Eye wear trends are always a difficult thing to pinpoint as the fashion pages are obsessed with clothes, shoes, accessories, and specs are rarely on their list. Here at the blog we try to turn the spotlight on specs – the more you see them as a desirable purchase the happier all you spex wearers will be! So here we go – for the last quarter of the year trends and forecasts are for looks inspired by nature.

We all have that urge to hibernate as the nights draw in, and Winter fashion often revolves around warmth, comfort, and the colours of Autumn. The colour palette at this time of year tends to be softer than the harsh brights of Summer, to suit our Winter complexions! Tones are dulled down to warm shades of plummy purples, olive, khaki and brown, dull greens rather than acid lime

Classic tortoiseshell is always a winner, but more recently it’s brought up to date with laminated layers, and inserts of caramel, or even red and blue. Advanced technology has given us the ability to mix in transparent layers, detail such as lace sandwiched into the material, or inset trims and metal filigree work.

Retro is still up to date! The re-emergence of big hair and shoulder pads is influencing eyewear, and for the first time since the eighties we’re seeing round frames creeping back in. These go with geek styling – solid plastics and very preppie shapes, but round in shape this time and with metal joints and bridge parts. Sizes are big or small, the choice is yours, but generally sizes are getting bigger as the year goes on.

The emphasis for detail is still on the sides, with nature inspired designs, lacy cobweb type patterns, leaves, butterflies, flowers. For boys it’s still techno, with inlaid wood patterns or etched metal. While we all like a bit of a Designer label, logos are more subtle now, with the global financial situation giving rise to a bit of austerity!