Shopping for glasses for kids can be a challenging and pricey process, but one newly-launched company aims to make it fun with eyewear that is completely designed with kids—and parents—in mind. Read on to see how Pair Eyewear is changing the glasses game for kids and adults alike.

Pair Eyewear is the brainchild of co-founders Sophia Edelstein and Nathan Kondamuri as they set out to create a line of fashionable, but affordable glasses for kids that can be easily customized to reflect a kid’s changing tastes and style. “As a parent, getting glasses for their child can be a really stressful experience,” Edelstein and Kondamuri told Red Tricycle. So, what’s a parent to do?

“We’ve heard countless stories from parents about children who would purposefully leave glasses at home, in their backpack or in their desks at school to get out of wearing them,” Edelstein said. “Glasses truly have become this stigmatized product a child is required to wear, yet almost always does not want to. We’re working to completely redefine what a Pair of glasses can mean to a child.”

Let’s face it—kids grow and change their minds overnight. Before the paint can dry on those pink walls, they’ve already decided purple is their favorite color. The problem with wanting to change their style on-the-fly is that glasses can be expensive. Instead of having to commit to just one style, Pair Eyewear’s revolutionary design allows kids to change the color of their glasses daily.

Pair offers five different base frames, which retail for $95 each. These base frames can be fitted with top frames, $24.95 each, that come in a variety of colors and easily snap on top of the base to instantly create a new look. The base frames are available in three colors, but each base frame can be paired with up to ten top frames in different colors and styles.

Pair Eyewear also takes the pain out of shopping for glasses by bringing the experience directly to your home. Parents and kids can log on to the company’s website and order a free home try-on kit which comes packed with cardboard cut-outs of each frame style offered. Once kids decide on the style they like, head back to the site to place an order that will is shipped directly to you.

“From my own experience of getting glasses as a child when I was 8 years old, I knew that the process of buying glasses was very uninspiring and medical,” explained Kondamuri. “It dawned on us that kids’ glasses simply didn’t reflect a child’s creativity, energy and growing personality. Inspired by the way children change their shoes, clothes and even braces colors, we designed continually customizable glasses which empower a child to change their frames to match their style and interests.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of Pair Eyewear

 

RELATED STORIES:

How to Tell If Your Kid Needs Glasses (It’s More Than Just Squinting)

Take a Selfie, Help Kids in Need & Everybody Wins for World Sight Day

Here’s What Too Much Screen Time Can Do to Your Kids’ Eyes, According to Doctors

Kids aren’t usually fans of wearing glasses, but now they don’t have to fear losing their sense of style with Warby Parker’s new kids’ eyewear collection that is starting a 12-week trial run this week.

For the next three months, parents can visit any one of the eight brick and mortar stores in NYC to get their littles fitted in one of the six styles being offered. That’s right, no “home try on” program is available for these new glasses that are basically mini me versions of Warby Parker’s most popular adult styles: Daisy, Chamberlain, Percey, Lyle, Louise and Wilkie.

Sizing will come in the Jr. Jr. (for kids ages 4 to 7) and Jr. (for age 8 and up), both for the same price as a sweet pair of adult frames ($95) which includes prescription lenses! Warby Parker’s also taken some precaution when it comes to making frames that last for kids: they’ve installed spring hinges on the entire line to allow flexibility and all around kid-friendliness.

Just like the adult frames, they will be made of durable acetate and impact resistant lenses that are anti-reflective, UV-protected and scratch resistant. Colors choices are copious: various pinks, blues, black and clear are all available.

The new kids line will also participate in the eyewear company’s socially-conscious initiatives, in particular Warby Parker’s Pupils Project, which directly gives vision care and glasses to school-age children in New York City Community Schools.

Now let’s keep our fingers crossed that the trial program goes well, so the rest of us non-New Yorkers can get our fill of kid hipster glasses too!

Do you plan on outfitting your kids in Warby Parker’s line if it goes permanent? Let us know in the comments below!

––Karly Wood

All photos courtesy of Warby Parker.

 

RELATED STORIES

Target’s Hitting the Mark With Their New Sensory-Friendly Line of Kids’ Clothes

Abercrombie Kids Just Launched an Awesome Gender Neutral Kids Clothing Line

Tommy Hilfiger Launches Clothing Line for Children With Disabilities

 

You never hesitate to call your pediatrician when your child’s sick or allow your mini-me to skip her nightly teeth brushing. After all, your kiddo’s well-being is your top priority. But, did you know that eye exams for children—starting at six-months-old—should be a part of their regular check-up routine? Read on for why you should make vision care a top priority, and five things to ask your optometrist at your next exam.

Why Check Their Vision If There Are No Problems?
If you don’t check their vision, how will you ever know anything is wrong? With one in four kids having an eye condition, yearly check ups are imperative to measure your kiddo’s eye health.

In fact, back-to-school season is a great reminder to get those eyes examined. With 80% of learning happening visually, you’ll want to make sure your kids are ready to tackle everything from reading faraway text in the classroom to participating in sports and extracurriculars safely.

5 Questions to Ask at Your Next Eye Exam
Booking that eye exam is the first step to ensuring your kid’s vision health. We spoke to Dr. Mary Anne Murphy, OD, owner and practitioner of Front Range Eye Association in Denver (she’s also a mom!) to ask her what parents should be aware of and asking at the appointment.

1. If my child requires corrective eyewear, what other options do we have, no or in the future, besides glasses? Is there anything I can do to prevent even greater loss of vision?

2. What are the effects of my child using technology? Should I limit use? Is one device worst or better than others?

3. I’m worried my child may be pretending to a have vision problem or that his/her responses to your questions may not be reliable because glasses are so trendy right now. How can you tell if my child really does has an issue that I need to be concerned about?

4. How important is wearing sunglasses from an early age?

5. Wouldn’t I, or my child’s teacher, know if they had a vision problem? Does a pediatrician visit or school screening accomplish the same thing as an eye exam?

If you need to find an optometrist and book your next appointment, head to VSP and find your doctor.

Does your child have vision problems? Have you taken him or her to an optometrist? Tell us about your child’s eye care in the comments below.

 

You’ve shopped and shopped. But you haven’t dropped yet. No way — not as long as there are new stores springing up around town. Keep happily browsing at these three boutiques that sell goodies for kids and adults alike. Chocolates? Yep. Charitable footwear? Yes, siree. Custom avatars made into real-life dolls? Yes (funny you should ask), there are those, too.

 photo: Amy’s Candy Bar

Amy’s Candy Bar
Already a hit in Lincoln Square, French Pastry School grad Amy Hansen’s boutique is popping up in Hyde Park for six months. Needless to say, shopping there is a real treat. We dare you to ignore the care cake stands stacked with candy, chocolates and toffee; and apothecary jars filled with gummies, licorice and milk balls. The pop-up will have a few sweet new additions, including meringues, Orangettes (dark-chocolate dipped orange peels), almond toffee covered in dark chocolate and sea salt and caramels dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with gourmet salts. Of course, old favorites will be on hand — namely the OMG Bar, a hazelnut praline sandwiched between salted caramel and milk chocolate ganache. If you’re shopping with the kids, beware of eyes-are-bigger-than-their-tummies syndrome; it’s easy to get carried away here!

1546 E. 55th St. (in Hyde Park Shopping Center)
Hyde Park
612-269-0970
Online: amyscandybar.com

photo: TOMS

TOMS
Shoe shopping doesn’t have to be a drag. Kick up those heels and head to TOMS in Wicker Park for purchases you can feel good about. For every pair of their shoes sold, TOMS gives a new pair of new shoes to a child in need. They’re best known for comfy slip-ons that fit just so, thanks to inner elastic banding. You’ll also find kids’ rain boots and winter suede boots. The selection spans kids, women and men, and also includes eyewear. Should you need to refuel on caffeine while shopping, nestled in the back is a full-service coffee bar, brewing TOMS Roasting Co. lattes, cappuccinos, teas, and seasonal coffee creations. Your little browsing companions will eye up the fresh pastries and pressed juices.

1611 N. Damen Ave.
Wicker Park
773-486-5882
Online: toms.com

photo: AvaStars

AvaStars
The real world and digital world meet at this new storefront in Oak Brook. Yep, welcome to the future. At AvaStars, kids select a character they dream of becoming (firefighter, princess, rock star, etc.), complete with customizable features (hair, eyes and skin tone). Then, each child steps into the “AvaStar Ship” portal for a 3D photo session to capture their likeness. Next, each child is treated to a “big screen premiere” of themselves starring in a 3D animated video —and the video is also available to download and share with family and friends. Within a few weeks, the personalized AvaStars doll or action figure will arrive at your house. While the end product is cool, it’s the imaginative shopping experience that your kids will remember.

100 Oakbrook Center
Oak Brook
314-307-8438
Online: facebook.com/MyAvaStars

Where are you doing last-minute gift shopping? Let us know in the Comments!

— Kelly Aiglon