We love the Specsavers philosophy of an eyewear wardrobe: we don’t wear the same clothes everyday, so why would we wear the same glasses?
That said, choosing the right frames to fit your various moods can be overwhelming. So we asked Specsavers’ resident expert Yvy Nguyen to share her tips on trends, non-negotiables and embracing your personal style to help you shop with confidence. Plus, Specsavers’ exceptional value deal on two pairs of glasses allows you to value quality alongside quantity.
What are the key trends you see coming through for summer?
Key shapes include retro rectangular frames, easy-to-wear and classic slim vintage ovals, and iconic round frames. Neutral and pastel frames have also been making a comeback on both the catwalks and in streetwear.
Some of my favourites from our Specsavers collection include the classic cat eye shape which Kylie Minogue brings to life in Confide In Me Sun RX. I’m also really loving the Specsavers Snapper Sun RX frame – it has a strong geometric profile, adding a bit of fun to the frame.
This season we have focused on providing a collection that encompasses frames for your different ‘looks’; there are frames that can help bring out your fashionista or quirky side, or for when you’re wanting a classic look, or a simplistic style.
What are you seeing when it comes to moods or trends with colour?
Soft and subtle tones of brown, khaki and beige are in and add a contemporary twist on the conventional neutral palette. A stand out frame in this trend for me is the Collette Dinnigan Sun RX 30 – the frames are beautifully delicate and the yellow acetate really brings them to life.
If neutral tones aren’t your thing and you’re after something with a bit more colour, pastels are also having their time in the sun – the trend offers such a versatile palette that you can pair with almost any colour in your wardrobe. We have frames in understated peach, delicate pinks and blues. These are bold colours that people love, just muted, so they are easy-to-wear no matter your style.
The ones I have my eye on at the moment are the Country Road 64 frames, I love a tortoiseshell frame and the pink adds a subtle pop of colour to any outfit –it’s also super easy to tint the lenses and transform them into sunglasses.
Our huge collection of glasses is filled with Australian and international designers and our own ranges, so you’ll be sure to find some frames that fit your mood.
The '90s and noughties are big trends in fashion - how are they coming through in eyewear?
The ‘90s are back in a big way! We’ve seen this in the re-emergence of retro rectangular frames and iconic round shapes in gorgeous geometric profiles. It’s been a trend for a little while, but just seems to be only getting better.
There's a lot of interest in the '80s too, with Princess Diana in The Crown - are there any hints of '80s style coming through in eyewear?
Iconic vintage round silhouettes are continuing to be a strong trend and something we’ve transported from the ‘80s. There has been a bit of a modern twist with these styles; updated renditions of the frames are made of lighter constructions so are less heavy and bulky. If you want to emulate a bit of Diana, check out the Specsavers Coldwater Sun RX, they’re classic and understated but make a big impact.
What’s the trend you’re most excited to see coming through?
Personally, I really like the iconic vintage oval frames. This style makes a statement but is also so complementary to outfits and so easy to wear. It’s always such a statement frame, but can also be paired back with smaller styles and muted colours – I love making a statement in mine!
One of the main reasons I love it so much is that it’s perfect for most face shapes, it’s been a crowd favourite season after season and there’s a reason why! For this collection, we’ve focused on using lighter weight materials, contrasting colours and accentuating the shape of the frame through finer details.
Pastels are also always popular during summer. This collection includes colours that are traditionally bold, just muted so they’re easy-to-wear for everyone.Everything from understated peach, blue and delicate pinks. The Carla Zampatti Sun RX 11 is a great frame to make a statement in – with pastel pink lenses, you’ll definitely be a showstopper.
Are there styles that never go ‘out of fashion’? How could we look for a modern version of these timeless styles?
There will always be classic frames that never go out of fashion and that’s for good reason. Styles such as the aviator, Clubmaster and cat eye rarely go out of fashion, and you’ll see that each season they’ll evolve ever so slightly.
This season we’ve seen the round trend move towards lighter constructions and materials, the frames have also become more geometric and eye-catching. Marc Jacobs has transformed the iconic aviator style with the Marc Jacobs Sun RX 12 - these distinctive sunglasses feature a round upper half, with contrasting angular lower half for an interesting look.
When purchasing eyewear, are there things that are just as important (or more important!) than shape? (i.e quality of the lens for UV protection). What do we need to consider?
Sunglasses should always have UVA and UVB protection to ensure you don’t damage your eyes while you’re out and about. At Specsavers we also offer polarisation lenses which are great for reducing glare, especially when driving.
We also recommend picking frames that cover your eyes, it’s important to ensure the frames aren’t too small to minimise risk of not being protected. A common misconception is that you only need to wear sunglasses while the sun is out, but it actually pays to wear them when it’s overcast outside too, as UV levels can still be high even when the sun isn’t shining.
Should we be concerned about particular styles not suiting our face or can we throw away the rule book and consider them more about suiting our personality?
I always say, any pair of frames is the right one if you feel confident and good about yourself when wearing them. My number one top tip is always go with your gut when picking out a pair of frames. You’ll know as soon as you put them on if it feels right and expresses your personal style – if it feels right, get them! It’s so common for people to try on multiple pairs of frames, to just return to their first pick.
We love to embrace freedom from rules at Ensemble, but is there any advice you think is important when shopping for different face shapes?
Oh I love that philosophy and definitely agree! But, I also understand that sometimes people do want help with where to start, especially if they’re picking their first pair of glasses. Identifying your face shape is always a good start – but it shouldn’t limit your frame choice!
The general rule of thumb when picking frames that will suit you is to pick a frame that is opposite to your face shape.
If you have a heart-shaped face, opt for frames that have more detailing on the bottom of the frame to balance out the different widths of the face. If your shape is more triangular, you’ll want to add a little width to the narrower part of your face, so go for frames with a strong brow line or cat-eye shapes to emphasise your eyes. More square? choose a frame that will soften the angles, such as a round or oval frame. Finally, oval faces suit most frame shapes –but don’t be afraid to experiment! Look at more angular frames to help give more dimension to your face.
If in doubt, ask our team members when you head into store to pick out your frames- they’re there to offer expert advice and can help you pick out the frames you’ll love.
If someone wanted to be confident buying something from Specsavers.co.nz, what should they be mindful of?
While we always recommend you go into store to pick out your frames, we know this isn’t always possible and our website is a great alternative. A couple of things to keep in mind when picking out frames online is whether your prescription is up to date and if you even know your prescription. We recommend getting an eye test every two years, or sooner if you notice a change, to ensure you’re not putting additional strain on your eyes. Another tip if you’re selecting frames online is to use our “virtual try-on” tool so you can see how great you look in your frames before you buy them.
Tips for an eyewear wardrobe?
Personally, I always have my “on-the-go” pair - the one that I’ll wear to the beach and while I’m driving, the pair that goes with everything – for me, these are usually a neutral, black or pastel pair that I can wear to dress up or dress down my outfit. Then I have my statement pair, the ones I wear when I want to have a bit of fun, jazz up an outfit or wear if I want to dress to impress. Even better, you can get two pairs from $299 at Specsavers, so you might as well treat yourself!
All glasses available at Specsavers stores nationwide or at Specsavers.co.nz
This content was created in paid partnership with Specsavers
