The kids accuse me of having eyes in the back of my head, and you know what? They’re right. I’ve crafted up some stylish glasses with custom-fit wing mirrors, so I can look ahead of me and see who’s checking out my ample assets in the rear.

These are super quick and easy to make. The most important part of this project is finding the right glasses to modify. First, you want something hip and fun—no sense leaving the house looking like a meff. Look for glasses with dark lenses and frames that are as flat as possible. If you place your mirror against a curved lens, you’re going to get distorted circus-mirror images. Keep in mind that the bigger the frame, the more space you’ll have for a mirror and a large field of vision behind you. Also, with big glasses you look like Edith Head— style points all around!

SUPPLIES

Sunglasses with dark lenses (see Note; also see Sources)

Scrap paper

Scissors

Mirror paper (see Sources)

Lightweight tape, such as masking tape

Grease pencil

Hot glue gun

X-Acto knife (optional)

HOW TO

1. Gently lay the glasses face down onto some scrap paper and use a pencil to trace around the front of the frame.

2. On the scrap paper, measure your right frame area into thirds. Mark a vertical line one-third of the way from the outer edge of the frame. Repeat for the left side.

3. Cut out the template silhouette; discard the center piece.

4. Set the template on the back of the glasses and adjust it to fit on the frame. Depending on the frame style and fit, you may need to trim around the hinge area.

5. Trace the template onto the back of the mirror sheet and cut out.

6. Set the mirror pieces on the inside of the frame and tape temporarily in place.

7. Try on the glasses. You should be able to see in front clearly, and behind yourself as well; adjust the mirrors as needed. Use a grease pencil (or some tape) to mark the placement of the mirrors on the frame, then remove the mirrors from the glasses.

8. Layer hot glue onto the glasses frames where the mirrors will go and let it cool. Don’t put the mirrors on yet. When the glue is cool, set the mirrors in place and check for fit. Can you see behind yourself? If yes, add another small layer of hot glue and immediately set the mirrors into place. If no, either break off the glue and try again, or build up more glue until the mirrors can be adjusted for rear viewing. Excess glue can be removed with an X-Acto knife once it has cooled.

Note:

The dark lenses hide the mirrors, so make sure you get lenses as black as possible. Avoid the mirrored ones, too. They make you look like a cop, and the idea here is to be in disguise, not give away the gag.