TOP 5 EYEWEAR TRENDS FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2014

Spring time in the eyewear business means Vision Expo East.  This is where all the designers showcase their new offerings for the spring and summer seasons.  It is like our version of fashion week.  Though I will not be attending in person, I've had previews from our sales reps and have closely followed every designer humanly possible.  I've shifted through all of the information and have nailed down my Top 5 trends for spring/summer 2014.

Now the word trend has a bad connotation.  It suggests here today and gone tomorrow.  I took this into consideration when developing this Top 5.  Even though these 5 things are having their moment right now, they all will become staples in your eyewear wardrobe.  They are styles that you will be able to revisit a few years down the road and not look dated.

1.TORTOISE - Tortoise is the new black!  This one is for EVERYBODY!  I am asking you to step out of your comfort zone though.  This includes me!  If you have lighter features and are a veteran tortoise wearer I'm recommending you try some of the lighter, brighter tortoises that we are seeing this season.  I know, I hear your gasp from here.  Asking you to step away from that beautiful brown and gold that you know and love is pretty close to asking you to give up your first born but trust me you'll be fine.  Now for my fellow dark featured folks.  Let's face it, we are addicted to our chunky black frames!  We love them like our best friends but I urge you and me to go for a dark tortoise this year.  It adds interest and dimension to your look.

Looking from top to bottom. The first two the Kensie Feather and the Kenneth Cole 0207 are examples of the lighter, brighter version of tortoise I was referring to. The last two, the Dragon Claudio and Vance show what I want my fellow black, chunky frame addicts to consider.

2. CAT EYES - Two words ladies INSTANT LIFT!  I don't know anyone who would turn that down.  This looks takes many forms, from the extreme to the subtle.  Tom Ford is the king of the cat eye right now!  

From top to bottom. Tom Ford 0304, Tom Ford 032, and Tom Ford 5227. I actually have done the first two frames clear for patients and they looked AWESOME!

3. COLOR - This seems like a very broad category but the two things I want you to focus on is color layering and color fading.

From top to bottom. Calvin Klein 7924 and Calvin Klein 7923 are examples of color fade. The third and fourth styles respectfully Kensie Shine and Prodesign 4708 (in SF Giants color BTW) show you the layering affect.

4. ROUND - Within the industry we refer to this as P3.  It is classic and Penguin does it very well.

From top to bottom. Penguin The Combs, Penguin The Murphy, and for something totally different JF Rey 2522.

5. THE CLUBMAN - Another retro but very timeless look.  Penguin also approaches this with a modern flare.

From top to bottom. Penguin Stoltz and Penguin Mulligan.