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

Take a look around your home and you can translate this into an indicator of your personal style. If you think less is more, and you favour neutral colour palettes, sleek lines and not even a visible door handle, a skinny rim is for you. This will suit your love of function and form, as these frames require super-technology and state of the art materials. To cut down on bulk and weight, materials need to be super tough even when pared down to the minimum. Usually devoid of decoration, or even joints! These frames are made of as few parts as possible, with springy materials that do the work of joints and complex lens housings. Almost invisible on the face, they are practically weightless and very comfortable, second only to contact lenses for making you look specless!

If you like to chuck as much colour, bling and detail at everything as possible, if your lounge looks like the Strictly ballroom, then you need a plastic. With plenty of surface area for decoration and extra colours it’s just the thing to allow you to express your exuberance and wildness! These frames do the work of accessories for you, bringing interest and warmth to the face. These are frames with personality, for those who like to be noticed. On a practical level, they also disguise thicker lenses, will stand up to a careless owner, and are perennially trendy.

There are styles in between these extremes of course – subtle plastics, metals in colours, a few remaining rimless – but who wants to go for the safe path? Take it to an extreme for a memorable look, bold or barely there, the choice is yours!

Varifocal Glasses

The Geek shape of chunky rectangular plastic in solid colours has been around for so long this time that’s moved away from quirky to mainstream. We’re seeing it on trendy baby boomers, funky young JLS fans, style conscious kids and everyone else in between! It’s in every price range from Fendi and Christian Dior to the cheapest budget ranges.

The trend has evolved a little by moving into bright colours, opaque finishes, and subtle detail like visible pins and engraving. For the first time ever we’ve also seen metal versions of this shape, in chunky rims and flat matt colour finishes. Cat’s eye and round shapes are a cool alternative to angular shapes. The Americans have been way ahead of us with this for ages; they adore the small, preppy round frame. Even the likes of Giorgio Armani have been raiding the archive designs and are re-visiting the fashions of the Eighties. Check out your Mum and Dad’s old spec drawer for some true vintage style.

If you want to move forward rather than back, there are a few alternatives. Futuristic uber skinny metals or rimless in sleek finishes and bright colours. The use of orange, lime and neon blue. Men’s ranges like Porsche Design using matt plastics and Titanium to produce big bold frames with a new look.

So although Retro is the new modern, you don’t have to follow the crowd, you can add an individual twist with colour and shape this season.

Varifocal Glasses

The chunky, solid finish of plastics over the past few years was a fab look, but it is heavy for those clients with delicate features or pale colouring. So the newest generation of plastics have a shimmering translucent finish which allows light through the frame. This gives colour and warmth but is less dominant than a solid frame. It also lends itself to beautiful effects as light creates different mixes of colour. Imagine the pretty stained glass effect of layers of different coloured plastics laminated together. As you move and the background shows through the frame you get light and shade and a very flattering soft focus shimmer around the face.

Shots of lime and teal are pretty against brown and black for blondes, dramatic black with white or red are lovely for brunettes, all autumn tones mixed together are beautiful for redheads. You just need to find the mix that flatters your skin tones, eyes, hair and wardrobe. Take a good look in sunshine and shadow to make sure you get a realistic view of how they’ll look during different times of the day. Even men can get in on the act with plastics for the boys – layers of less obvious colour but maybe a dash of exciting lining. There’s a terrific translucent for everyone, so let your true colours shine through!

Varifocal Glasses

During the nineties and early noughties specs were all about metals, particularly antique finished, oval or rectangular styles. They were minimal in style, small in size, and frankly, not the most exciting eye wear fashion to grace the face. Then bling began to light up our lives, and specs demanded the same glitzy treatment as bags, shoes and all manner of accessories. Glasses became bigger, bolder, and more decorative, and the chunky nature of plastic frames made this possible.

With decoration came an upscale in proportion and the whole look – the barely there effect of rimless and semi-rimless frames was shot into oblivion by bold, in your face as well as on your face bright plastics with wide sides, layers of bright colour and wild designs. Colours in every shade from classic black to all hues in pinks, purples, reds, lime can brighten up our lives and our eye wear wardrobe.

In terms of practicality, plastic can be more comfortable to wear than metal, providing the frame is a good fit to start with. The moulded bridges cannot be adjusted, so you need a good fit around the bridge for successful wear. There are fewer bits to go wrong, without the need for complex attachment of trims and nose pieces. There is no possibility of an allergic reaction to those sensitive types amongst you, and they cover a multitude of sins if you have a higher prescription and therefore thick lenses.

Not for shrinking violets or those who don’t want to be noticed, plastic is a bright and bold way to correct your sight while bringing a dash of colour into your life.

Varifocal Glasses

The perfect face shape that most of us find attractive is the oval for ladies, with forehead and chin perfect proportion, eyes half way down the face and nose balanced. For men it’s sculpted cheekbones and a strong jaw, and for both sexes the more symmetrical the face, the more attractive we find it. So if you don’t presently look like Liz Hurley or Johnny Depp, how can we help? See the IGC website for full face shape guidelines, but here are a few pointers!

The first step is to pull your hair back and examine your face in strong daylight. Remember the old trick of drawing round your face with lipstick on the mirror? If you’re not sure of your face shape classification this may help, or take a quick pic and draw on that!  Now you know your shape, think about what you need to achieve for George Clooney or Kate Moss type good looks!

The golden rule is that in creating the illusions, you need to play down your flaws by enhancing the opposite effect. Round face? Create angles with squarer or more rectangular frames. Clunky chunky jawline? Soften it with oval or rounder frames. Long face? Wide frames with less depth will draw attention across the face, and create a more balanced proportion. Men with chubby cheeks can bring on a chiselled jaw line with sharply angular specs. The possibilities for perfection are endless!

You can even make eyes look larger and further apart by choosing a frame with no detail at the bridge, and something to grab attention at the outside edge, such as decorated sides or temples. Too distract from crow’s feet choose a chunky plastic that brings the onlookers eye forward from the face beneath and has no detail around the crinkly bits you want to ignore!

Wearing specs will improve your sight, so why not use them to improve your looks too? And an easier way to get into shape than a visit to the gym!!

Varifocal Glasses

Sarah Jessica Parker – Pounding the celeb circuit to promote her new film, “I don’t know how she does it” and neither do we darling, she’s looking hot hot hot in a simply HUGE Aviator style wrap in slick black with a chic graduated tint – Kate Reddy looks good on you SJP…..

Madonna – behind the camera for a change, but then out and about promoting W.E. on the red carpet and all over town. Fabulous accessorising with a butterfly scattered dress and perfectly matched red sunnies, in a suitably Wallis Simpson inspired retro shape.

Pippa Middleton – Everyone’s favourite little sis hitting the streets in a very understated but very cool black plastic, with classic pared down styling, and no gaudy bling. Go Pippa – teaching all wannabe princesses a thing or two about regal chic.

Cheryl Cole – reported to be a little down in the dumps but looking as beautiful as ever Stateside, and looking lush in a rather groovy take on the old Ray ban Clubmaster, with chic temple detail. Chin up Chezza! Celeb Watch loves you……

Exhausted by the possibilities now, we must hit the streets before closing time, channelling the high flying Mum with too much to do thanks to SJP! So many purchases to make, so little time…..

Varifocal Glasses

Green is a fab colour for most complexions; you just have to pick the perfect shade for you. The secret is in the amount of yellow in your skin tone and the chosen frame. The most yellow end of the spectrum, the acid greens, from lime through to apple are delicious if you have naturally blonde hair. These greens are perfect for lighting up wishy-washy blue eyes and bringing zing to skin! They are a pretty colour to use in linings and detail, against navy blue, dramatic black or soft tortoise frames.

If you have Mediterranean colouring, with olive skin and dark hair, then you need a more browny green, warm and flattering mixed with honey-toned tortoiseshell. A slightly translucent plastic or metal with a touch of gold will add highlights and give you some flashes of built in sunshine!

Black skin contains so many tones that there will always be a green for you. It’s a more unusual dark shade to wear than the same old black, brown or grey, and will provide a delicate contrast to your brown eyes. Depending on your precise tones you may need a warm khaki green with plenty of brown in it, or try an emerald green, with more blue than yellow, as this will play down sallow tones in your skin.

Asian skin, with brown eyes, again needs to steer clear of the acid greens and head for the muted tones. Bright emerald can be beautiful as you can wear such shimmering jewel colours, with plenty of blue in the mix. This will light up your honey-brown eyes.

Those blue-heavy emerald greens are also good with dark hair and pale skin, as these Irish or English roses have blue or green eyes. Blue-green will enhance these eye colours, and play up your eye colour. The trick is to try on green shades and examine the effect in bright daylight. Do wrinkles look softer, eyes look brighter, skin look fresher? If the answer to all of the above is yes, then you’ve found the gorgeous green for you!

Varifocal Glasses

Retro shapes are everywhere this season, with cat’s eyes for women and chunky Buddy Holly plastics for men. These are trends that suit every age group, charmingly geeky on kids, flattering on grannies. The cat’s eye is a fantastic shape for lifting the face, drawing attention away from a soft jaw line, and detracting from any droop! Heavy plastics on men give colour and interest back to features, and look sophisticated and strong. As the trend is still towards larger frames, these happily fit a varifocal lens and therefore give you practicality and fashion!

If your hair is now lighter, your skin tone will be too, so warm shades and soft plastic frames will give warmth and colour as opposed to sharp, shiny cold metals. Solid moulded bridges support the weight of lenses better than single nose pads, and won’t drag on delicate skin. Wide sides disguise creeping crow’s feet, and give colour and interest at the temples if your hair is greying there. If your brows have faded too, or been plucked into oblivion, a strong colour at the top of the frame can give you back some much needed definition.

The only rule is forget the rules! There are no limits to style when it comes to specs, and you’re free to choose what you like, not what you feel suits your advancing years. Plus, as we’re more likely to need specs as we get older, it’s a guilt free shopping opportunity – so enjoy some sexy speccy senior style!

Varifocal Glasses