There was a time when John Lennon was the face of artistic rebellion and countercultural intellectualism. He exemplified cool and ruled pop culture for decades, first with The Beatles and later as a solo artist
Did you know he used to wear contacts, particularly during The Beatles’ pop idol era? It was only in 1966 that he stepped out in his now-iconic round granny glasses. And, as they say, the rest is history!
Let’s take a look back at Lennon, his eyeglasses, and how they are being reimagined today!
Who Is John Lennon?
John Lennon was many things to different people. At the core, he was an artist who grew into one of the most famous people of his era. He started with the biggest band in the world, The Beatles. His music transformed alongside his long-term partnership with Paul McCartney.
His artistic ventures outside The Beatles included solo music projects and dabbling in visual art. He would later become interested in pacifist and humanist ideology, arguably best exemplified by his famous song “Imagine.”
His look transformed along with his artistic focus. It was mop tops and contact lenses as The Beatles worked their way to global superstardom. By 1966, around the release of The Beatles’ Revolver album (the start of the band’s psychedelic era), Lennon became more subdued and thoughtful. That’s when he began wearing glasses instead of contacts. His persona and look later evolved, leaning toward anti-war and anti-establishment themes during his “Imagine” era.
His eyewear never really ventured far from the round/oval types of glasses. That’s understandable given Lennon’s sharp features, which were softened by these glasses.
His round granny glasses are more formally known as Windsor glasses. They were manufactured by Algha Works, London, which later became known as Savile Row Eyewear.
While his original eyewear is no longer widely available except as vintage buys, you can still find John Lennon-style glasses that reflect the man, his music, and his ideology. You might even encounter people in your community who exude Lennon vibes and wear his type of glasses!
The Urban Artist
It’s easy to spot the urban artist. Just look out for the vintage tee, ripped jeans, and venti cold brew. To top off this look, many urban artists go for round eyeglasses!
You don’t have to be in San Francisco or Brooklyn to pull off an urban artist look! Sometimes, all you need is the right eyewear.
Oakley OX8149 PITCHMAN R CARBON
The Oakley OX8149 PITCHMAN R CARBON glasses look like a blank canvas. They’re a polished, clear pair that’s ready to reflect your current aesthetic. This pair easily fits the vibe of chill cafes, farmers’ markets, and music festivals.
These Oakley glasses are getting a lot of love from EZContacts reviewers! Cory H. says:
“Love Love Love these glasses. I got the polished clear Oakleys and I LOVE them. Many people have complimented me on my new glasses already. They fit my face well and the lens fits perfectly in the frame. With other glasses, I’ve had the thickness of the lens show on the sides of the frame even though I always buy the thinnest lens possible….but that isn’t the case with these glasses! They look fantastic.”
The Fun-Seeking Professional
Who said work life is no fun? Your round John Lennon glasses beg to differ. These glasses get things done. You can wear them with crisp pants and a button-down shirt, topped with a blazer you picked up from a thrift store!
Saint Laurent SL 124
The Saint Laurent SL 124 eyeglasses give off an intellectual vibe. With pronounced black brows and classic silver frames, you look confident and in charge! You can easily match this with your favorite ‘let’s get to work!’ attire.
Albert P. was a big fan of these glasses. He says:
“Love these glasses! The lenses match my exact prescription and they were shipped very fast! The whole buying process was very easy plus the huge discount was obviously a major plus.”
The Quirky College Student
College is the time when you figure out your interests, identity, and style. Round John Lennon-esque glasses evoke this exploration and curiosity. Like John Lennon said, just imagine what life could be and what the future brings.
Modo GLOMMA
The Modo GLOMMA is a quirky pair of glasses. These are full rim round glasses, half tortoiseshell and half crystal clear. They’re a fun and unique pair to wear, and since they’re from ECO by Modo, everything about them is sustainable.
The Bold and Beautiful
John Lennon never shied away from stating what he believed, and he sometimes did that by staging public protests. The bold and beautiful aesthetic is just like that: loud and on point.
There’s just something about the confidence of these people that gets you hooked. Add round glasses to the mix, and you’ve got a great look!
Tom Ford FT5695-B
The Tom Ford FT5695-B eyeglasses are slightly oversized, and they have shiny black frames and subtle metallic styling along the hinges. This is the perfect eyewear for those who want to highlight their confidence and style!
Christopher T. sang the praises of these glasses, writing:
“Love them. Look great!!”
The Minimalist
Minimalist John Lennon glasses bring to mind another legend, Steve Jobs. One of the secrets to Jobs’ focus and success was not having to figure out the small things. He wore the same outfit and eyewear every day so he could focus on work and nothing else.
Minimalistic glasses are understated and functional. They look good and they correct your vision, period.
Modo 4604
The Modo 4604 is a pair of rimless round eyewear reminiscent of what Steve Jobs used to wear. They’re light, durable, and simple. You can’t really mess up when you wear these glasses. They match practically everything! The focus is your eyes, not your frames!
The Edgy Intellectual
The round frames are striking on the intellectual. They make you want to gaze deep into their eyes and figure out what makes them tick. One sure thing is that those John Lennon glasses work. Just add a guitar and you’ve got an intelligent rockstar!
Ray-Ban RX3447V ROUND METAL
The Ray-Ban RX3447V ROUND METAL are as close to a John Lennon-esque pair of glasses as you can get. These are gold metallic wire-frame glasses that are similar to the first glasses that Lennon wore in public in 1966. Today, this look remains a persistent style among intellectuals.
Just take it from verified buyer Douglas D., who says:
“My favorite frames at a really good price!”
Beyond the Eyeglasses
Of course, Lennon is more than his eyeglasses. He was a complicated, passionate, and talented artist who found fame. Even as he grew more and more famous, he still spoke out and stood for what he believed in. And all the while, he made beautiful music that’s still popular to this day. His legacy is something to aspire to!
TL;DR
- John Lennon round glasses are popular to this day. You see them in several modern-day personas.
- The urban artist is easy to spot: graphic tees, ripped jeans, classic Converse, and round glasses.
- Round glasses on a professional adds a fun boss vibe.
- College students are having fun experimenting with round glasses, too!
- The bold and beautiful among us are pulling off John Lennon glasses and catching attention.
- Minimalists can find several classic round glasses that are functional yet stylish.
- Intellectuals get to show their stylish edge with John Lennon glasses.
