Eyewear trends go bold as wearers want 'statement' glasses
BY NOUR HABIB World Scene Writer
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
8/21/12 at 5:09 AM
It's a good time to be one of those who need an extra set of eyes. Stylishly speaking, that is.
Local optician Gary Black, owner of Black Optical, says the current trends are wide and varying, meaning there is something for everyone's taste.
"We're in this perfect time," said Black, who's been in the eyewear business for 17 years. "Anything goes, as long as the proportions are right."
Daniel Brunson, store manager of Hicks Brunson Eyewear, agrees. He thinks the current variety accounts for the growing popularity of eyewear, and also people treating glasses as more than just a prescription.
This was not the case previously, both said.
"I can recall just seven to eight years ago, there were so many boring, thin-wire frames or rimless glasses," Brunson said. It was a minimalist look that was bad for stylists because it didn't make much of a statement.
Nowadays, eyewear is all about the statement.
"One of my clients considers them jewelry for her face," Black said.
And people want that jewelry to be loud and full of personality.
Shapes
Current trends are a little bigger than previous years, to open up the eyes more, Black said.
And the extreme popularity of rectangular frames has diminished, he said.
"Now we're selling just as many cat eyes as we did rectangle frames five years ago," he said.
Brunson said the geek-chic look - thick plastic frames - is still going strong, in part due to its popularity with NBA players and on the Hollywood red carpet.
Other trends include cat eyes for women and modified wayfarers for men.
Round glasses - think Johnny Depp - are also growing in popularity.
Materials
Plastics are popular for the geek-chic look, but Black says he's seeing a lot more mixed-media frames.
For example, some frames will feature a plastic frame with metal temples, or vice versa.
Brunson said wood is also making an appearance, whether in the frame or on the temples.
"It's kind of a natural look," he said. "If made right, it can feel really comfortable."
Colors
Black said one of the newer trends is a matte, non-glossy look. His store sometimes sand blasts frames to take the sheen off.
"It quiets the frame but makes them stand out more," he said. "It's unexpected without being costumey."
Black says other color trends include translucent grays and satin grays, taupes and blues. Women also like butterscotch and champagne hues.
Brunson said red is also popular.
"People just love to see color on other people," he said. Green and purple are also trending.
Frames that fade from one color to another are also gaining popularity.
The one color Black recommends against is black. He said with black frames, "all you see are the glasses."
"You want all of you to be noticed at once, not just your frames."
Eyewear guidelines for various facial shapes
There have always been rules about what frames match what face shapes.
"But personal style doesn't really know those rules," Gary Black said. "Ultimately, buy what you feel good in."
But Daniel Brunson offered some basic guidelines.
- For those with round faces, avoid round-shaped glasses. "Go with something geometric, with straight lines."
- If you've got an angular face - sort of shaped like an upside down triangle, with a narrow chin - go for something rounded, or an aviator shape to fill out the area below the cheek bones.
- And those with a square-shaped face, according to Lenscrafters' website, should opt for curves - such as round or cat-eye frames - to minimize angles and soften features.
Original Print Headline: Eye for fashion
Nour Habib 918-581-8369
nour.habib@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
The geek chic look — chunky plastic frames — is popular with customers of Black Optical. MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World
Color trends for frames include translucent blues and frames that fade from one color to another. MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World
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