If you are going to buy one pair of glasses, please buy tortoise shell, black, or a a blendable neutral. But if you are going to buy two (or more) pair of glasses, then this post is for you.  I wear glasses at least 5 days a week, so having a few fun pair in my rotation is essential.  I honestly don't think you can make a better choice on your second pair of glasses than to go bold on color -- and red glasses are my statement of choice for fall and winter 2014.

Prodesign 1705 via

photos via Melissa DeLorme Photography

The glasses trends of 2014 have been pretty resounding: cat-eye has been back with a vengeance, and even if you were at first tempted to think "been there, done that," it may be time to reconsider.  Whether you choose to mix in metal details or go with bold color pairings, cat-eye frames are feeling new again because designers aren't relying on the shape for the visual interest.  If you really want to embrace everything that is 2014 this fall, you can't go wrong by selecting a cat-eye shape with a color effect.  For today's post, our featured cat-eye frame has a two-tone fade effect, where the darker brown color near the top fades to clear plastic towards the bottom of the eyepiece.  If you are someone who has tended to stick with rimless frames, going with light or clear tones is a great way to try the more fashion-forward plastic frames without feeling caged inside your glasses.  The last thing you want is a big black frame constantly disrupting your peripheral vision if you are used to seeing no rim at all.  Totally clear plastic frames can be quite difficult to wear, however, since they can easily skew towards safety-glasses in appearance. Utilizing a slight color fade to break up a clear plastic can be just what you need to successfully pull of this look!
Need some frame inspiration to achieve your cat-eye fade effect for fall?

If you are feeling a little more adventurous, try the horizontal cat-eye fade by Cutler and Gross

Or try the fade effect in sunglasses with these Vera Wang cat-eyes

 The color pairing here really gives the frame dimension, making for a more sophisticated look than your average colorful pair of plastic frames.



All photos are via Melissa DeLorme Photography

Is there one glasses frame color that will never go out of style? Your best bet: tortoise shell.  There may not be a single more versatile color in the universe. We've all been brow-beaten by our grandmothers to not to mix black and brown, but tortoise shell can mix with anything.  It's brown, it's black, it's got gold and ivory undertones.  It just works.  If you are trying to find a frame that will last for years, and be a glasses-staple in your wardrobe, I always recommend shopping in this color range.

They are called "frames" for a reason.  Glasses can enhance your natural face shape attributes (just check out my posts on the best frames for your face shape to see how).  With a neutral like tortoise shell, you can let the shape of the frame make the statement for your look (and your own natural beauty shine through).  Overtly oversized frames are quickly fading into the past, so skip the extra large frames in the men's section.  2014 is trending much more natural -- look for a frame whose depth, or vertical length, is about two times larger than your eye, and where your eye is well centered in the horizontal width.  Bigger than this was popular in years past, but will look quite juvenile by 2014 standards.



Two: Pop of Gold

Looking for something with a little more punch?  I love pairing tortoise shell with gold for a stronger statement.  Gold is still your metal of choice in 2014, and there are no signs of the gold phenomenon fading any time soon.  Tortoise shell naturally has gold highlights, so the color story flows quite naturally.  Look for a pop of gold in the temples or in a two-tone effect along the face of the frame.

One thing is always true about fashion: we love to recycle the past.  Glasses styles are definitely no exception, and this spring no vintage look is having a bigger moment than horn-rimmed specs.  It is popping up everywhere from Ray Ban's classic Clubmaster shades being relaunched in every spectrum of the rainbow, to ophthalmics embracing a new take on the geek-chic look that has become played out in the oversized trends of years past.

In a world dominated by trendy, oversized plastics, the spring 2014 runways brought a fresh look from designers -- metals.  Gone are the boring, unisex-looking metal frames that made many Americans hate wearing glasses in the past.  This new take on metals has all the power and punch of color of any plastic, but some added perks too.

With (hopefully) one last blast of winter leaving the Carolinas, it's been hard to go back to wearing sweaters for the last few days.  How can you make sweaters feel less tired?  By pairing them with a fashion forward pair of glasses of course.  Once again, cat-eye frames are a major staple of the Spring 2014 runway.  Here's a look at how resident glasses style expert, Dr. S, is styling her transition into spring.



Cat-Eyes can be worn by most any face shape, but the more subtle the up-turn of the frame at the temples, the more universally flattering the frame. Below, the BCBG frame featured cat-eye effect is very minimal, for a more subdued (and very wearable) look.


Dark frames transition easily from winter into spring, or any season for that matter.  You can mix and match with every possible outfit when your glasses are dark brown or black.  Everyone needs a darker color of frames for the sheer versatility.  You can dress them up or dress them down.  These are your staple pair of glasses, but that doesn't mean they have to be boring.  When you pick a dark, basic color, aim for a little bit of style in the frame shape, and that's where the cat-eye look can be a great option!





If you really want to transition your look into spring, though, pick a pop of color!  The cat-eye shape really stands out when a bright color is used along the temples.  A bright blue here gives this frame a much stronger pop, but any bright or bold color will treat you well this spring.  Violet, pink, and orange are very popular accent colors this season too.

Frame: Clearvision, BCBG  Style: Julietta   Color: Blue/Tan

All photos in this post are from the talented Melissa Delorme Photography

Meet Dr. S -- a new member in the Eyedolatry team!

Introducing a new segment for the site -- please meet Dr. S, who has so nicely agreed to be our resident fashion columnist!  There are so many great looks for glasses out there, and who better to have the inside knowledge on the best new trends than an optometrist who spends all day with glasses?  We have a ton of great looks in store for you over the coming weeks, so stay tuned for regular posts featuring new glasses trends!

Today's feature: Two-Tones

The two-tone trend that has really taken the ophthalmic world by storm.  Two-toned glasses are popular for both men and women, and they are a great way to put a pop of color into your look without being over the top.  You can chose a subtle combo of tortoise and clear plastic, or for a bigger statement chose a pairing of brown or black with a bright color like radiant orchid (this year's pantone color of the year) or turquoise!


I love this pairing of two-tone with that bright pop of purple.  From a distance, the color is so subtle, but up close the statement is bold!

Frame: Kenneth Cole, Style 198, Color 005

For a more traditional take on two-tone, you can never go wrong with a pairing of tortoise and clear plastic.  The color combo draws your focus to your eye and not your glasses, a perfect way to wear plastic frames but get that light-weight look.

Frame: Marchon, Style Mulberry, Color: 601 (rose pink sheer fade)

All photos are via the talented Melissa DeLorme!  please check out her site for more info if you are in need of a photographer or want to learn more.