ACCESSORIES

Chain Reaction

’70s-inspired beaded looks are all lined up to create a wider appeal for eyewear retainers as the practical accessory gets more fashionable by a mile

PHOTOGRAPHED BY DAVID DOUGLAS
WORDS + STYLING BY AMY SPIEZIO

long and chic, organic, or just plain fun, eyewear chains are doing double duty as increasingly viable wardrobe-building pieces of jewelry.

Some of today’s most forward-looking styles utilize beads in many sizes and materials. In metals, tiny silver and gold beads are long on cool factor, with chain designs that have several wrapping variations—including the option to dangle more deeply than the average retainer.

More traditional bead styles are amped up with a mix of bright hues from nature, such as turquoise and coral, and are sometimes mixed with a flash of metallic shine on crystal beads. In addition, large wood-hewn beads can convert a simple retainer into a long, stylish pendant necklace.

What looks will be hanging out in your optical shop? Check out these options.

CHAIN GANG [L to R]: Ron’s Optical style C28GG eyeglass chain with shell and glass beads in yellow, brown, and gray blends neutral style with organic flair. Corinne McCormack rocks out with a coppery chain accented by earth-tone stones in round and faceted finishes in style Cozumel. The Kirk Park from Chain Me NYC’s Montauk Collection can also be used as a necklace or eyewear chain—the 10k gold-plated style has one-layer, solid-brass coral links. Tiny beading on a long chain makes La Loop’s Le Duo in vermeil and silver an elegant and on-trend eyewear retainer with ring. Tomboy, from Chain Me NYC’s Williamsburg Collection in 10k gold plate, delivers urban cool with two-layered solid brass, spiked links, V pendant, Swarovski crystals, and an exchangeable lock allowing wearers to use it as a necklace or eyewear chain. Natural wood and rustic beading makes the Triangular eyewear retainer from Cinzia ready to hold glasses or inspire a conversation. From Hilco, Leader style Arista Turquoise Cluster’s creamy greens and soft pinks get a touch of sparkle from clear and metallic crystal cut beads interspersed along a gold chain. Ron’s Optical style Teaka, from the Adorn Collection, is a hippie chic string chain accented by black wood and pearlescent beads.