Eyedolatry: summer 2014 glasses trends

Fashion in Focus: Color Story

Nothing says summer to me like bold colors. But there is no reason to limit those colors to your clothes or shoes or sunglasses. Ophthalmic frames can be bold and fun too -- wearing a basic black or brown pair of glasses every day can get jaded quickly. Luckily plastic (or zyl) frames aren't going anywhere, with bold and bright colors being featured by numerous designers for their summer 2014 looks. The most popular colors for the season have really featured 2 different color stories: sunset hues with purples, pinks, and orange, and ocean inspired colors ranging from bright blue to mint green. These colors can be flattering on almost any skin tone, and really work well with the classic "warm" or "cool" color classification that has been so popular in picking make up shades to flatter your skin tone in the past. For 2014 you really can't get away from purple, with radiant orchid being named Pantone's color of the year.

Are you looking for something a little different this year? Bold colors have been in style for several seasons now, but two-toning your look can really elevate it to 2014 standards. In the past we have seen two-tone fades, or contrasting eye piece versus temple piece colors to create this color blocking effect. For a different take on the color contrast, try looking for a frame with a bold color outlined with a complimentary or even contrasting color accent. Color accents outlining your frames will really draw attention to the frame shape, so to best pull off this look, select a frame that fits your face well and is complimentary to your face shape. That means no oversize or overly angular shapes unless you want to make a really loud "look at my glasses" statement.

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

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Fashion in Focus: Tortoise Never Fails

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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.

Why not black, you may be wondering? Black is considered by many to be the building blocks of a wardrobe, but if you have ever worn black frames, you know how heavy they can look on your face. In the world of glasses, black frames are a very strong fashion statement -- there is nothing subdued about a bulky black plastic frame. Tortoise shell, however, has a softer infusion of several colors, making for a much lighter and approachable look.

Where black frames can be harsh, the same frame shape in tortoise shell can look light and airy. Exactly what spring and summer needs!

How can you bring your basic tortoise shell frame into summer 2014? Dr. S breaks it down with two fashion forward stylings:

One: Let the Glasses Frame Your Face

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.