Pair Eyewear Holiday Collection: Are the New Top Frames Worth It?

In partnership with Pair Eyewear

Yes, Pair Eyewear’s new Merry & Bright Top Frames are worth it if you wear glasses and want a festive look this season without buying a second pair. The magnetic tops snap onto a Pair Base Frame in seconds, and the collection covers glitter plaids, holographic snowflakes, gold foil, a polarized sun top, and designs for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Advent. Prices start at $25 per top.

Think about it. Most glasses wearers show up to the office party, the family photo, and the New Year’s countdown in the exact same frames. And until now, a new look usually meant a whole new pair, with new frames and new prescription lenses to match.

So in this Pair Eyewear holiday collection review, you’ll see how Top Frames work, which Merry & Bright designs stand out, what the Larkin Base Frame brings, how much everything costs, what customers say, and which holiday deals are running now.

About Pair Eyewear

Pair Eyewear makes prescription glasses with swappable magnetic Top Frames. The idea came from co-founder Nathan, who has worn glasses since age eight and always felt his frames looked more like a medical device than part of his personality. Together with co-founder Sophia, he interviewed hundreds of kids and adults, kept hearing the same complaint, and started Pair from those conversations.

Since then, Pair has grown to over 1 million customers, and the founders even took their idea onto Shark Tank as glasses that change like your clothes. On top of that, a portion of every new customer’s Base Frame purchase goes to EYElliance’s mission.

Highlights

• Pair Eyewear makes prescription glasses with patented magnetic Top Frames, so one pair of glasses can change its look in seconds.
• Over 1 million customers now shop with the brand, which also appeared on Shark Tank.
• Behind the system sit two ultra-light magnets, under 1 gram, in the top corners of the frame, holding each Top Frame firmly in place.
• For the holidays, the new Merry & Bright collection builds on that system with dozens of festive designs in glitter plaids, gold foil, holographic prints, and crystal finishes.
• And it goes past Christmas, with tops made for families who celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Advent.
• On bright winter days, a polarized sun top turns everyday glasses into sunglasses with 100% UVA/UVB protection.
• Want a full set? Topper sets in the Pair app bundle three or four coordinating designs for the whole season.
• All of these tops fit the Larkin, a narrow modified rectangle Base Frame in hand-polished acetate that suits most adults and older kids.
• For a more premium feel, Pair’s Forte line offers Base Frames like the Kirby, Wanda, and Murphy in sculpted acetate with polished metal accents.
• Underneath, prescription lenses with anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings come standard, along with reader and non-prescription options.
• Since the tops are thin and flat, a whole holiday rotation slips into a bag without a bulky case.
• Plus, FSA and HSA funds cover prescription glasses, and every order is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee with free return shipping.

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Pair Eyewear Holiday Collection Review

With Merry & Bright, Larkin wearers can dress up their glasses for the season with no new prescription and no new frame. So before getting into the designs, here’s how the system works, which tops stand out, and what you get with the Larkin underneath.

How Pair Top Frames Work

Pair splits a pair of glasses into two parts. The Base Frame holds your lenses and stays on your face, while a lens-free Top Frame sits over it to change the color and pattern. Here’s how it all comes together, step by step.

1. Start With a Base Frame That Holds Your Lenses

Everything begins with the Base Frame. It carries your prescription, readers, or non-prescription lenses, so you only pay for lenses once. For the Merry & Bright collection, that frame is the Larkin.

2. Snap On a Top Frame With Hidden Corner Magnets

Next comes the fun part. Pair’s patented system uses two invisible magnets, under 1 gram, in the top left and right corners of the frame. So when you set a Top Frame on the Base Frame with a light press, it clicks right into place. Pair calls its magnets safe and doctor-approved, and they won’t set off airport security alarms either.

3. Lift It Off to Swap in a New Design

A new look takes just as little effort. Lift the top off, snap on another one, and you’ve gone from office plaid to party glitter in a few seconds. A single top weighs only 2.6 to 3.5 grams, and with one attached, a Base Frame still weighs just 17 to 22 grams, so a festive look won’t feel heavy through a long night out.

4. Pick Tops Made for Your Base Frame Style

To make sure the magnets line up, Pair sells its Top Frames by Base Frame style. On every product page, you pick your frame first, and Larkin owners can filter the Merry & Bright collection to see only the tops made for their frame.

5. Choose a Forte Base Frame for a Premium Finish

Want your glasses to feel a little more polished before a top ever goes on? Pair’s Forte line gives favorite Base Frame styles like the Kirby, Wanda, and Murphy a premium upgrade, with sculpted, beveled acetate, polished metal accents, and a 5-barrel, anti-wear hinge. Forte frames still work with the Top Frames made for their style, and the line costs $110 per Base Frame at paireyewear.com.

6. Carry Extra Tops Flat in Your Bag

Because Top Frames carry no lenses, they lie completely flat. That means you can tuck a couple of holiday designs into a purse or coat pocket, then swap them between dinner and a late party.

The Best Top Frames in the Merry & Bright Collection

Merry & Bright sits under Pair’s Limited Edition menu and groups its designs into four themes, Yuletide Traditions, Merry Magic, Seasonal Splendor, and At the North Pole. Right now, Larkin wearers can choose from 40 tops and two topper sets in stock. Here are the ones worth a closer look.

Glitter Plaids and Gold Foil for Holiday Parties

If you love a little sparkle, start here. The Holly Plaid with Glitter, a Pair best seller, adds shimmer to a classic holiday plaid, and The Black Buffalo Check with Glitter gives the cozy cabin-style check the same treatment. Then, for New Year’s Eve, The Golden Flair Glitter Crystal with Gold Foil, another bestseller, layers gold foil over a glittery crystal top.

Holographic and Crystal Tops That Catch the Light

Want something that changes as you move? The Holographic Snowflakes top ranks among the collection’s best sellers and shifts color as the light hits it. The Romantic Poinsettia Holographic Crystal brings that same effect to a holiday flower, while The Festive Lights Crystal, also a best seller, puts holiday lights on a clear crystal top.

A Polarized Sun Top for Bright Winter Days

Snowy afternoons and sunny holiday drives call for sunglasses, and The Polarized Cookie Dough Tortoise & Plaid Split Sun Top has you covered. It pairs warm tortoise with holiday plaid, and Pair’s polarized sun tops block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. So you can snap it on outside and keep your prescription the whole time.

Designs for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Advent

Pair made room for more than one holiday, too. The Hanukkah Menorahs, The Kwanzaa Medallion, and The Advent Candles celebrate those traditions, and The Peaceful Blossoms and The North Star suit anyone who prefers a quieter seasonal look.

Playful Character Tops for Gift Exchanges and Family Photos

Some tops just want to make people smile. The Gingerbread Gang, The Novel Nutcrackers, The Dashing Reindeer, The Merry Mutts, and The Snowglobe are perfect for kids, ugly-sweater parties, and anyone who likes a little humor on their face.

Matte Holiday Colors for the Office

Prefer to keep it low-key at work? The Matte Spruce and The Matte Red add deep holiday color with no pattern at all, so they look just right at a December meeting.

Topper Sets for Building a Full Holiday Rotation

Rather pick a few at once? Pair groups some Merry & Bright tops into topper sets, sold as App Exclusives at 20% off.

• The Festive Fête Topper Set includes The Polarized Cookie Dough Tortoise & Plaid Split Sun Top, The Holiday Dots, and The Evergreen Tradition.
• The Snow Much Fun Topper Set includes The Holographic Snowflakes, The Snowflake Polka Dot, The Frosty Friends, and The Black Buffalo Check with Glitter.

And while you’re in the app, you’ll also find two single tops sold only there, The Ribbon-Clad Plaid and The Polar Playdate.

What to Know About the Larkin Base Frame?

All the tops in this review fit the Larkin, one of Pair’s fan-favorite Base Frames. So whether you already own one or you’re new to Pair, here’s what the frame brings to the holiday collection.

Larkin Fit and Measurements

Pair describes the Larkin as a narrow, modified rectangle frame that looks great on most adults and older kids ages 9 and up, especially those with oval or round faces. It measures 133mm across, with 51mm lenses, a 17mm bridge, 140mm temples, and a 35.2mm lens height. On top of that, a universal-fit nose bridge, adjustable temple arms, and flexible spring hinges help it sit comfortably all day.

Larkin Materials and Colors

The acetate Larkin comes in hand-polished, flexible acetate in 13 colors, from Black, Tortoise, and Crystal Clear to Spruce, Burgundy, and Lavender Clear, plus new arrivals Pink Glitter Clear and Seafoam Clear. For a dressier feel, the Mixed Material version pairs the same acetate with sleek metal temples in four finishes, including Black Acetate Gold Metal and Pink Clear Acetate Rose Gold Metal.

Lenses Included With the Larkin

Good news for your budget, since standard single-vision prescription lenses come with the Larkin at no extra cost. They use a 1.5 index with anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings, and they cover prescriptions from -14.50D to +5.00D. You can also choose readers from +0.25 to +2.75, non-prescription lenses, progressives, or demo lenses if you’d rather have them fitted at a local optician.

Lens Upgrades Available for the Larkin

Need a little more from your lenses? Thinner 1.59, 1.67, and 1.74 index lenses suit stronger prescriptions. And if you spend long days on screens, Blue-Light Filtering and Blue Barrier Protection filter blue light, while Light Responsive lenses darken outdoors.

Pair Eyewear Holiday Collection Price

Merry & Bright tops sell on their own, so Larkin owners only pay for the designs they want. New Pair customers start with the Base Frame and lenses, then add tops from there.

• Merry & Bright Top Frames (Standard). $25 per top on the Larkin, such as The Hanukkah Menorahs, The Advent Candles, The Gingerbread Gang, and The Matte Red. Top Frames come without lenses and snap onto a Larkin Base Frame.
• Merry & Bright Top Frames (Premium). $30 per top on the Larkin for glitter, foil, holographic, and crystal designs, such as The Holly Plaid with Glitter, The Holographic Snowflakes, and The Festive Lights Crystal.
• The Polarized Cookie Dough Tortoise & Plaid Split Sun Top. $35 on the Larkin, with polarized lenses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
• The Festive Fête Topper Set. $68 (regularly $85) for three Top Frames, The Polarized Cookie Dough Tortoise & Plaid Split Sun Top, The Holiday Dots, and The Evergreen Tradition. Available in the Pair app.
• The Snow Much Fun Topper Set. $88 (regularly $110) for four Top Frames, The Holographic Snowflakes, The Snowflake Polka Dot, The Frosty Friends, and The Black Buffalo Check with Glitter. Available in the Pair app.
• The Larkin (Acetate). $80 for the Base Frame with standard single-vision prescription lenses (1.5 index, anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings), readers, or non-prescription lenses.
• The Larkin (Mixed Material). $90 for the acetate Base Frame with metal temples and the same lens options.
• Lens Upgrades.  Progressive lenses add $199. Thinner lenses add $39 (1.59 index), $59 (1.67 index), or $139 (1.74 index). Blue-Light Filtering adds $49, Blue Barrier Protection adds $65, and Light Responsive lenses add $149.

Best of all, standard shipping is free on all US orders.

Pair Eyewear Review: What Do Customers Think?

Shoppers give Pair a 4.8 out of 5 rating across 271,900 reviews on its site, and the Larkin alone holds a 4.8 from 10,999 reviews. So it’s no surprise that the new Merry & Bright tops are already winning people over, especially for their sparkle and that nostalgic holiday feel.

“I love this topper. It’s festive and cozy with a touch of glitter.” (The Holly Plaid with Glitter)

“These are so beautiful and well made.” (The Holly Plaid with Glitter)

“These toppers represent how I remember the Christmases of my youth. I love the retro look.” (The Dashing Reindeer)

“I was so excited to see an Advent topper. Can’t wait to wear it to Church!” (The Advent Candles)

“I’m glad I ordered these wreath toppers which are predominantly pink and mint green… They’ll make a great addition to my wardrobe!” (The Winter Wreaths)

“These were so cute!” (The Letter to Santa)

Customers also love how the whole system fits into their day, from swapping looks to skipping a second pair of sunglasses.

“I love the variety of frames to change your look everyday! And the sunglasses frame is a brilliant idea!! No need for two sets of glasses!!”

“Everyone compliments the frames as they seem so fashion forward.”

And parents are just as happy with what their kids get.

“They are gorgeous and made with great care. She absolutely loves them!”

Is Pair Eyewear Legit?

Yes, Pair Eyewear is a legitimate eyewear brand with over 1 million customers and a Shark Tank appearance. It accepts FSA and HSA funds for prescription glasses, works in-network with UnitedHealthcare, and provides invoices for out-of-network vision plan claims. And if you change your mind, a 30-day money-back guarantee with free return shipping covers its products.

Is the Pair Eyewear Holiday Collection Worth It?

Yes, the Merry & Bright collection is worth it for Larkin wearers and anyone who wants holiday style built into their everyday glasses. A $25 top changes the whole look of your frame in seconds, so you can match your glasses to a party, a family photo, or your favorite holiday sweater without a new prescription.

What really makes it shine is the range. Glitter plaids and gold foil dress up New Year’s Eve, holographic and crystal tops catch the light, character designs bring the fun to gift exchanges, and tops for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Advent welcome more than one tradition. Then, when the sun comes out, the polarized sun top turns your prescription glasses into sunglasses for winter drives.

New customers get a strong start, too. The $80 Larkin includes prescription lenses with anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings, standard US shipping is free, and the 30-day money-back guarantee gives you time to try the swap at home. And with the app-only topper sets at 20% off, you can build a full holiday rotation in one order.

Pair Eyewear Holiday Deals and Promotions

Ready to shop? Pair has several ways to save on Merry & Bright tops and a new Larkin this season, and here’s what’s running now.

• Free Top. Get a FREE Top on Orders $200+ with code FREETOP.
• Free Shipping. FREE Shipping on All US and CA Orders.
• Topper Sets. The Festive Fête and Snow Much Fun topper sets are 20% off in the Pair app.
• Pair App Offer. Download now for $20 off your first app order!
• Pair+ Membership. Pair+ members score 15% off, get early access & exclusive styles, and score free shipping, all for just $30/month. Your First Month Is Free, and your $30 monthly payment becomes store credit that never expires.
• Refer-A-Friend. Give $25, Get $25.
• FSA and HSA. Pair accepts FSA and HSA for all prescription glasses.

Where Can I Buy the Pair Eyewear Holiday Collection?

You can shop the Merry & Bright collection online at paireyewear.com and in the Pair app for iPhone and Android. Just keep in mind that the topper sets, The Ribbon-Clad Plaid, and The Polar Playdate are available only in the app.

FAQs

Can I buy Merry & Bright tops without a new Base Frame?

Yes. If you already own a Larkin, you can order Merry & Bright Top Frames separately and snap them onto your existing frame.

How do Pair Top Frames stay on?

Small magnets in the corners of the Top Frame and the Base Frame secure them together. Pair’s magnets weigh under 1 gram, and Pair calls them safe and doctor-approved.

Are the Merry & Bright sun tops polarized?

Yes. The Polarized Cookie Dough Tortoise & Plaid Split Sun Top has polarized lenses with 100% UVA and UVB protection.

Are the Merry & Bright topper sets sold on the website?

The Festive Fête and Snow Much Fun topper sets are App Exclusives, so you’ll find them in the Pair app at 20% off.

Can I use FSA or HSA funds at Pair?

Yes. Pair accepts FSA and HSA for all prescription glasses and is in-network with UnitedHealthcare.

What is Pair’s return policy?

Pair offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its products, no questions asked, and return shipping is free.

Final Thoughts

With Merry & Bright, your glasses finally get to celebrate the season along with you. The Larkin handles your prescription, and a $25 to $35 top handles the mood, whether that’s glitter plaid for a party, a menorah design for Hanukkah, or a polarized sun top for a snowy drive.

So if you already own a Larkin, pick a few favorite tops and you’re set for every holiday plan on the calendar. And if you’re new to Pair, start with an $80 Larkin that includes prescription lenses, then grab one of the app-only topper sets at 20% off to build your holiday lineup in one go.

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