Who Wears a Monocle?

Anybody who is anybody right? The hipster revolution is in full swing and you would have to be hiding in a cave to not notice the new trend.

The popularity of the monocle has piggybacked the resurgent hipster revolution but apart from these wonderfully cool dudes who else wears a monocle?

Let’s start by firstly looking at who invented the monocle, the original pioneer who recognised that in the kingdom of the blind the one eyed man would be king.

Who Invented The Monocle?

One of the earliest known wearers of the monocle was the antiquarian Philipp Von Stosch who wore a monocle in Rome in the 1720s, in order to closely examine engravings and antique engraved gems.

More precisely corrective lenses date right back to the ancient Egyptian and Greek times. The template for rimless eyeglasses reaches back to around 1814 when an Austrian inventor named J.F. Voigtlander marketed a rimless monocle.

Always associated with the classic English gent, monocles were most prevalent in the late 19th Century aristocracy and they also found their way into the military.

They suffered a "public relations disaster" in the UK during World War One when they became too closely associated with the German high command.

Why Do Rich People Wear Monocles

Considered to be a status of symbol by the upper class, it was a major fashion statement for players in the top arena, but how did the iconic eyepiece become synonymous with the rich?

In the early days  the single lens carried with it an air of ‘conscious elegance’ making it ripe for ridicule. Monocles didn’t fit so well back then and the wearers were considered a trife foolish, this is because the monocles were always falling off the face and it made it appear they didn’t fit very well.

Ironically it was the impractically of the monocle that made it popular amongst the well off. It was assumed the only monocle that wouldn’t cause one serious eye strain must be custom fitted to the face, a process presumably very costly.

As with many things associated with the ultra-rich the monocle quickly became a symbol of insane wealth.

Famous Fictional Monocle Wearers

The Penguin

DC comics supervillain and Batman’s arch nemesis, he was actually born “Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot”

He started out as a low level member of Gotham’s criminal Underworld, but through his cunning and manipulation, he eventually managed to take power and become the kingpin of Gotham.

Colonel Mustard

The classic character from the legendary murder / mystery game Cluedo.

Mustard is a stock great white hunter and colonial imperialist, he is usually a dignified, dapper and dangerous military man. Originally Colonel Yellow, his name was changed before the game's first edition. He rolls second and is age 31.

Famous Monocle Wearers

Chris Eubank Sr

Renowned for his quirky dress sense and silver tongue, “Christopher Livingstone Eubank” has been a champion of the monocle ever since his days in the ring ended.

A British former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 1998. He held the WBO middleweight and super-middleweight titles between 1990 and 1995, and is ranked by BoxRec as the third best British super-middleweight boxer of all time.

These days he can be found proudly embracing the monocle eyepiece at ringside as he supports his son Chris Eubank Jr on his quest for a world title.

Sir Patrick Moore

Sir Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore was an English amateur astronomer who attained prominent status in that field as a writer, researcher, radio commentator and television presenter.

The Original (OG) Monocle wearer, he carried the torch for this timeless eyepiece since time began and it made him instantly recognisable.

He was a specialist in moon observation and was ever present on the popular BBC show “The Sky at Night”.

Some of you of the older generation like ourselves may have fond memories of a certain Mr Moore presenting the superb TV show “Gamesmaster”. This was the only show if its kid at the time, the only place to look for hints and tips, secrets and cheats for your favourite video games.

*Interesting fact, us fine fellows at Monocle Madness actually own one of Sir Patricks monocles. We were the winning bidders in auction at Christie’s London and it now takes pride of place in our ‘trophy cabinet’.

Watch how the action unfolded here - https://bit.ly/2XmtXQw

Who else do you know that wears a monocle?

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