School children have adopted the freebie spectacles as a new fashion trend

There was a time when wearing a thick pair of glasses to school resulted in ridicule or bullying. But no longer. As a school teacher kindly pointed out after reading yesterday's Shortcut about recycling 3D glasses, the latest trend among pupils is to wear them with the lenses removed.

The Facebook page Taking the Lenses out of 3D Glasses and Wearing Them has approaching 3,000 fans. It would seem pupils are getting away with it on a technicality: "But, sir, where does it say 'no glasses' in the rules about uniform?"

Of course, pupils have long tried to subvert the uniformity of uniforms. Traditionally, the tie has been the preferred tool, with knot styles such as the "bonsai", "superfat" and "long and thin" proving popular. Pupils have also rolled down knee-length socks, turned up the collars on blazers, tucked shoelaces inside the shoe, or carried their bag by just one handle.

However, the trend could already be losing focus. One Facebook page called "Wearing 3D glasses to school, YOUR NOT COOL" (sic – standards, eh?) has more than 600 fans.