Now we’re settled into 2011, and thinking forward to lighter nights and brighter days, new looks for the season hit the fashion pages and the High Street. Watching the tried old Sale stock disappear, to be replaced with fresh funky fashion is always an exciting time, and eye wear is no exception. So what have we seen to tempt us so far this year?
Retro is definitely back again – there really is nothing new in fashion!! The surprise for this year is round shapes, which were due for a revival as we haven’t seen them for some time. This very American, preppie look, will be totally new for youngsters, as it hasn’t hit our shelves since the Eighties. The most flattering round eye has a straight top rim, with all the curves below the brow. Christian Dior, Paul Smith and Gucci are all working on this look at the moment.
Sizes, as we predicted last year, are still getting bigger. This is great news for varifocals wearers, but if you’re very long or short sighted you may want to give this trend a miss – you’ll end up with heavier lenses. If you do take the plunge, choose thinner material lenses and prepare for increased weight on your nose!
In terms of look and material, whatever the size and shape you choose it’s still plastic frames for true fashionistas. Graduated colours, going from light to dark or a colour mix are cool, again it’s a retro trend that looks set to stay. For a twist on original frames it’s androgynous shapes in feminine colours that are cool this year, such as the boyish geek look in hot purple or bright blue.
The good news is that despite this hot fashion look, shapes are still mixed, with bigger and smaller frames, rectangular and round jostling for position on the shelves. So if your prescription dictates your choice, there are still plenty of options for you. This is a refreshing change, as all too often the designers plump for a uniform fashion that doesn’t allow for specific eyewear needs.