Warby Parker Eyewear

Jayne Roberts (a College Ambassador for Warby Parker) wears the Begley in Midnight Blue. (Photograph courtesy Warby Parker.)

I love buying school supplies. Very few things make me happier than freshly-sharpened graphite pencils, color-coordinated Moleskine journals, and the smell of new books. However, since I have officially graduated from college and am no longer in need of school supplies, I have been yearning for a suitable replacement. This is where Warby Parker comes in.

Warby Parker is the love-child of founders Neil Blumenthal, Andrew Hunt, Jeffrey Raider, and David Gilboa. The quartet met while attending The University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, and immediately bonded over their shared love of Jack Kerouac, vintage collectibles, quirky clothing, and philanthropy. With Warby Parker, the group aimed to create a reasonably-priced alternative to designer eyewear that both embodied the free spirit of Kerouac and payed homage to the Beat Generation that went on to define a generation.

Each pair of Warby Parker glasses is hand-crafted based on vintage designs and take over three weeks to produce. What makes Warby Parker unique is the fact that you can try on a pair of glasses virtually by uploading a photograph of yourself to their website, or you can go for the Home Try-On option. The great thing about the Home Try-On program is that you get to choose five of your favorite pairs and try them on in real life in front of a mirror, your family, and your friends. This ensures that you get the best frames for you without the hassle of going to a retail store or eyecare professional. Once you decide which pair is for you, all you have to do is send the glasses back in a prepaid package and place your order online!

Besides the low price-point (only $95 per pair), the thing that really sets Warby Parker apart from its competition is the fact that this is a company created on a foundation of philanthropy. With every pair of Warby Parker glasses purchased, a pair is given to someone in need. To date, Warby Parker has distributed over half-a-million glasses to those who can’t afford them. Now that is what it means to make a difference.

To find out more about Warby Parker eyewear, please visit their website.