Collection: Cutler and Gross Glasses

Our collection of Cutler and Gross glasses gathers one of Britain's most quietly influential eyewear houses into a single, browsable home, where every frame is a genuine, authorised piece rather than a look-alike. Founded in 1969 by opticians Graham Cutler and Tony Gross, the brand opened its first boutique in Knightsbridge and spent decades building a reputation for handmade frames that flatter the wearer instead of shouting a logo. If you want prescription eyewear with real craft behind it — the kind of frame people ask about — Cutler and Gross glasses reward a closer look, and this page is designed to help you choose with confidence.

The heritage behind Cutler and Gross glasses

Cutler and Gross began as a London optician's practice and grew into a design house precisely because its founders understood faces, not just fashion. That optician's DNA still shapes every collection. Frames are conceived in London and handmade in the brand's own workshop in the Cadore region of northern Italy, the historic heartland of premium acetate eyewear. Each pair passes through dozens of hand-finishing stages — cutting, tumbling, polishing and riveting — before it earns the Cutler and Gross name. The result is a frame that feels substantial in the hand and settles comfortably on the nose, with the deep lustre that only properly cured, hand-polished acetate delivers.

The house style is best described as bold vintage revival with a modern edge. You will find generous, architectural silhouettes, keyhole bridges, contrasting rivets and colourways that range from classic tortoiseshell to unexpected, collectible tones. Model families such as the 1305, 1304, 1360 Classic and the 0772 illustrate the range — from clean everyday rounds and rectangles to statement squares in tones like Jet Engine Grey. Because these are design codes rather than fast fashion, a well-chosen Cutler and Gross frame stays relevant for years.

Signature materials and construction

Two materials define the range. The first is Italian cotton-based acetate, prized for its depth of colour, warmth against the skin and the way it can be layered and laminated to create marbled, tortoise and gradient effects. The second is precision metalwork — stainless steel and refined alloys used for slimline temples, wire rims and combination frames that pair a metal front with acetate detailing. Hallmarks to look for include the signature riveted hinges, the subtly branded temple tips and the reinforced construction that keeps these frames feeling solid over years of daily wear.

If you like the substance of premium plastic frames, explore our wider range of designer eyeglasses in the UK, then return here for the specific character that sets this maker apart. For a broader sweep of optical styles across every brand we carry, our full glasses collection is the natural next step.

Frame shapes and who they suit

Cutler and Gross glasses span the core shape families, which makes matching a frame to your face straightforward once you know the guiding principle: choose a shape that contrasts your face's dominant lines.

• Round and panto frames soften angular, square or rectangular faces and lend an intellectual, creative air. They are among the most recognisable Cutler and Gross silhouettes.
• Square and rectangular frames add welcome structure to round or oval faces and read as confident and contemporary.
• Bold acetate squares — think of the statement models in the 1340s and 1360s families — suit those who want a frame that anchors an outfit.
• Slim metal and combination frames flatter smaller features and heart-shaped faces, keeping proportions balanced.

Sizing matters as much as shape. Every frame carries three numbers on the temple — lens width, bridge width and temple length in millimetres. If you already own glasses that fit, match those numbers as a starting point. The frame front should sit level, the temples should follow the line of your head without pinching, and your eyes should sit roughly in the centre of each lens.

Men's and women's Cutler and Gross glasses

The house designs largely unisex, with size and colour doing the work of gendering a frame. Larger squares and bold rounds in dark acetate read as classically masculine, while lighter tortoiseshells, warmer honey tones and slimmer metals lean feminine — though many customers happily cross those lines. If you are shopping alongside a partner, browse our men's eyeglasses and women's prescription glasses frames for adjacent designer options in similar silhouettes.

Prescription and lens options at Ardor

Nearly every Cutler and Gross frame in this collection can be glazed to your prescription in our workshop. When you choose a frame, you can add:

• Single vision lenses for distance or reading.
• Varifocal lenses for seamless near-to-far vision — see our dedicated varifocal glasses guidance for how these work.
• Bifocal lenses with a defined reading segment.
• Blue-light filtering lenses for screen-heavy days.
• Photochromic lenses that darken outdoors, and tinted options for a sunglasses effect.

If you simply need a comfortable pair for close work, our reading glasses range is worth a look too. Prescription orders are typically glazed within around 7–10 working days before dispatch.

Why buy Cutler and Gross glasses from Ardor

Ardor Eyewear is an authorised UK stockist, so every pair is 100% authentic, complete with the maker's case and documentation. UK delivery is free, and our 14-day returns policy gives you room to be sure of your choice, with return postage covered by the customer. Prices in this collection sit in the region of £300 to £315, reflecting the hand-made Italian construction and the durability that comes with it. Compared with the eyewear boutiques of central London, buying online here brings the same authenticity with the convenience of choosing at home.

Frame care

Clean acetate frames with lukewarm water and a spot of mild soap, then dry with a microfibre cloth — never paper, which scratches. Store them in the supplied case, avoid leaving them on a hot car dashboard (heat can distort acetate), and have the hinges checked periodically so screws stay snug.

Cutler and Gross glasses — frequently asked questions

Are these genuine Cutler and Gross glasses?

Yes. Ardor is an authorised stockist and every frame is 100% authentic, supplied with the brand's own case and paperwork.

Can I add my prescription to a Cutler and Gross frame?

Almost all frames in this collection can be glazed to your prescription — single vision, varifocal, bifocal, blue-light, tinted or photochromic. You add your lens choice and prescription details when ordering.

Where are Cutler and Gross glasses made?

They are designed in London and handmade in the brand's workshop in the Cadore region of northern Italy, using premium acetate and precision metalwork.

How much do Cutler and Gross glasses cost at Ardor?

Frames in this collection generally range from around £300 to £315. Prescription lenses are added on top depending on the lens type you select.

How do I know which frame size will fit me?

Check the three numbers printed on the temple of any glasses you currently wear — lens width, bridge and temple length — and match a Cutler and Gross frame with similar measurements for a comfortable fit.

How long will my order take?

Non-prescription frames are dispatched promptly. Prescription orders are glazed in our workshop, which typically takes around 7–10 working days before free UK delivery.

What is your returns policy?

We offer a 14-day returns policy. Return postage is paid by the customer, and frames should be returned unworn and in their original condition.