Glasses have long been understood as signs of seriousness; this holds true for squarish metal rims bespeaking Midwestern plain-dealing and round owlish ones telegraphing bankerly diligence. The subgenre of seriousness now in vogue seems interrogatory to a combative degree. The assertive new glasses preempt the gibe of “four eyes” by saying, I know I am, but what are you?
Troy Patterson, “On Clothing”, New York Times Magazine (14 June 2015), 22-24.