buddy Holly-type frames. Liv Tyler, meanwhile, presented at this year's Academy Awards wearing cat's-eye specs.

Add affordable prices, making it a cinch to buy several pairs, and you have a trend that's a sight to see.

More than a dozen nonprescription styles are available at Icing by Claire's, an accessories store in Pearlridge Center, where frames cost $7.25 to $8. At InSpecs, prescription packages start at $39.99.

Athletic: A sporty look for the gym

(Caldarone is convinced she's referring to him.)

The most popular styles at InSpecs are box-shaped frames in black metal and candy-colored plastic, Khaopraseuth said.

"The retro look is back," she said.

Caldarone prefers the unusual.

"I like to wear glasses that other people would not be wearing," he said. "Never the norm, but not out of the realm of good taste."

His personal faves include a hexagonal pair, and black plastic frames with a flat, elongated semi-cat's-eye shape that he bought in Tokyo.

Casual: For Sunday mornings

"Our most popular ones are the J-Lo (glasses), the frosty-colored ones," said Icing manager Maureen Languit.

But not all high-demand styles will suit everyone's liking.

"A lot of customers also ask for Harry Potter frames," Khaopraseuth said.

Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.