A glasses chain keeps your specs within reach and doubles as an accessory: understated as a cord, eye-catching as a pearl or metal chain. Here you will find out what a chain for glasses is good for, which types and lengths there are, how to keep a glasses chain in place and how to wear one with style.
Key points at a glance
- A glasses chain, strap or cord keeps reading glasses, sunglasses and sports glasses within reach and helps you avoid losing or dropping them.
- There are chains in metal, pearls and plastic, cords in fabric, leather and neoprene, and sports straps that give more hold.
- The length should let your glasses hang comfortably on your chest. Roughly 60 to 80 centimetres is common.
- Most chains attach with loops on the ends of the arms. For rimless or very delicate frames, ask your optician.
What is a glasses chain for? Reading glasses, sunglasses and sport
A glasses chain attaches to both arm ends and sits behind your neck. When you take your glasses off, they hang on your chest instead of disappearing into a bag or falling to the floor. It is especially handy in these situations:
- Reading glasses: You put them on and take them off several times a day. On a chain they are always to hand.
- Sunglasses: When you go in and out of shops, on holiday or on a walk, they hang around your neck. Sunglasses with chains are a holiday classic.
- Sport and leisure: Cycling, hiking or on the water, a sports strap in rubber, neoprene or cork gives glasses more hold. More in our article Sports glasses: perfect vision when exercising.
- As jewellery: A glasses chain adds a splash of colour or picks up your outfit. Then it is less a safety line than jewellery for your glasses.
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Polaroid PLD 0033/R/BB 807/G6 D2.50£30.21Types of glasses chains, straps and cords
Glasses chains, eyeglasses chains and cords, glasses straps: these terms are often used for the same thing. The differences lie mainly in the material and so in the look.
| Type | Material | Look |
|---|---|---|
| Metal chain | Stainless steel, gold- or silver-plated | Elegant, from simple to jewellery-like. Goes with metal frames and jewellery |
| Pearl and gemstone chain | Glass or plastic beads, semi-precious stones | Playful and colourful or elegant, depending on the colours |
| Chunky plastic chain | Acetate or plastic, e.g. in candy colours, marble or denim look | Big and eye-catching, suits bold frames |
| Fabric cord | Cotton, wool, silk, with pom-poms, tassels or fringes | Soft and playful, popular in winter |
| Leather and neoprene cord | Leather, neoprene, cork | Simple and sturdy, one coloured detail is enough |
| Sports strap | Rubber, silicone, neoprene | Sits around the back of the head and gives more hold when you move |
Looking for the best glasses strap or an alternative to a glasses chain? For everyday use a soft cord is often the easiest choice, for sport a strap around the back of your head.
Designer glasses chains: how to style the Gucci look
Fashion houses such as Gucci have sent glasses chains down the catwalk and turned the humble cord into a fashion accessory. The designer look usually relies on metal in gold or silver tones, clean lines and a frame with character. Here is how to get it for everyday:
- Match your metals: Chain, frame metal and jewellery work together when they share a tone.
- One star per look: A bold frame goes with a simple chain, a quiet frame lets the chain stand out.
- Keep other jewellery light: Add a necklace, bracelet and earrings and it quickly gets too much. With a glasses chain, choose shorter earrings so nothing tangles.
If you prefer a designer frame, you will find the Gucci glasses in our shop. More ideas for combining glasses with earrings are in Earrings with Glasses: How to Wear Them.
How to wear glasses chains: from hipster cord to bling
For a long time the glasses chain was seen as an accessory for older people’s reading glasses. Today younger wearers choose cool glasses chains too, as a hipster cord or as a piece of jewellery. These styles are especially popular:
- Bling glasses chains with chunky links: plastic links in candy colours, marble or denim look, often with bold frames. Marble look also exists on the frames themselves.
- Pearls and gemstones: Glasses chains with colourful pearls are playful, in white or natural tones they look elegant.
- Pom-poms, tassels and fringes: Soft textures go with a woolly hat and a knit jumper and bring a touch of après-ski to winter.
- Cork, neoprene and leather: simple cords for a sporty, understated look. Cool glasses chains for men often come in these materials.
Sunglasses with chains: how to wear them
A chain for sunglasses is handy on holiday, on a city break or by the water: when you step into a shop or a museum, you simply let your sunglasses hang on your chest. A thin metal chain suits sunglasses with metal arms, a fabric, leather or neoprene cord suits plastic frames. If your glasses swing freely on a long chain, they can knock into things when you bend over. In that case choose a slightly shorter chain.
The right length for a glasses chain
The chain should sit comfortably behind your neck and hold your glasses steady on your chest without dangling. Here is how to find your length:
- Put the chain around your neck and hold the glasses by the ends: they should hang at about chest height.
- Common lengths are roughly 60 to 80 centimetres. Shorter chains swing less when you walk, longer ones hang lower.
- Thick jumpers and scarves need a little more length. Some chains have a clasp so you can adjust the length.
A glasses chain that stays put: fastening the chain
Most chains have small loops or clips at both ends. This is what to look for:
- Rubber or silicone loops slide over the end of the arm. They should fit snugly without squeezing or bending the arm. If they wear out, replace them.
- Metal eyelets or clips can hold thin arms but may scratch them. Check whether they are lined with something soft.
- A chain does not replace the arms. It keeps your glasses within reach, not on your nose. For a firm hold during activity, use a sports strap around the back of your head.
- Rimless and very delicate frames: ask your optician which fastening suits them.
Make your own glasses chain in four steps
If you like crafts, you can make your own eyewear chain from beads or odds and ends of jewellery. You will need beads or chain links, nylon thread or leather cord, two glasses loops, scissors and perhaps pliers.
- Decide on the length (see above) and add a few centimetres for knots or clasps.
- Lay out the pattern first, then thread the beads or chain links onto the cord.
- Knot the ends firmly or secure them with crimp beads so nothing slips.
- Attach the glasses loops to the ends and test the chain before you hang your glasses on it.
Make sure there are no sharp edges or loose ends that can catch on skin or hair. Leftovers become a one-off piece that suits your frames.
Frequently asked questions about glasses chains
Does a glasses chain fit every pair of glasses?
It fits most frames, provided the loops sit securely on the ends of the arms. For rimless or very delicate frames, ask your optician.
Are there glasses chains for men?
Yes, many are unisex. Men often choose simple cords in leather, neoprene or cork in muted colours, with one coloured detail.
