It was one of the fashion turnarounds of the century. Almost as dramatic as Coco Chanel when she made tans fashionable. We’re not talking clothes this time, but glasses.

When we were at school, our contemporaries who wore glasses were generally thought of as swots and they were embarrassed by their less-then-perfect vision. The choice of glasses then were hideous to say the least.

Fast forward to the present and Nina has been jumping for joy that her eyetest shows that she needs glasses. Incredible.

Glasses can make you look more intelligent, funkier and sexier. They can give you a complete new look and even change the shape of your face.

To find out the latest and greatest, we went to the one of the newest opticians to open - Amar Shah at 52 Cotham Hill, Cotham.

On Arrival
Parking is a little tricky, but you can generally get a one-hour space nearby. The shop is noticeable by it’s contemporary colour and highly visual window displays. You walk in feeling confident that it’s going to be a good experience, especially when you are greeted with a big warm smile.

The Interior
The layout was impressive. Contemporary shelving which is back-lit hold glasses in their individual boxes. The purple and green colours of the decor and wooden flooring give an impression of state-of-the-art design, but not so much that it’s scary. We loved the song quotes on the walls with lines containing the word “eyes“. Of course, our competitive spirits made us stay there for far too long, trying to remember another one not mentioned.

The Experience
The eyetest was thorough to say the least and took about 45 minutes, with some extremely expensive looking equipment. It’s not all about just reading the letters anymore. With complete confidence in Amar and his trusty, glamorous assistant we tried on many pairs of glasses. If you want traditional, then they can offer a trendy variation, but be prepared to be wowed. The sun glasses range is probably the best we have seen in Bristol, especially as Amar is the only stockist of Tom Ford’s (of Gucci fame) new range.

Products on Offer
They don’t stock mainstream designer brands such as Gucci, Chanel and such like (apart from Oakley). Amar wanted to offer quality well-made smaller designers from around Europe including Theo, Lafont, ic!Berlin and Prodesign. It’s a welcome relief to see so many wonderful frames without an obvious logo. The latest innovations for eyesight will always be available and we were excited to hear about extended-wear contacts and lenses that you sleep in whilst they correct your sight so that you can be lens free for the day.

Did We Buy
Spoilt for choice, yes, in the end a pair of Tom Ford sunnies (how could we resist?)

Verdict
For a true fashion statement and really stylish glasses, this is the place to go. It was fantastic to see another independent open up and we were really impressed with the level of service and products available.

Amar Shah’s Top Tips
1. Rule 1 - There are no rules. Try on all sorts of frames. You may find a shape that you had never dreamed of works for you.
2. We believe that there’s no such thing as the wrong shaped face for glasses, only the wrong shaped glasses for your face! When you consider the variety of frame styles, shapes and colours available this must be true.
3. Colour coordination 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.
4. Comfort is important we will ensure that the frame you pick fits you. It’s no good if it looks good but feels uncomfortable.
5. After choosing the frame we will advise as to the best lens option for that frame, to enhance appearance and visual comfort, taking into account what you use your spectacles for. No point choosing a fantastic looking frame and putting heavy lenses in it!
6. At the end of the day frames are a very personal choice, but with professional help, you’ll soon find the right pair.
7. We encourage you to be individual and select eyewear that is special.