Square, round, browline or aviator inspired…these four shapes are more slick than ever
The evolution of the classic glasses styles is something of a wonder for 2021. Even where the colours are minimal, delicate and pared down, the designs express a contemporary attitude and showcase an incredible range of materials, with details atuned to modern design enthusiasts.
The square shape is traditionally recommended for round and oval faces, and its versatile, so many of us can carry it off. In crystal tones, the style has a special charm, reminiscent of a look that has been much loved, and easy and flattering for hair colourings and varied tones of skin.
Round glasses are most often suggested for rectangular or square shaped faces but these rules can easily be broken, and the material and thickness of the design can really transform the style and how it looks on different faces. Meanwhile aviator glasses with a square or rectangular eye shape usually flatter oblong and rectangular faces; the double bridge typically has the effect of widening the face and creating a bold statement style. The traditional 1950s browline design (with a heavier line over the top of the front) can be suited to an oblong, oval or diamond shaped face; its expressive statement styling and generally quite large construction is popular with men who seek out vintage style glasses. Above: Nirvan Javan’s London collection – model 09-16 – a classically inspired square shape in a clear crystal acetate, www.nirvanjavan.com
l.a. eyeworks interpreted the classic round in titanium this season: handmade in Japan, their Pismo design has a confident, intellectual air with its perfectly circular eye shape; custom acetate components on bridge and temples ensure that this frame gets noticed wherever it pops up! www.laeyeworks.com
Model Fresno is a roomy, square men’s aviator style with the classic double bridge – clearly vintage inspired with a three-dimensional sculpted nosepiece. The colours lend a stylistic integrity to the look, with modern muted tones of gunmetal, army green/silver and brown/silver or combinations with a flash of brighter colour on the inner surface such as blue/red and black/blue. www.blackfin.eu
A traditional browline shape, the combination frame ‘Adrian’ at Fleye has a refined contemporary design – resulting from some very attractive advanced materials. Made from carbon wood and titanium, the colours of dark blue, dark red, dark wood or carbon pattern exemplify this Danish company’s capabilities in special and spectacular finishes. The tiny rivets add to the aesthetic of the construction as well as the robust, and durable quality of the frame. Find out more at https://fleye.dk