Where can I get good quality glasses frames?

[Muret]

I hope someone can help.

I seem to have trouble with glasses frames. I've had a few pairs that always get loose and constantly need the screws tightened.

Last year I got two pairs by Vivienne Westwood thinking they might be better quality and last a bit longer. One pair has been great so far, it's quite chunky and has solid-looking hinges. The other pair hasn't been so great and one of the arms has just sheared off completely.

I haven't been rough with them or sat on them etc so I'm quite fed up.

Specsavers aren't interested and have only offered to replace the frame for half price (£75). I don't think it's worth it as they are clearly made from poor materials. There's no warranty apparently, or something like three months. So I'm going to sellotape them back together for now.

But what I'm really looking for is really strong frames that will last. I'm sure they must exist and I'm not concerned about how fashionable they look. It just feels ridiculous to keep buying new ones every year or so because the frames keep loosening or something snaps off.

So I wondered if anyone can recommend glasses that will last a bit longer?

That's very poor of them.

I use Asda and have not had problems with robustness.

Thank you, yes I think it's a bit cheeky not to have a proper warranty when the frames are so expensive. I really don't want to use Specsavers again but I do want to be able to try them on. So maybe Asda is worth a go.

I have a strong prescription meaning quite thick lenses and I need to wear glasses all the time.
I've been going to Boots for the last ten years or so - not had any issues with their frames.

I use the big chains for tests as the kit is always up to date, then independents for interesting frames and proper customer service. Which towns are you near?

Thank you – will try Boots.

I'd rather not give exact location tbh but that sounds like a good idea Tortephant. We're in Kent. I kind of appreciate the two for one offers at the chains but it's worth paying a decent amount for something really solid. And I asked in Specsavers if they had anything tough and the poor lass didn't know.

Moscot

I used vision express for the last ten years for mine no complaints about them and I just used to have them change the lenses whenever my prescription changed. That being said said this time I used Asda no complaints so far my glasses are lovely.

I've only ever bought my frames from Specsavers, and I haven't had any issues. I like to have several pairs in various styles, so cheap and cheerful does me. I'm wearing Vivienne Westwood ones now actually. I hadn't expected them to be better quality than any of the unbranded frames Specsavers sell, they're all the same I think. Maybe you just got unlucky this time, but I would expect them to sort you out with a replacement if you haven't had the glasses long - the cost to them to pop the lenses out and stick them in a replacement frame is negligible.

Maybe try an independent opticians. They'll be selling quality brands, and they're more likely to sort you out months down the line if there's a fault with the frame I imagine.

Independents who stock specialist eyewear brands. I go to https://seen.co.uk in Manchester.

Just got a pair from Bloobloom and they are solid and much cheaper than I’d be paying even after adding zeiss lenses and thinning.

Many of the frames you can have sent to you for home trial if you’re not near a physical store.

Another vote for Asda.
Ive learnt over the decades not to get frameless specs, or very thin wire arms. Sprung hinges help. Specsavers used to carry a brand made for sailing, where you could practically roll the frames up and they’d spring back.

I have my eyes tested at Asda have done for 12 years,DH wears glasses all the time,I'm mildly short sighted. We get glasses from glasses direct online, have done for over 20 years.. never had an issue.Three branches of Specsavers gave me issues, Boots once gave me the wrong script.

Thanks so much everyone and sorry to have disappeared. Some good suggestions and I will look into Moscot and the sailing frames. That's the sort of thing I'm thinking of, just resilient rather than necessarily fashionable.

Really grateful for all your replies.