Beauty & Fashion

Spring/Summer 2005 Trends in Eyewear

Eye Openers for Spring 2005 Sunny days bring the chicest looks in eyewear this spring, from oversized and over-the-top glamour girl glasses to ultra-sleek modern shades. Sunglasses and eyeglasses have staked their rightful claim in the “hot accessory” arena, and are considered a fashion statement by scores of Americans. Take a closer look at these enticing eyewear trends from the Vision Council of America (VCA):

Larger than Life Reminiscent of the Jackie-O and Bridget Bardot days, large frames have an indisputable look of glamour. Oversized and opulent frames of all shapes, colors and materials have star-quality written all over them that makes them a hit this season. “Fashion is driving a larger-sized, plastic frame with an elegant, retro feel,” notes Jim Sepanek, Vice President of Product Development for REM Eyewear. Top styles include unique butterfly-shaped frames in plastic or sleek wire, chunky white frames, oversized aviators and generous wraparounds.

         

 

Color Oasis “Cool” colors are the name of the game this season – we’re not just talking about a touch of color either. In shades of azure blue and sea green, warm corals and fuchsia – color drenched is the way to go. Pink has become a color basic and tagging along with the passion for pink are hues of plum and berry. Gold is the metallic of choice this season, either as an accent or on the entire frame. A fresh twist in the laminate category, (a process which achieves a unique effect by layering multiple colors) is the use of unique color combinations, such as black with lime green or teal. Rimless styles are getting in on the fun by adding color via the arms and the lenses, upping the fashion tempo to the otherwise incognito glasses.

         

 

Glamour-quest Glamour-girl glasses grab attention with jeweled, detailed temples or rhinestones sprinkled across the entire frame. In big wraparound frames or understated rimless cat-eyes, colored crystals add sparkle and intrigue to this season’s hot sunglasses and eyeglasses. “Color, texture and design features can portray glamour too,” says Rene Soltis, optician and VCA spokesperson. “Look for rich shades and attention grabbing detailing for a shot of allure in your glasses.”

 

                   

Temples of Beauty Spring 2005 promises intriguing new twists on “temple worship” with revolutionary techniques found on the arms of the frame. Wide and split temples, jeweled logos and cut-out designs make for eye-catching temple treatments. Other innovative techniques to watch for are whimsical patterns or contrasting colors laminated to the inside of the arms. Logos have been adorning temples for decades, but with recent logo overhauls, temples now have a fresh look with rotated and crystal-studded initials and brand names running the length of the arm.

           

 

                   

A-List Aviators Classically styled and universally flattering, the aviator continues to soar, with a few updates for Spring 2005. “This season styling adds to the traditional ‘pilot’ frames to include colorful metal and plastics in surprising shades like plum, russet and turquoise,” states Soltis. Lenses look fashionable in tints that complement the colored frames, or keep a more traditional look in grays, greens and browns. Oversized aviators make the grade, as do more scaled-down feminine versions and modified rectangular or bow-tie shapes.

         

 

                   

Winning Edge Sports-inspired trends are a dominant force in the fashion world, and the look carries over to eyewear as well. Street casual shades take on a sporty look for the tough competition on Wall Street. When the competition moves to the playing field, sports-specific eyewear provides a cool look and necessary protection. Subtle but important features include flexible titanium materials, tinted lenses, streamlined styling and vivid color contrast. Sleek rimless and colorful plastic styles work well for both men and women.

Case in Point These great new glasses need a place to call home. Tote your eyewear in cases and chains as chic as the frames they protect. The hottest accessories this spring are bursting with color, from sorbet shades of pink, buttercup and orchid to brights like tangerine, sky blue and hot pink. Mini-handbag styles are the shape of the season, from frilly shoulder bags to stylish structured satchels with zip and buckle trims. More compact cases include faux- logo prints in candy colors and woven leather rolls in colorful dotted prints.

                   

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Courtesy of VCA Copyright © 2005 Vision Council of America