I was incorrect in guessing that my glasses frames from Warby Parker hadn’t yet shipped, because they arrived yesterday!
Once again, I apologize for my sucky selfies.
My favorites are the ones on the top two rows. 🙂
As mentioned in yesterday’s post, I also ordered at-home try on frames from Classic Specs:
The frames from both companies seem to be of comparable quality. (Although I’ve worn glasses since my early teens, I’ve only owned one pair of designer frames — Giorgio Armani — and I personally don’t believe the markup of a high-brand name is worth the extra $$$ in the case of glasses frames.) All the frames I received were of high-quality acetate with reinforced hinges, made in China.
As of this writing, February 2014, here are some basic comparisons between Warby Parker and Classic Specs:
 |
 |
| $95 includes prescription lenses, additional $30 for high-index lenses (strong prescription) |
$89 includes prescription lenses, additional $20 for high-index lenses (strong prescription) |
| anti-scratch and anti-glare lenses with 100% UV protection | anti-reflective and anti-glare lenses with UV coating |
| free shipping & free returns, 30-day return policy |
free shipping & free returns, 30-day return policy |
| offers at-home try ons up to 5 pairs for 5 days, CC authorization of $1 total (shows as a “pending” charge until return)  |
offers at-home try ons up to 6 pairs for 7 days, CC authorization of $1 per frame (shows as a “pending” charge until return)  |
| for every pair of glasses purchased, they will give a pair to someone in need | for every purchase made, they will donate 6% of the purchase price to New Eyes for the Needy |
To me, there doesn’t seem to be anything that really sets one above the other — at the end, it’ll come down to the style of the frames! So here are my top 4, side-by-side:
Which is your favorite? I’m still undecided, but I’m slightly leaning toward the top right because these frames fit the bridge of my nose and the contours of my temples and ears the best. (Not that the other frames are uncomfortable. Additionally, if you need any adjustments made to the frames after your purchase and you get charged for those adjustments, both Warby Parker and Classic Specs will reimburse you for those costs.)
Also, I like the little dots on the top corners of these frames. 
Because my vision is bad and I require high-index lenses, my total would come out to $125 if I order from Warby Parker and $109 if I order from Classic Specs. Either way, this would be the least amount I’ve ever paid for a new pair of glasses — even when I had kickass vision insurance at my old job (and I chose frames that were 100% covered), I still needed to pay about $160 out-of-pocket.
There’s also the fact that I get to try multiple frames for days at a time, from the comfort of home, with free shipping both ways…
Yeah, you can say that I’m very satisfied with the new era of internet prescription glasses thus far. 😀
If you would like to read up on additional places where you can purchase glasses online, check out Where to buy cheap eyeglasses online, for $99 and below from Brokelyn. I would have loved to try out the other online retailers listed on that kickass rundown, but I needed the assurance of at-home try ons. 😉
