Eyewear Trends for 2021

An important part of our job is to keep up-to-date with the latest eyewear trends and influences. Due to the pandemic, we haven’t been able to attend any of the usual trade fairs which would normally take place in the first quarter of the year. So, we’ve had to conduct our research online instead, attending fairs and workshops virtually.

In terms of 2021 eyewear trends, this year it’s all about the revival of retro frames with classic lines which encapsulate the 70s and 80s nostalgias. Interestingly, two distinct trends contradict or complement each other. We’re seeing a trend for bigger shapes, with big bold chunky frames full of vibrant colour mixes.

Instead of the heavy bold look of black or tortoiseshell frames like the classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer, there’s a distinctive shift towards the other end of the spectrum. Large thin metal frames are popular this year, particularly pretty, feminine colour hues with thin, clean geometric shapes finished with experimental graduated colour tints running through sunglass collections. Think Farrah Fawcett-Majors in Charlie’s Angels and Steve Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man.

For men, we have found many new shapes are coming through with a reimagined take on the classic much-loved aviator, in both acetate, metal, and combinations of the two. Whilst ladies are opting for big oversized hexagonal and square shapes again, in both acetate and metals. The virtual runways have been showcasing these shapes in lighter shades. Crystal and rose pink have featured heavily throughout these current trends.

One of our newest collections, Gigi Studios – which we first discovered at a Paris trade fair – epitomises these trends. The Swiss based company Gotti, and our favourite British brand Booth and Bruce, also have these on-trend pieces throughout their 2021 eyewear collections.

The classic shape of the cat-eye is another one that features prominently in all the collections we’ve seen. Some of the colour combinations and interesting workmanship which has gone into creating these exquisite pieces is quite fascinating.

Round frames are still very much with us in 2021 too. This shape really is a timeless style, and it’s highly unlikely to ever date or be lost from the eyewear industry. This year the pieces feature translucent pastel colours and translucent hues. This shape has also been reimagined by mixing acetate and metals, detailing different coloured metal bridges, temple pieces and sides together with vintage tortoiseshell and Havana eye rims. The iconic round wire ‘John Lennon’ frames featuring these new twists will continue to appear throughout the year. We have some fabulous examples of this trend within our Albert I’mStein collection, and also some stripped-back variations within the L.G.R sunglasses and optical frames we have in store.

Although it’s fun to follow the current trends, we still have to adapt the styles to suit different shapes. It’s important to choose the right glasses for your face shape. This is a big subject, and something we will look closely at in a future blog.

If you would like to update your eyewear, please do get in touch. Our friendly team can advise you about shape, prescription, type of lens design, lifestyle and frame fitting. To find out more about our eyewear collections and styling, please call 01858 433 577 or complete our online contact form.