The monocle was commonly worn during the 1800s, however, these days only the esteemed Sir Patrick Moore follows the now quirky fashion. What lead to this dwindling demand? It is still perfectly normal to have different prescriptions for each eye; I was talking just yesterday to a person on a train that had one eye with perfect vision and one without. So what happened?
The monocle was a German invention in the 1700s, but it was developed by an Austrian, J.F.Voigtlander, while living in Vienna. The monocles he made from 1814 onwards took favour with the Germans and Russians (it was worn mostly by men) and soon it became a symbol of the upper class and of high fashion. The monocle was introduced into the UK not long after.
The lens itself was round, with a wire frame. A chain or piece of string would attached the monocle to the owner’s jacket or waist-coat, as so not to lose it. The design became more elaborate over time, with additions to make it more secure in the eye socket. It was a common theme that the monocle did not easily stay in place. Retailers would play on this to make their design more sturdy than others and therefore more desirable.
After World War One, the number of people using monocle decreased. There are a number of theories around this; one was that its invention association with Germany created animosity. Germans continued to wear the monocle well into the Second World War, with prominent members of the German Military, such as Field Marshal Hugo Sperrle, being associated with the accessory. This stereotype reduced the credibility of the monocle in the UK, and so the decline set in.
Importantly, from the mid-1900s, technological developments in optometry resulted in great improvements in the glasses being manufactured. Glasses could be made with more accurate prescriptions and the designs of the frames became more creative and fashionable. Brands such as RayBan, and later Oakley sunglasses began to dominate the market in certain areas, and became specialist within their own field. The need for the monocle declined.
The practically of the monocle was always a barrier. When glasses had been designed to be sturdier, better materials etc, the need for a monocle no longer existed. Glasses also became more socially acceptable; people could wear them with pride, not have to hide them away, which was such a favourable feature of the monocle. In 2009, Vision Express launched a monocle as part of their range. Initially it proved to be quite popular, however, it is no longer available online.
Today the monocle is a symbol that harks back to a time lost. It is used to enhance an evil cartoon’s character, or to mimic the well-off. It doesn’t seem likely that the monocle will make it back into mainstream fashion, however, it will always be there as a fantastic accessory for the eccentric.