There are certain moments that fashion addicts remember for ever. The first item you saved up for. Nabbing that season’s must have bag. And when the Optician first said you needed glasses.

In days gone, by glasses were a necessity rather than a fashion accessory and therefore inevitably terminally uncool. Glamour and sex appeal have been low on opticians’ priorities. Sensible things such as lens thickness and durability take top slot. Understandably, the sartorially aware have always gone to great lengths to avoid such mundane connotations. Dusty Springfield famously ditched her glasses for eyeliner, wandering around half blind for much of her career. Specs have been, in the past, one accessory the glamorous could be without.

Finally, thanks to some great styles, glasses have become fashionable! New frame shapes and colours, combined with advances in lens technology means that todays spectacles wearer has endless options.

Amar Shah Optometrist on Cotham Hill is a leading light in changing the way in which we view glasses. As he explains “Fashion being the fickle creature it is, is in the grip of a glasses moment. Things are changing, so much so that glasses have actually become cool and are now the ’must have’ accessory.“

Amar continues “over the last few years whilst the masses have been turning to Sven-style rimless wonders in the hope that no one will notice that they are wearing glasses, aficionados of spec style have been turning to cant miss-em’ styles. After all, if this about glasses as a fashion accessory, you want everyone to know they are there.“

At his new store Amar has searched the world to find frames and sunglasses to appeal to the discerning wearer. With a passion for high quality products, Amar has found an eclectic range of unique and stylish frames, trying to stay away from the world of licensed brand names and mass-marketed products.

Sarah Pritchard-Williams explains: “I would avoid wearing my glasses as much as possible. But that was before I went to see Amar. Now I take great pleasure in showing them off. So many people have complimented me on my new pair of glasses, as they would a nice piece of jewellery or a pair of shoes. Quite honestly, glasses have to be one of the most in-your-face fashion accessories around- which is perfect when you want people to see them!“

So whether you know your style, or are searching for a new expression, you will find the right frames in the chic atmosphere of Amar Shah Optometrist.

Amar’s Top Tips when choosing spectacles

• There are no rules. Try on all sorts of frames. You may find that a shape you had never dreamed of works for you.
  
• There’s no such thing as the wrong-shaped face for glasses, only the wrong- shaped glasses for your face.
  
• Colour co-ordination is important, as any colour analyst will tell you. But don’t be afraid to try things on and don’t have any preconceived ideas of the frame style you want.
  
• After choosing the frames you will be advised on the best lens option for those frames, to enhance appearance and visual comfort, taking into account what you use your spectacles for. There’s no point choosing fantastic-looking frames and putting heavy lenses in them.