Bayonetta Glasses and Pencil Skirts: Your Ultimate Guide to Geek Chic
As we witness the modern emergence of ‘geek chic,’ nerdiness is no longer the stereotypical category it once was. Instead, it has evolved to become a bold yet fashionable statement.
By Rachel Yu
It has been nearly 20 years since Gisele Bündchen’s iconic appearance in The Devil Wears Prada. In her cameo, we see Bündchen’s character, Serena, styled in traditional office wear: a black blazer, pencil skirt, and, most importantly, her Bayonetta-style glasses.
The Bayonetta glasses became popularized in the early 2000s, with its title stemming from the main character of a Japanese cult-style video game, “Bayonetta.” These soft square-shaped frames were styled by numerous stars at the time, such as Megan Fox and Angelina Jolie. More recently, the frames spiraled back into popularity in 2023. They began to reappear in street style today to exhibit the ‘geek chic’ aesthetic. Bayonetta glasses serve as a striking yet classy accessory that ties an entire outfit together, regardless of whether a vision truly requires them or not.
Although geek chic has been around since the ‘90s, it is now entering its modern revival; thus, many brands have begun to release their stylistic approaches to this aesthetic.
When Miu Miu showcased its Fall 2023 Ready-to-Wear collection, models strutted down the runway in knit button-down cardigans, tweed pencil skirts, and sheer tights, ultimately embodying the geek chic aesthetic. The show’s accessories included oval-shaped Bayonetta glasses with tortoiseshell patterns, small leather handbags, and kitten-toe heels. The looks were designed with more neutral colors, ranging from dark gray to delicate tan shades, showcasing the general fluidity of the collection.
Ever since the launch of this collection, geek chic has begun to leave its pronounced mark on street style. Renowned celebrities like Bella Hadid and Amelia Gray have been spotted embracing this aesthetic by styling Bayonetta frames, midi skirts, and ballet flats. Nowadays, dressing in a ‘nerdy’ way is not solely indicative of one’s intelligence, but rather, one’s fashion sense.
Although celebrities mostly wear geek-chic apparel, you do not have to be famous to pull off this aesthetic. The one aspect I admire the most about this aesthetic is its general versatility — several different outfit options correspond to the geek-chic look. Thus, there are different ways in which you can style certain pieces while still classifying them as geek chic.
Turtleneck sweaters and pencil skirts are two necessary staples in achieving this aesthetic. These two neutral pieces can be styled with pairs of slouchy socks, ballet flats or loafers, and small leather handbags.
Layering different pieces is also a common practice when constructing geek-chic outfits. Many tend to layer thin sweaters with suit vests or knit button-down cardigan sweaters and sometimes even add loosened ties to accentuate the geeky aesthetic.
When it comes to geek chic, there is no pressure to match pieces — your tops do not have to match your bottoms. Feel free to play around with different patterns and designs, as well as varying textures and fabrics. For instance, you can pair a plaid midi skirt with a striped blouse while incorporating other neutral accessories, like glasses and handbags, to accentuate the fluidity of the outfit.
Of course, to achieve the geek chic aesthetic, the perfect accessory is the Bayonetta glasses. My personal favorite glasses are from Lexxola and Eyebuydirect, with both brands offering a range of different styles and designs of Bayonetta frames. I especially love it when individuals choose bold and eye-catching frame colors, like purple, blue, and red.
There is truly no right way to construct a geek-chic look — everyone has their own personal take on the aesthetic. As long as you have the basic neutrals and accessories, you are practically all set to start styling your perfect geek chic outfits.
Although the term ‘geek’ used to correlate with being nerdy or weird, its meaning has transformed into one that has revolutionized fashion. Geek chic is less about conforming to the current fashionable norms and trends and more about romanticizing the idea of being stylistically different. Geek chic is a movement — it allows individuals to wear what makes them feel most comfortable without the pressure of aligning with what’s trending.