Garrett Leight California Optical Brooks Eyeglasses


By Elena Doukas

Brooks was the second frame we ever designed, so creating a tenth anniversary edition was a no-brainer. We think of it as a classic, everyman look, because of its origins as the standard issue American GI frame. The original versions were boxy, included heavy metals like nickel and silver, and had a wide bridge meant to fit specifically male faces. They weren’t exactly touted for their handsome qualities. Troops often referred to them as BCGs (“birth control glasses”).

Vintage-GI-Frames Vintage-GI-Frames

But in the same way John Lennon took the notoriously un-sexy British Health Care System metal frames and made them hip, the GI frame got some much needed support from cool guys in all corners of culture: Sammy Davis Jr. leant the look a dose of tuxedo’d, Rat Pack glamour, and Bernie Sanders, who stayed loyal to a similar style frame for twenty or thirty years, made it a standard in DC circles.

Sammy Davis Jr. wearing glasses Bernie Sanders wearing glasses

Back in 2010, when heritage menswear was popping, and photos of soldiers in fatigues with high-and-tight haircuts, and suited, Mad Men-era execs were on every designer’s mood-board, the tailored Brooks quickly became a best seller for us. It was the go-to frame for the guy who read GQ and Esquire, scrolled blogs, and geeked out on vintage Red Wings and selvage denim.

GLCO Brooks Eyeglasses
Matte Black
Matte Black
Matte Tortoise
Matte Tortoise
Matte Espresso
Matte Espresso
Matte Grey
Matte Grey
Brandy Tortoise
Brandy Tortoise
Shell Crystal
Shell Crystal
Matte True Demi
Matte True Demi
Sea Grey
Sea Grey
Olive Tortoise
Olive Tortoise
Bio Blonde Tortoise
Bio Blonde Tortoise
Bio Cobalt
Bio Cobalt
BROOKS
$355
SHOP THIS STYLE
GLCO Brooks Sunglasses
Matte Black
Matte Black
Matte Brandy Tort
Matte Brandy Tort
Kodiak Tortoise
Kodiak Tortoise
Butterscotch
Butterscotch
LLG
LLG
Champagne
Champagne
Black Glass
Black Glass
Prosecco
Prosecco
Spotted Brown Shell
Spotted Brown Shell
Matte Olio
Matte Olio
SHOP THIS STYLE

For the Brooks X, we went back to the frame’s origins — a slightly thicker, bolder style that still retains all the versatility of the original design. We think it’s a fitting homage to the utilitarian frame that has become our Wayfarer — the timeless, bookish style that gets blessed by generation after generation of style-conscious guys.

Garrett Leight California Optical Brooks Sunglasses

SHOP THIS STORY

Matte Black
Matte Black
Matte Tortoise
Matte Tortoise
Matte Espresso
Matte Espresso
Matte Grey
Matte Grey
Brandy Tortoise
Brandy Tortoise
Shell Crystal
Shell Crystal
Matte True Demi
Matte True Demi
Sea Grey
Sea Grey
Olive Tortoise
Olive Tortoise
Bio Blonde Tortoise
Bio Blonde Tortoise
Bio Cobalt
Bio Cobalt

BROOKS

$355

€290 $465 425CHF

Matte Black
Matte Black
Matte Brandy Tort
Matte Brandy Tort
Kodiak Tortoise
Kodiak Tortoise
Butterscotch
Butterscotch
LLG
LLG
Champagne
Champagne
Black Glass
Black Glass
Prosecco
Prosecco
Spotted Brown Shell
Spotted Brown Shell
Matte Olio
Matte Olio

BROOKS X SUN

$420

€335 $575 500CHF


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