The start of a new year is the perfect time to update your workwear wardrobe with a new pair of specs.
Whereas once we bespectacled may have felt self-conscious about switching up our look day-to-day, it's now the ultimate fashion statement and a great way to show off some personality, made easy by the vast array of styles now available on the high street.
We asked three of our favourite glasses brands for the styles and shapes they expect to be big in 2020.
Transparent with warm accents
If you're a glasses wearer, chances are you've already invested in the huge trend for transparent frames which dominated 2019, so what's the new year update?
"The transparent trend is still very much alive in 2020, expect to see lots of new colours and interesting lens combinations like two-tone faded lenses," say Dane Butler and David Lochhead, founders of Finlay London. "The traditional crystal (the clearest clear) is so transparent it has a reflective quality akin to a diamond, whilst colours such as Smoke (translucent with a grey accent), Butterscotch, Rose, Dark Rum and Champagne remove that highly reflective aspect of crystal whilst still being more subtle than an opaque frame."
Ruud de Bruin and Lauren van der Kolk, creative director and design director at Ace & Tate, agree that warmer accents are having a moment. "Besides "cold" hues like smoke and crystal, we see an increase in the warmer earth tones, like greens and sandy colours."
Marie Wilkinson, style director at Cutler and Gross, is also hot on warmth. "We can expect some women’s opticals with makeup inspired colour tones: think blush, rouge and apricot shades," she says.
Reworked classics
Reworked classics
Thin gold or silver rimmed glasses aren't necessarily going anywhere either, but you should expect to see some reworking of classics such as the aviator or wayfarer styles, according to the design team at Ace & Tate.
"For an exaggerated take on the trend try Carter (above), a new frame which takes a nostalgic approach to the aviator with a more boxy frame. The extra thing acetate provides is a super light feel on the face with a skeletal vibe," they say.
"Another frame from our SS20 collection, Tokio (above), which is available as sunglasses and opticals takes the classic aviator into the future," they say. "The frame has been designed with plated titanium on the temples to elevate the style to new heights. It's rooted in craftsmanship and exposure of details."