New glasses - who can advise me?

[Chocolategirl79]

I'm keen to try a new style this time as my prescription has changed and I could do with new frames, but my current style is so familiar that I think anything else looks odd. Where can I get good advice about what actually suits me?

I have a very complicated prescription which limits the type of style that I can have. I have a lovely dispensing optician who makes sure that the frames that will work for me are gathered onto a tray and in the event that I try to stray away from those, or pick up something that isn't going to suit me, just gently raises his eyebrows or gives a little shake of the head . He's always right. You need to establish a relationship like that so that you end up with a choice that is as fashionable as possible within whatever constraints apply.

if your usual style is comfortable for you, then theres no harm sticking with a similar style. If you want to branch out, then i know some opticians do a 2 for 1 offer (specsavers) so maybe get one in similar style to youre used to and then another style you want to take a chance on. Im happy to give opinions if you want to post pics, or maybe take a trusted friend who you like their style with you

I'd quite like to have feature glasses - you know you sometimes see women with brightly coloured, big glasses who wear them with huge confidence. But unless i knew they really suited me, I don't think I would be brave enough.
I don't have a friend I could take so looking for an optician or retail assistant to help I think!!

If you are in London Cubbits are really helpful and friendly. I went to the SoHo branch. Prices are reasonable.

Big bold frames and really dark heavy frames are going out of fashion apparently. Clear and light Perspex are coming in as are ray ban aviators (with clear lenses obviously), tortoiseshell, brushed metals and things like that. I bought 2 new pairs recently and it’s my first departure from heavy black frames for a while but loving the change.

I got my last ones from glasses direct. They send the clear frames out to you in the post to try (4 at a time) so I wore them around the house for a while and kept looking in the mirror and got friends to look too before deciding.

My approach is to replace frames when I have a significant Rx change, so every five years or so. When this date approaches, knowing that it is going to cost £££, I go to two or three of the fanciest, most upmarket, independent opticians I can find, and ask for the newest and most fashion forward stuff they have in stock. And then, I try them all. I can dismiss the obviously unflattering, but I do look to their stylists for a nod or shake. The best frames I ever bought were on the nod of a couple of gay men who were there quite randomly. Everyone loved those.

If you are near Manchester I’d highly recommend Jones & Co. on King St. They are very ££ but picked out a selection of frames for me that I never would have gone for and I’m so happy with the ones I bought, have had loads of compliments on them. Amazing customer service too.