Rimless – wearers of these minimal frames tend to be just like their glasses – neat, efficient, sharp and smart. Often chosen by professionals, they don’t shout out for attention, they’re discreet, subtle and quietly confident. You won’t find any flamboyant dressers or wild child types topping their exuberant outfits with rimless. Tailored clothing, subtle colours and neat little accessories are more their style.

Bold Plastics – trendy, funky, show off and shout out, these are the exact opposite of a rimless. Ronnie Barker, Jenny Eclair, Dame Edna, Elton John are fans, so need we say more?!! These are the glamorous, look-at-me option, and plastics wearers will certainly demand that you do. They love bright colours, attention seeking clothes, and will be the life and soul of every party!

Metals – metal frames are the back to basics, no nonsense option. Colours are less noticeable on metal frames, they are sturdy, steady, and dependable. Aside of the occasional funky fashion metal, these are the beige slacks option of the eye wear fashion world. Metal spec wearers will get the job done for you, are reliable and efficient.

Retro/Vintage – This is usually quite a quirky look, so expect it on revolutionaries, hippies, or at the other end of the spectrum, high end fashion victims. It requires a little thinking outside the box to track down a vintage frame that can be glazed, so these will be the people who like something different. True individuals who want to kick back against the uniformity of the British High Street.

So do you think you fit your specs profile? Or are you just wearing what was easy/cheap/they’re-my-husbands-I-can-just-about-see-in-them! Maybe it’s time to tell the world a little more about you via your eye wear, or even go for a new look and fool everyone with the unexpected!

Varifocal Glasses

Sunspec fashion for summer is still huge, so if you don’t need glasses for distance, dust off your bug eye sunnies from two years ago, the bigger the bigger is still cool, but styles are a bling free zone if you want to look high fashion this season. There are a few wrap around visor styles creeping out again this spring, so check the fashion pages and see if you can recycle some old sunnies. If you have any from the 1970s even better – the Margo Ledbetter look is hot this summer!

If you have a prescription for distance, you have three options – lenses that go dark in the sun, prescription sunglasses, or contact lenses with a prescription sunnies over the top. Let’s take it a step at a time!

Lenses that go dark in the sun – Photochromic lenses are triggered by UV, so they are light indoors, and dark outside. You only have to carry one pair with you, they adapt to any light conditions, and this can be a cheaper option than two separate pairs. You can choose most lens options in a photochromic version.

Prescription Sunglasses – These are permanently dark, which will give plenty of sun protection, but you need to have a clear pair with you, in case you suddenly get caught out and have to drive at night – or if the sun goes in! You can choose from dedicated prescription sunnie ranges, or choose a fashion frame that is suitable for glazing with prescription lenses.

Contact Lenses – You could wear contacts all the time, which is perfect for sport, and fog free cooking!! You can then pick the fanciest sunnies you like to wear over the top, and no one will know that you have a prescription! But bear in mind that you do also need prescription glasses to wear in case of eye infections or even late nights.

It’s a lifestyle choice that you might want to think about sooner rather than later – we’re inundated with orders for sunnies from the first snowdrops up until the burning days of August – and it’s always desperate for that special holiday, so take the time to think about it now, and get set for the sunshine.

Varifocal Glasses

Does this sound like your nearest and dearest? Do you need some help to drag your man kicking and screaming into fashion? This is where we heroic internet spec providers can come into our own. Your man can browse on line, which is kind of teccie, and not like real shopping at all. They can look for as long as they want, while pretending to be busy with many pursuits like online poker or the match report. They can try before they buy, so they can sample as many styles as they like, without fear of ridicule.

While old frames can be re-used, they have to be strong and still in one piece, and take a close look at the colour on the rims. If it is chipped or peeling, this means the protective layers of lacquer that protect the underlying metal have worn away, and if you continue to wear it you may end up with a rash or even a severe reaction to the base metal. Old pairs can also provide you with a good quality spare pair, for use in emergencies or to wear if you’re gardening or decorating.

Now that we’ve got over their aversion to shopping, what should they choose? A few subtle pointers from the better half might help. Skinny metals and rimless have given way to chunky plastics over the past couple of years, and plastic is actually more skin friendly, has less bits to break, and is robust. If they do still want a metal, upscale the size, go for thicker sides, and note that matte colours are much trendier than those old classics, shiny gold and silver.

So bring your boys bang up to date, without the pain of trailing around the High Street. Leave them to shop at the screen, and you can enjoy your browsing in peace!

Varifocal Glasses

Our first job is to check out the optical press and decide who and what we want to see. We have to get round as many exhibitor’s as possible, to seek out styles that are consistent with your most popular choices. We want to give you a subtle twist on what we know you like, at a reasonable price – not too much to ask is it?

The previews for this show are advertising deep rims, rounded shapes, thinner sides, and less decoration than we’ve been used to over the past four or five years. Very little bling, more engraving and marbled materials, and colour everywhere! Colour is layered, mixed, laminated, and there are fab combinations like blue frame fronts with yellow sides, purple with orange – not for the faint hearted but lots of fun!! The defining shape has joints at the top of the frame, with a straight top rim. Subtle details like this give you the look of the season.

The feel and theme is still retro, but we’re leaving behind the classic tortoiseshells and blacks of the past couple of years, and moving on to a Seventies/Eighties vibe. Think roller discos, power dressing and Dynasty! Second time around, it’s fresh and funky for those who don’t remember it from the first time around!

So think of us working hard in Milan on your behalf – March 11^th to 13^th, when you’re enjoying the daffodils and gearing up for April and Easter eggs – and you’ll enjoy the fruits of our labours with all the new looks we hunt down for you!

Varifocal Glasses

Titanium is a metal which gives us frames that are super light weight, and super strong. Pure Titanium frames can be up to 48% lighter than an equivalent size metal frame – pure Titanium is classified as greater than 98% Titanium in content. Despite being thinner and lighter than standard metals it’s also super strong, so it’s durable, more so than any other metal alloy. It feels very flexible and bendy, but it’s this impact resistance that contributes to it’s longevity.

If you suffer from allergic reactions to metals, Titanium will even solve that problem for you. It’s 100% hypo-allergenic, so even if it touches your skin you won’t have a problem. Most metal frames have some percentage of Nickel in their alloys, and it’s this that most people react to. If you react to costume jewellery, belt buckles or watches, then chances are you’re allergic to Nickel. As Titanium is Nickel free, it’s suitable for even the most sensitive skin.

As trends give us bigger and bigger shapes, and heavier frames, the need for a lightweight option will increase, and we’ll be seeing more options in frames made of Titanium in the future. They are a little more expensive than nickel alloys, but for many patients they are the perfect solution. Sleek, space age, comfortable and tough. Look out for Titanium when you’re perfecting your look!

Varifocal Glasses

I’ve been wearing specs for about fifteen years, so I missed the joy of Deirdre Barlow mega frames my Mum had in the seventies, and my specs have got smaller and smaller since my first ever pair. I’ve done metal, rimless, and a rather cool pair with a plastic top rim and a thread holding the lower rim. Now I liked all of them at the time, but a recent trip to London confirmed my worst fears – I was behind the times, and an update was severely overdue.

My prescription is fairly low, so I was ok to try bigger, deeper frames. Apparently, if you have strong lenses then can be too thick and heavy for big frames, but mine were ok. I was warned that I might see a bit of distortion at the lenses edges to start with, as they are bigger. I chose a plastic frame with a moulded bridge, as this spreads the extra weight out, so specs will be more comfy. I went for a very cool Christian Dior in a warm navy blue, slightly softer than the teenager’s chunky square specs but still quite trendy.

A couple of weeks on, my new deep frame has been a complete revelation, and I cannot describe how much I love it!! I can see much more easily to reverse the car, I can walk down the stairs without fear of looking under my frames, and it hides the eye bags brilliantly after a night on the pink wine! The edges did feel a bit wobbly to begin with, but I adjusted really quickly. I think the more open look of the bigger lenses is flattering, and everyone says they take years off me – so bigger is better and I’m glad I’ve plumbed the depths!!

Varifocal Glasses

If you have long eye lashes and they brush against your specs, this is a massive annoyance in so many ways. You constantly smudge your mascara and your lenses; it’s irritating and may even lead to ingrown lashes. Your first consideration is metal rather than plastic frames, as metals have nose pads which lift the frame further away from the eye. If you already have nose pads, squeezing them in slightly will lift the frame up – there is a fine line between feeling your nose is being pinched off and having the specs set at the right height, so go carefully! If you like plastic frames, then experimentation is the key. Even in the plastic moulded bridge style, they all sit slightly differently.

When it comes to eyebrows, the key is in looking carefully at the shape and curve of your brows – whether artificially enhanced or what God gave you! The top rim of the frame should follow the shape of the brow – flat, curved, or arched. Now that frames are shallower, your brows will be visible above the top rim, and if the lines don’t echo each other you can end up with a confusing double brow effect, and a surprised or confused expression! If you haven’t got much in the way of brows, then a frame can do all the work for you. A darker rim will give you your features back, and enhance your eyes.

Of course the other option is to fully show off all the artistry you’ve purchased – why not try contact lenses – they go with any brow or lash fashion!

Varifocal Glasses

We’ve all seen the new specs fashion that has been around for the past couple of years – deep, chunky, bold square, geek chic frames. Loved for many years by everyone from Roy Orbison to the boys from McFly! Not a look for shrinking violets, and also not a good look for petite faces. But if you like a vintage vibe, or a touch of retro chic, there’s an alternative new look this year – round has rolled back in vogue!

If you’ve been Watching Call the Midwife, channel that style icon Miranda Hart, looking stylish in her circular lens specs. Now round is not a look for everyone, but it works on narrow jaw lines, slim faces, and the hippy chicks amongst us who never quite got over the Seventies! This year it’s all about tortoiseshell and amber plastics and metals, and retro styled plastics with visible pins at the joints.

Round is a perfect shape for higher prescriptions, as theses frames tend to be small in proportion, and are of course even in shape, which gives thinner lenses even in higher lens powers. Plastic rims are also thicker than metals, so they do an excellent job of disguising lens thickness, so it’s win-win for the very short or long sighted amongst you!

If you like trawling car boot sales or antique stalls, you might even find a round frame that’s truly vintage. The NHS made the round metal and plastic frames that everyone wore around the Sixties, and from the Thirties onwards there are plenty of plastic frames that you can still pick up for replacement lenses. Make sure there are no splits in the frame rim, which will then come apart when we heat the frame to try to put new lenses in. Areas that are discoloured white can also cause problems – they may be too brittle to use.

So whether you go for a modern version or a vintage treasure, you know what they say about fashion – everything comes round again!!

Varifocal Glasses

If you are over the age of forty, you may be wary of this look, which will remind you of the dreaded NHS frames, and possibly convince you that you look exactly like your own father. So can you wear it, and if not, what do you do?!!

Firstly, it is a look that’s a good deal more wearable then you might imagine. There are plenty of variations on the theme, so a softer shape, thinner rim, or lighter colour may be the one for you. Try, try, and try again, in as many varieties as you can find. Very thick frames in black are not for the faint hearted, but a slimmer rim with a soft colour may be funky, youthful, and subtle enough for you.

Secondly, there are options which are just as trendy, but not as extreme. The geek shape in metal is a nice change, as is a rimless in a rectangular shape. Retro round eyes are creeping back in too, so you can have the bold, chunky rim, but that curvier shape may flatter you more.

For men and women there are metal frames with thick sides, with less bling than in recent years, but more intricate detail. We’ve seen tattoo like engravings, inlaid colours, and laminated decoration bringing interest to new styles this season. So never fear that fashion is only for the young! There are grown up alternatives out there that will give you a new look for spring, without making you look like dad!

Varifocal Glasses

If you wear bifocals – this older format of lens is seen as cheap and easy option once you need help for close and far vision. It does show the world that you’ve reached that certain age however, and it’s pretty hopeless at the computer. Change to varifocals – no visible line, middle distance correction for laptops, VDU screens and i-pads, and all with a no fuss full refund policy from the IGC!

If your lenses are thick – higher prescriptions can result in chunky heavy lenses. This can lead to sore noses and ears, and they can minify or magnify the eye too. Switch to thinner material lenses to reduce weight and flatter your eyes. There will be less visual distortion at the lens edge too.

If your lenses obscure your eyes – standard lenses in slightly higher prescriptions can reflect light back, hiding your eyes and interfering with your sight. Choose anti-reflection coated lenses which will allow all the light through to the eye. This means that people see you not themselves, and will allow you to maximise your sight. They also make vision much more comfortable for night driving and at the computer.

If you struggle with ready readers – it’s not an expensive option to order bespoke reading lenses in your glasses. Ready readers do the job for brief snatches of glancing at small print, but for prolonged periods of reading you need your proper prescription set at the correct measurement for you. Keep your ready readers for emergencies only -  then close work will be less likely to cause eye strain.

Varifocal Glasses