Spex In The City

Reviews

• I CAN SEE CLEARLY

  One of the things I did appreciate when I was in America was the highest level of customer service. Nothing was ever too much for the store assistants and they were never OTT. Sadly, I often find this lacking in the UK. This week I got some new glasses. Well I got two pairs cause I couldn't decide. I went to this place called Spex In The City on Shorts Gardens in Covent Garden kind of on a whim - but also cause they had a fireplace in there which looked nice. I want to tell the whole world that not only am I so happy that I DO NOT look like I went to Specsavers any more, but I received some of the best customer service I have had in London for a long long time.Gillian Caplan [FBDO] is the optician at Spex In The City. It is a brilliant independent optician with loads of choice and stuff you don't see everywhere else. I went in and said that I like wearing glasses and I don't mind looking like a nerd and that I like things that are quite severe and cartoon character like. Then for as long as I wanted, Gillian was making me try on everything in the shop having a good laugh at all the stuff she thought would fit the description, and of course would be the right shape for my eyes and the prescription. I now know what exactly what my prescription means and all the measurements that go into it.The first pair I got [I uploaded a picture of me trying them on] - a Japanese brand called Yellow Plus. I like them cause they look like German lesbian glasses from the 70's and they look vintage but they weren't perched on the nose of some woman with a moustache when she carked it [Dead people's clothes yes, but not on my face.] They will look great with satiny evening dresses, fancy hair-dos and pretty things.The other pair are French and made by Bruno Chaussignand. My friend said they made me look like Nana Mouskouri. Personally, I don't think that is a bad thing. But I think the first pair I chose were more Nana. This glasses are for when I want to pretend I am a Swiss New Media artist or Danish furniture designer and are for wearing with denim and desert boots.Anyway - whatever ridiculous stories I concoct in my head to get myself dressed in the morning and justify my face - it cannot be argued that Spex In The City is one of the best independent boutiques in London and the best optician I ever went to. I also told Gillian I would recommend her store and service to everyone I know.If you do ever drop by, tell her hi from me - but I suspect it won't be long before I am back getting my sunglasses all changed to prescription lenses cause I know the frames will be in good hands.xx Lektrogirlhttp://blog.lektrogirl.com

  Lektrogirl
  Review Date: 02/01/2009 Report review
• Not just for square eyes

  I have been 'blessed' with my father's short-sightedness. No, not in terms of not being able to see both sides of the argument, but rather that slight 'fuzziness' around the edges that accompanies opening one's eyes in the mornings. As a child this meant having to suffer the rather horrible (and short-sighted in terms of design) NHS specs. Today the NHS have a wider and dare I add 'nicer' selction of frames. However, their styles lack the quirkiness and sexiess of the specs from Spex in the City. Spex in the City are an independent opticians, this means that should you need - as i frequently do - they can source new specs suitable for your eyes and for any occasion. My latest trifling was sought after watching Marilyn's performance in 'how to marry a millionaire' where she wears the most divine (now vintage) specs. Impossible to find on the highstreet, I turned to proprietor (now essential specs style advisor) Gillan Caplan. Amazingly she had a vintage pair almost the exact type of Marilyn's. After a trip into london and the Covent Garden based store my aspirations for Marilyn eyes were dashed as the frames were too tiny - even for my small head. HOWEVER, all is never lost at Spex and I managed to purchase instead two (eep) frames to keep up my Geek chic credentials. In the past I never wanted to make a 'big deal' or draw attention to my spectacle wearing. There were frequent occasions when these were seen by me (and, in my mind, to be seen by others) as overally cumbersome. This inevitably led to some clumsiness of my part when wearing anything on my face.Ironic when you conside spectacles are supposed to improve eye sight. With the selection at Spex the specs are not only lovely in their own right (you WANT to wear these specs) but it is unlikely that 'everyone else' will be wearing the same / similar pair. Nicky Hamilton from 10 Years Younger is a frequent customer (I have the same frames!) and Gok Wan (face of spec savers) is yet to set foot in the place. So if the style advisors are seeking out this establishment for its quirky face attire that must mean something. Take that boring Spec Savers. Four stars and not five - as being independent and full of beautiful frames some are pricey. But I have found that investing wisely in what is perched on my nose means I get more wear and feel that little bit glamorous when donning the special specs. Spex in the City, proof that specs do NOT have to boring and are instead are rather en vogue. Marilyn looked fabulous in hers. And mine are pretty 'spec'tacular too.As an Aside, worthy of a look is the 'secret' sale drawer. Very reasonable frames here from as little as £40. B-)

  Mazphd
  Review Date: 12/12/2008 Report review