Looking for Palin frames
When the nation turns its eyes on Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Joe Biden for Thursday's vice-presidential campaign debate, some TV viewers might be watching and wishing they had a pair of those trendy rimless glasses that Palin wears.
File/Jack Dempsey/AP
Sarah Palin
Her spectacles are known in the optical biz as Kawasaki frames, and there's been something of a run on them and look-alikes since Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain picked the Alaska governor as his running mate.
At least 15 people have requested Palin-style glasses in the last two weeks at Coastal Eye Care on James Island.
"I chuckled the first few times. I sort of took it a little more seriously when people kept asking about it. It's pretty unusual. They rarely come in and say 'This is what I want,' " said Belinda Brooks, office manager and optician. Brooks said she was trying to locate a similar-style frame to carry in the store.
"I even had a man ask me about it," said Maxine Roberts, an optician and co-owner of Belle Hall Eye Care in Mount Pleasant. Roberts said that what Palin wears actually is a man's frame but it works for Palin because she is tall and big-boned.
Roberts said she has fielded two or three inquiries weekly about the frame. It's the sort of thing more typically seen with movie stars. "I was absolutely floored. It just never occurred to me," Roberts said.
Daniel Island Eye Care began receiving inquiries about Palin-style glasses a few days after McCain announced his running mate. The store has fielded about 10 requests, some from as far away as Columbia, said Greg Turner, office manager. "It's a phenomenon," Turner said.
Kawasaki frames retail for $320, he said.
Turner said it was "kind of shocking" that Palin does not have a non-glare coating on her lenses. He noticed while she was giving a speech on TV that the teleprompter screen was reflected in her lenses. That sort of thing happens because her lenses have not received a standard non-glare treatment.
A customer brought a picture of Palin into Lenscrafters at Citadel Mall and asked for glasses like hers, saleswoman Roxanne Tetit said.
Village Optical on Johns Island has "had a few" people inquire about Palin spectacles. "No one really too serious. It's not a very popular style of frame," optician Evan Wages said.
Brad Gulley, manager at Eyeglass World in North Charleston, said the store has Palin-style frames starting at $169.
Draisin Vision Group in Charleston said about six people have inquired about Palin look-alike glasses.
And if the McCain/Palin ticket wins? It could rock the vision care market, which totals $26.6 billion annually, according to Jobson Optical Research and USA Today.
Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 45 comment(s)
Posted by ballachulish on September 30, 2008 at 4:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They aren't authentic unless they have myopic lenses.
Posted by DanniD on September 30, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People love a new trend...geesh. Let the woman have her own style and everyone else can go get their own.
Posted by abitskeptical on September 30, 2008 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Myopic lenses? Hmmm...interesting idea... nearsighted lenses...
Posted by geekboy on September 30, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by spankerbuns on September 30, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fat chance! Lipsticked pigs might fly out of her butt too but I wouldn't count on it!! LoL!
She can barely articulate a point unless she prepares in advance.
<STUPIDECTOMY SCAR>
******************
At least she's aware that there aren't 58 states in this country.
Posted by abitskeptical on September 30, 2008 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Obama, although a very good orator most of the time, has had moments when he has stammered & stuttered, repeated himself, talked in a circular fashion & generally appeared caught off guard.
Even though I am opposed to almost all for which he stands, I did not latch on to what I assumed was an understandable & obvious case of nerves & pressure, or whatever it was that caused him to stumble over his words, answers & even some facts (like the # of states in the union, as 1 example).
I am not totally sold on Palin, but to be fair, she has held held her own on a # of occasions, including in one almost hostile interview(Gibson).
This women has never been under such "myopic" & hostile scrutiny, & she has demonstrated a certain amount of grace under an enormous amount of pressure & criticism.
McCain,Obama, & Biden all, having been in the national spotlight for years, certainly have had more experience dealing w/ the press. Comparing her ability to deflect gotcha questions from the hostile national press to the other candidates' experienced "presence" is absurd.
Posted by jk_newhard on September 30, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe Sen. Obama meant to point out the number of caucuses/primaries which is more than 50. DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Democrats Abroad, US Virgin Islands. Count the 2 stage process in TX and OR and there you are.
Candidates are human and make errors. I mean, do you honestly think Sen. McCain didn't know that Spain is in Europe?
Compare those mistakes/misunderstandings/mis-statements with the interviews with Gov. Palin. Sens. McCain & Obama do know what they're talking about apart from human errors. Gov. Palin can't even answer a question coherently. I thought the SNL spoof of Couric's Palin interview was over the top until I realized that, in a couple substantive policy questions, Tina Fey QUOTED GOV. PALIN WORD FOR WORD.
Posted by jk_newhard on September 30, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Look at old video (prior to veep selection) of Gov. Palin being interviewed. She can be very sharp and well-spoken although I've only seen her interviewed about energy issues. I also didn't think the interview with Gibson was hostile in any way - I thought she did a passable job. I can't remember which Fox guy interviewed her, but he kept feeding her lines and I found the interview pretty much useless. The interview with Couric was a disaster - an unmitigated disaster. I kept finding myself cringing.
I have come to the conclusion that this bright, capable politician is unready for the national spotlight and the McCain camp knows it. Couldn't the McCain campaign "let" her comment on the debate - she had the whole evening to prepare her comments. I don't expect her to be Biden but if she can't handle the bare minimum of facing the electorate through the media (it's the only way I have of getting questions answered and I've tried to email her), how can she handle the VP?
Posted by ironhorse on September 30, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jk neward,
57 States?
The answer couldn't be clearer than the Clay Aiken sperm on spankerbuns' chin.
Obama, the muslim sympathizer, was referring to The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
It groups 57 member states, from the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, Caucasus, Balkan, Southeast Asia, South Asia and South America.
He spoke what was in his heart and got caught.
Posted by geekboy on September 30, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by LowcountryMoose on September 30, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Palin sees London,
Palin sees France,
Palin is under a witch doctor's trance,
Palin sees Russia,
It's right next door,
Palin knows foreign policy,
And oh so much more,
Yes she can lead our truly great nation,
With little more intellect than an Aelution crustacean.
**************************************
How sad. How very, very sad.
Posted by MSC on September 30, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Meow.
Posted by newto843 on September 30, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This women is a tard
Posted by Lovely_One on September 30, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And this is news...how?
Posted by abitskeptical on September 30, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you jknewhard for contributing a rational dialogue.
I do agree that Palin certainly has stumbled on a few things, but I do not believe she has gotten as far as she has being a clueless ditz or generally incoherent in her communications.
For the most part, she seems to be an intelligent person with an ability to quickly adjust to situations.
I'll certainly be paying close attention to see if she "grows" over the next few weeks. I do differ w/ her in some areas, but I do not think there ever has been a candidate w/ whom I've had 100% agreement on all issues.
Posted by kontact on September 30, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hate to sound sexist but she is fine to have 5 kids. Im not saying women with that many kids dont look good but dag, does she not look really good for 5?? I think my next vacation will be Alaska. Too bad her looks couldnt make up her for her lack of experience or lack of common knowledge you would expect in a vice preseident. It sure would be cool to see her more often but I dont think I am ready to see her in the White House, especially if something happened to McCain. What if she was President right now while we are going through this fianacial turmoil. WOW! I support Obama but as a veteran I also support alot of the same things McCain supports. I beleive he lost when he chose this lady (good looker but no substance-went through a few of these in my lifetime).
Posted by newto843 on September 30, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ab I think the problem here is she does not stand for any issues because she is not informed enough on the national level. She can only be told and trained to say what John and his campaign would like her to say. For her to be somewhat articulate and clear spoken is the best you can hope for. She in no way deserves to be a heart beat away from the presidency.
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on September 30, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
spankerbuns-I would love to see lipstick wearing pigs fly out of her butt.But only if O'Bama were on stage with her.That way the pigs could frolic on the rainbows and sunshine shooting out of O'Bama's azz.
Posted by Tammie on September 30, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They're hot glasses...ONLY if you have the right face for them!! If you have a face like Spongebob, these aren't the frames for you!
(I'm with Lovely, how is this news? lol)
Posted by Lovely_One on September 30, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tammie: "If you have a face like Spongebob..."
Lol! I have seen people with faces like his sponginess trying to wear these. Not pretty at all!
Posted by masked_hero on September 30, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sarah Palin? tardcakes! Spongebog Palinpants
Posted by abitskeptical on September 30, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lovely & Tammie...I agree--
An article on her glasses & the rise in demand for them might be appropriate in an Opticians Business magazine...or perhaps in the business section of the paper...but under Local or National news..it is a stretch.
Posted by wjhamilton3 on September 30, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So why, after nearly a month, has noone bothered to get her glasses with a non reflective coating on it. I thought the McCain campaign had people to do that sort of thing. Why would a public figure go before network television cameras with lenses which reflect the teleprompter when her eyes are probably the part of her face people watch most closely?
I think she should demand that Lenscrafters fire her optician
Posted by Tammie on September 30, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lol @ WJHamilton
All that money she has, I would have thought that she'd get Transitions. But I digress.
Posted by Lovely_One on September 30, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Abit,
The P&C knew that this story would cause a lot of controversial and political debates, that is why they put is in a high traffic section. They are doing it for the hits. They would have published a story about her panties being 2 sizes too small if they felt it would stir up conversation.
Posted by UrGatorbait on September 30, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"he will come off as a blithering idiot could it...?"
It's the irony I love so much
We love free speech as long as it's what we want to hear.
Posted by captaincrunch on September 30, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sarah Palin is John McCain's "gotcha" moment...
Posted by abitskeptical on September 30, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes Lovely...tis true, & I knew!
But darn it, I didn't want to acknowledge that I fell for that old trick.... :)
Posted by ln1959 on September 30, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Obama is not caught of guard, he just has to hold the words that he really wont to say, because certain people on this posting and in the media would eat him up if he let lose on that old man.
Palin ... I guess to some of you she is very hot. I agree, she is not bad looking, but she is flat in the back, so I can't vote for her.
Posted by Tammie on September 30, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lmao @ Lovely!
Posted by ballachulish on September 30, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If I buy pair of those glasses will I be able to see Russia from my house?
Posted by geekboy on September 30, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wait, wait WAIT.....
Did someone say "panties"?
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on September 30, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think they can see Michele O'Bama's butt from Russia-glasses or no glasses.That and the fact she's as top wide as a football player with the chest of a boy.So after seeing her,Palin looks even more hot.Not a hard act to follow.LOL
Posted by Lovely_One on September 30, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
coolfreaknbeans, a lot of men like big butts. Thank God my husband does!!!! Also, small breasts are not a bad thing.
Signed,
Proud member of the IBTC and Pretty Round Crowd!
Posted by ballachulish on September 30, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Coolfreaknbeans,
I guess I'd need a magnifying glass to see your "assets"
Posted by walleyedwoman1215 on September 30, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by ballachulish: "If I buy pair of those glasses will I be able to see Russia from my house?"
That's hilarious!
... While I'm not 100 percent sold on Obama, I think Joe Biden could step into his shoes if the worst happened. But the thought of Sarah "I'll get back to ya!" Palin with her finger on a red button scares me. Really. Scares. Me.
Posted by Lovely_One on September 30, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
walleyedwoman1215, you forgot "In what respect, Charlie?"
Posted by Lovely_One on September 30, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pretty Round Crowd...just so that you will know, I was speaking about my bottom, not my belly...LOL!
Posted by Rebel_Yell on September 30, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who cares about her glasses -- can she make a good sandwich?
Posted by Lovely_One on September 30, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rebel_Yell, sure she can, if you like moose meat!
Posted by Girleygirl on September 30, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You can get those same frames from Wal-mart..the brand will be Rider but hey its cheaper....
We going through an economic crisis and worried about what type of glasses Palin have.. WHATEVER!!!!!!!!!
Pat I will take the generic brand for $1 please!
Posted by abitskeptical on September 30, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone buying an "authentic" pair of those glasses w/ "myopic" lenses probably would have a hard time seeing Russia from her house. You might be able to see the end of your nose, however.
Posted by jimmy1370 on September 30, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Obama followers complain that Palin has no experience? Yeah....there nothing wrong with that picture at all!
Posted by ForPnC on September 30, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And I'm supposed to care about this broad and her glasses because?...
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on September 30, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LMAO No one would ever need any assistance seeing my assets.Lovely after all of those kids,I'm shocked you wouldnt be a Hooters waitress canidate ;)I was just poking fun.It's funny how "attractive" people become when they're in power positions.Most of the time if you saw them walking down the street,you wouldnt look twice.A decent looking politician and people freak out.My gosh!They're hot!No folks,she just doesn't look like Margaret Thatcher.LOL
Posted by MR_PRETTY on September 30, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YEAH RIGHT, I'M NOT FALLING FOR THIS EITHER. THE REAL GLASSES TO WEAR IS THE ONE THAT FALICHIA RASHAD WEARS!
Posted by Lovely_One on September 30, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
coolfreakingbeans,
No, I opted out of the big 'uns! I had them, but banded them as soon as I was finished breast feeding each time. Hubby doesn't like 'em big! Lol!