Nerd chic has finally hit a breaking point: Reality star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian, she of fake eyelashes and 1,001 ultra skin-tight Bebe dresses, was seen trying on some oversized nerd glasses while shopping in Beverly Hills.
She isn't the first celebrity to rock the faux smart-looking accessories, once the standbys of high school nerds and biochemists. Everyone from Anne Hathaway to Lady Gaga to Justin Bieber embraced the trend last year. Even White House press secretary Jay Carney opted in. (After being questioned by reporters on his new "hipster" look, Carney responded "I thought they were sort of retro-nerdy.")
They've become so popular by mainstream celebrities that they've invoked some backlash. Buzzfeed declared the trend "officially not cool" and the internet is full of articles asking "can 2011 bring the end to hipster glasses?" (Nope, sorry! Kim's keeping it on life support!)
Are you a fan of the look?
Rina Raphael is a TODAY.com editor who admits to still wearing Sarah Palin-esque glasses. (Don't judge.)