Archive for the ‘Glasses Fashion’ Category

Celeb Watch July 2010

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

A proper English Summer Celeb watchers, what a fabulous fashion opportunity. At last we can bask in our Melissa Odabash swimmies without a cardie on top! Forget St Barts, with this weather Clacton might just be the new Caribbean. We never thought we’d leave Glasto with less mud than we arrived with! Talking of which, festival chic is the perfect barometer for fashion for the rest of the summer, so what did we spy, in between swooning our latest girl crush, Kylie the new Aphrodite….

Kate Moss – Finally giving the Wayfarers a rest and stepping out in the cutest Aviator to match her boy crush Jamie Hince. Sweet! Killer on the cheekbones Kate, a great look.

Alexa Chung – Cool once more, in a divine take on the Wayfarer look, a deep plastic that complimented her elfin face shape perfectly.

Sienna Miller – A beach babe Aviator shape that looked chilled and laid back with her unstructured hair and that ever present ghost of boho vibe.

Kylie – Our fave babe weighed down by this season’s biggest sunnie so far, an Eighties homage with huge dark lenses, nicely balanced with skinny rims and sides. Why just kiss Ana Matronic Kylie? We were waiting……..

Festival season wore us out Darlings, so now it’s time to chill with the left over Wimbledon Pimms before we head off to the beach. Check the packing – Stella McCartney clutch full of Aviators, Chanel Coco lippy, Gucci cuff, Jimmy Choos – see how exhausting the last couple of weeks have been…..

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Shades of a Classic

Saturday, July 10th, 2010

If you’re a fan of disposable fashion and you like your trends to change with your moods, then you’ll be stocking up on lashings of Eighties inspired coloured accessories. Now it’s all very well to be of the moment, but what if you feel like investing in a classic? Think of your style personality before you decide and you’ll have a look to last a lifetime!

There are three classic sunnie shapes that have been around for over fifty years and have stood the test of time. Always in fashion, whatever the year or even the decade!

Jackie O – Sophisticated and Grown up – This is the Charlotte York look if you’re a SATC fan, grown up, chic, stylish. Usually black plastic, a huge round frame with a very dark lens and minimal or no detail. Looks good for driving or beach wear, and useful for concealing all ills after a good night out! This will suit you if you like Victoria Beckham’s look, a frame for lady-like dressing up.

Jackie O Sunglasses

Jackie O Sunglasses

Wayfarer – Unisex, trendy, and a touch quirky – a plastic frame in the classic Blue’s Brothers shape, with a square top rim and sweep across the cheeks. Again, usually black, or the wildly different tortoiseshell for real rebels! This will be perfect if you’re channelling Kate Moss or Alexa Chung, a look for Indie girls. Avoid it if you have a tiny nose, they can rest on your face.

Aviator – Now more for the girls than the boys – big, blinging and the more oversized the better. Traditionally a men’s frame, this has now been totally adopted by women, and looks good for casual wear. The large teardrop shape is fashionable and practical, the lens area giving good sun protection. It’s quite a beach babe look, so if Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Anniston are your style icons, then go with the Aviator.

Styles that have had fashion staying power for half a century will surely be sticking around for some time to come, so invest and you don’t have to make another sunnie descision for the next fifty years!

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Celeb Watch – Hotting Up!

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010

Feeling hot hot hot Celeb Watchers! The scent of fake tan is overpowering round here, nearly blotting out the Wimbledon watcher’s Strawberries and Krug, but we can’t sit out and get real tans due to nasty ageing effects and the way harsh fact that if you’re sunbathing, you’re not shopping – who’d be a girl?!! So now that we’re nicely orange and have washed off the Glasto dust, time to find the perfect look for Jumpin’ July……

Cheryl Cole – The Nations sweetheart bravely getting on with her life, chic in a radically slim-sided sunnie that complements her heart shaped face and that enormous smile – and just who is responsible for that Chezza?!! We girls need to know!!

Florence Welch – Minus machine but with lots of added style, in a very retro round frame – kind of Harry Potter meets Ozzy Osbourne – with a cool blue lens. If you can’t find any, borrow them from any under fives dressing up box, and sneak out some of their ankle socks too….

Florence Welsh in cool blue sunnies

Florence Welsh in cool blue sunnies

Cameron Diaz – Californian beach babe Cameron went for the classic aviator, a casual shape that suits her tousled surfer babe style. Dark frame and lenses though – an unusual contrast to her golden skin and hair…..

Alexa Chung – shocked us by going for the obvious! The indie chick who always stands out from the crowd was blending in, in a very boring black plastic. Come on Alexa – we need inspiration from you, although it’s comforting that even style Goddesses sometimes get it wrong…..

So Celebs, we’re loving it that you’re surprising us this week, not going for the obvious, although Kate’s probably still in that Wayfarer and VB will be in a huge Jackie O plastic, rather like the World Cup results, some things never change………..like the fact that we’re off to hit the High Street, Hurrah!!!!

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Dare to be Difficult!

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

As with clothes, shoes and possibly even cars, colour choice can be the make or break decision in picking something you can live with and love. It’s fine to play it safe and go for the classic options of neutral shades, and indeed these are much loved and cherished by a huge segment of the population. But before you go for the easy option, why don’t you walk on the wild side and dare to go for a difficult colour that will make you stand out in the crowd…..

All the tricky colours can work on the right skin tone if you find the right shade. Then you’ll have eyewear that’s brave, bold, and flattering; in a way that truly suits you as an individual. Green is the perfect example. Fair skinned, green eyed, dark haired types look fab in strong and warm emerald or dark apple green. Blondes look fab in acid greens, and olive skins look warm and sultry in sludgy Khaki tones.

White is amazing against dark skin, especially with a tinted lens. Don’t go near it if you’re pale! It’s also great on tanned skin, and gives a stunning contrast if you mix in some black detail.

Orange is only for the brave, but it’s amazing on blazing autumn people, so go for it if you’ve got warm skin and copper toned hair. In a strong and hot shade it’s zingy with black skin. Again it suits a tint in a cooler tone, the perfect combination being hot orange and a cool grey lens.

Yellow is perhaps the hardest colour of all, and over our years in Optics the one we see the least. It’s a lovely accent colour against brown or khaki or even black, but entirely yellow frames are thankfully few and far between. It can bring out the golden highlights in blonde hair, but just choose your shade very carefully!

When trying a bold new colour, take some time getting used to the look. Does the frame light your face up? Bring out the sparkle in your eyes and hair? Or do you look like you need a holiday? Experiment with shade and tone and when you’re picked the perfect colour for you, step out and be daring and difficult!

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The Word on the Street

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

When we ordered our frame collection for the new season we spent some time surveying clients to get opinions on the latest looks. Our sometimes wild taste may not be that of the paying public! An interesting side effect of this was the words and phrases that people came up with to describe our frames, and the kind of people they thought would plump for them. Ever wondered how you come across to others? Read on if you dare…..

Women’s Metal, Episode 106 – Words to describe it – Funky, Elegant, Fab Colour, Curvy.

Who would wear this? ‘A woman who knows what suits her, it’s really strong.’

‘Someone confident and sexy.’

‘A grown up – it’s really sophisticated.’

Women’s Metal & Plastic, Episode 101 – Words to describe it – Pretty, really girly, feminine, soft.

Who would wear this? ‘A nature lover, it’s got actual flowers on it!’

‘Only women surely?!’ (Nervous man backs away from us!)

‘Someone very feminine, in a floaty dress! It’s so pretty.’

‘A warm and cuddly person!’

Women’s Metal & Plastic Episode 113 – Groovy, stylish, unusual, chic, classy.

Who would wear this? ‘Someone fun! It’s kind of smart but with a twist, with that

Austin Powers pattern on the side!’

‘It’s quite clever isn’t it? The glasses front bit is pretty plain,

but then it’s really unusual on the side arms.’

‘Me! I Love it! Can I buy one?’

Women’s Metal & Plastic Episode 117 – Unusual, bold, pretty, fab colours! Confident.

Who would wear this? ‘A lady who knows what she likes. It’s kind of grown up.’

‘It’s very strong, but unusual with that open bit at the front.’

‘A business woman who wants to be feminine. It’s all plain

until you see the flowers at the sides. You could wear that

anywhere. Does it suit me?!’

We had a really great day chatting to the paying public and hearing their opinions, and we made some new friends into the bargain! It was interesting to hear some unbiased opinions, and we were really pleased that everyone liked our new collection, up to the point where they couldn’t resist trying them on themselves! Take a look sometime and see what you think……

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Think Skin

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Clients often ask us for direction when it comes to what’s hot in frame fashion. Most people don’t want to wear something that’s dull and boring, if they’re going to have to wear glasses they want something they feel good in. Colour is everywhere in specs at the moment, with plastics and metals in a stunning array of rainbow hues. The key to choosing the right colour is to pay attention to your skin tone, because a frame that goes with you will flatter your natural good looks and make people notice you, not your specs.

If you’re an English Rose, with pale skin that has cool blue undertones, then you can take a dramatic frame in strong, clear, bright colours. Blue-red, black, silver, cold purple will all make your eyes glitter and will draw attention away from fine wrinkles on your delicate skin.

If your skin is fair but warm, with a Californian sun-kissed gleam, you need honey, gold and butterscotch brown tones to add a golden glow and set your skin ablaze with Autumn colouring. Reds for you should veer more towards the orange end of the spectrum. If you want something neutral then look for a tan brown or a khaki green. These colours won’t wear you – people will focus on your eyes, not the frame.

If you have a dark or tanned complexion you can take strong colours that will stand out against your sultry skin. Black and white will be a knockout, warm orange and lime will zing and make the whites of your eyes shine out. Hot orange-toned-red and fuchsia pink will pop and look incredible on delicious dark skin.

Olive skin, which is warm in tone, can take all those subtle tones that pale skins can’t. Your red should be yellow based, but you look stunning in all tone of khaki, rich brown and darker shades of the Autumn palette. You’ve probably got dark eyes, and you’ll know you’ve found the perfect colour because gold tones in your eyes will be enhanced.

When you’re trying new frames, look at yourself in natural daylight, and girls, try them with and without make up so you can examine your skin tone. If you have a cool complexion try them when you’re wearing black or white, warm complexions should try them with cream or brown. These basic background colours will allow you to focus on the effect on your face. Are your eyes alight? Do your teeth look white? Is it highlighting shimmers in your eyes or hair? When you find the one, your whole face will come into sharp focus, and not just through your shining new lenses!

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In Recovery

Monday, June 14th, 2010

With our new Government finding their feet and stores such as Boots recording record profits, it would seem that we’re making tentative steps towards believing in a recovery. Are we seeing signs of this in the Optical market, and is it affecting what we sell?

Several big names have sounded optimistic about their prospects through 2010, all backed up by their sales records for the first quarter of the year. One of the world’s biggest luxury frame manufacturers reported a return to normal sales figures for 2010, with signs of growth for the upcoming months. Ultralase, who perform Laser surgery for vision correction were 25% up on consultation bookings at the beginning of the year, and obviously these are two key areas where luxuries, not necessities are showing marked signs of improvement.

Last year manufacturers were being cautious about new product, scaling down new collections and showing a more austere approach to design. Ostentatious bling was replaced by more subtle styles, and there was a retro feel to many new styles which hinted at a return to classics that would stand the test of time. Disposable, faddy fashion was gone, in favor of styles that would stick around.

Designer fashion held back a little too, with showy logos replaced by discreet styling and detail. To be taken seriously in the workplace clients wanted smart specs with a grown up attitude. Some even ordered frames with no power lenses to add to their studious image! Some contact lens patients switched back to specs in an effort to lower costs.

So as 2010 progresses, we see some of these changes going into reverse as we go into recovery. The High Street shopper is gradually losing their caution and sales of sunnies, contact lenses, and luxury brands are on the increase. Despite news of Government cuts and the cloud of the deficit hanging over us, we’re gradually returning to our shopping habits within the Optical sector.

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All that Glitters

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Are you looking for a go anywhere, always chic, simple frame? If the bold charms of coloured plastic are just not you, then you may wish to opt for the shiny and chic good looks of classic metal.

Metal has the advantage of being neutral, smart, slim and relatively inconspicuous on the face. The fully adjustable nose pads give comfort and stability, and the whole frame can be contoured to fit you perfectly. The pads sit the frame away from the cheeks so they are less likely to slip down, and mist up!

Your first decision is shiny or matt – shiny is bright and smart, but shows up more against the skin. Matt is chic and understated, and often darker colours are calmed down with a matt finish. Matt is a little trendier at the moment, and is often used to add style to chunky metals. Some frames of course mix shiny with matt, to enhance trims and spotlight detail.

Colour is important with metal as decoration is often minimal on slim rims and sides. There are always the classic choices of gold or silver, but approach with caution! Silver can be very harsh in too white a shade, a sterling silver colour for instance is not flattering on most complexions. If you like gold then a cool tone is best, not a bright yellow gold which does not look good on many types of skin.

For men the choice usually boils down to the always popular grey gunmetal, black or bronze. These are classic, neutral, and always go with anything. Just find the shade for you. If you want a dark colour matt black is always on trend. Or matching up to your eye colour is flattering and enhances your natural good looks! Blue eyes in navy frame are stunning. For women, pretty shades of mauve and raspberry are nice on cool complexions, while cold blue and grey will calm red faces. Metal is marvellous in the right shade and finish, so take the time to take a close look!

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The Boys from the Girls

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

While checking our brand new frame stock this week, an interesting point for discussion came up in our team. In the case of frames, what makes a fashion or a style particularly suitable for men or for women? Where do you draw the line?

Now obviously there are many frames that men would not be seen dead in – anything coloured, twiddly, splattered with bling, bedecked with roses or butterflies etc etc. These are the easy ones. For girls however the possibilities are endless. How cute did Lilly Allen look in her massive boys geek frame? How chic is Anne Robinson in her cool rectangular metal? Yet both of these are styles that are traditionally worn by men.  For girls, the only boundary is how chunky they want to go, as it makes the face even more feminine to wear a big boys’ frame.

Of course some men have a penchant for the flamboyant, and we applaud you, brave boys who want bright red or green, or who love diamonds and want some glitter on their glasses. David Beckham is welcome to call us any time!! Most however insist that specs are totally functional and they don’t want to get involved in this girly fashion nonsense. They want simple, discreet specs, and if you have a small face, something plain from the women’s section might be the answer.

Unisex styles were all the rage a few years ago, but then as frames got bolder this very plain shape and style fell out of favour. Thicker sides cried out for decoration, and brightly coloured plastics overtook spindly metals in the fashion stakes. Rimless too tapped into the unisex look, but these are less popular over the past couple of years.

So the rule is not be ruled by convention, and if you like a frame don’t worry about the category it’s been fitted into. Embrace your masculine or feminine side and let your heart rule your head!

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Investment Dressing

Sunday, May 30th, 2010

Fashions come and go in every aspect of our lives, and love them or loathe them your glasses are as much a part of your look as your hair, clothes and accessories. Obviously your specs have to fit that look, and if you’re a classic dresser, and don’t appreciate constantly changing, have a think about the long term decision of investment buying in frames that never go out of style…..

For Women – Although this is the category where you can never be totally fashion proof, there’s always a neat metal in any Opticians collection. Gold is always around, in a size that fits your face without going oversized or minimally trendy. Simple silver is always an option too. Steer clear of decoration for true simplicity, and avoid trend setting plastic sides or twiddly bits. A Fifties type plastic in solid brown or black will always be sexy, functional, and in style. For something a little different but always around, a classic cat’s eye shape always hovers on the edge of cutting edge!

For Men – In a plastic frame it’s the Michael Caine heavy square shape, wildly on trend for hot young things, classic for the older gentleman! Useful in tortoiseshell or the most solid black. Steer clear of trendy by avoiding very chunky sides or wild coloured linings.  In metal there’s the simple dark silver or gold square frame, or an Aviator. The latter works well in gold, for a Seventies vibe that never seems to want to go away.

For Sunglasses – There are years when sunnies just don’t seem to alter at all, and shapes like the classic Jackie O round plastic have been around since before the Beatles! Some classic Rayban styles have been around for over fifty years too, without showing signs of going away. The gold Aviator with a green or grey lens, and the Blues Brothers Wayfarer shape are perennial favourites. These shapes and colour combinations have not changed since they first hit the scene. And if you’ve got any doubts about classics, just remember, if it’s good enough for Kate Moss, it’s definitely good enough for you!

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