It is a much anticipated annual event for the industry as last year’s products are retired and new frame products arrive.

New frames are typically available beginning in late March and most offices are fully stocked with new product by mid-April. This year’s designer frames seem to be taking their cue from many of the clothing lines also introduced in March and April.

Splashy patterns in bright, bold colors are very popular among ladies plastics and green is everywhere! Jessica Simpson has launched several new styles with multiple colored layering — the inside of the frame may be a transparent color with the outside of the frame a darker and bolder solid color. Jai Kudo from London has metallic color combos in black and teal and red and orange that are young and hip! La Font Paris introduces shapes that are softer and more feminine with upturned corners that create a dramatic uplift for most faces and many designers are adding a bit of “bling” for an updated sophisticated look.  Kate Spade has used Swarovski crystals in stunning colors strategically placed to draw attention the wearer’s eyes. At the opposite end of the spectrum are the very lightweight, minimalist titanium frameless designs in soft, muted pastels and blend-in coloring to disappear against one’s skin tone. Austrian based Silhouette Eyewear has added wider temples to their “frameless titanium frames” to create a more dramatic European look and the colors range from soft pinks to vibrant reds.

Sunglasses are bigger than ever with large oversized “Jacquie-O” styles still leading the market.  Classic blacks and au naturale wood-grained browns are still strong but this year vibrant colors are everywhere — candy apple red, canary yellow, lime green, crystal clear and even creamy whites.  Smaller plastics for petite frames are available in a wider variety of designer brands than ever before — ranging from Paris based La Font to Italian made Kate Spade and Nine West.

Maui Jim has also released several news styles for sporty beach wear as did Austrian based Adidas eyewear. The Adidas line comes with interchangeable lenses so that the athletic patient can switch easily from dark to yellow depending upon visibility and weather conditions. 

Men can expect very bold rectangular shapes in strong earth tone colors of green, grey and brown. Men’s designer eyewear from Paris by Face a Face and La Font is often enhanced with an unexpected splash of bright color, such as red or lime green against matt silver or matt copper. For a more serious professional men’s look, plastics in black and grey by Gucci and

Calvin Klein are also making a comeback. Still very popular for men are the titanium frames and memory metal frames known for their durability and light weight. New shapes and bolder colors have been introduced to this year’s frameless design for men as well. Temples are now wider and taper behind the ear for a bolder more European look.

Professional men’s sunglasses are a return to the classic shapes of the 70’s, with aviators and large rectangles leading the trend for 2008. Even Bolle and Maui Jim have come out with very classic men’s designs in basic black, gold and gunmetal. New last year and updated this year is a sunglass line designed for hard-to-fit men by Sean John (Puff Daddy). These frames work very well for bigger guys who have been typically harder to find glasses for. Sean John frames are available in darker greens, bling-gold, shiny palladium and earthy bowntones and black.

Children’s frames are more diverse than ever with products ranging in size and availability for infants to teens. From Pez to Disney younger children are happier to wear glasses that are branded with names they know. Vera Bradley has introduced several new styles for girls and teens called “The Girlfriends Line” which offers a beautiful selection of bright, colorful plastics and metals with her trademark patterns adorning the temples. For younger girls, Barbie has several new adorable, durable styles that offer bright colors like cotton candy or candy apple red and attach little crystal hearts or other fun embellishments to their frames.

New product for boys from Xgames offer earth tones and blues, reds, green and oranges along with flexon memory metal durability standards.  Adidas has a very geometric angular shaped line of stainless steel eyewear and is available in green, blue, steel, brown, silver, and gunmetal. 

Older boys and teens will especially appreciate the newer trendier shapes offered by Adidas and Jai Kudo this year.

Not to be left out of the Spring Launching of Eyewear Product, Julbo Junior has several new styles of lightweight, durable sunglasses for kids and teens at a very inexpensive price point. 

Julbo manufactures sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection for infants to teens.  The lenses are made from the safest most impact resistant materials available.  They come with an adjustable sport strap and hard shell case.  Starting at on $30.00 they are as important to your child as sunscreen!

So be sure to check in with your eye care provider to find out when they will have their new frames in stock and then stop in to review this year’s exciting collections.  After all, your eyewear is typically the first thing people will notice about you—make a “stand-out” impression!

Susan E. Halstead, ABOC, FNAO is a NYS and Nationally licensed Optician at Family Vision Care Center, 205 Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs.  Susan may be reached for comments or questions at www.saratogasight.com