A Journey to Self-Expression With Pair Eyewear

Meet Dustin Gregory Boyington, a dedicated and adored member of the Pair Family whose love of eyewear and standing out has made him a longtime, loyal Pairian. Dustin’s story and glasses journey are a true testament to the impact a pair of glasses can have.

We are so excited to shareabout our very own celebrity and how he went on to create a Top Frame collection with Pair!

Dustin’s Eyewear Evolution: From Geek Chic to Unique

Dustin's eyewear story began in his teenage years, between the ages of 15 and 17. Even before needing glasses, Dustin was drawn to them for their intellectual and sophisticated appeal. Inspired by the Gen-X era and movies like "Revenge of the Nerds", Dustin saw glasses as a badge of nerdy honor.

Dustin's first iconic eyewear encounter occurred back in the 80s, when he came across a pair of sunglasses which allowed for one to see people behind them. With a mirrored reflection in the lower corners, this high-tech pair of glasses had the power to make any young kid feel like a super spy.

Dustin’s journey with prescription glasses didn’t start until his early twenties, when he was diagnosed with nearsightedness, a condition which makes faraway objects appear blurry. Dustin knew that he wanted a pair of glasses that would set him apart, so he began to collect tinted glasses with blue, purple and red lenses.

Dustin’s collection quickly multiplied, and his funky glasses became a key element of his identity. His glasses weren’t just to see– they were also to be seen!

A Lasting First Impression

It didn’t take long for Pair Eyewear to grab Dustin’s attention. His first Pair purchase was made in November of 2021, andit was love at first sight. We love to celebrate with Dustin on his Pairniversary each year on November 29th!

Dustin’s first Base Frames were The Otis in Blue Tortoise, paired with his first Top Frames including The Confetti, The Black & White Splatter, and The White Hearts. Little did he know that this purchase marked the beginning of a beautiful relationship with Pair.

Shortly after, Dustin bought his second Pair ofprogressive lenses with a clear frame, to avoid clashing with his Tops and let him unlock endless combinations and colorful patterns.

How Pair Eyewear Became A Passion

It’s easy to see how Dustin's loyalty to Pair stemmed from his passions for individuality and self-expression. With a background in social service and mental health, Dustin deeply values products and ideas that encourage both self-worth and belonging.Pair's unique designs and supportive community combine two of his favorite things: individuality and eyewear.

His collection has grown tremendously over the years and he currently owns 1,204Top Framesand seven base frame styles. (This total was calculated at the time of writing this—he's likely scooped up more since!) Dustin holds immense pride for his collection, and has even built his own database to log toppers and minimize accidental repeat purchases.

Dustin lives by the mantra “Treat Yourself,” demonstrated here in a flow chart he shared with the Pair Family to encourage everyone to buy the Tops they’re eyeing.

The eclectic variety of both frames and toppers also allow for Dustin to coordinate his glasses with his mood and style each and every day. His go-to patterns are often music-related. Some days are what Dustin likes to consider “hard rock days”, while others are considered “laid-back jazz days”.

Inspiring Creativity and Connection Within a Glasses Community

Dustin is a frequent contributor to our Pair Family Facebook Group, where he shares how Pair contributes to special moments of his life, as well as other thoughtful messages with the close knit community. He loves sharing his Pair journey with others and inspiring them to explore their own creativity.

He often posts fun outfit inspiration, showing off his Top Frame and suspender combination of the day! Dustin is always creating unique looks to express himself.

The Pair Family has allowed for Dustin to experience and feel a true sense of belonging. He has built relationships, from all over the world, with like-minded individuals that share the same passion and desire of self-actualization.

We love hearing our customers' experiences, from big life milestones to funny everyday moments. One of our favorite parts of our Pair Family is seeing the connections built with fellow enthusiasts.

Finding Confidence and Self-Expression With Pair

As previously mentioned, glasses have always been more than just a functional, medically needed accessory for Dustin. Discovering Pair glasses took his eyewear game to the next level, unlocking that daily ability to express himself.

Being able to express himself through both his eyewear and outfits has left Dustin with a newfound level of confidence. While most people would say that their glasses are not a main-driver of their confidence, some even make the argument that they feel less confident in glasses, Pair-wearers would frequently disagree. Pair glasses have not just unlocked confidence for many, but also driven increases in individuals’ self-esteem.

For Dustin, Pair glasses are definitely a symbol of self-care and self-worth. Our glasses have given Dustin, and many individuals like him, the ability to express oneself in ways that no other eyewear company could. We at Pair feel very lucky to play that role in customers' lives.

The Pairian community has created a network for people to see others confidently embracing their eyewear. It is amazing to see the support from the Pairian environment, where individuality and self-expression are both celebrated. We aim to create a sense of community and support that inspires and uplifts others, that allows you to wear your frames with pride and joy.

Celebrating Self-Love With Dustin’s Exclusive Top-Frame Capsule

Dustin’s dedication and loyalty has not gone unnoticed the past two and a half years. We love seeing the newest Topper added to his collection and also his daily reminders on the importance of self love.

We recently invited Dustin to help craft his own collection. These looks are the product of Dustin's creativity and feature his favorite colors, designs, and themes. We’d like to dedicate this collection to the man himself, whose kindness, spirit, and Top Frame/suspender combos continue to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Dustin’s coined motto of treating yourself is what this collection is all about. The frames he helped design feature icons that represent R&R, soul-soothing comfort foods, and hues that deliver instant calm. His picks from the Pair past add to the core theme of self-care, empowerment, and being true to you.Let’s check out the 3 designs Dustin’s created and a few of his other returning favorites.

1. The Treat Yo’self: A great reminder of your true value as a person and that treating yourself is always okay. No one will ever do it better.
2. The Fri-Yay: After a long work week, your Friday can be a little salty, savory, wild and stress-free when treating yourself to what makes you smile.
3. The Dustin Gradient: A hue of blues and seafoam green that embraces a sassy person’s inner beach and reminds them of having the power to go, do, relax and treat themselves.
4. The Stilettos: The representation of a higher level of attitude with altitude (depending on the heel size). Allowing people to take charge and be seen with great fashion and fortitude.
5. The Carnival Plaid: A colorful spectrum of boldness and collaboration with you and your fashion sense, taking center ring under the big top of life while treating yourself to the sweet tastes of Pairing fashion.
6. The Taco Tuesday: A must have topper in the world of foodies, a previous limited release that encourages cultural flavors in a wide spectrum of feelings and refinement, the basis of treating yourself.
7. The Pop Art: A youthful representation of the marvel-ous comic world representing a time when treating yourself was a common occurrence and lines were not blurred but full of color, life and desire.
8. The Brushed Nickel: A premium professional look that allows you to be worthy of recognition on a specialized platform by taking control of your wellbeing, as you navigate social barriers through your own success.
9. The Black & White Splatter:Aclassic look into a world where things are not always solely black and white but have spots of change on each side of the continuum; creating creativity and self-characteristics in a world of realization and necessary attainment.
10. The Ruby Sparkle:Allow for a following of a true path that sparkles with distinctiveness or encountering new adventures and friendships globally, it will leave anyone saying fire, inspire, and Pair, “oh my”.
11. The Orange Reflective Sun Top:When your future is so bright that you need to take the shine off a little so that you can focus on your needs, self-value and self-respect by putting yourself first.

We are so excited to see others rock Dustin’s favorite looks and share their selfies in the Pair Family group.

Embracing Individuality and Inspiring the Pair Community

Dustin’s journey with Pair has been nothing short of spec-tacular. His story highlights the transformative power of eyewear and the joy of self-expression. He is a great example of our values and mission here at Pair Eyewear.

We hope Dustin’s story has inspired you just that much more to express your individuality. We invite you to share your own Pair journey with us! Whether you’re a long-time wearer or new to the family, we’d love to hear how Pair has made a difference in your life.

Join our community, explore Dustin’s collection, and discover the joy of Pair for yourself. Treat yourself today and let your individuality shine!