I’m a sucker for makeover scenes. There’s something so fascinating, so glamorous about the fancy hair cutting, eyeshadow zoom-in, lip gloss swatches. However, as a girl who wears glasses, there’s something that’s always paused me. From “The Princess Diaries” to “She’s All That,” I’ve always felt confused about why, to be considered “hot,” the girl always has to lose her glasses.
This trope, where a character’s transformation into beauty is signified by the removal of their glasses, has been a staple in Hollywood for decades. It suggests that attractiveness is inherently tied to the absence of glasses, reinforcing a narrow and outdated standard of beauty. But as we move further, it’s time to challenge this narrative and embrace a more inclusive definition of beauty.
According to CNN Health, glasses are typically associated with intelligence and studiousness, but not with desirability. In films and television, characters who wore glasses were often portrayed as nerdy, socially awkward, or less attractive. The act of removing glasses symbolized a “magical” transformation into someone more conventionally beautiful, implying that the glasses themselves were the obstacle. Because of the way the media portrayed people who wore glasses, the National Library of Medicine explained that in their study, they found people who wore glasses were now perceived as less confident, geeky, and nerdy.
Some studies have found that people wearing glasses can be rated as less attractive or confident than their non-glasses-wearing peers. In a Psychology Today article, Dr. Wendy L. Patrick writes that wearing glasses could influence perceptions of intelligence, maturity, and trustworthiness, showing a nuanced effect: glasses might boost credibility.
According to Plymouth Family Optometry, the way people see glasses today is changing, thankfully. What was once dorky in the 2000s is now a fashion statement. Glasses can highlight the eyes, one of the most expressive features, and many now see them as enhancing personality and style rather than diminishing attractiveness.
The fashion industry has played a role in this shift. Today, glasses are celebrated as a statement accessory, with minimalist wire frames, retro aviators, and oversized frames appearing on runways and in editorial spreads.
Moreover, fashion glasses brands have emerged, including Gentle Monster and RetroSuperFuture. Celebrities and influencers proudly wear their glasses, reframing them as a stylish, confidence-boosting choice rather than a mark of nerdiness. Cultural icons like Velma Dinkley and musician Lisa Loeb have shown that glasses don’t need to be removed to command attention; they can become defining elements of personal style.
Media representation matters. By showing characters who are smart, confident, and attractive while wearing glasses, film and television can dismantle the old trope that beauty requires erasure of vision. These portrayals encourage audiences to embrace individuality, challenging the outdated belief that attractiveness comes at the cost of personal quirks or practical accessories.
It’s time to give the makeover scene a makeover. Beauty is not defined by removing your glasses; it’s defined by confidence, authenticity, and self-expression. So the next time you watch a makeover scene, remember: true transformation isn’t about hiding your vision; it’s about seeing yourself clearly, glasses and all.
