Safety first: this fashion brand is selling transparent safety specs for $25

Total bargain...
brashystudios
Chloe Street23 March 2018

Remember those ill-fitting, always scratched Perspex glasses you had to wear in chemistry class? They were fun, right?

I mean, we liked them as much as the next nerdy teenager. But (assuming your chemistry days are behind you) would you wear them now?

And, more importantly, would you pay $25 for the pleasure of doing so?

Because the fact that edgy LA brand Bashy Studios is currently selling pairs of the chemistry specs – billed simply as ‘safety eyewear’ – implies that there are some crazed hipsters out there who would.

The website gives very little explainer (read none) as to what makes these particular bits of plastic so fantastic, but as far as we can tell they are no different than those worn in the lab.

Laughable? Home improvement giant B&Q certainly think so. The British DIY specialists, who sell an identical pair of specs for £1.42, have maximised on the opportunity with a witty PR campaign.

Frankly, the B&Q versions scream safety spec-chic, and at a fraction of the cost.

B&Q Clear Safety Glasses
B&Q

What’s not to love?

B&Q Clear Safety Glasses and model
B&Q

Celebrities like Kaia and Gigi have already begun to embrace the trend for sci-fi, wraparound sunglasses. Could the chemistry goggles be the logical next step for the trend?

Kaia Gerber poses backstage at the FENTY PUMA by Rihanna Spring/Summer 2018 Collection
Getty Images for FENTY PUMA By Rihanna

B&Q’s witty response reminds us of Ikea’s genius trolling when Balenciaga brought out a £1600 leather bag that was almost an exact copy of the Swedish brand’s iconic 40p plastic Frakta tote.

Deftly turning what could have been a lawsuit into a clever PR move, Ikea responded by releasing a series of adverts instructing customers on how to differentiate the blue tote from its luxury doppelganger - pointing out the amazing durability of the 40p Frakta bag in the process.

Excellent work.

Brashy Studio’s bold product strategy makes you wonder, are no household items safe from the zeitgeisty reach of cult brands?

Marigolds… watch out.

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