It’s funny to think that I have worn glasses for 20 years!  With that being said, I have seen glasses becoming more of an acceptable accessory than it has in previous years.   From the shadows of Urkel to the powers of Harry Potter to the cheeky chic of Tina Fey, glasses have transformed fashion in the past couple of seasons.  I decided to go back to where I got my fabulous glasses last year and see what is happening in 2013!  Here are some of the awesome new trends, modeled by yours truly!

Patterns

Patterns have really taken center-stage in optical arena.  There were several options out there; from cheetah print to tortoise shell to army fatigue, there is a pattern out there for you, if you dare! I would recommend these for someone who does wear contacts quite a bit.  These glasses are so full of personality that your outfit would have to be very basic and simple.

Colors

Colors are definitely another super trend that has really taken the forefront of the optical accessory.  Vibrant colors, like emerald green, are just begging to be your glasses choice.  Another popular color is white, which goes with everything!  For me, my staple colors, other than black, are deep purples and violets (similar to the first one).  They provide just enough personality but still maintain a classic feel as well. If you choose to go daring with your color choice, like the patterned, make sure you either have contacts or a classic pair of glasses.

Shapes

Shapes, without a doubt, has to be where there has been the most drastic change.  For the longest time, glass-wearers had to pick between two choices, round glasses or rectangular glasses.  Now, there are tons of shapes that you can bring home!  When picking a shape, make sure that you pick one that compliments your face shape.  The “Harry Potter”-esque glasses (bottom) do nothing for my face at all!  My choice shape is either the rectangular or the cat-eye; they go the best with my eyes and face shape!

Classics

Now, in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with sticking with a classic pair of glasses, especially if you are going to wear them all the time.  If you are someone that gets a pair of glasses every 2 years or so, this is the best choice for you.  Even though you are sticking with a more classic shape and color, doesn’t mean that you have to be completely boring!  A popular trend with a classic pair is to have a pop of color that shows around the rim of the glasses.

Those are some optical trends!  Just remember also other factors when looking at glasses, like your prescription, transition lens, etc.  Sometimes, depending on the frame and your additional items, you may be limit on what particular frame you can choose!Be sure to take a picture of your hip and chic glasses and tag me on Twitter or Instagram (@nessabirdie)!  I would love to see what kind of glasses you wear or what you scholars like!