Malcolm X is known for his impactful speeches and influential role in civil rights. He had a unique style that left a lasting impression. One key element of his appearance was his choice of eyewear. He had a specific aesthetic and his glasses were an integral part of it.
Interestingly, in most of his pictures, all you see is his suit, tie, and glasses. You might think that he had just the one pair but there’s a more interesting story behind how he styled himself.
In this article, you’ll explore Malcolm X’s life and style, what glasses Malcolm X used to wear, and how to style browline glasses to fit your face shape.
Who Is Malcolm X?
Malcolm X, also known as el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, was a revolutionary politician and a key figure in the fight for American civil rights. Malcolm was born in 1925 in Nebraska and received a prison sentence for larceny and burglary when he was 21.
While he was in prison, he converted and joined the Nation of Islam. Meanwhile, he eventually grew apart from the organization and denounced them, and joined Sunni Islam. Through both the movement and religious groups, he uplifted Black people and encouraged conversion to Islam. Most importantly, he founded the Muslim Mosque Inc. as well as a secular group that promotes Pan-Africanism.
Though he began his political career by calling for the separation of races, he changed his mind over time. He grew closer to civil rights groups.
Typically, his mecca trip opened his eyes to the plausible future where there’s racial equality. After he visited Saudi Arabia and saw Muslims of different races living together in peace, he saw Islam as a way to resolve racial issues.
Even after he died in 1965, many see Malcolm as a thought leader. His influence may have started in his religious community, but political figures and loved ones carried it forward. They published his speeches and diary entries after his death, which spread his beliefs.
In fact, some cities in the USA have a day reserved for him where they commemorate his struggle for human rights. Additionally, other countries have named streets after him.
But we can’t talk about Malcolm without mentioning his striking style which played a significant role in his public persona and perception.
Malcolm X’s Iconic Look
When you imagine Malcolm X, it’s usually in his suit and tie. You might think of how he looked deep in thought or when giving a spirited speech. In most of his pictures, he has shaved his hair close to the side and left a little bit on top. While that might seem like a simple haircut, it’s a political statement.
That hairstyle went against the norm of the conk style that was currently in fashion and the Afro civil rights activists wore. In particular, his style rejected the relaxation of kinky hair which would make it assimilate with hair of non-African heritage.
But what makes his look recognizable is his glasses. Malcolm wore glasses with a dark frame above the eyes. The lenses were large and supported from the bottom by a thin wire. These glasses gave his face a sharp focus while providing him the prescription he needed. Additionally, the glasses framed his eyes and made them the focal point of every picture of him.
Everything Malcolm wore he carefully chose. He was conscious of the political messages in each choice. He also understood the importance of how his messages reached both his allies and his enemies. He went so far as to pair his frames with his suits.
He owned multiple pairs of glasses in a variety of colors but favored wood grain frames. These glasses matched the color and pattern of his suits. Together, they gave him a suave intellectual aesthetic that gave weight to his words.
What Glasses Did Malcolm X Wear?
According to reports, his prison or juvenile center may have given Malcolm his first pair of glasses. However, once he got parole he opted for the in-vogue ‘browline’. He had a collection of browline American Optical Sirmont. Once he picked this brand, he remained loyal for the rest of his life.
The browline glasses have a thicker frame on top of the lens which gives them the ‘browline’ name. They tend to be large yet round. However, they may have geometrical shapes or even ‘cat eyes’. The nose bridge could separate the ‘browline’ or it could also be fully connected. As for Malcolm’s glasses, they had a disconnected ‘browline’ and rounded lenses. The lower rim had a light color while the upper one was black.
Though his glasses were large, the thinner rim beneath the lens reduced its weight. And since the upper rim is so high, the ‘browline’ never obstructed his field of vision. Additionally, the thin frame at the bottom of the lenses softened his sharp features and the large lenses drew attention to his eyes.
Why Did Malcolm X Wear Glasses?
The most obvious reason why Malcom used to wear glasses was to correct his vision. He claimed to have developed astigmatism while he was in prison. In his autobiography, he says reading in poor lighting caused his failing eyesight.
Astigmatism typically occurs when the front part of your eye or the lens doesn’t curve correctly, causing blurry or distorted vision. This condition doesn’t come from poor lighting. Instead, you might have it from birth, or it can develop after an injury, surgery, or due to a disease.
Nevertheless, it’s possible that he first noticed this condition while in prison since difficulty reading in low light is a symptom of astigmatism.
What Face Shape Looks Best with Eyebrow Line Glasses?
If you’re too afraid to commit to a trip to the opticians, you can check if your face shape fits these glasses. Here’s how browline eyewear will compliment some face shapes:
- Oval: If you have a longer and less wide face, most glasses will fit you. The eyebrow line glasses will go well with your face because they’ll balance your proportions. Therefore, your face will appear more structured.
- Round: With a round face, these glasses will fit you well. Since you have soft features, you can balance them with sharp frames. For instance, geometrical or pointed frames will help your eyes stand out.
- Square: When your face has blocky shapes, you should wear round frames to balance it. As you’re trying to bring some softness to your face, you should pick frames with a thinner browline.
- Diamond: If your face has this type of sharp features, you should choose eyewear that accentuates those shapes. Therefore, you should pick pointed frames with square lenses.
- Oblong: If you have long face features, you should accentuate your sharp features with a square frame. With these glasses, you’ll give your face more structure. And so, you’ll accentuate features such as your cheekbones and jaw.
Nevertheless, there are aspects of eyebrow line glasses that can affect how they fit you. To exemplify this, imagine a petite face. A person with such features should avoid big browlines. Those glasses will overshadow your features.
However, you could pick a version of these eyewear with smaller lenses. Similarly, if your face is already very square, you could balance it with more pointed or rounded frames. Additionally, you can pick the frame thickness and color to better accentuate your facial features.
Eyebrow Glasses in the 21st Century
Shuron Ltd introduced eyebrow glasses in 1947 and by the 1950s, these glasses were a stylish choice. They remained popular well into the 60s and made a comeback in the 80s.
Beyond the sleek aesthetic, their customizability was a major advantage of these glasses. You could get the exact bridges or wires you wanted. However, they lost their market when cheaper plastic frame glasses became commonplace.
Now, the browline eyeglasses come in a variety of colors, weigh less, and can even come with no support under the rim for a minimalist look. However, you can let out your playful and youthful side with these glasses! You can buy these glasses in colors or patterns that accentuate your features. With these features, it’s no wonder these glasses are making a comeback.
Yet with the advances in technology, this style of glasses is no longer particularly expensive. You can get them as big as you want without worrying about an increased price. And even when they’re large, they’re still functional since the upper rim is above the eyes and the bottom of the lenses touch the cheeks.
Most importantly, the vintage style is still one of the best. With a simple silver frame and black upper rim of Dollger’s browline, you’ll channel the suave look of Malcolm X. But if you want a more subdued look, you could go with a clear upper rim. Alternatively, you should go bold with a black and gold frame. The metal frame will accentuate your face while remaining serious enough for work.
Conclusion
Malcolm X, an African-American political figure and a style icon, tailored his public appearance from his suits and hairstyle to the eyewear. While he wore browline eyewear to correct his sight, he also picked them for their aesthetic. Browline drew attention to his eyes, giving his face a suave, intellectual look. And even though they were bold in style and one of the most popular models of the era, they were still subdued enough for him to look serious.
Typically, Dollger achieves this blend of aesthetics with its three browline models. Their bowline models compliment your face shape with either their minimalist clear frame in classic black and silver or the bold black and gold.