How to pick the best frames for your style

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Adelaide based personal, commercial and editorial stylist Lauren Dilena says modern animal prints, ‘60s wallpaper and metallic dresses are all looks we are currently seeing on the runway – and she’s excited to see how these will translate to eyewear.

“I’m loving the ‘70s revival frames,” Lauren says. “They’re always make a strong fashion comeback. We are also seeing geometric square and hexagonal sunglasses, vintage cat-eye styles paired back with coloured variations and patterns, and a reimagining of oversized frames from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘90s.”

Colour and texture.

If bold shapes aren’t your thing, then going for colour and texture is a good way to create a fun and unique look.

The top trends we are seeing are clear transparent framed glasses, multi-coloured tortoiseshell, animal patterns and metallics. “Gold, rose and silver are all very popular right now,” Lauren says.

Find your best pair.

Found the perfect frames, but not sure if they are too edgy? If you are stepping outside of your comfort zone, Lauren recommends a little visualisation exercise to determine whether you’ll be able to make them work with your current style.

“Picture five things in your current wardrobe that will work with the frames,” Lauren says. “Once you can do this then you’ll know what the best purchase for you will be.”

Here comes the sun.

Many people feel confident choosing bold sunglasses and Lauren says this is a great way to add personality to an outfit when you’re out and about.

“I find sunglasses are always evolving, probably more so than glasses,” Lauren says. “One thing that is for sure is that most styles of sunglasses make a huge comeback. Take the overstatement sunglasses – they will forever be floating in and out of trends.”

Ask the experts.

As much as staying on style and on trend is important, try not to make impulse decisions that will ultimately leave you disappointed. Keep the basics in check – such as picking frames that flatter the shape of your face, your skin tone, and the colour of your eyes and hair.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, the optical dispenser is there to help. They see frames on faces every day and are the experts at helping you pick which frames will best suit your lifestyle and aesthetic.

Our tip, if you’re struggling to make a decision between pairs, take selfies! Check how the frames sit on your face at different angles. This will give you a good idea of which frames will complement you best.

Double the frames, double the style.

If you want to go bold, but feel like it would be frowned upon in your conservative office, then grab two pairs of frames – one for every day, and a more adventurous pair for the weekend when you can really let your personality shine. Afterall, you don’t wear the same shoes or lipstick every day, so why stick with the same frames?

“My hot tip when purchasing frames is to have one pair for Spring/Summer and another for Autumn/Winter,” Lauren says. “Our skin colouring is always adapting to the environment, and the bonus is that in having suitable seasonal frames allows you to mix and match with your wardrobe favourites.”

Last but not least – the lenses.

Once you have your frames sorted, it’s a good idea to also give some thought to the different lens options available. For example, you can buy lenses that are anti-reflective, as well as lenses that are anti-blue light, helping to reduce eye strain caused by looking at digital screens.

For those who want the convenience of one pair of glasses when they are moving between inside and outside, transition lenses change from clear to tinted depending on the light levels. Thinner, lighter lenses are also available, giving you a wider choice of frames, and if you are outside a lot, polarised lenses for sunglasses are recommended to cut down on the UV rays. Be sure to check with your dispenser that the frames you’ve selected will work with your lens type.

Health Partners Optical stocks hundreds of styles of frames from the most in-demand brands. Our experts are always happy to lend a hand and can help you make the best choice when it comes to finding your perfect frames.