Do you know Clark Kent glasses? Whether your answer is yes or no, we can't ignore its impact on the history of eyeglasses. Read on as we take you through who Clark Kent is and the glasses worn by this unusual protagonist through different ages.
First, Who is Clark Kent?
Clark Kent is a superhero in DC Comics, another well-known name of him is Superman. Superman is a classic character, and he is also the first superhero in American comic history.
The original Superman was not so powerful and friendly to humans, but as the story developed and evolved, Superman became a classic image of the guardian of humanity, the embodiment of justice and truth. He often wears a blue suit, red cape, and red and yellow shield "S" logo, with a body of steel and infinite strength.
As for Clark Kent glasses, the main character we need to discuss in this article, seem to have magical powers. When Superman wears the glasses, he can hide in the crowd, becoming an ordinary man, Clark Kent, and protecting the city.
Different Eyeglasses Worn by Superman Actors Through the Ages
1948 Kirk Alyn
In the first Superman movie in 1948, American actor Kirk Allan wore a pair of thin wire-framed glasses. The thin rims made of metal material don't make the whole glasses look too bulky, and the gloss of metal exudes an elegant atmosphere with a strong sense of elite.
1951 George Reeves
George Reeves played Superman in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole Man and in the 1952-1958 live-action television series The Adventures of Superman. It was around this time that we remembered Superman's signature thick-framed glasses. These frames, known as "ox horns," quickly became popular around the world in the 1950s.
George Reeves' glasses for Clark Kent were from the brand Universal Optics. They feature the brand's distinctive "spur" studs on the front of their tortoiseshell acetate frames. We don't know the exact model of this pair, and it's not in production anymore. They were understated, lightweight, and gave Clark Kent the perfect camouflage.
1978 Christopher Reeve
Christopher Reeve is probably the most famous Superman actor. He played Clark Kent in four of the most popular Superman movies between 1978 and 1987. Christopher Reeve wore oversized tortoiseshell acetate glasses from glasses maker Grant & Glass. The oversized glasses helped Clark Kent better hide his identity and perfectly fit the image of a kind and ordinary man.
1988 John Haymes Newton
Actor John Haymes Newton played the young Superman in the TV series Super Boy, which was broadcasted between 1988 and 1992, wearing a pair of huge glasses. These oversize glasses were a popular trend in the 70s and 80s. The cultural ideological movement had passed, and the Hippy was popular, and the Beatles were the trendsetters of that era. People were more and more concerned about the beauty and fashion of clothes and accessories, so the frames began to become higher, wider, and more exaggerated, and everyone loved oversize glasses to show their personality and trend.
1993 Dean Cain
Dean Cain played Clark Kent in the 90s TV series Lewis and Clark: New Adventures of Superman. It was a classic Superman show that was loved by many for over 88 episodes. In this show, Dean Cain wore many styles of glasses, but the most impressive ones were his Ray-Ban frames. These frames, also known as eyebrow glasses, were made of thick acetate fibers on the top and were fitted with metal legs and bridges.
2001 Tom Welling
In the TV series Smallville, actor Tom Welling played the teenage Clark Kent from 2001 to 2011. At the end of the series, Clark Kent wore a pair of rounded rectangular-framed glasses, which softened the facial lines.
2006 Brandon Routh
Brandon Routh plays Superman in the 2006 film Superman Returns. The film is positioned as a homage to the original Superman films. Here Clark Kent also wears a pair of rounded rectangular frames. Like the men who wear them, these rounded rectangular style frames are understated and plain, not standing out in a crowd.
2013 Henry Cavill
In the 2013 film Man of Steel, Henry Cavill still wears his iconic rectangular rounded glasses.
As mentioned above, these glasses are low-key and suitable for hiding in crowds. The key to choosing glasses is good proportion and balance. The size of the glasses should match the size of the face correctly. But the shape of the frame should be the opposite of the face shape. If you have a round face, you can create a visually refined look by wearing these rectangular rounded frames.
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