Spectacle frames

Hundreds of manufacturers producing thousands of styles, how do you choose? Easy, let us help you!

Frames can be broadly divided into three main categories:
• Budget
• Designer
• Technical eyewear

Budget frames are usually made in the Far East, in a limited range of colours and sizes. Often, the designs are ‘inspired by’ products from major companies. They should be reasonably well made and fairly corrosion resistant. With care, expect a life of about 12-18 months from them. Many ‘designer’ brands are, in fact, budget frames with a logo - beware!

Designer frames represent the high fashion end of the market. Invariably European, the quality of construction is much higher, using better materials and finishes. Presentation and packaging is superb, and distribution limited to fewer outlets, ensuring exclusivity. The range of sizes and colours is greater, and spares are usually available, if required. Some companies tie in with other luxury products in their ranges, such as Chanel, Prada, Gucci. Others are purely spectacle focused (!) and discreetly brand their frames on the inner temples only, think Face a Face, Alain Mikli, Starck, Oliver Peoples. These unbranded frames are recognised by the true spectacle cognescenti, and even the untrained eye can spot the difference in quality.

Technical eyewear is one of the fastest growing sectors of the market. These frames are usually made of exotic materials, such as titanium and carbon fibre. Corrosion free and lightweight, as well as immensely strong, they are ideally suited for sports use or as minimalist rimless frames. Many of the leading manufacturers, such as Tag-Heuer, Oakley, Nike and Silhoutte have integrated lens designs to go in their frames as a complete package.