Trends in spectacle frames, what's in at the moment?

[Mum5net]

My Opticians are amazing with the technical aspect of 'servicing' my eyes but their range of frames is parked in the last century.
Has anyone got any good suggestions, online or otherwise, for sharp looking frames? Even from European sites and cities. I'm hindered by a +9 prescription so rimless, super light frames never work for me. Traditionally I am guided towards smaller rectangular shapes, but I can get the lenses thinned and my opticians have acknowledged their range is rubbish and will happily source from elsewhere, if I find what I want.

I know the way forward!
Been to four opticians in my local city and invested loads of hours online over the weekend.
Firstly, no change in the prescription, I'm still +9 on both and +2.5 for reading.
I explained my yearning for small and chunky retro and that I was sick to the back teeth of tortoiseshell and wanted either polished and distinctive or a statement shade of clear.
There were four candidates - two teen glasses and two adult ones.
It was decided I would also secure a pair/ or pairs of acetate ones on approval from elsewhere and bring them in and compare.
As I left, Optician said: 'Remember, we've still to try Rayban Juniors, ,as you're wearing those...'
So since I've come home I've been on the Rayban Junior website and I think there's sufficient on there that will suit without going anywhere else. My optician can source all these pretty easily I think. It just saves so many complications and extra charges and running back and forth. These are my fave two styles so far but haven't gone through everything yet. Only piece of bad news is that my lenses are up from £400 to £498 after a significant price hike. Still considering a pair of Asda sunglasses at £130for the summer.
Thank you everyone for the handhold.

Rayban 1
Rayban 2

That’s extortiate!!

Extortionate!

I've had rayban junior before but the arms weren't long enough so I found them uncomfortable. I checked with optician before buying and they said they did so a bit annoying!! I go for junior as my eyes are narrow set so the actual h glasses fit but not always the arms

I have these.
I get lots of compliments but one screw keeps unscrewing to the point I actually carry a small screwdriver around in the glasses case.
I'm picking another brand next time.

@Emma0For0 I know but I got a quote for £650 for lenses only at one of the other places today, although they might have been for a 1.74. Mine are priced for 1.67s.
If the links don't work the styles were:
Nomad Optic kids £74 in the polished blue transparent, or grey or brown
RB9707V Optic Kids, £74in the brown, the blue or the black

@yumscrummy Thank you for the tip. I will measure the legs of any new pairs against the legs of the ones I have on...

I have several pairs of this brand, iGreen.
There are loads of styles and colours and they have interchangeable arms. (Sides, as they call them.)
They are insanely comfortable and so light.
https://www.maceyewear.co.uk/bespoke-frames/igreen/

I'm -11 and have had glasses from Face à Face and Bevel before - I don't think I've seen either of them mentioned on this thread yet. They're not cheap, though, especially when you add another £400 for lenses (I feel your pain, OP!) If you're near Cambridge, there's an independent optician there who stocks them so you can actually try them on.

Thanks for the tip @breathinbreathout. I had this problem once with another brand - the name escapes me now but it was really annoying.

OMG project stylish speccy chunky eyes continues.
Managed to pop into a RayBan optical store I never knew existed. Loved lots of styles but importantly, they felt comfy to wear.
RayBan offered all in one price £164 cheaper than my optician for same set up. They also had adult frames which could have transitions and 1.74s for £619…
Next plot twist was I remembered Costco.
A phone call and they offered Zeiss varifocals 1.74 with all the coatings for £300 and a further £30 glazing fee. For £60 I could also have them as transitions. They also said if I got the transitions and didn’t like them, I could get them reinstated for free within a 60 day period.
So, if I go with RB adult frame £149 and Costco 1.74 lenses and transitions its £539 versus £619
Now I have my best price, it’s back to style choice.
Thinking either very clear or dark frames then the chunkiest perimeter my prescription allows.
Wish I could wear contact lenses again.

Please. Don’t. Transition.

irs not chic.

With @Tewkesbury 's word of caution in my ears I have bought them, RayBan Gina Turtles Dove in 1.74 with no transistions. Get then in ten days. Total cost £619 but that includes RayBan two year warranty that will cover accidental damage - large scratches and gouges ... Happy this process is over.
Gina

They look fun- hope you like them!

I tried those exact ones on in the shop last week. They look lovely. For me I was worried they were too big from a comfort pov, they looked fine but rested on my cheeks. I’ve had this before with glasses and they leave a red line on my cheek and are sore. It annoys me as I like the bigger frame how they look.

And I see other people with frames touching their cheeks and they seem to manage ok….so not sure if it’s due to a heavier lens with a strong prescription causing too much pressure.

i have hamster cheeks and a small nose so it rules it so many frames which I think for other people the frames wouldn’t touch their cheeks!

@CormorantStrikesBack I was adamant I wanted a radical change. Haven't heard of cheek rub with glasses before - too tight jeans perhaps!. If I get red tracks I will invoke the accidental damage part of my after care warranty!
There are some cracking suggestion and websites up thread thst might work for you?. Imo Ray-Ban had the best selection of what I was after , and they had loads of adults styles in their teen range, which may work for you? There is a filer for 'face shapes' and 'nose bridge' to speed you along.
I swithered with clear acetate for a while but that vibe was well and truly killed when DH said - 'Oh these remind me of my mother' and a woman in the shop who was idly listening in, snorted a laugh!

@CormorantStrikesBack
"I have hamster cheeks and a small nose so it rules it so many frames which I think for other people the frames wouldn’t touch their cheeks!"

We all have our quirks and personal preferences don't we? I have long eyelashes and I hate it when they brush the back of my (thick) lenses. I like glasses with nose pads so they can be positioned just right, and don't constantly slide down. Other people have commented that they hate nose pads.

@GreyDuck yes I hate nose pads. The specsavers advisor was really trying to push me to them. But I’ve had them in the past and they never feel even which annoys me and then they leave red marks on my nose!

probably some people don’t mind glasses touching their cheeks.

@Mum5net they look great. I hope you're happy when they arrive. (And I'm glad you didn't go for transitions). You've inspired me to try and update my glasses now.

A 2 year warranty sounds good. I'm currently wearing my old pair that I don't like, because they're less scratched than my newest ones.
Now I'm in my 40s my eyes have finally stopped getting worse (they said they'd stop when I stopped growing 🤔) and it seems that a lifetime of not needing to worry about the longevity of the lenses has got me in some bad habits.

I think glasses touching your cheeks would be very uncomfortable and unwearable. What stage are you at now in your search?

I’m still just mooching around vision express and boots and trying frames on without an appt or talking to anyone. I’m considering an expensive independent optician nearby……I think I need an appt to even go in their premises.

I heard a tip to go to TK Maxx for frames and then get your prescription fitted from an online supplier. No good if you have a strong or complex prescription like you @Mum5net but I got a great pair of frames by Kate Spade at a fantastic price. Definitely worth doing again. I have a second pair which are completely different but I can’t remember the brand, I will check tomorrow. I get compliments on both styles

My purchase was on my new year’s list after putting it off since July. If you can book out a whole morning to yourself and hit several opticians in the one session, I found I made enormous progress.

Great thread - thank you all!

I have frames from Face a face - absolutely love them and have got many compliments on them (not cheap , but they are beautiful)
https://www.faceaface-paris.com/en