Pince Nez What Are Pince Nez Eyeglasses? Pince nez glasses refer to a type of glasses that in French translates to "Pinch Nose". Pronounced "pon snay", this style is not supported by the ears....continue
We couldn’t find the frames you were looking for.
An error has occurred on the page that you are requesting.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Our technical department has been notified of the problem and we will have it resolved as soon as possible.
This page includes a wide variety of eyewear styles, such as prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and prescription sunglasses in different shapes like rectangular, aviator, cat-eye, and oversized. Each style is available in multiple colors and materials, and many can be customized with your prescription lenses.
Each product listing includes sizing details such as lens width, bridge width, and temple length. Compare these measurements to a pair you already own, or follow our size guide to find frames that fit comfortably based on your measurements. Knowing exact sizes reduces the need for returns and increases purchase confidence.
Yes — many frames on this page can be fitted with your prescription lenses. After selecting a frame, enter your prescription details during checkout or upload them using the site’s interface. If you’re unsure about your prescription, our support team can guide you through the process.
Eyeglasses.com sources all products directly from authorized brand partners, ensuring that every pair has genuine materials, craftsmanship, and included guarantees. This protects you from counterfeit products and ensures warranty support through the retailer.
All eyewear purchases come with our satisfaction guarantee, clear return and exchange policy, and coverage for manufacturing defects. Full policy details are provided on the Returns & Exchanges page, helping you shop with confidence.
Use a microfiber cloth and gentle eyewear cleaner to clean your lenses. Avoid harsh chemicals and rough paper products that can scratch lenses. Store frames in their protective case when not in use and avoid leaving them in hot cars or exposed sunlight.
Our trained opticians and customer support team can help you choose the right style and assist with prescription or fitting questions. Contact us via phone, chat, or email for personalized guidance tailored to your needs.
All frames are designed to be adjusted to your face. If your frames don't fit, you could try visiting a local optical store to ask for an adjustment. We guarantee your satisfaction. If you still don't like your glasses, you can return them for a full refund.
Pince nez glasses refer to a type of glasses that in French translates to "Pinch Nose". Pronounced "pon snay", this style is not supported by the ears. Instead, the glasses clip onto the nose of the wearer when used. Are you interested in learning about unique pieces of eyewear? If so, then you might be curious about the pince nez. In this guide, we’ll explain all about this type of glasses including why they became popular. The plural pince nez is the same as the singular and these spectacles come in a range of different styles. Both the singular and the plural pince nez are French. However, the name is used across the world to market and sell this unique form of eyewear.
Different Types Of Pince NezThere are various different types of pince nez eyeglasses.
Also referred to as scissors-glasses, the earliest form of this type of pince nez dates back to the 15th century. They had a primitive design and may have originally been used for pinhole vision. They are characterized by a rivet in the middle which allows them to be folded.
C-Bridge
Also known as the spring bridge pince nez, as the name suggests, the c-bridge pince nez is notable for the "C" shaped bridge. This is created with a curved metal piece that creates tension and clips onto the wearer’s nose.
This type of pince nez was popular from the 1820s to the 1940s. They were also available in a range of styles. One of the issues with this design is that the bridges were constantly wearing down. This led to the development of both the hard bridge pince nez.
Fits-UAnother type of spring pince nez glasses was sold under the name “Fits-U” in 1893. These were developed by a French man known as Jules Cottet. This type of pince nez used a hard bridge that was not flexible. These connected to the nose when worn with different metal springs.
Despite being developed in 18-93 this form of spring pince nez wasn’t sold on the market for quite some time. However, when it was released, it replaced the majority of other eyewear that pinches the nose.
Pince nez glasses are often confused with Oxford spectacles. According to history papers, these spectacles were developed when an Oxford University accidentally broke a handle of a pair of lorgnette spectacles. To fix them, he added two nose pads to the frame. He then used the tension in the spring to fix them to his nose. While this story has never been completely verified, it is widely believed to be true.
There are many different types of reading glasses that are worth exploring. Some provide practical benefits while others are used more for style purposes. The monocle is an example of a type of eyewear that combines both benefits. It is a functioning accessory that provides the wearer with distinct benefits while also providing a unique aesthetic. Here are some of the key things that you need to know about the monocle eyepiece including what it is, the history behind it, and why it has risen in popularity recently. Some monocles are placed on a stick, and these are called Lorgnettes. The monocle is different from the Pince Nez, which is a pair of lenses. Folding reading glasses are useful because they are also small and easy to carry. Half eye readers make it easy to look over the top of the lens for distance vision.
Pince nez has a place in popular culture. For instance, Francisco de Quevedo, a Spanish poet, was depicted wearing these glasses in an iconic painting. 
Pince nez eyeglasses were also central to one of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries known as The Adventure of the Golden Pince Nez.
The pince nez eyeglasses with a hard bridge have also been used by countless fictional characters including Poirot, Morpheus, Scrooge McDuck, and Professor Frost. This is a testament to the unique and fascinating design of this eyewear that pinch the bridge of the nose.
Originally spring pince nez glasses that pinch the nose were a popular style trend because of the stigma that was associated with wearing glasses. For this reason, pince nez glasses were also designed to be attached and concealed in clothing.
Today, of course, there is no stigma to wearing glasses. However, there is a new collection and style of these frames available to purchase. Also known as mobile phone glasses, the new form of pince nez is popular not for the unique nose pieces but because they are eyeglasses small enough to fit onto a mobile phone. The lenses of these pince nez can even be chosen to fit a required prescription.
This type of pince nez style is popular online and sold by various stores. Alternatively, you can still purchase vintage pince nez with the classic French design from various shops too. They make an incredible unique accessory.
We hope this helps you understand the past and present of pince nez eyeglasses that work by pinching onto the nose. As mentioned, these are available today with a variety of lenses. So, you can easily find a pair with two lenses that match your required prescription. They will certainly provide a unique talking point and may even be a practical choice if you are looking for a compact form of eyewear. 
Author of this article:
Mark Agnew
CEO of Eyeglasses.com, which he founded in 1999. For over twenty years, he has educated consumers, improved their vision choices, and reduced costs in eyewear. Mark authored The Eyeglasses Buying Guide, the most comprehensive and best-selling glasses buying guide in the world.
Bio LinkedIn Blog Facebook
