Wondering why you often see stunning eyewear worn by characters in movies and TV? There’s certainly a reliability factor, as the people behind each film and show know they’ll gain some plus points among the bespectacled members of their audience. But there’s also more than that.
Glasses and sunglasses are very effective storytelling tools. Spectacles are image makers. Traditionally, glasses have often been associated with intelligence, while sunglasses exude a sense of mystery and coolness. In some films and series, they can also be used to make characters look more chic: think of Sex and the City and its most iconic looks. Carrie’s best outfits often include accessories, including strategically picked eyewear.
Countless movies and TV shows use eyewear to indirectly tell viewers more about characters, their personalities, and even their motivations. If you were to think of its most iconic use in cinema, you’d probably pick Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s or Tom Cruise in Top Gun. But what about TV? Let’s take a quick look at some style icons from beloved TV shows below.
Don Draper
Mad Men
Though its original run spanned from 2007 to 2015, Mad Men is still fondly remembered for its exciting tales of a New York marketing firm coming up with memorable campaigns in the ‘60s and ‘70s. At the helm of the show, from creator and head writer Matthew Weiner, is a charismatic yet erratic and emotionally disconnected marketing executive named Don Draper (Jon Hamm). When we first meet him, he’s the creative director at well-known advertising firm Sterling Cooper. Throughout the seasons, we follow him as he deals with the pressure of his job while also spending time with his wife Betty (a spectacular January Jones) and his kids.
Our second protagonist is Peggy Olson, played by Elisabeth Moss in the role that skyrocketed her to fame. Initially Don’s secretary, Peggy soon realizes she has a passion for copywriting and starts to acquire a more significant role at the firm. On top of this, she’s the only one who truly understands Don, which leads to some interesting dynamics. Every single character in the series is extremely well-crafter, with all cast members – not only Hamm, Moss and Jones but also John Slattery, Christina Hendricks, Kiernan Shipka, Jared Harris and more – giving it their all.
Mad Man, which won several awards including 5 Golden Globes and 16 Emmys, is also incredibly accurate in terms of its setting, acting as a snapshot of the era and bringing us insight into the US in the 60s and 70s. Needless to say, both the production and costume design are top notch, and among the many notable props and stylistic choices of the series are Don’s clothes and accessories. The character often uses pilot shades, which are among the most popular designs in men’s sunglasses since Tom Cruise wore Aviators in Top Gun – Though plenty of brands offer this design, the Moncler M4004 Alumni available on Sunglass Hut comes closest to replicating it. This fashion choice helps establish him as someone who’s not only knowledgeable, but also charismatic and cool.
Emily Cooper
Emily in Paris
When it comes to fashion on TV, we simply have to mention Emily in Paris, a series that has acquired a following not only for its relatable protagonist and fun setting, but also for its fashion choices. The titular character is marketing executive Emily Cooper (Lily Collins, of Mirror Mirror), and when we first meet her, she’s off on a trip to – you guessed it – Paris. In season 1, Emily is hired to provide an “American perspective” at the film’s Parisian offices, and as the series goes on, she finds herself facing a number of personal and professional hurdles that see her traipsing around the city in some of the best styling ever to grace the small screen.
That’s made especially apparent with the Netflix production’s penchant for placing high-profile product placements in Emily’s midst, and Collins’ character is often spotted wearing everything from Louis Vuitton to Jacquemus in various episodes. Her use of bright prints, sky-high heels, and bold patterns highlights her fantasies about her new life in Paris, emphasizing her lack of concern about fitting in.
Sunglasses are no exception: Emily dons multiple frames, including two-toned cat-eyes and sleek, oversized black frames, to highlight specific plot points (like her revenge dressing era in season four). It’s no surprise that there’s now even an Emily in Paris-inspired sunglasses collection available, courtesy of DIFF Eyewear. The fashion choices are often the highlight of Seasons 1 and 2, but in the latter seasons, they are its saving grace, as the series grows progressively thin on plot as it goes on. Still, if fashion is what you’re into, you’ll have a fantastic time with Emily in Paris!
Jughead Jones
Riverdale
Riverdale captivated audiences with its unique mystery twist on the Archie Comic book series, which saw protagonists Archie (KJ Apa), Jughead (Cole Sprouse), Betty (Lili Reinhart), and Veronica (Camila Mendes) solving a number of crimes and unexplained happenings in their small titular town. Showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and his team of writers made major changes to Jughead’s character: in the series, the character’s main function is to be Archie’s best friend, and all we know about him is that he’s lazy, he loves burgers, and he’s not interested in popularity. In the series, this changes dramatically, as Jughead isn’t just eccentric and a bit of an outsider, but he’s also extremely intelligent and even philosophical. He has a complicated relationship with his father (Forsythe Pendleton ‘FP’ Jones II, played by Skeet Ulrich) and he’s often the ‘mind’ of the group.
Those traits reached their peak in Riverdale’s later seasons, and Jughead is one of the main reasons why that Season 7 Finale got us so emotional – though we won’t spoil it for you, so you’ll have to watch for yourself. The character’s accessories reflect his growth throughout the series: he’s often seen wearing a polished pair of browline glasses with rimless bottoms, which look pretty similar to the London Retro Reese frames you can get from Glasses Direct. These classic frames emphasize his intellect and lend him an air of seriousness.
The three characters listed above have personalities that, at some point throughout the series, were changed by them wearing eyewear. On top of these accessories, all of them are also given fantastic story arcs and shine in their respective roles, so you’ll find plenty to enjoy in these shows. Happy watching!
