How to make your own glasses chain
Glasses chains are accessories that are both practical and stylish. They have been on the scene since the 20th century and became quite popular in the 1960s. They serve two main purposes: Keeping your eyewear securely attached, while providing you with another form of expressing who you really are, to show the world a little more of what makes you… you.
Glasses chains were once very popular with librarians, secretaries and business professionals. This was probably due to the fact that they often needed to use and remove their glasses, and a chain is a great way to make sure you always know where your glasses are. These pieces have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years becoming a wanted item for anyone who is looking to make their own fashion statement.
If you want a glasses chain but every one you see looks a bit meh, just make one. It is one of those small DIY jobs that takes ten minutes and actually gets used.
What you need
• 2 rubber eyeglass holders or silicone loops
• a jewellery chain (most people like 26 to 30 inches but do what feels right)
• 2 jump rings
• needle nose pliers
How to make it
1. Decide the vibe
Go plain metal if you want it to match everything.
If you want it to feel more you, add beads, pearls, stones, or a charm. Keep it light though, heavy chains get annoying fast.
2. Sort the length
Put the chain around your neck like a necklace and let it hang.
You want it long enough that your glasses sit comfortably on your chest when you take them off, but not so long that they swing into things. Mark the spot and cut the chain if needed.
3. Attach the ends
Open a jump ring with the pliers.
Hook it through the last link of the chain, then through the hole on the eyeglass holder.
Close it fully so there is no gap. Do the same on the other end.
Done. You have a chain that looks how you want and fits how you wear your glasses.
How to wear it
Slide the silicone loops onto the arms of your glasses just behind the hinges. Let the chain sit behind your neck. When you take your glasses off, they hang there instead of getting left on a table somewhere.
A few ways people wear them:
• Classic: chain sits behind your neck, glasses hang in front when you remove them
• Jewellery look: bring the chain forward so it looks like a necklace while the glasses are on
• Sunglasses: same setup for days out and holidays
Quick heads up. Resting glasses on top of your head all the time can loosen the fit over time, so use that one sparingly.
Why DIY is worth it
You get the practical bit, less losing your glasses, fewer scratches, less panic. But you also get something that does not look like everyone else’s chain. Minimal or loud, your call.
