Yep, plastic frames have been in for quite some time.

Plastic is in. I have fair coloring too--my eyes are blue and skin is pinkish, and blue, green and purple shades look best on me. I thought I couldn't wear dark frames because I never wear black and earth-tones. After having colored frames that didn't work with everything in my wardrobe, I bought black frames last year. I love them with my blue eyes. It accentuates them just like mascara would.They're not too thick and not oversized for my face. I would try the gray frames you mentioned and stay away from mauve. My old frames were a wine color.

There I go! Dated before I even start! :)

DD(30) was home this weekend and she normally wears contacts but they were bothering her. She had gotten new glasses. Black plastic frames in a cute shape. They looked good on her and she is very petite with a tiny face, dark brown/auburn hair, olive complexion.

I think the more modern look is to be bold with your glasses as opposed to trying to get them to blend with your face. I am very fair skinned and wear tortoise shell frames. They are dark but not as harsh on me as solid black or brown.

I remember one of DD's college friends visiting about 5 years ago and she was wearing Clark Kent type Warby Parkers. It was the first time I remember seeing someone in public wearing plastic frames in that shape. Before that, it seems that the plastic dark rectangular frames were popular for a while.

The most flattering color for me seems to be a merlot color. I am very pale with dark hair and green eyes. I need new glasses in the worst way and need to do a post on what type of glasses leave the least marks on the side of the nose,

Plastic frames are and have been the in thing for quite a few years now.

Shopping for glasses ranks right up there with [insert something really frustrating here]. Ugh!

I have black and tortoise plastic ones, and like the cute frames, but HATE the size. Remember in the 80s-90s, glasses were big? Well, all I can ever find now are glasses half those sizes. I'm constantly having to hold my head back to see anything above my head. My neck hurts! Thankfully, I usually wear contacts.

I don't care if I look like Tootsie with them.....I'm going to find bigger glasses!

well, I can tell you those wire framed glasses with no rims are out. Larger, bolder frames are in. (and thank goodness, because for a while stylish frames were so small they had a hard time fitting my prescription in.)

So, y'all remember a while back I was complaining about my glasses and the nose piece irritating me? Well, I got new glasses last week. I too, am fair in coloring and yes, I got plastic black framed glasses.

Two things which make them work are relatively thin frames (not chunky), and gold on the sides and inside, making them less heavy looking. And the nose pieces are built in to the plastic, falling on a different place on my nose, so I hope I won't have any more problems with that.

Love Warby Parker! The free home try-on is a fantastic idea! Couple years ago I bought a pair at Costco and then another at WP.

The Zenni Optical website has a nice try on feature. You upload a photo and you can virtually try on the frames.

Zenni

Oh, yeah -- Costco! Top rated by Consumer Reports and HALF the price of my last several pairs; progressive bifocals and transitions included.

Violet, did you get your eyes examined at Costco too, or did you just order your glasses through them?

I love Zenni. For $12.95 (plus $5 for shipping) I can explore purple, stripes, white, whatever appeals in a non serious way. I love the faux wood frames.

No, Holly Kay -- I have a regular eye doctor who gave me the scrip.

I think the women's frames as Costco are kind of cheesy. A lot of them have sparkles and rhinestones on the temples. However, they have some great men's styles that look good on me. I may get some as an extra fun pair since they are relatively inexpensive as these things go.

I'm very nervous about getting glasses through anyone but my doc. I tried that once and I ended up having to throw the glasses out. Somehow they used the wrong base and I couldn't see out of them. Total waste of money.

I did ask the gal to order me a pair of plastic framed glasses to look at so I'll give those a go, though I saw a pretty pair with just the top rim in a royal blue...

I think a trip to Lens Crafters will give you an excellent idea of what's current and a great opportunity to try tons of styles on. They are very expensive, but do run specials if that brings it into budget.

I like their computerized fitting system, and noticed my new pair of DKNY framed glasses from LC seem to correct my vision so much better than my most recent pair from Costco (same rx).

Costco's tech's eyeball it, and I don't think they hit the mark this time.

What's wrong with a little sparkle, huh?

I've never been very impressed with Costo's frame selection. I've bought mine at Lenscrafters for a long time.

I'll admit Costco didn't have a huge selection that appealed to me, but the one pair I liked was a fit. Also bought a pair from Warby Parker after trying on 10 different frames at home. Love that service! Both glasses appear equal in quality.

Consumer Reports: Eyeglass Store Buying Guide

If you are concerned about what is in and what is dated, I would check out some of the forward eyeglass makers. They are (and have been for a few years) bigger and bolder .. no pale colors that blend or disappear on your face.. no rimless..

I had to adjust to the switch too-- and my current glasses were pretty bold for the time. I just wasn't sure I wanted to go dark dark.. but once i adjusted to the new face in the mirror, I really liked them. I am opting for a very dark havana tortoise but I also liked black. My hair is streaky but pretty blonde, my skin tone is medium... and I wear a lot of black, brown and ivory.

I won't go to lenscrafters...they were the ones that screwed me up, and their bit about glasses in 24 hrs is garbage as it took them a week to get mine in. I don't like them nor trust them. But I could go there to try on new glasses just to see what I like and then have my doc order them for me....

My other concern about the dark lenses is they do obscure your vision more. I tried on a pair that had a really pretty temple piece but it really obscured my peripheral vision.

Yes, larger plastic frames are in, not as large as Tootsie's, but definitely larger than what they've been--look at the Warby Parker styles. I've got a pair of Prada frames that are rectangular, and I love them, but now I think I might go for another pair. I wear my glasses mostly at home, though and wear contacts most days.

I'm getting a lense or whatever it's called in one eye so I can see far out of one and near in the other. I look very ugly in eyeglasses. If you are one of the lucky who can look cool and trendy, I wish I were you.

Justerrilynn, I had cataract surgery and got one eye for distance and the other eye for reading. I hate it. I never heard of glasses like that, just contact lenses. Hope it works for you.

My mom got glasses at Costco recently and they used some sort of device to mark the spot where the bifocal should go.

Nothing wrong with sparkle if it works for you. Is the cat's name Sparkle??

I had an awful experience with LensCrafters and will never go back there. Among other things, they left a gap between the lens and the frame.

There is a Warby Parker retail shop near me, so I may go there once I get a new prescription. WP was started by two U of PA students who realized that the markup on glasses was phenomenally high (the other thing is mattresses), so they started WP for reasonably priced glasses.

I prefer comfort over what is the "style" of the day. I found Silhouette a couple of years ago and just have the lenses of my frames (two pair) remade when necessary. I don't wear glasses for fashion, I wear them to see clearly :)

I only wear glasses for reading but have always preferred plastic frames. I never liked the floating nose pieces digging into my skin for one, and I just like the lighter weight and the look of the different frames. My most recent pair is red and larger than my previous Kate Spades which were mostly fake tortoise with a blue liner inside. I just had cataract surgery in one eye and may have to have a prescription change soon so I might get another pair. Haven't decided what to get yet. I have always bought from the dispensary at my doctor's office but I really do like the Warby Parker frames.

Dedtired can you tell me what you disliked about it? I had used a contact in one eye (when I could get the darn thing in) and no problem with near in one and far in the other eye. Is there something else I should know?

Another one with a bad experience with LensCrafters. I've had the best luck with glasses using local storefronts found through recommendation of others. My eye doctor's office has a terrible selection. Finally found a store that is just great with a wonderful selection of frames and competitive pricing. I just bought 2 new pairs of eyeglasses last week (regular and sunglasses). With a medium/fair complexion, green eyes and medium brownish hair, the black frames always seem to overpower my face, so I usually stick to tortoiseshell and sometimes a merlot frame. This time I wanted something different so I went with a green frame and I love them. They really don't look that green unless I am outside in sunlight. They fit good and the nose and bridge of the glasses is really comfy. Price was great too - <$200 with progressives, polycarbonate, the works. DH does have a vision plan, but I usually end up paying much more than I did this time.

Of course now that I searched for them online, I found that they are from a 2011 collection, so I am already out of date! These are a new brand for me, Skaga. My previous pairs were Michael Kors and Prada. Was happy with both pairs, especially the Prada.

It's called monovision...I used to do that when I was working and wore contacts. One eye was adjusted for distance, one eye was adjusted for computer. It was almost like having 20/20 vision again. Only thing is I did need reading glasses when I read fine print. But it worked beautifully.

Now that I'm home and I'm all over the place, I wear my glasses for distance and nothing for reading. So they are forever getting ripped off my face.

The silhouettes look really nice, but because the glasses are always on and off again, the rimless just fracture the lenses and they fall apart, so I need something more substantial.

I tried the Zenni site which was really fun to play with. I was showing DH and he said the dark rims make me look like Zorro or the Lone Ranger. So, regardless of fashion, I think I have to go soft with the colors.

I'm wearing Sunlites SL5007 in violet (dark purple) with progressive lenses. The frame around the lenses is metal, the arms are plastic. I wore metal frames that just had the metal at the top of the lenses, open at the bottom for a long, long time (my optician is very good about reusing frames as long as they retain stability). These are nice, light, and they also came with magnetic clips for sun, night driving, and 3D, great for me since I don't like having a second pair just for sunglasses.

I went to the Silhouette site and downloaded their app. What a joke that is. Every time I try to get my face within the area it shifts. I think I will try Zenni and see if that program is easier to use.

Justerri, I think some people can tolerate the difference in vision in each eye and some people cannot. Sounds like you are doing fine with your contacts. I should have tried that first since now I am stuck with it and cannot tolerate it. Big mistake for me.

My sister had the mono contacts and liked it so she decided to go with that for her implanted lens after cataract surgery, her doctor tried to talk her out of it. She absolutely hates them and would love to be able to change them. When my time comes I am getting the multi focal implants that have it all in each lens.

I can't wear the plastic type frames because my lenses are too large to fit and stay in. I have bifocals, not no line, so can't get the ultra light lenses. I just got new glasses and went with Ray Ban carbon fiber frames the lightest weight my lenses would fit in. Very good quality, expensive but worth it. I have nose pieces but replace them with the air cushion type which are a world of difference. I have a very good ophthalmologist who will be my surgeon when the time comes. His office does not do frames or any of that, he does an extensive exam and gives you the prescription. You go get the glasses, I bring them to his office after I get them and they test them to make certain that the lenses match the prescription and they are fitted properly and sit right on my nose, as he says they must be set right for you to see out of the sweet spot.

The past few years we have gone to Sears optical and had excellent results. I have an extremely difficult lense to grind and fit in the frame, very thick. My doctor has been very impressed with the results so have I. They have wonderful specials too.

Update: I did order frames from Warby Parker. It'll take a little bit to get used to seeing myself with darker frames, but the price was right. The Warby Parker people are so easy to deal with. They send you 5 frames to try on for free, free shipping, free return.

I also found glassesusa that allows you to upload your own photo and try glasses on on line which was very educational...I was able to find the shape I liked best on myself.

Great story on the Today Show last Sunday about Warby Parker.

A pair of glasses are given to someone in need for every pair sold. After watching that segment I decided my next pair will come from them.

I love my Warby Parker glasses. I ordered 10 pair to try on before making a choice. Love that service!

How do you know if you are narrow, medium, or wide? What does that mean anyway? I can't imagine buying glasses online. I tried on frames at Costco yesterday and every single one of them felt different on my head. I can rule out a good deal of frames without ever looking in a mirror simply because I don't like the way they feel.

AD, I am glad your online glasses worked out. I know you don't want to post a pic with your new glasses but will you link the ones that you picked?

jelly - Warby Parker will send you a batch of frames to try so you aren't taking any chances. My glasses from Zenni were so cheap that if they didn't work I didn't mind keeping them as a back up pair. As AD mentioned, there are a online glasses sites where you can upload a picture of your face and do a virtual try on.

I enjoyed that Today show story on Warby Parker.

I wound up getting Vera Wang cateye frames in a tortoise/amber color. Very similar to my Prada in color, but looks more updated.

I got the chilton in blueberry buckle which is like a tortoise only with blue instead of amber...much better with my coloring.

Is narrow, medium, and wide a size? How do you know what you are?

Never mind, just found that on the site!!

I'm not a big fan of the glasses styles that are popular right now but "what cha gonna do?" It's either that or wear out of style glasses. My niece, who is beautiful, has a pair of plastic black skinny glasses that look horrible on her, they are not at all flattering but she apparently loves them so...whatever. I tell ya what looks crazy now looking back at old styles of glasses is watching movies that are from (I believe) the 80s that are GIANT and take up most of the face. HAHAHA! I have about 10 pairs of readers all over the house and they are all plastic rims that look positively dreadful on me. GAH!

The glasses that you bought look pretty cute.

nnie, do you have bifocals? I am wondering how Warby Parker can get the level of the reading section correct without you being there. Do you send along an old pair? Just curious. We have a WB store in the city and I am going to go there.

Was at the eye doctor today and I am basically typing blind at the moment. My pupils look like dinner plates.

I recently bought two pair of aviator sunglasses and am loving them. A prescription Kate Spade and a non prescription electric blue Oakley.

I've been wearing plastic framed glasses for several years now. I don't like myself in glasses but the Kate Spade styles seem to look best on me.

I'm fair skinned and avoid black frames too, but the tortoiseshell is perfect. Neutral color, and dark enough for contrast but soft enough for my complexion.