I Swore I’d Never Wear Reading Glasses. Then I Hit 45. Kurt Cobain in cool glasses.

I Swore I’d Never Wear Reading Glasses. Then I Hit 45.

Let’s rewind. Remember when you used to read CD liner notes in low light? Watch VHS tapes on a 20-inch screen from across the room? Spot a fake band tee from 50 feet away? Yeah - those were the days. Then somewhere between your last Blockbuster rental and now, the print shrank.

Spoiler alert: it didn’t. Your eyes just clocked out.

Welcome to your 40s and beyond - the era of reading glasses. And honestly? It’s not that bad. In fact, it’s kinda awesome.

The First Signs: “It’s Not Me, It’s the Font”

It starts innocent. You hold your phone a little further away. You bump the brightness like you’re trying to tan your face. You go from I got this to Why does this label look like it’s written in ancient code?

Eventually, you break. You grab a pair of readers at the chemist. Just to “try.” Suddenly the text is sharp, your eyes relax, and your brain goes: Ohhh. So THIS is what seeing feels like.

Cue existential crisis. Then cue acceptance. Then cue a new obsession with stylish frames.

From Resistance to Accessory Addiction

Let’s be real - Gen X invented cool. We brought sarcasm, grunge and the art of not trying too hard. And guess what? Reading glasses fit right in.

They’re not just glasses. They’re low-key fashion statements. Whether you're going full Kurt Cobain with round frames or channelling your inner Lisa Bonet with chunky tortoise shell vibes, readers are part of the look now.

You’ll end up with a pair in every room. On your nightstand. In the glove box. Next to the remote. Are they always where you need them? Never. But they make you look smart, mysterious and maybe just a little bit rock ‘n’ roll.

The New Reality: You Can Actually Read Stuff Again

Here’s the kicker - reading glasses work. Like, absurdly well. You stop squinting. You stop pretending you’re “just tired.” You actually enjoy reading again - books, menus, subtitles, even the tiny text on your kids’ school forms.

It’s not weakness. It’s efficiency. And honestly, at this age, we’re all about working smarter, not harder. Plus, who’s got time for eye strain when there's Spotify playlists to curate and air fryers to master?

Final Thought: Embrace the Clear Vision

Gen X grew up analogue and adapted to digital. We’ve survived dial-up, Y2K and questionable fashion trends. We can handle reading glasses. More than that - we can own them.

So, if you’re still in denial, it’s time. Grab a pair. Embrace the clarity. You’re not giving in to age. You’re upgrading your life. With style, attitude and a perfectly crisp view of the world.

Now if only we could remember where we left them…

Shop our collection now :)

✔️ Free shipping Australia
✔️ Easy exchanges and returns
✔️ No prescription needed
✔️ Luxe acetate frames (no plastic!)

See our collections:

✔️ Round reading glasses
✔️ Square reading glasses
✔️ Rectangular reading glasses
✔️ Geometric reading glasses
✔️ Classic reading glasses
✔️ Bold reading glasses
✔️ Minimalist reading glasses
✔️ Retro reading glasses

Back to blog