The librarian look has never gone out of fashion: imbuing the wearer with intelligence and seductiveness (not to mention a little intrigue), it’s no surprise that this style continues to remain popular. One of the best on-screen examples of the librarian look is that rocked by Evelyn Carnahan (played by Rachel Weisz) in The Mummy franchise – not to mention Marilyn Monroe’s cat eyeglasses vibe in the vintage classic How to Marry a Millionaire.
Wondering if this look is for you and, if so, how to pull it off. Keep reading for all the info you need.
Different Types of Glasses for the Librarian Look
The beauty of this look is there are several different ways to achieve it. Thick, black-framed cat eyeglasses are one of the most typical of the librarian eyewear looks, and – happily – this shape of frame tends to suit most face shapes. Choose how subtle or bold you want to go; options range from discreet to exaggerated cat eye shapes, and if you fancy a more vibrant take on the librarian look, consider bright red, jewel green, or white-colored frames.
Or, to channel Rachel Weisz’s iconic The Mummy style, go for small, round-shaped frames in tortoiseshell. This shape of frame usually looks best on those with angular faces, although tortoiseshell is very versatile and should work beautifully against any skin tone and with a wide range of outfits.
And then there are Clubmaster-style specs that feature a prominent browline and also boast a strong ‘librarian look’ aesthetic. Like cat eye frames, they can be worn by the majority of face shapes – although those with already prominent brow lines may need to proceed with caution, checking that they don’t over-exaggerate this feature. When choosing glasses for your librarian look, you’ll be pleased to know that most high-quality frames of any shape can be fitted with an array of lenses, so whether you have a particularly high eye prescription or require progressive lenses, there’s no need for your style to be compromised.
What Else Do I Need for the Librarian Look?
While the eyeglasses may be the star of the show, there are some other key elements to the classic librarian look. A high bun hair-do, smokey eyeshadow, button-up blouse, knee-length pencil skirt, and high heels are traditionally associated with this style, with jewelry and other accessories kept to a minimum. And if you’re really committed to nailing this look? You need a glasses chain – preferably made of (faux) pearls.
Keep the look every day or amp up the fun and flirty factor with a touch of red lipstick and a pair of patterned tights, or switch up the court high heels for a pair of ankle boots.
The Look Loved by High-End Designers
One of the reasons that the librarian look has remained so enduringly popular through the decades is that it’s a staple style for many of the world’s biggest fashion houses. Designers like Chanel, Dior, and Dolce and Gabbana regularly feature this look – or a version of it – in their collections and use it on the catwalk.
A quick browse through the eyewear ranges of a selection of luxury design houses demonstrates just how popular this look remains.
Alternative Takes on the Classic Librarian Look
Want to get a more contemporary librarian look that better expresses your personality? Why not opt for an alternative librarian look, such as that embodied by Margot Robbie’s Mrs. Dalton character, which appeared in a skit on Saturday Night Live? For her portrayal of the sinister librarian, Robbie donned a high-necked cream skirt, a beige cardigan, and a pair of on-trend rectangular-shaped eyeglasses with extremely thin gold frames that perfectly showed off the actress’s piercing blue eyes. For your own librarian look, take inspiration from Mrs. Dalton and try fusing vintage and contemporary elements of the style.
Alternatively, get with the ‘softcore librarian’ aesthetic that’s big in Japan right now. Deriving from kawaii culture, the idea is to emanate a soft, feminine, romantic vibe. Try wearing a pair of geometric, oval-shaped silver-framed eyeglasses with clothes in pastel shades and cute accessories, such as a mini backpack and teddy keyring attached to a belt.
Final Thoughts
Make the librarian look work for you by taking its basic elements and fusing them with your own aesthetic or trying an alternative version of it like the softcore librarian style. Whether you want to switch up your everyday look or inject some fun into your evening wear, the librarian look is definitely worth experimenting with.
