When I first began wearing glasses in year two, I was immensely self-conscious. Having these colourful, rectangle frames surrounding my eyes was awful; I may as well have had it plastered across my forehead that I lacked 20/20 vision. I’ve worn glasses since, and have always been paranoid that they made me look nerdy, given that was the stereotype. Of course, the regular comments of “can I try on your glasses,” followed by the shock that “Woah! Your eyesight really is that bad,” have never faltered (for reference, I’m -6.5 in both eyes, so I guess it is pretty bad).

So now, when I see people wearing glasses and pulling them off better than I ever could, I wonder what’s changed since the times of being anxious about getting called ‘four-eyes’. Glasses have progressed from not only being viewed as a sign of intelligence, but also as a new outlook to express individualism. Whether it’s through a unique colour, a chunky frame or stylish shape, or even through jazzing them up with accessories, glasses are the new thing to wear.

“Glasses, it seems, are becoming less of an aid to see, and more of an accessory to finish off an outfit.”

Wearing them in the day to day, as well as featuring them on runways, the temptation to rock some funky frames is strengthened by celebrities like Bella Hadid and Doja Cat. Glasses, it seems, are becoming less of an aid to see, and more of an accessory to finish off an outfit. And, given my nearly 14 years of glasses expertise, I’m here to explore the latest glasses trends.

Clear frames

These frames are versatile and stylish, perfect for spending all day in the library, then all night at the pub. Because of their lack of colour they blend seamlessly into any outfit, meaning you don’t have to worry about clashes. In comparison to a chunky frame, these glasses don’t distract from your face, meaning your features are highlighted without overpowering them. Clear frames are also available with a subtle colour tint to maintain the benefits of all-round wear, but simultaneously add a touch of personality.

Thin frames

Minimalistic and understated frames are on the rise. These are usually lightweight metal or rimless (where the lenses are attached directly to the nose bridge and temples without a frame). Although these may seem boring, the different metals or bridge shapes provide some excitement and variation. Their lightness means they are perfect for people who don’t want to obstruct their facial features, or for those who don’t want to wear noticeable frames – having a thin frame can make it look like you’re not wearing glasses at all! Overall, these provide a sleek and refined look.

Cat-eye frames

Having been around since the twenties, the cat-eye frame is here to stay. From steep upwards angles to softer variations, this frame shape can add width to the face, which creates the illusion of being contoured. It draws the attention upwards too – as opposed to some frames which can drag your face down, cat-eye frames provide a nice lift. This frame is quite extreme and dramatic, so if your personality is quite sassy and edgy, this could be a great style for you!

“So, next time you’re picking out your new pair, remember: it’s not about what you see, it’s about how you show up.”

Bold statement and geometric frames

These aren’t your typical round or square-shaped glasses. In shapes such as hexagons or with defined, sharp angles, these typically oversized, chunky and thick frames reach new levels of style. If you want to stand out and make a bold, artistic statement, these are for you! These frames can be a bit intimidating, but if you wear them with confidence, they will only accentuate your outfit even more. Face shape can impact whether these types of frames truly complement you. If you have a more oblong face shape, the glasses may drown you and detract away from your features rather than highlighting them.

Tinted lenses

Having the lenses of your frames coloured creates interest to an otherwise quite plain rimless frame. Yellows, oranges and retro tints are on the rise, which pair well with a 70s style frame to create a vintage vibe. Not only do these add a small pop of colour to your outfit, but yellow tint also helps to reduce eye strain by blocking out blue light, as well as enhancing clarity and sharpness of vision. They also brighten up the appearance of things, consequently putting you in a better mood. If that’s not a reason to get new glasses, I don’t know what is.

Glasses are now a full-on fashion statement. Whether you’re sporting clear frames, channeling your inner diva with a cat-eye, or rocking a tinted lense, the possibilities are endless. So, next time you’re picking out your new pair, remember: it’s not about what you see, it’s about how you show up. And with all these options, who says you can’t make glasses the highlight of your look? Here’s to being fabulously four-eyed!