Let's talk glasses frames with Specsavers: you could win £250 NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

The team at Specsavers would love to know what you think about glasses frames these days - there are hundred's to choose from - but do you always go for the same type of frame? Or do you have more than one on the go to co-ordinate with your clothes? What about your DP/DH if they wear specs - do you help to choose them, do they like a particular style? How long do you tend to keep your frames? And do you take advantage of 2for1 offers to get something a bit different? How do you pick the frame which suits you best?

Specsavers say "Whatever your style, we can help you find frames that suit you best. Our collection of women's glasses includes a range of styles from classic chic to bold and contemporary. With stylish frames starting from just £25 a pair and designer frames priced from £99 to £149, there’s something to suit all tastes and pockets. All glasses come with PENTAX single vision lenses and a scratch-resistant treatment".

"Vibrant purples, reds, pinks and rich tortoiseshells are emerging trends in eyewear. We have a gorgeous collection of ladies glasses to help you add a pop of colour to your wardrobe. Our women’s glasses are made in a range of materials, including plastic, metal, stainless steel and titanium. If you have a preference for what your frames are made of, search by materials to find the perfect pair".

Share your thoughts and everyone who does will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £250 voucher from here

Please note Specsavers may use your comments - anon of course - on their pages on MN, on their social media or possibly elsewhere - please only post if you're happy with this.

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

[GooseyLoosey]

Dh would love offers that include frames and lenses suitable for sport. He always has a separate pair for sport and they cost a fortune.

On the 2 for one offers - he gets the same style - one to live at home and one travels about with him.

I think he finds that there is not enough emphasis on how wearable particular styles will be. A lot seem to hurt his nose a lot and endless adjustment still makes little difference.

I have to go with him to get his glasses as he can't see himself clearly when he tries new frames on. I would have thought that digital images would be an easy way to get around this.

[CMOTDibbler]

I only ever have one pair of glasses at a time as my lenses are so expensive. I trust the ladies in the opticians to help me choose as I can't see myself properly without my glasses, and usually that works well.

I'd love to try brighter frames, but the cost means I have to eke them out as long as possible, so I don't want to take a chance

[Wincher]

Choosing new glasses is much easier if you wear contact lenses as then you can actually see yourself while you choose! I tend to take my DH with me for a second opinion when I choose mine. I'm not particularly happy with my current pair - Specsavers didn't have any I really loved when I got them. I find dark heavy frames unbalance my face as I have fair colouring, but thin metal ones look a bit dated. I would like rimless ones but it would cost lots to make my lenses thin enough to handle them.

Because I'm on the contact lens scheme I get a 'free' pair of glasses once every year or two, which is great.

[Patilla]

I really struggle getting modern frames that are sufficiently adjustable on the arms, in particular the length of the arms being too long.

Can I hijack this to make a plea for someone to have a really good think about how to make the choosing process easier. I always forget to bring something to put my glasses into and, as I feel really vulnerable without them on, I find it hard to make a decision while staring in a small narrow mirror under harsh lights.

Ideally being able to have a little tray to put a couple in an take them to somewhere less in the shop window where the mirror is bigger and ideally I could sit down on my own to try them on would be brilliant.

Even better would be a little camera above the mirror so I could have a photo take of side on looks etc.

I know I'm asking for the world but is a hug decision and even a small part of these improvements would help people, like me, who don't have the childcare to enable my husband to come with me.

[StainlessSteelCat]

I wear glasses unless I'm asleep, so how I look in them is part of me. This makes choosing new ones difficult because they will look "wrong" however much they suit me. But I also want to change my frames from the previous style, at least a little, so I don't look too out of date.

Last time I chose, I had a style of frame in mind and chose various different frames that matched it, as well as a couple of completely different styles. The optician gave me a tray so I could select 6 or 8 different frames, then I sat down at a mirror and tried them all on. Luckily my sight is good enough to see well enough how I look in them, although I have considered taking contacts to get a better idea. As a pp said, being able to take some time to compare frames really helped, and I felt I was being actively encouraged to do so (a thank you to Vision Express on a SpecSavers thread .... oops)

I don't have an unlimited budget, so I look out for offers/vouchers and this can have limit my choice. I use my previous pair as a spare pair. I do have prescription sunglasses which were part of a offer - can't remember how it worked, I think it was "buy a pair of prescription glasses, get a free pair of prescription sunglasses from this range". I only ever have one pair at a time, I tend to wear contacts when I go out which is my alternative look. Like CMOT I wear one pair for everything so again they have to be that ultimate combination of funky, cool, respectable, professional and suit me. An almost impossible combination of requirements!

I do rely on the opinion of others: before children that was often my DP, since children it's usually the optician (I once took a photo and texted it to my friend for her opinion!). My DP recently started wearing glasses, I expressed some very firm opinions about what he should choose - though I think these opinions were that he should actually try some on and make an effort to get a pair that suited him rather than going for the first cheap pair he saw....

[NiamhNext]

I need varifocals now and go for the top end, so I only have one pair at a time. I used to like frameless but can't have those now (need a frame aeound varifocal lenses) so I try to ask members of staff which size and shape suit me. From that I narrow it down to 3 or 4 pairs and just pick the colour and type I like the most and am likely to wear matching clothes for.

Last year I went for something quite bold with a dark tortie frame and the year before it was dark red with brassy hinges and details.

I seem to need a new prescription every year.

I'd like to see more designs with frame colours which look different in different lights or from different angles (the way shot silk can be two tone because of the weave) and options to personalise a design with words or motifs (e.g. cat silouettes, sports and hobbies, quotations, names, email etc.)

[Fairylea]

I'm extremely short sighted (-9.50 in both eyes) and I wish you did glasses with thicker arms and edges to hide the edge more of those who need thicker lenses - not everyone can afford to pay for the high index ones. It would make a huge difference to the overall appearance when wearing specs.

[gazzalw]

I actually think the Specsavers selection of frames is great but I did feel I could have done with some guidance from one of the staff to choose what suited me best.

Also, I chose my last pair of frames just before they started getting larger again (so now look a bit old-fashioned!). It would be great if the opticians would offer some 'on trend' advice coupled with what really suits one.

Frames make or break one's image and how one is seen by other people so it's really important to get them right!

[ouryve]

I love choosing glasses frames - I have a couple of pairs in my current varifocal prescription, plus some sunglasses from last time, when only the reading prescription changed, PLUS a pair of cheaper reading glasses. I love the specsavers twofer offers for making this possible and the golden ticket which meant my reading glasses were half price.

I'm particularly fond of titanium and flexible frames. My every day glasses are titanium - and purple!

DH has more difficulty finding suitable frames. He's very short sighted and even high index lenses end up rather thick and heavy. The smaller rectangular frames that were predominant for a while limit his field of view, too much. He ends up ordering "John Lennon" frames by post.

[ouryve]

Just to add, I've always had lots of really good help choosing frames at my local specsavers. I can say "this is OK, but..." and out will come a big handful of possibilities that aren't currently on display.

[babsmam]

I wear glasses all the time as I'm short sighted. My preference is rimless glasses as I have a narrow face. I couldn't afford them this time so got some petite full frames. I had a choice of about half a dozen frames which was rubbish. The ones I got in the end I hate them now, permenantbred nose from the pads, so heavy to me and I have never known a pair of glasses bend out of shape so easily causing me pain behind the ears. I went back daily for 10 days to get them sorted. They have worked lose again and buggered if I'm going to risk getting them adjusted again. Saving up for rimless again.
I would also like contacts but my astigmatism is too low scoring for contacts to correct.

[AllSorted]

I like them fairly neutral , to go with anything.
Keep them as long as possible (ie until prescription changes, or kids break them)
Used to make use of 2 for 1 offers to get sunglasses. Now get spare for when they get broken. Perhaps I should get bendy glasses likely toddler has! Not sure they come in my size!

[MaudantWit]

I like the range of frames at Specsavers and can usually find two that I like, to benefit from the 2 for 1 deals, but it would be nice if something more could be done to adjust frames for fit. Something about the shape of my head means the arms of the frames are often too short and there doesn't seem to be anything that can be done to adjust them. I've given up wearing one pair because the arms are too short (I didn't notice this when I tried them on in the shop) and the frame therefore sits uncomfortably close to my face.

My daughter, on the other hand, would grumble that there is very little available in Specsavers if you are too old for the children's frames with all their cartoon tie-ins but too young (and too small in the face) for adult frames. Her last frames came from another high street optician, where she found a better selection of teenage frames.

[Aubasaurus]

I tend to wear contact lenses on the very few occasions I get dressed up to go out, so I just feel my glasses are a part of the normal 'me' look. I only ever get one pair at a time and it's usually from the cheaper range, and I usually ask the assistant to help me choose as I generally feel stumped when confronted by the choice of frames. This is reminding me I probably need to get my eyes checked and get some new glasses soon!

[marymanc]

I wear contact lenses and use my glasses in the evenings so I am not that bothered on the style but I still like to buy frames that suit my face and I like to ask for advise when I go to Specsavers.

Last time I bought some glasses I liked the latest models in pink and purple, they seemed to match nicely with my eyes and I got a thick one because, as the assistant also indicated, my lens are quite thick and even if I got them thinned they would be noticeable.

So I got my usual thick frame but with a dark pink colour and I really like them.

[Dolallytats]

I rely rather heavily on the staff to help me choose new frames as I have awful vision in my left eye and am nearly blind in my right. And there are always stickers on the left lens which makes it doubly difficult!!

The last time I had my eyes tested I used the Specsavers home visiting service which was brilliant. The optician was great and did a good job of helping me choose a style of frame that suited me. He encouraged me to go for a different shape and colour and it worked. I almost always take advantage of the 2 for 1 offers because I really cannot see without my glasses so I want the reassurance of a spare pair.

[diamondsrock]

My prescription is -7 so I pay extra for the thinner frames, but agree it would be better to have the option of thicker frames because it's not always affordable. My prescription seems to change slightly at least every couple of years, sometimes after just one year, so it does add up.

I always spend ages in the shop choosing a new pair of frames, it feels a bit awkward as the assistant often hovers to help but I feel as if I need to try on at least 20 frames and I'd rather be left alone to get on with it. I can usually tell when I've found the right frames for me as it just looks right when I try them on.

I tend to wear contacts more than glasses so I only get one pair of glasses at a time. The cost of lenses means that the 2for1 offer isn't really worthwhile for me, but I get a bit of a discount off my glasses for being on a contact lenses scheme. I tend to go for a pair from the standard non-designer range, in a neutral/metal colour to go with everything.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I always get my glasses from the Specsavers teen range, because I have such a silly little head. They have some really lovely ones - I especially like the Red or Dead ones. I don't like coloured or 'zany' looking ones, so usually just get Two for One plainish ones. These are my current main pair and I absolutely love them.

I do wish that the teen range could be expanded a bit.

[mrscumberbatch]

I like frames that are a bit unusual. My current ones are giant cat eyes. They're a bit cartoony but they're fun!

I love glasses with embellished sides but there's a fine line between quirky and tacky.

The chunkier the better in my book. I am not one for subtle looks!

[Crusoe]

Hate the 2 for 1 offers, as I usually don't want 2 pairs just 1 decent pair. I find there are not nearly enough small frames, they all just seem to swamp my face or dominate, I want frames that are fairly unobtrusive.
I get fed up with contradictory advice about which frames are suitable for vari focals. Ask different members of staff and you get a different answer.
Anyway refuse to go to Specsavers anymore because our local branch refused to see my home educated son during school hours - crazy!

[FailOfTheCentury]

I have a high prescription (-11) and, like others, have particular requirements when picking a frame. Please train your staff not to repeatedly steer me towards rimless or half-rimless frames which won't take my lenses. I also have an extremely large head () and can't understand why Specsavers has no apparent system to identify which frames are larger and which smaller. The DO or the sales assistant is always suggesting frames which won't go on my head, or which they assure me will fit when adjusted, which turns out to mean they will curve the arms ridiculously to the extent they won't fit in a normal case.

Sales assistants and DOs should also be more knowledgeable and upfront about which glasses will look terrible with my completely flat-fronted lenses - highly curved frames cause my lenses to jut out in front. I think a lot more staff education about which frames are suitable for which patient is necessary, as at the moment Specsavers' staff offer little to no guidance, in my experience.

My local Specsavers has an iPad as well as mirrors but I find this very hard to use without glasses and would love assistance from staff in photographing me with frames on as I'm trying them. It would also be great if you could develop software that showed how the glasses will really look on me once you've put my lenses in there

[Thurlow]

I always struggle getting glasses because I'm petite, and pretty much all the adult frames are far too big for my face. Especially at the moment when the fashion is for bigger frames anyway. I've got kids/teens glasses before, which is ok if you've got a shop near you that stocks them, but again I struggle as I tend to only have time to go to the opticians during work time, so that means visiting central London stockists who don't have a kids range.

So like other posters, I really wish frame makers would remember that some people are quite small and need a smaller size!

[FailOfTheCentury]

There need to be more frames suitable for higher prescriptions, basically - people with weak lenses look fine no matter what they choose, but I need to take into account the base curve of the lens, the thickness of the frame and temples, the size of the lens - why are there so few frames with smaller lenses, especially larger frames?

[Raahh]

I used to get my glasses from Specsavers all the time- mainly from the Osiris (?) range, as they were nice, but not too pricey.

I prefer metal frames to plastic- and have noticed a move more towards the latter. My dd1 has just got glasses, and has gone for a big black framed pair- they look fab on her, and would do nothing for me. I'm a -9 in both eyes, so need thin lenses. I go for fairly boring styles,in a neutral colour, because I know I can't afford another pair if i make a mistake.

I often got for 2 for 1 offers (my last pair were from Asda)- but the choice of frame for my second pair (I wanted large sunglasses) was limited, as my prescription wouldn't work so well in a big frame.

I wear mine from the minute i get up, til i go to bed, i can't see at all without them. I do find it difficult choosing frames, as I can't see what I'm looking at. I also feel quite deaf without my glasses!

Glasses frames are much nicer than when I first started wearing them- I wore contact lenses for over 15 years because i felt so conscious in specs. Now, I feel i look odd without them!.