Eyewear has grown into a fashion staple that really determines if you’re following the current trends. Those of you who are very into your fashion will know that eye glasses and sunglasses are must-have accessories for almost any outfit. You can easily spot a fellow fashion-conscious individual by the style of their eyewear, so what’s trending this year?
Oversized Frames
No matter where you look, oversized frames are making an enormous comeback in the eyewear trends department. Those of you in your mid-twenties to mid-thirties may remember your dads wearing the biggest glasses known to humankind. You mocked him, obviously, but it turns out he was a trendsetter all along.
Oversized frames are big right now because people love the “out there” nature of this look. It’s such an easy way to accessorize an outfit and elevate your style game with a statement piece. Big glasses make people notice you and they can give an edge to some of your more casual looks. A really popular choice for women - particularly when paired with sweats or a cozy jumper when you’re doing some work in a coffee shop.
Angular Frames
Sticking with frame styles for a moment, angular frames are having their time in the sun. You see a lot of square or rectangular eye glasses nowadays, and that’s because people love the way they look. The angularity of these styles adds more structure to a face while also giving off an air of professionalism.
It’s hard to put your finger on it but there’s something about seeing a person with angular glasses compared to round ones that makes them seem more in the know. It’s definitely a subconscious thing, but these types of glasses frames are definitely here to stay.
Aviator Frames
When you see that oversized and angular frames are both trending, it’s no surprise that aviators are next on the list. They fit both descriptions and have been an iconic sunglasses choice for generations. You could say they’re always on trend - but they’re also on this list because we’re starting to see aviator everyday glasses.
These frames are so popular that people are genuinely wearing prescription eyewear with aviator frames. While the oversized versions are especially on trend, people still like slightly smaller variations. The big thing here is that you have to go for very thin metal frames. Most people agree that chunky aviators are a step too far, particularly for everyday glasses!
Tortoiseshell Colors
For years it felt like tortoiseshell glasses were associated with a very specific type of woman. We’re talking about your aunt who’s maybe in her 40s or 50s and wears quite extravagant clothing. It was never a color scheme that resonated well with a younger audience - until now!
It turns out that people are going crazy for tortoiseshell glasses because they realize just how excellent the color is for complementing outfits. Expect to see a lot of these glasses during fall/winter; the amber and brown hues go perfectly with the general fall/winter aesthetic - especially if you’re also wearing a lot of brown clothing. There’s a warmth to this color scheme that goes so fantastically with outfits during the colder seasons.
Transparent Frames
Can this technically be classified as an eyewear color trend? Sort of… “transparent” isn’t really a color, but it does refer to the frames and the absence of any color at all. People seem to enjoy transparent frames these days because they’re subtle yet still add personality to your look. It’s not surprising to see this trend rise at the same time as oversized frames - some people love the oversized look but don’t want it to be too overbearing, and transparent frames are a great way to mute it down.
While full transparency is still a huge hit, some people want a dash of color. As a result, we’re also seeing a small surge in semi-transparent or translucent glasses frames. Some portions of the population like the transparent look but enjoy it even more with the slightest tint to the frames.
Photochromic Lenses
Perhaps the most practical eyewear trend on this list, photochromic lenses give you eye glasses and sunglasses in one product. Many individuals are moving away from buying two pairs of eyewear, settling instead for one item that does two things at once. Photochromic lenses will stay clear indoors and in low-light settings, then tint when exposed to sunlight. You genuinely have regular everyday glasses at one point, then stylish sunnies the next.
This trend is big because people realize they can’t afford to spend money on multiple pairs of glasses and sunglasses. Also, normal glasses are becoming just as stylish as sunglasses, to the point where there’s genuinely no point getting sunglasses if you could use photochromic lenses instead.
Smart Glasses
We can’t end this post without mentioning smart glasses. Of all the eyewear trends out there, this is the biggest. It’s the one most people are interested in - and we’ve seen loads of new smart glasses in the last 12 months or so. The RayBan Metas are the most popular and widely known, but brands like Oakley are starting to branch out into this domain, too.
Smart glasses are trending as people look to add more functionality to their eyewear. They’re also trending because companies are beginning to make ones that genuinely look nice. People are intrigued by the idea of wearing glasses and being able to take photos/videos or listen to music somehow through the frames. RayBan also recently came out with a newer version of their smart glasses that gives you a whole new dimension of features. You can walk down the street and look at a small augmented reality display to scroll through apps or respond to emails. It’s crazy and could be a big moment in the world of fashion as we know it.
Gather inspiration from this post to consider ways of upgrading your eyewear accessories this year. It’s mainly about being big and bold, with a few other cool additions thrown in for good measure.
