SpecsPost Blog

New Radley Glasses In Stock

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 01:00:00 +0000

As ever we like to be ahead of the game when it comes to Radley London glasses and we are delighted to announce that we have another 8 new frames to add to our collection. We have sent the frames off to our photographer and hope to be able to publish the new products to the web by the end of this week. Sunshine in the UK, the Olympic Games 2012 opening in London and new Radley frames being launched online - what a great week!

As you would expect from Radley London the frames continue to be of a superb build quality and having found their feet in the glasses market with strong sales of their inaugural collection the new frames are a little bolder, a little brighter and to our eyes even better! And there are new improved black Radley glasses cases and Radley Sunglasses cases too. The new case looks a little like a mini-handbag; a nice touch alluding to the signature Radley product range.

We will be showcasing the new Radley frames as soon as the photographs come in from our man. Watch this space for more details in the next few days!

Other stories about Radley glasses frames:-

Radley Sunglasses Online

Radley Eyeglasses Range : New Products Announced

Radley Glasses Heritage Explained

Radley Glasses Frames Available Online At Great Savings

Inaugural Radley Glasses Range Launch Announced

Super Scrimpers Buy Their Glasses Online

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 01:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that super scrimpers buy their glasses online, but with a medical device like glasses the very cheapest does not always mean the best. So how do you buy cheap glasses online without compromising on the quality of the frames and lenses?

Hot Online Prescription Sunglasses Offers Online In Smaller Sizes

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Well in the UK and over Northern Europe summer has finally arrived! And It's a scorcher. So if you are looking to buy prescription or regular sunglasses in smaller sizes and with smaller price tag then you need to check out SpecsPost's niche range. All of their petite range of glasses can be made into prescription or non prescription sunglasses by adding a suntint. From classic wayfarer styles in smaller frame sizes through to more quirky round glasses you will find them hand picked for people with smaller or more petite faces.

But a quick tip before you buy from SpecsPost - run a quick search online for "specspost glasses voucher codes". You may be able to find 10% or more off their already value for money glasses prices!

SpecsPost are a Manchester UK based online glasses supplier, but the good news is that they ship worldwide with a large volume of business in Scandanavia and also to the US and Australia. "We ship almost as many eyeglasses overseas as we do to the UK market" reports Charlotte Moore of SpecsPost customer services. "We ship glasses to Norway, Sweden and Denmark on almost a daily basis. The power of value for money (cheap glasses prices) and the reach of internet marketing have really taken SpecsPost international."

Buying sunglasses or eyeglasses online can seem a bit daunting and a bit of a lottery, particulalry for overseas buyers so SpecsPost offer a 12 month manufactueres guarantee for all frames and lenses allowing you to make your purchase with 100% confidence whether you are in Norway, Sweden, Swindon or Australia.

2 For 1 Glasses Review Summer 2012

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 01:00:00 +0000

There are some great 2 for 1 glasses deals around in the 2012 Summer Season. I suspect it's something to do with the Olympics and retailers expecting things to be quiet as people either leave the country to escape or liable to be avoiding the shops and watching the games. The point being that to get consumers spending and the tills ringing they will have to grab their attention with some super glasses deals! We have heard rumours that one of the largest chains will be offering free eye tests in London throughout the Olympic games to try to entice their usual customers to brave the congestion. Whether this proves to be true or not remains to be seen but it certainly looks like their will be some great deals around for glasses wearers.

For those people who don't wish get wet by venturing out on to the high street, or for those looking for the biggest genuine savings online glasses deals remain the best value. And you could do a lot worse than looking at SpecsPost's current deal. It's more of a duo offer than a pure 2 for 1 glasses offer. The basic deal is that you get to complete pairs of decent stylish glasses for £32+P&P. There is currently a range of 9 different frame options, at present limited to acetate (plastic) models. However they are all decent opthalmic quality eyeglasses frames and both the frames and lenses are guaranteed for 12-months. Not bad when you consider that some opticians charge £60 for just the lenses alone in a single pair of basic glasses!

Within the first week one of the duo-frame glasses options has sold out and is not expected to be replenished until ealry August. Being balanced the range currently has many more female frame options and no metal glasses products, but I am advised that this is going to be addressed very soon on both counts. The only other limitation at present is that both frames have to made up to the same prescription so it's not possible for example for a husband and wife to share the deal and each get a frame made up to their own prescription. However at these prices I guess this is fair enough! Charlotte X X

P.S. I forgot to mention that the SpecsPost 2 for £32 deal includes the ability to have a tint added to one or both pairs to allow you to have prescription sunspecs at NO ADDITIONAL COST!

Best 2 For 1 Glasses Deals 2012

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Introducing 2 for £32! That's 2 pairs of complete prescription glasses complete with lenses made to your prescription*. And as it's summer, we have also thrown in the option of you having one or both frames made up as prescription sunglasses absolutaly free! This is our first ever twin frame and lenses glasses deal and with 10 different combinations we hope that there will be a pair of frames that suits you. As with all of our eyewear products these are the same frames and lenses as we sell in our high street optician and they come with a 12-month manufacturers gaurantee for fair wear and tear giving you total peace of mind in making your purchase and showing our confidence in the quality of our products.

The aim of this promotion is to smash high street prices and to build up our online customer base. To offer these prices we have purchased a very large quantity of frames and lenses from the manufactueres and we are simply passing on these bulk discounts directly to you the glasses wearing consumer. In 2012 we all know that money is tight so we hope we can help you save money on your prescription eyewear. We believe that this deal offers the best combination of prescription quality and value for money that you will find anywhere, both on the high street and via other online glasses retailers. We recently had one customer order 4 duo combinations - that's 8 pairs of glasses from our 2 for 1 deals. To keep things simple and effective from our end the only constraint on our best current 2 for 1 glasses offer is that you can only use 1 prescription per order i.e. both pairs of glasses must be made up to the same prescription. So if you are a couple looking to bag a bargain then you will have to each buy a duo package! We can however provide lens upgrades on one pair only so for example if you wish to turn one pair into prescription sunglasses (with the same prescripiton) we will be pleased to accomodated you. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Ray-Ban sunglasses (just like in Glamour magazine!)

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 01:00:00 +0000

The latest range of Ray-Ban sunglasses and polarized sunglasses is coming very soon to SpecsPost. If you're a fan of Ray-Ban get in touch at sales@specspost.co.uk and we'll let you know when they're in stock. Got a favourite Ray-Ban style? Send us a picture of you in your glasses or sunnies and you might feature on our Wall of Fame (and win great prizes too)!

We are already proud to stock the Ray-Ban Optical collection and any of our Ray-Ban prescription glasses can be transformed into prescription sunglasses. Simply choose your style and add a tint in grey, brown green or pink. All our prescription sunglasses come with UV protection, so you can be sure your eyes will be safe in the summer sun.

SAY NO TO NAKED FACES FIRST GLASSES VIDEO NOW PUBLISHED

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 01:00:00 +0000

We are delighted to announce that Charlotte's first video for her "Say No To Naked Faces" has finally arrived. You know the way some girls are obsessed with shoes? Well Charlotte feels the same way about eyeglasses. Indeed we would go as far as to say that she is fast becoming the Imelda Marcos of the glasses world (although this is the only parallel I would draw with old Imelda - when you watch the video I think you will agreed that Charlotte is much younger, prettier and is a far nicer person than the ex-Phillipines supremo.) Anyway I digress! I can assure you that Charlotte's video is much better than my early morning preamble here - Enjoy! There is a feedback section at the bottom of this page for your comments - we would love to hear from you.

On the video Charlotte models 4 pairs of prescription glasses:-

1. Everyday wear glasses - a neutral pair of spectacles suitable for most uses, smart, smart/ casual and fully casual (i.e. they even look good when your are wearing your pajamas

2. Eyeglasses for the professional look - Charlotte wears a lovely semi-rimless light-weight metal designer frame from Radley

3. Geek glasses - bold chunky and high fashion glasses - the current de-facto choice of the young, trendy beautiful people

4. Round Glasses - Charlotte models a more traditional 'Johnny Depp' style glasses frame for a rather more quirky look.

So which frame should should she choose for her new glasses? NB. I think she may end up going for them all! Can you help Charlotte decide? PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FEEDBACK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. TO MAKE OUR GLASSES BLOG FUN AND TRULY INTERACTIVE IT NEEDS YOUR HELP - SO JOIN OUR COMMUNITY BY LEAVING A COMMENT BELOW.

Funky glasses online - Featured Product "The Fleet Street"

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 01:00:00 +0000

This is a bold, funky, chunky retro glasses frame and hand made to boot! There has been absolutaly no compromise on the quality of the materials or execution/manufacture of this frame. Made of quality cellulose acetate (plastic) this two tone frame is striking and just a little bit different - yet the frame shape is a classic style that will suit most face shapes other than those with very petite features or smaller faces. The two tone black and translucent colour scheme -whilst striking - is also pretty safe in that it will compliment most skin tones and also most outfits. These glasses look equally good with a smart work suit or with jeans and tea shirt. This is really a designer glasses frame in all but name and price!

Don’t worry about the fantastic low price point this is just the benefit of buying your eyeglasses online. We also make no excuse for the relatively low quality of the photograph of this glasses frame. At SpecsPost we keep our costs to a minimum to ensure that we can deliver your glasses at the best possible cheap glasses prices.

Handmade Glasses From The UK

Wed, 23 May 2012 01:00:00 +0000

We previously wrote about exporting glasses from the UK all over the world. On the same theme we are delighted to showcase another British firm manufacturing quality handmade sunglasses - Oliver Goldsmith. The video below showcases what a painstaking process the manufacture of Oliver Goldsmith high quality sunglasses really is. This is a truly hand made product , made by real craftsmen. Such a huge and refreshing contrast to the unskilled, unhappy, sweat shop environments we are so used to hearing about.

If you are looking for superb quality sunglasses made with love and decent ethics in the UK then we would strongly recommend paying the premium price for this genuinely premium product. We have already showcased our current favorite piece is an absolute classic. It's Oliver Goldsmith's Breakfast at Tiffany'sunglasses commemorative frame.

Say No To Naked Faces / Love Your Glasses Campaign Coming Soon!

Wed, 02 May 2012 01:00:00 +0000

We are really excited to provide a sneak preview of our soon to be launched "Say No To Naked Faces Campaign" coming to a website near you, very soon. The campaign is all about the love of glasses and eyewear in general and about encouraging people to wear their glasses with pride.

The recent fashion trend for geek, nerd and retro style glasses has been a real boon for glasses wearers in general. As has been the resurgence of aviator and wayfarer style eyeglasses. Never before has it been so fashionable to dress your face.

We hope you will all get behind us in our quest and get involved in a number of exciting and fun interactive web based features such "Name and Fame" and "Rate or Slate!"

There are going to be loads and loads of eyewear prizes and we are also hoping to get a few glasses wearing celebrities on board too.......

So go cover your face and watch this space!

************* UPDATE************** No Naked Faces (Love your glasses) vidoe launched

Charlotte X

Round Eye Glasses Going Cheap A Snip At Forty One Thousand Pounds

Tue, 01 May 2012 01:00:00 +0000

We know that antique and retro eyeglasses are in vougue but this is taking things to the next level. On April 2012 a pair of Mahatma Gandhi's glasses sold at an auction in Ludlow, Shropshire, England for a staggering £41,000. The father of the modern Indian nations tradmark round glasses wildly exceeded auctioner Mullock's guide price of £10-15,000.

It is believed that Gandhi's glasses were bought in London, England around 1890 whilst he studied Law. The auction catalouge described the eyeglasses as "corroded with age", and was sold with the original felt bearing the name of H Cannam Optician 23 St Aldate Street Gloucester. The identity of the buyer as yet remains undisclosed.

If you are looking for antique style round glasses but can't quite stretch yourself to buy an original from the likes of Gandhi, Winston Churchill or John lennon then we can probably help. In a nutshell here is our unique offer: We can supply the quality vintage or antique style glasses, but I am afraid you are going to have to provide the history!

If you liked this article you may also be interested in our story about eye glasses made from human hair

SpecsPost offer quality vintage style round glasses at great cheap prices. Service with a smile and sense of humour provided 100% for free!

Manchester United Prescription Glasses / Eyeglasses Launched

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 01:00:00 +0000

April 2012 Exclusive News

Whilst SpecsPost has often been the first to bring news of new eyewear brand launches for the likes of Supergroup's Superdry brand and Radley London this exclusive news comes from a little closer to home. As a rim based in Manchester, England we ar delighted to bring you news of a new range of Premier League football glasses including Manchester United and Manchester City.

As well as providing the news we also hope to be the first online eyeglasses shop to offer these fantastic branded eyewear products to the UK and beyond. With extensive experience of shipping glasses internationally we are excited about the opportunity of looking after the extensive worldwide eyewear wearing fanbase that the Premier league has. As a firm based in Stretford only about 2 miles from Old Trafford we are particulalry excited about the launch of Manchester United glasses.

At this moment we don't yet know the exact price point, but as with offical, authentic Premier league and Mancheseter United and Manchester City branded merchandise we don't expect it to be cheap! However as with all our other products delivered via the internet you can certainly expect great value and a better price than from other off-line retailers.

More details will follow in due course..................

Breakfast At Tiffanys Shades. How To Get The Look In 2012

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 01:00:00 +0000

In 2012 the Breakfast At Tiffanys sunglasses look looks better than ever. More and more style concious ladies are contacting us to ask for help in finding both authentic and budget sunglasses options to get the Audrey Hepburn Holly Golightly look. So we decided to publish our findings online to help all you would be style divas get that look at a price to match your budget and aspirations.

Starting at the premium end of the market, we will start with the real deal. In 2011 to mark the 50th Aniversarry of the 1961 film, Oliver Goldsmith launched the Manhattan which was designed as an exact replica of the original "Breakfast At Tiffanys" shades from the film. Its a top quality product at a premium price which can be located from a few online firms at a slightly less eye watering internet price point.

For those who want the look, but don't necessarily have a film star income to buy it, there are plenty of Audrey Hepburn "look a like" options available. These are budget shades of a decent quality to give you the look. They just don't come with a genuine designer label. If this does not matter to you, you just want to look great then this is absoluatly the solution for you.

Raise Your Eyeglasses To Petite Faces and Smaller Heads

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 01:00:00 +0000

At SpecsPost we are often amazed when we talk to customers requiring smaller eyeglasses frame sizes. Many people in the West seem to have a negative self perception that having a smaller head is a bad thing, they sometimes uses phrases like "pin head" or "pencil head".

Beauty is all about perception and culture. In Korea having a smaller sized head and features is highly celebrated to the degree where most celebreties and TV personalities have smaller than average head sizes. Take heed and perhaps if you have a negative self image - go and take a trip to South Korea and get a perspective change.

“Gosh, your face is so small!” may sound like an inappropriate remark, but it is in fact a high compliment among Koreans.

BUT - before you go, rembember where you got this ego boosting travel tip from and make sure you buy your petite sized sunspecs from SpecsPost before you go! We are the leading online glasses firm for petite and smaller sized eyewear. And remember, all of our petite prescription eyeglasses can be made into petite prescription sunglasses by adding a tint.

Cheapest Armani Sunglasses Online

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 01:00:00 +0000

We are delighted to announce that we have now stocked in a range of 90 plus top quality Emporio Armani Sunglasses. All at our usual unbeatable online prices. Find them cheaper somewhere else and we will do our best to beat any other genuine online retailer. The range consists of a wide range of styles from classic Aviator shades through to more urban sunglasses designs. There is a good mix for men and women too, all with Italian design flare and top build quality synonymous with the Armani brand.

So there you have it, in 2012 we provide you with the best authentic Armani sunglasses at the lowest prices, the only bit we can't guarantee is the sun to wear them in! We stock Emporio Armani prescription glasses too.

Flying The Flag For British Glasses Exports

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 01:00:00 +0000

For British online glasses business SpecsPost 2012 is proving a bumper year as more and more orders come in from overseas. The despatch team at Mancheter based SpecsPost are being given a crash course in world georgraphy as prescription glasses orders come in from more and more exotic locations.

At first it began with the large international cities in English speaking countries like New York in the United States and Sydney Australia but increasingly SpecsPost is receiving orders from diverse places like Indonesia, France, Scandanavia and remote parts of the Australian outback and the Canadian wilderness.

The Watson family who own and operate SpecsPost find something deeply satisfying in serving an increasingly international market.

"When you look at the British economy, whilst we do have a few world beating firms like Rolls Royce, you get the impression that we really our a nation of shop keepers and supermarkets with much of our business sector simply moving money around within the UK. Psycologically it feels absolutal great bringing money into the UK from overseas and giving us the chance to provide a great service and eyewear product to overseas consumers......... we hope that we are projecting a positive view of the UK abroad and that this may encourage further business for othe UK firms."

So why are more people buying prescription glasses (or eyeglasses as many overseas customers call them) from a small UK based online glasses company? According to Watson there is no one simple solution. The weak pound is certainly a factor for many with for example the incredibly strong Aussie dollar making glasses purchases online in stirling "cheap as chips." For SpecsPost this is not about cheap glasses, rather quality glasses you can find and try on in Australia and then buy from the UK at a significant discoun (up to 70%) thanks to the double whammy of an online business model with lower overheads and a fantastic exchange rate thanks to the Australian commodity based boom and the effects of quantative easing in Britain. Elsewhere the motives for buying from the UK are more subtle. For many of our international customers buying from the UK is a cool thing to do. For them it's exciting and exotic to buy their glasses from England. We are hoping that the Olympics this summer are really going to maximise the positive exposture of the UK to the international audience - we hope that the investment in the Olympics and showcases London and the UK to a global audience is really going to boost trade for SpecsPost and many other UK firms.

We also know that confirmed order are only the tip of the iceburg The Google analytics tool allows us to see who is looking at our website on a weekly, daily or even real time basis. It's absolutaly fascinating and dangerously additive! But it totally reinforces that we truly do live in a global village and for small, easily postable items like eye glasses there really are very few boundries now. We just have to make sure that our quality product and service levels are showcased properly to give overseas glasses buyers full confidence in us to trust SpecsPost to ship their eyeglasses efficiently and effecively as promised. I would estimate that at present only around 1 in 5 overseas prospective customers that find the eyewear products that they want on our website go ahead - even when we are offering the best overall price. This is a statistic we clealry need to work on.

Yet there is a long, long way to go. SpecsPost are still forced to buy most of their frames from overseas. If we get big enough, we would love to manufacture our own frames here in the UK. In particular we one day hope to make our own brand of petite glasses for smaller faces. Lets hope the likes of Mary Portas inspire more consumers and politicians to set the scene for a real return of British manufacturing in opthalmic glasses frames and elsewhere too.

Cheap Ray Ban Style Glasses Alternatives

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 01:00:00 +0000

The Ray Ban eye glasses brand is undoubtably one of the most aspirational global eywear brands; arguably THE most deisred eyewear brand in the world. Ray Ban is a historic brand, responsible for designing and naming classic glasses brand including the"Aviator" and "Wayfarer" glasses.However with a premium eyeglasses brand tends to come a premium price tag. Buying Ray Ban glasses via mail order and online will cerainly bag you the best price, but for many this can still be a little rich.

A great alternative can be to buy Ray Ban style glasses without the actual brand. Many glasses companies produce very close copies of Ray-Ban prescription glasses frames at a fraction of the cost.

Please note that we are not talking about the black market for fake designer products, we are talking about unbranded glasses or glasses whose design is strongly influencd by Ray Ban style but produced under a different name.

As well as offering some of the cheapest authentic Ray Ban glasses frames anywhwere, SpecsPost offer some super value Ray Ban inspired glasses frames at a fraction of the cost of the real thing. Check out the following Ray Ban look a like glasses:

The Graduate Ray Ban style glasses

Alfie Rayban classic Wayfarer style

glasses

"Buddy" Rayban influenced glasses frame

If you liked this article, you may also like: Cosmopolitan Geek Glasses Look Alikes

Easter Bank Holiday Glasses Sale

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Bank Holiday Glasses Special Offer

Our great value cheap glasses (the price is cheap not the quality) just got even better. Over the Easter weekend get an extra 10% off by simply entering TWEET1 into the discount code box at checkout.

Rayban glasses from £59

We also have authentic Rayban prescription glasses from £59 including free P&P in the UK and cheap shipping rates to Europe, America, Canada, Australia and beyond.

Looking For The Cheapest Ray Ban style glasses?

We offer high quality Ray Ban style glasses from an amazing £29.

Last of our cheap Ray Ban glasses, buy yours before it's too late!

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:00:00 +0000

We have just a few pairs left of our cheap Ray Ban glasses - priced from just £59 with free delivery on all our Ray Ban glasses.

All of these fantastic genuine Ray Bans are available as prescription glasses or non prescription glasses for fashion wear.

These high quality spectacles are part of our end of line stock and will not be available at these, our cheapest Ray Ban prices again.

If you want to get your hands on a pair of cheap Ray Bans from SpecsPost, please be quick as at these prices we're certain they won't stay for very long. All our Ray Ban glasses are covered by our own guarantee and come with our standard single vision lenses included in the price.

Don't miss out on this incredible offer - get your authentic Ray Ban prescription glasses today at SpecsPost.

Alternatively you may be interested in cheap RayBan style glasses; these are Rayban inspired prescription glasses from other suppliers. Great frames styles without the premium Ray Ban price tag.

More and More "Cheap" Online Glasses Shipped To Australia

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 01:00:00 +0000

From the Northern Terretories to Tasmania, Australians are increasingly buying their glasses online from overseas and getting them airmailed 'down under'. (The Kiwis are at it too but that's another story for another time!) So why do Aussies choose to buy prescription glasses from companies like SpecsPost based in Manchester, England some 10,000+ miles away?

Mostly it's about the money. With the Australian commodity led boom, Australians have to some degree been insulated from the wider global recession. The Australian dollar has appreciated signficantly against the British pound and the US dollar (whose central banks have been printing money like it's going out of fashion.) So if you live in Melbourne, Australi and buy your glasses from a company in Manchester, England you will get significantly more glasses for your buck!

The combination of discounted online glasses and a favourable exchange rate can be a heady mix! Online glasses prices for a UK consumer for example are often 50 to 70% cheaper than high street prices, throw in the the exchange rate and the savings can be stunning for Australians. But what about the practicalities? How can you choose glasses from an overseas glasses supplier and know that they are going to suit you? The most straight forward approach is to try on designer glasses frames at a local optician in Australia. You will generally find that the same designer glasses brands and models like Ted Baker, Emporio Armani and Ray Ban are widely available online from UK suppliers. Simply find a designer frame in Australia that suits you, take a note of the make and model, go home and type it into Google. All things being equal you will find the frame online at a fantastic price.

However the best value, cheapest online glasses bargains for Australians are available by buying unbranded prescription glasses from overseas firms. So how can you find glasses that are going to suit you if you can't find an exact match to a product at a local Australian based optians? The key to this is getting familiar with frame sizes. Most glasses frames have 3 key dimensions printed on the inside of their arms. Generally something along the lines of 54 15 135. Find some glasses that suit you and take a note of the dimensions. Go online and find a frame with the same dimensions and of a similar colour and style. In most cases this will bag you a great glasses bargain!

When buying eyeglasses online follow the same rules as you would for any other online purchase. The main safety rule to follow is to use a credit card rather than a debit card. Credit cards carry an extra level of protection so that if you have any difficulties with an overseas online glasses supplier it should be much easier to obtain a refund.

Cheap Converse glasses. Only 65 pounds at SpecsPost.

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Our exciting new range of Converse glasses are perfect for a fresh look this spring.

All glasses in the Converse prescription glasses collection are now just £65.00 - that's including your standard single vision lenses AND delivery!

Find your Converse eyewear style this season at SpecsPost with great designer glasses and fabulous service all at our usual teeny tiny prices.

A pair of our Converse prescription glasses is all you need to instantly bring your style up to date, get yours now while you can.

Armani glasses - designer eyewear at it's best

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Just a quick reminder to all who love their Armani glasses, we can (usually) source ANY new season Armani glasses frames at unbeatable prices.

So next time you're considering splashing out on a luxe new pair of Armani prescription glasses, remember to come to SpecsPost first for our best quote on Armani designer glasses and sunglasses.

The Armani glasses frames shown to the left are available from just £94.00 - just part of our collection of investment designer glasses at throwaway fashion prices (well, nearly!).

Cheap glasses made to last the distance

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 01:00:00 +0000

We all want a better deal.

That's why we are so proud of our cheap glasses collection - as an online glasses shop, we can sell these cheap prescription glasses for just £17! (R.R.P. £99)

Our cheap glasses are not any old cheap glasses frames though, they are the same high quality glasses which are available from high street opticians for around £100 a pair!

All of our cheap prescription glasses come with a guarantee for fair use and our standard single vision lenses.

These cheap glasses frames really do look the part and are perfect for a spare paIr, to keep in the car, at work, at a friends house... at under £20 a pair you can have spare specs everywhere and to match every outfit. Never again need you be stuck with the same frames for 2 years - at these prices you needn't worry if you get bored of them after a month or two!

Our cheap glasses collections feature hundreds of different styles, from fashion glasses to wayfareres to aviators, there truly is a cheap pair of glasses for everyone.

Don't forger to ask about our cheap lenses, tints and coatings too and bag yourself a bargain.

New Converse glasses collection in stock now...

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Exciting news...we are now proud stockists of the new Converse Eyewear range, featuring the latest styles with a vintage Americana vibe and the Iconic Converse All Stars logo.

Even better, these awesome Converse glasses are priced at just £65 including delivery!

So there you have it - a bunch of cool new glasses at the best price online (we know, we've checked!) just for you. Any questions? Give us a call on 0844 870 7894.

Prescription Glasses Made In The UK / England

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Where can I buy glasses made in the UK?

In 2012 with inflation in fuel and transporation prices and rising overseas labour costs, retail and reality TV business guru Mary Portas believes that a brief window of opportunity has opened for British manufacturing. Putting her money where her mouth is (well time is money they say) Mary has set up a new production line in Middleton, Manchester producing British-made knickers.

Whilst the programme may be pants (pun totally intended); The pre-publicity has really got people thinking about buying British and the benefits to our economy and society. Naturally in our case our attention focused back to glasses and spectacles. Where do our frames and lenses come from? Can we and should we buy British glasses? As someone who gets a real thrill out of exporting mail order prescription glasses (it feels great bringing money into the UK from overseas) I love the idea of a renaisance in British manufacturing - it all started here after all as a trip to the Ironbridge area of Shropshire is a great testament to (Google it if you are not yet initiated.)

Well our research has uncovered some interesting information. Which we will bringint to you in a few nice bite sized chunks in the coming weeks.....................

Michael Caine Glasses

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

"My Name is Michael Caine" (glasses to thrill)

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!"

The recent trend towards retro, classic and vintage glasses has led to a plethora of online glasses suppliers offering frames purporting to match these hot themes. Even the non-specialists are at it. Take a look on eBay and you will find people every week jumping on the band wagon and selling their old (but not that old) mangled NHS glasses as so called vintage or antique frames. So how do you get the vintage or classic look without getting your fingers or your wallet burnt and ending up rewriting the emperor’s new clothes as the emperor’s new glasses!!?

When it comes to the use of the words “vintage”, “classic” and “antique” in respect of glasses, you will find that these words are being used increasingly loosely. Unless you know what you are doing, or have a significant amount of time to learn to know what you are doing, trying to buy genuine vintage or antique frames can be extremely risky.

Probably the safest way to follow the trend is to buy new glasses inspired by the classics of by gone eras. This way you get the look and style, but if you choose from the right online glasses supplier you will also get decent quality glasses complete with a manufacturer’s warranty for fair wear and tear. If this is the type of thing you are looking for then the new Superdry glasses range is a great place to start. With inspiration taken from timeless screen idols like Michael Caine and glasses frames named after Brando, Dean, (Buddy) Holly and the more recent (Johnny) Depp glasses this is a vintage inspired glasses range with a modern twist starting online from around £85 including single vision lenses.

If the Superdry glasses range is a little pricey (and it really is so good that we recommend you go for it if you can) then, you may want to check out SpecsPost’s unbranded classic inspired frame range, these are all decent vintage inspired designs and offer an extremely good budget fashion option. From just £29 including single vision lenses this can be a great way to get the current in look. Johnny Depp style glasses, Ipcress Michael Caine style glasses, classic Michael Caine style glasses, classic wayfarers and The Italian Job glasses all feature

Superdry Glasses Review

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Late 40's father of two, Julian Dunkerton is seriously successful, he's got it all a happy family and wealth with which to enjoy it and humility in spades too. Dunkerton is the CEO and founder of Super Group, the firm that owns the Superdry brand which floated at a valuation of £400 million back in March 2010. Despite the wider economic conditions Superdry has continued to go from strength to strength and Dunkerton continues to keep his feet planted firmly on the ground. Mr Dunkerton certainly comes across in the media as a really nice down to earth guy. His unpretentious, name, roots and heritage (the son of a couple who run a cider company in Herefordshire, England) are distinctly atypical for multi-millionaire retail executive. This is a great British success story headed by a hard working English gentleman. In a decade dominated by stories about unearned bankers bonuses, nepotism and arrogant fat cats we should all celebrate the success of a genuine self-made man, a Brit to be proud of.

For the uninitiated: Superdry’s core business is quality fashionable street and urban wear with staple items including hoodies, jeans, T-shirts and jackets. More recently under licence agreement, Superdry has launched a host of other products such as fragrances, sunglasses and prescription Eyewear. Superdry now has over 50 shops in the UK and an ever growing presence overseas, from Australasia to America. The Superdry logo appears prominently on the majority of merchandise in several different iterations. One of the most frequent forms of the Superdry branding includes Japanese characters below the English script; a nod to the Oriental design inspiration melded with US urban street culture and UK fit. In an article back in 2010 the Daily Telegraph's James Hall summed it up brilliantly when he wrote "Think a British version of Abercrombie & Fitch. Via Tokyo"

The latest move into Superdry Glasses looks set to be another big hit for Supergroup and Dunkerton. Once again Superdry look to have hit the sweet spot of contemporary urban fashion with a range of excellent acetate glasses for both men and women. Superdry glasses are designed to complement street wear, but we think many of the glasses frames will work pretty well with a smart suit and office attire too. Initially launched exclusively in Vision Express stores in late 2011 the new Superdry frame range is set to hit other high end fashionable optical stores and also online glasses sellers such as SpecsPost in early 2012. Having checked out much of the product range at VE we can report that Superdry’s glasses are extremely faithful to the brand with exceptional attention to detail and product quality and unorthodox materials and production techniques including laser etching of logos, acetate brushed to look aged, rugged seven barrel metal hinges and bamboo components. Look out for some great product names which include, Dean, Caine, Brando, Jet Star, Navigator and Holly. The Superdry glasses case also merits mention too it’s a striking aged wooden ‘box’ which is going to be highly desirable all on it’s own for Superdry fans.

Competition Glasses Pictures

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Thanks to all for sending in your fabulous pictures - we think it's safe to say that these girls look great in their glasses!

Next time, we'd like to see some more from the guys, all you have to do is send us some snaps of you in your specs and you too can feature on our Wall of Fame...

We are pleased to announce that the winner of our latest competition is: *drumroll please...* Angel from Hampshire! Congratulations Angel, you've won yourself a pair of our James Dean glasses.

Thanks to everyone who entered, don't forget to check your inbox regularly for more great competitions :)

Black and Purple Geek Wayfarer Glases

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Geek glasses seem to be going from strengh to strengh in 2012 and we are delighted to be adding this beautiful stylish frame. It's a classic black, slightly oversize wayfarer style frame with a gorgeous purple accent colour to give it that extra je ne sais quoi!. Perfect for the 'lon point' fashionable young women of 2012. These frames are hot and are sure to trot to order your now with or without a prescription right now.

Superdry eyewear coming soon...

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

OMG, how long have we waited for these! Finally - high fashion eyewear from high street favourite Superdry is due to land at SpecsPost... we love the retro shapes and urban detailing that are bound to make Superdry Eyewear a sure fire hit with glasses wearers worldwide.

The brand new collection for Superdry Eyewear features a hand-picked selection of lightweight acetates combining classic shapes with modern materials; and the attention to detail that Superdry is famous for including signature front trims and bamboo temples.

Finish off your look perfectly with Superdry Eyewear - and don't miss out if you're a non prescription glasses wearer, these glasses can all come with blank lenses for fashion wear. If you love the Superdry brand then check out our Superdry Glasses review

Black and white Picture courtesy of superdry.com

Glasses For Small Faces At Great Online Prices

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

In 2011 our latest survey of glasses wearers carried out by Kinsley consulting found that the most requested desire from UK worldwide spectacle wearers was a range of glasses designed for women and men with smaller faces.Glasses wearers with thinner faces are clearly fed up with the modest options available on the high street and the indignation of being shown the childrent frame range!

Well it's taken a lot of work, but SpecsPost is delighted to finally launch our glasses for small faces range. The range comprises 48 frames for men and women with thinner profiles in a range of style and colour options.

As you would expect we offer a 100% free home trial service to ensure that our customers are entirley happy with their glasses before we make them up to their prescriptions. So if you have a narrow or petite face and have previously struggled to find a frame to suit you, we hope that you need look no further.

Click here now to see the new smaller faces spectacles range.

Looking for more information on glasses frame sizes? Read our glasses frame size guide.

You may also be interested in our blog about cultural differences about perceived beauty and smaller head and face sizes

Online Glasses Vs High Street Opticians: Consumer Watch

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

As you will know from previous posts I am new to this buying glasses online stuff and before buying my latest purchase from Specspost I regularly purchased from my High Street store Specsavers.

I purchased my previous pair from Specsavers in September 2011 straight after I had had my regular 2 year check. I did feel a little pressured into purchasing my glasses from there as I was taken straight to the glasses after my eye test. Yes you do need to have your prescription at your opticians but do not let them pressurise you into actually making a purchase.

When I bought my Gok Wan glasses they made it sound like I was getting a good deal throwing in free scratch resistant coating (which actually wasn’t a huge bonus having paid £125 for them). After a couple of weeks of general wear, taking them off and putting them back on a few times a day, they seemed to suddenly become extremely weak, even over that short period of time; one of the handles even dropped slightly from its initial flush match up with the front of the glasses, I had to go back to Specsavers for them to adjust the screw for me.

My recent purchase from Specspost seem to, so far, be very different, they continue to feel very well made and firm without being uncomfortable, there is definitely none of the ‘flimseyness’ that came with the Specsavers pair. I generally feel less nervous about putting my Specspost pair down than my Specsavers pair; as they feel a lot more intact than my high street glasses. The whole process of buying them was easy, and I got exactly what I wanted. They came in a great little glasses case and were well packaged, to avoid damage in the post. My specsavers glasses did come with a box but it is far too bulky to be able to carry it around, without hassle, in my handbag.

My Specspost purchase (the James Dean black and white glasses) are still like new, the hinges haven’t loosened over time like the Specsavers pair. They do feel the same in regards to the plastic frame, and both pairs are of good quality, but the difference is in the way they are put together. They are much more resilient to damage for instance dropping them; I am always dropping my glasses and you shouldn’t expect, when you have paid £125 for a pair, to need a new hinge.

I am unsure as to whether I will purchase glasses from my High Street opticians again, unless prices are drastically reduced. But for now, I am very happy with the service I get from Specspost.

UPDATE SUMMER 201

SpecsPost are now offering the cheapest 2 for 1 glasses deal anywhere. Check out the 2 for £32 whilst stocks last!

Like Cosmopolitan geek glasses? Shop look-a-likes from under 20 pounds!

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The February edition of Cosmo featured a pair of designer geeky specs, teamed with an amazing pair of Killah jeans and classic Toms.

Priced at over £100 (lenses not included) for the frame as seen in Cosmopolitan, we've got some great geek solutions for prescription and non prescription visionistas...with fashion geek glasses from £19.95 to designer geeky specs from £77.

Our Best-selling black geek glasses

1. Emporio Armani Geek Glasses from £92.00 (including single vision lenses - also available with non prescription lenses)

These black geek glasses by Armani feature grey accents for geek style with a difference.

2. Our very own Geek Unique range of stylish nerd specs are just £35.00 (including single vision lenses - also available as non prescription)

Unsure if the geek look is for you? Be on trend without breaking the bank with our new Geek Unique collection.

3. Gucci Geek glasses at SpecsPost £140.00 (including single vision lenses - also available with non prescription lenses)

Blow the budget with a luxe pair of Gucci geek glasses - after all, this trend is here to stay...invest in a pair of designer geek glasses to carry you through season after season and get huge savings online.

On a shoe string? Don't forget to check out our non prescription geek glasses for just £10.00 (please note these for fashion wear only and are not available with prescription lenses).

Found this useful? You may also enjoy our article about Ray Ban look alikes!

Buying Prescription Glasses : High Street or Online?

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Many people don’t even know that it is possible to order glasses online, never mind know what to do. It is becoming quite evident that in recent years we are becoming ever more dependant on the internet; not only do we do our weekly food shop on there, but we now book our appointments online too. And it is possible to order your prescription glasses online too! All you have to do is get your prescription information from your optician (your opticians are legally required to give you your prescription; do not feel obliged to buy your glasses from where you had your eye test), then enter the details online once you have chosen the glasses you want.

The advantages of buying your glasses online as opposed to purchasing at your high street optician are substantial; complete a hassle free form for the glasses you want and have them delivered to your door 5-10 days later. But the main advantage is the price; you can buy glasses online for a fraction of the price you would pay at your high street opticians. In most cases you can probably get three pairs online for the one pair you would buy on the high street. Buying glasses on the high street means you are covering salaries and ridiculous profit margins. If you require a more personal service, specspost.co.uk will also take your order over the phone.

Being able to buy three pairs of glasses for the same price of the one pair from my optician has enabled me to have one pair at work, one pair at home, and one pair in my car. This is particularly handy if I decide to wear my contact lenses and they dry up too quickly, I always have a back up pair of glasses somewhere close by. I have a couple of different styles around to chop and change but you could have the same pair of glasses that you love, or maybe in different colours, dotted around in case you need them.

Even though specspost.co.uk offer a full refund within 30 days if you are not satisfied, I would advise that you pop to your high street store to decide on what style of glasses you want and what will fit your face best, then come home and order the same style for a fraction of the price.

SpecsPost really can save you a fortune on glasses, we all know how easy it is to take them off for a moment and either lose them, tread on them, or even sit on them as this as happened to me. The fact that glasses are so easily misplaced and damaged does not comprehend paying over the odds for a pair on the high street. I don’t know about you but I definitely couldn’t afford to immediately replace a £100 pair of glasses I had accidently stood on (I say immediate because if you are anything like me then you really do need your glasses).

I have witnessed first-hand that the service is great at SpecsPost, they make sure you are satisfied with the service, and the glasses, throughout the process. They are very professional and prepare your specs using the same processes and suppliers as high street opticians. This is because they do own a high street opticians, but offer the same frames and lenses online for a fraction of their normal price.

Make sure before purchasing any glasses that you have an up to date eye test, you should expect to pay around £25 for one. Leading optometrists advise on an eye test every two years.

And just to add, keep an eye out on the blog and the website here at Specspost because they are often coming up with fantastic deals you will not want to miss. [If you are anything like me you will probably want to register to ensure that you are automatically kept up to date on special offers, bank holiday deals etc because you don't want to kick yourself for missing out on an absolute bargain!]

Danielle became a SpecsPost client back in December 2011. After some fantastic feedback on receipt of her glasses, she kindly wrote a glasses related blog for us. Since then we have retained Danielle as a regular freelance writer for the SpecsPost Blog.

New Lenses In Vintage Frame : Customer Testimonial for SpecsPost

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Here at SpecsPost we offer a comprehensive and highly specialised vintage glasses spectacle reglaze service.

We are able to put new prescription or non-prescription lenses into your vintage glasses frame no matter whether your vintage glasses come with or without existing lenses.

However rather than us tell you how great we think we are, we would rather let our services and customers to the talking for us, so we have copied in an email from one of our recent clients.

Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:11:02 +0000
Subject: Re: Vintage Spectacles New Lenses
From: Patricia Hallam
To: specspost@hotmail.co.uk

Hello,

Just wanted to say, I just received the glasses and am very pleased and would like to say thank you very much for your great customer service. I will definitely be recommending you and will use you again. I have a few friends who want their old and vintage frames re-glazed so will pass them on to you. If you would like to use my recommendation in any blurbs or case files etc, feel free to do so.

Best Wishes
Patricia

For more detailed information on putting new lenses into your vintage or antique spectacle frames we recommend you read the following:- http://www.specspost.co.uk/blog/new-lenses-in-vintage-or-antique-glasses-frames or for a quotation on price simply send us an email or give us a call (full details can be found on our contact page.

Win a pair of glasses like Danielle's...

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The lovely Danielle bought a pair of our "James Dean" wayfarer glasses and loved them so much she decided to write a blog about them!

This photo inspired our latest competition: simply send us a picture of you wearing your glasses for a chance to win a brand new pair of glasses just like Danielle's!Remember to check in back here often as we will be announcing the winner soon...

Good Luck :)

For competition terms & conditions please follow the link.

My Recommendations For Buying Glasses Online

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

When it comes to glasses, there is a lot you think about before you buy; what style of frame will suit my face? What colour should I go for? I have needed glasses since I was about 13 but I never actually started ‘wearing’ them until I passed my driving test when I was 19. I tended to avoid wearing them because I had the mindset that they were unsexy and very uncool, which I know was ridiculous especially when working with computers. But after passing my driving test it was a legal requirement to be able to see a license plate from 20 metres away and I simply couldn’t do that without having glasses.

I was gutted as you can imagine; they didn’t have the range of glasses they have now 6 years ago! But after spending hours of trying glasses and buying ones I really didn’t like, fashion changed, and retro geek glasses came on to the shelves; once you finally find a pair that you feel looks good your confidence is automatically boosted. You look and feel sophisticated, casual but in a smart way, and just generally sexy!

I now adore my modern yet retro geeky frames and I keep buying more and more so I can wear different colours of the ‘geek chic’ frame! My latest purchase, from specspost was the first pair I had ever bought online. I was desperate for a new pair for New Years Eve night but simply did not having the cash to go to my usual high street store; I decided to have a browse online to see if I could find any that I liked… I did not expect to find quite so many pairs that I liked online at specspost.co.uk. I had tried other sites but they just didn’t have the range or variety that I was looking for and specspost had a wonderful array of frames to choose from! Finally narrowing it down to two colours of frame it took me perhaps another two hours or so to decide on the ones I was going to buy. I could have bought three pairs of them for the price I would normally pay at my high street opticians!

There are so many advantages to buying your prescription glasses online such as delivered straight to your door, hassle free, but for me the main one was how much they cost. I bought some of these geek style glasses around 6 months ago from my high street store which easily cost over £100 and I managed to get the same style glasses in an even nicer colour from specspost for £30!! I knew that this style suited my face and made me feel sexy. I would advise nipping into your local high street store and trying on a few to make sure you know what you want then coming back home to place your order for the same sort of thing online at specspost.co.uk if you are not fully satisfied they offer refunds within 30 days. They even offer home trials where they send you four pairs to try out for a small deposit then simply choose which pair you want to buy.

People shouldn’t rush out to get contact lenses or have laser eye surgery because they are both very expensive alternatives! I personally wear contact lenses perhaps once a week but when I have them in for that day I absolutely love taking them out at the end of the day and putting my glasses on, my eyes dry up far too quick with them in and they are very uncomfortable towards the end of a night.

From 2011 onwards glasses have been ‘seen’ to get more and more popular. There has been a long list of gorgeous celebs in glasses; both on a daily basis and on the red carpet, including Megan Fox and Reese Witherspoon! Glasses haven’t always been so popular due to the lack of styles and the thick lenses us glasses wearers were all too familiar with when young! But now there are so many more frames and styles on the market to compliment every shape of face.

New Lenses In Vintage or Antique Glasses Frames

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The retro and vintage look have never been more popular than in 2012. More and more glasses wearers are taking the retro trend to a whole new level by actually buying authentic retro glasses rather than modern copies of retro styles. Sourcing authentic vintage spectacle frames can be a challenge in itself, but getting the old frames glazed (particulalry when there are no lenses in the glasses already) can be even harder....... unless you know where to go.

If you are looking to buy new prescription or non-prescription lenses to put into an old or vintage specatle frames then you need look no further. At SpecsPost we offer the following comprehensive services:-

Reglaze/new lenses into antique glasses frames with existing lenses
Reglaze/new lenses into antique glasses frames without existing lenses
Reglaze/new lenses into vintage glasses frames with existing lenses
Reglaze/new lenses into vintage spectacle frames without existing lenses

Please note that this is a totally bespoke service and we normally need to view a digital photograph of the spectacles in question and a copy of your prescription before we can provide a quote.

We strongly recommend that all vintage or antiqe glasses frames sent to us are sent via recorded delivery or registered mail. We always send antique or vintage spectacles that we have glazed via special delivery as these frames are virtually impossible to replace if they were to get lost.

For recent customer feedback our vintage reglaze service, you may be interested in reading: Vintage Frame Reglaze Testimonials

This is very much a tailor-made service, so please give us a call or send us an email to discuss your specific requirements via 0844 870 7894 or sales@specspost.co.uk

Little Mix Style Glasses Update

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

It's official! Google searches for Little Mix and Little Mix fashion items are through the roof in the UK. Indeed, the current popularity of Little Mix seems to have no limits. They really are hot, hot property, setting trends for young women everywhere!

An electic mix of girls from 3 different regions in England, Talisa's 'little muffins' just seem to work -despite the fact that they are technically a manufactured band! Somehow they combine being talented and pretty with being grounded and un-diva like (so far!) and it's this combination of qualities that clearly strikes a chord with young British females. Let's hope that they can keep their feet on the ground despite the meteoric success and their new A-List status!

Check out this video for Little Mix style tips from the girls themselves, including examples of how to make glasses look cool.

In January 2012 SpecsPost's Little Mix Style Glasses are currently our number 1 selling female glasses frame. We have not done the maths, but we are probably selling as many non prescription glasses frames as for those who really need to wear glasses.

Looking for Glasses 52 14 140 Online?

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Just typed "glasses 52 14 140" into Google? We can certainly help you, but if you are looking for a specific glasses frame you are going to need a little bit more information. Read on to find out why and how to find glasses you have seen on the high street at a cheaper price online.

The numbers 52 14 140 (or similar) on a glasses frame actually refer to the frame size in terms of various dimensions. This is useful if you have tried on a frame in an opticians shop with these dimensions and it fitted well, but there are going to be literally thousands of glasses frames out there with these dimensions, so you are going to have to narrow it down a bit.

Here is a quick guide on the bits of information you are likely to come accross or need to source your glasses online. The more information you can provide, the quicker you will source the glasses frames you want online at a great saving.

Make/manufacturer or brand - depending upon the popularity of the brand this may or may not be included on the inside of the frame arm. For example armani Glasses tend to have the logo, but no reference to the brand on the inside armas. Up and coming brands such as Dirty Dog, Henleys and Sunoptic all typically include the brand on the inside arm.

Frame Code and colour - this generally is the key piece of information you need to source your glasses frames online, in many cases you can simply type this information into Google and get straight to the product you want. This information usually comes in two parts for example Armani EA964 C2 with the C2 part refrring to the colour. It's possible to find a glasses frame with the same dimensions, same code, but often 4 different colour options e.g. EA964 C1 might be a black frame, EA964 C2 might be a white frame etc. etc.

Frame Size Measurements

It's often possible to buy a frame in different sizes. Most opticians will stick to the most common middle size, but if you have a smaller or thinner face or a larger, rounder visage it's often worth looking into frames at the smaller or larger end of the spectrum of frame sizes. We will shortly be producing a more detailed blog on frame sizes which we will link to this blog.

If we have not managed to answer your question or you need further help, give us a call or send us an email. Or click here to shop for glasses right now!

Great Glasses Wearers : Gareth Malone and His Military Wives Choir

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Great Glasses Wearers Of 2011

Well done Gareth, great job for a great cause. We are right behind you! Thanks to you and your teams efforts, charities are benefiiting and both choirs and glasses are suddenly the height of fashion and cool - whoever would have thought it!

As well as the red hot tip for the number one glasses charity spot, you are also our tip for our customers Glasses Wearer Of The Year Award 2011/2012.

Thanks to your kind comments about our Get The Gareth Malone Glasses Look on a budget article of a few weeks back we are busier than ever and continue to give £1 to the same charities as your single for every pair of glasses sold in December.

We would also like to take some credit for probably influencing the Daily Mail's peice on you on December 10th 2011 entitled "A Most Unlikley Pin-Up." Whatever the case well done Gareth you are an inspiration and a reason to be cheerful and proud to be British in gloomy economic times!

Radley Eyewear Collection To Be Expanded

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

SpecsPost is delighted to be the first to publically announce to consumers that the highly successful Radley London eyewear collection is to be expanded in early 2012. Leicester based distributor Olympus eyewear today confirmed that around 10 new ophthalmic glasses frames and half a dozen new sunglasses models will be available from around February 2012. All of these models will be available in a choice of colour combinations.

SpecsPost will continue to offer the full Radley glasses range, including all of the new models. We will offer the new Radley eyewear collection as soon as we can get our hands on it! As with the inaugural range, aim to be the first to market as well as offering our usual great value and quality service. If you wish to be kept up to date and be notified when the new range is available then please complete the form available here.

Follow this link for further information on the existing Radley eyewear collection.

About Barbour

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Founded in 1894, the Barbour brand started life providing apparel for sporting activities. The company introduced clothing for motorcycling which was worn by most of the British International team until the line was discontinued in 1977. During the war, the company created submarine suits which became the industry standard issue. Named the best shooting clothing in 2005, Barbour has contined it's rich history in creating pieces with functional style for outdoor pursuits. A collaboration with acclaimed British designer Alice Temperley in 2011 helped to make Barbour the choice du jour for celebrities such as Kate Moss and Alexa Chung, who's styles are emulated by women worldwide. This lifestyle and heritage brand is synonymous with the British countryside and is most famous for the classic wax jacket. Barbour's iconic utilitarian fashion is now available for men, women and children, and the new Barbour eyewear collection epitomises the same values of this long-standing British company.

Can I Buy Glasses Online With An NHS Voucher?

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

NHS

One of the most common questions our customer services team recieves at the momement is

"Can I Buy Glasses Online With An NHS Voucher?"

We are pleased to confirm that if you live in England the answer is a resounding YES! (We cannot accept vouchers from Wales or Scotland)

At SpecsPost we have many clients who use an NHS Voucher to buy their glasses via the internet. The main reason they wish to do this is to take advantage of the great value offered by online glasses in the UK.

When you buy NHS glasses from a high street optician your choice will generally be limited to a small selection of pretty unfashionable lower quality frames. Obviously you can top up your NHS voucher with an additional payment if you want, but this involves extra cost and to upgrade to a decent fashion frame or a designer brand of glassses is invariably quite expensive.

If you use your NHS voucher online to buy your glasses it's generally a very different story. At SpecsPost it's possible to buy a great pair of stylish glasses including lenses within the NHS budge. And as with high street opticians, you can also upgrade - the difference being that it will cost you significantly less money to upgrade your NHS Voucher when you buy desinger glasses online.

Click here for our guide to using NHS glasses vouchers online.

Why Little Mix Singer Perry Needs Glasses!

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Euphoric after winning the X-Factor 2011 - with a a million pound record deal from Simon Cowell in the bag. De-facto lead singer Perry celebrated by............... dumping new love interest and heart throb One Direction's Zane.

In the immortal words of Kelly Rowland "U N - F R E A K I N G - B E L I E V A B L E !!!!!"

Well either this whole thing was an elaborate publicity stunt or the poor girl seriously needs some new glasses. The boy is a gorgeous man-god!

Here on the SpecsPost Blog we have already touched on band mate Jesy's glasses and now it's time to make a few suggestions for Perry. So click on the video below, enjoy the music, kick back and scroll down to see our Little Mix glasses Pics!

Little Mix Glasses Pics 1: The Geek Unique Frame

These bold oversize glasses frames are right on point for contemporary female fashion. At SpecsPost we are selling more Geek Unique frames to non-prescription glasses wearers than to people who actually need specs! For many girls choosing which glasses to wear out is starting to becoming as much an obsession as which shoes. We think Perry would look great in these frames!

Little Mix Glasses Pics 2: Classic A-List sunglasses

A must have for Perry now she's in the spotlight and perhaps to hide a few tears of regret over Zane!? The brand choice of Radley may be something of a suprise to some, but Radley London glasses and sunglasses are definatley being increasingly adopted by younger and younger ladies with style.

So that's our first Little Mix of suggested glasses for Perry. The rise of Little Mix has been a meteoric one and we look forward to watching them grow as an inspirational girl band for our times. Tune in again soon for our next installment on the Little Mix Glasses front.

Thanks for Listening and please leave your comments below.

If you liked this article, you may also like: Little Mix Glasses, Big Style!

Tis the season.

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

I've recently got a new pair of glasses which in itself is not exactly news worthy, but stick with it, I promise I will almost have a point.

Now I like my new pair for many reasons, they're a sassy FCUK thick rimmed affair that makes me look dangerously like a scene-kiddie... Y'know, except with fifty-pounds and ten years added on. That's not the reason I got them, the real reason is that I have a head that causes much excitement at NASA every time I stand too close to a telescope, as such any glasses I own have to be built in a fashion likely to impress Brunell.

My old glasses had a hard life. Stubbornly I'd worn them for years longer than I should have done, and so they had a weary jaded look to them, like a much loved pet that's had a hard life. I didn't mind them but I was also kind of embarrassed by them; as glasses go they had the kind of look that screamed 'please, take my lunch money'. This may seem fatuous but all I'm saying is I get mugged 100% less wearing my new glasses, and if that isn't a recommendation I don't know what is.

What really sells me on the new gigs (woo, look, I know slang, aren't I kitsch?) is the way that they frame my eyes. Now I have a rather large head, unfortunately I have a rather small face and you can imagine how ludicrous that looks. I've grown used to it over time although occasionally children stop and stare before being hurried along by embarressed parents. I'd be angry but I know that my massive head is housing an intellect that can destroy planets and so I'll cut them some slack.

My glasses mitigate this somewhat, making me appear more like an ordinary human than the evil-genius I am (if anyone spots a hollowed out volcano on e-bay, please shoot me a message). I personally enjoy being incognito, especially as 'tis the season.

I'm not sure if anyone else is aware but there appears to be some kind of annual festival going on, some kind of 'christ-mass'. Now I'm not entirely sure of the details, but apparently this festival happens every December and is marked by running around like idiots, spending lots of money and actin like I really don't need the foot square of space in which I'm stood.

Now I'm not an angry man...

Alright that's a bare faced lie; right there, I lied to you. Every time one of these people places themselves at the center of the universe and the center of the one place I want to be stood I see red. Now the only reason that these people aren't bludgeoned to death with their brand new iPad is mostly because I'm British.

You see in 1957 the government conducted secret genetic alterations to the populace to 'breed-in' good manners. The plan of coure was a failure, but not complete one. You can test this by 'accidentally' bumping into someone on the bus/tube/tram; don't make it too obvious, but make sure it's your fault. An alarming number of people will apologize to you. Even worse, I would happily bet a great many people reading this have done this themselves; I know I have.

So there I am apologising to someone who has decided that they have priority over me in my own personal space and they smile as I apologize. Why? Because tn my genes I'm told to stay stony faced, mutter my apology and watch them walk away. They look at me, they see the glasses ad dismiss the look behind them, the absolute hatred that wells up inside me every time they walk ff so sure they're in the right.

Merry Christmas!

(PS: JP would like it known that he actually likes Christmas, he just hates people.)

Reasons to be Cheerful

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

With my last artice I had a bit of a purge and it came off a bit vitriolic, as an antidote to this (and in the hopes that by writing this my 'pimp' will let me keep the very angry article) I'd like to say something positive.

Plus I never get to quote Ian Dury, or the Blockheads for that matter.

I was ten when I first noticed my eyesight fading, sat in Mr. Strafford's ('Stricto Strafford' as he was known) class unable to quite make out the words on the chalkboard. Remember how the smudges of a million lessons used to make the entire thing look cloudy? It was like seeing the words fading into that background fog, always just out of focus.

It took me a long time to admit that I was having trouble seeing. I was ten, I wasn't sure how it all worked, for all I knew his could have been odd. Eventually I did get tested and though my eyes were healthy I sufferred from congenital poor sight and a squint (which is rather funny and augments my Winston Chruchill impression no end), glasses were the only way forwards.

My father had worn glasses all of my life and most of his, and as my frame of reference I elected to get some glasses like his. I was ten, he was thirty-six and we should have had very different notions of style. It was 1995 and I turned up with huge tortoishell frames with tinted lenses.

If I went back in time I'd have to struggle not to beat myself up.

They were the lamest thing you ever did see, but I loved them. I loved them because they were mine, not at first and not all at once. At first they were heavy clumsy things that didn't feel right on my face and I hated them, but over time they became a part of me.

That pair I had for all of high school and they were a part of my face, and being a hormonal teenage boy I immediately hated my face for its ability to repulse girls and ostricised me from the 'cool' crowd, and in turn hated the glasses. This was of course a phase and I grew to love my glasses.

A green blur becomes a field, a blur of colours becomes a painting. I could see the bus I needed to cath when I needed it rather than missing it. When you can't see you miss everything, like the world is going past in a blur (which I suppose is kind of accurate) and I've seen plenty of things for which I'm grateful.

I've been to the Louvre, I'm not showing off, I was in Paris and it seemed like the thing to do. I've seen the Mona Lisa and wasn't that bothered, but I'll thank my glases for letting me see, in a quiet, unassuming corridor, the Venus Di'Milo.

I've seen a sunrise over Malham Tarn, seeing the sunlight hit the Yorkshire hills and turn the grass gold, or watching fog falling in the French valleys and lying thick about the trees in choking tendrils. I've seen ball lightening on those very mountains, and a sunriseover Manchester that awed me just as much. All of them I've seen through my glasses, and all of them I wouldn't have seen without them.

I don't think we'll every really know which one person was responsible for pioneering the glasses, and like most things no one person can claim credit for what glasses have become, but for all the people who have participated (including my overlords at specspost.co.uk; doubly so for indulging rants like these) in making glasses as useful and as cool as they are today I am eternally grateful.

So thankyou you (literal) visionaries, and for 2012 I beg you; consider adding some lasers.

~JP

My Dog Ate My Glasses!

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

At SpecsPost we get to hear all sorts of stories behind why people need new glasses. From a normal change of prescription right through to the slightly bizarre (which we may cover in a future article!) However our favourite (and suprisingly common) reason has to be

"My Dog Ate My Glasses!"

Thanks to SpecsPost customer Karen's daughter Beetle's help in providing some digital photos we are finally able to 'name and shame' Ludo, although with this cute fellow I think 'name and fame' may be more appropriate!

Anyway enough from us. Over to the stars of this this story Karen and her puppy Ludo.

"Hi SpecsPost. As promised, here are a couple of photos of Ludo in action! Ludo is a 7 month old Welsh Springer puppy. I have owned "Welshies" for 25 years and have never had such an intelligent or naughty puppy. Out walking he is brilliant, on and off the lead, very obedient but even after his regular long walks he creates havoc in the house. Glasses are a firm favourite even climbing onto the ironing board to retrieve them! Thank you all so much for the swift arrival on my new glasses, they are great. I found your Web Site really easy to use, and I will certainly use your company again. No longer do I have the embarrassment of having to wear my old ones held together with duck tape! Best wishes Karen"

So there you have it next time your dog chews your specs you know who to call!

If you wear glasses and have an interesting story to tell and even better some photos to bring the story to life please get in touch we are always interested in new content for our glasses blog.

If you enjoyed this story, you may also enjoy: Emergency holiday glasses dash!

Thanks again to Karen for the story, her daugher Beetle for the photos and of course the real star of the show Ludo.

P.S. No animals were harmed in the making of the blog!

Get the Anthony Cotton glasses look

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

As seen on this years I'm A Celebrity: Get Me Out Of Here, Anthony Cotton (AKA Corrie's Sean Tulley) was sporting a fab pair of black rimmed glasses - the most popular eyewear style of the year.

You too can get the Anthony Cotton glasses look from just £29 from our cheap wayfarers collection, or for a real celeb style our black Armani wayfarers (as shown) are available with single vision prescription lenses and free delivery for just £77.

More Jeff Banks glasses in stock now

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

As promised, we have introduced new Jeff Banks frames to our collection. We are proud to stock these popular designer frames at the cheapest prices available online.

These glasses have proved extremely popular with our customers and we can see why. These designer spectacles are made from the finest modern materials to ensure durability and comfort. They are available in a range of modern styles and shapes, suitable for everyday wear. Lastly, our great cheap prices mean that you can have real designer eyewear for the same price (or less than) you'd pay for a standard pair from a high street optician.

With over 30 new pairs of Jeff Banks glasses added to our range, there's something to suit every man for every occasion. From the classic Jeff Banks range to the Stvdio by Jeff Banks collection, our designer glasses start from just £42, with single vision prescription lenses included AND free delivery! Check out our new line of Jeff Banks prescription glasses here.

Little Mix glasses, Big Style

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Jesy Nelson makes up one quarter of Little Mix, a group of likeable teens who against the odds have become firm favourites to win this years competition.

Perrie, Leigh-Anne, Jade and Jesy all entered the competition as solo artists, but formed a foursome to become the most talked about group this year. The girls are being mentored by Tulisa Contostavos, who has helped them to develop their unique style.

Get the Little Mix look with bold prints, crimped hair and black geek glasses.

Our new collection by Geek Unique features an amazing pair of printed wayfarers, perfect to acheive a laid back style with a rock chick edge just like Jesy.

To copy Jesy's style pair your geek glasses with a leather jacket, All Saints style racer vest and hi tops. We heart the star necklace too, right on trend for AW11.

Shop our latest range of geek glasses here, starting from just £10 for non prescription nerd glasses and only £17.50 for prescription geek glasses.

Geek Unique glasses (above) available with prescription or non-prescription lenses

Keep up to date with all the Little Mix news! If you liked this article you may also like: Why Little Mix Singer Perry Needs New Glasses! which also gives you the chance to enjoy the fab fours debut single whilst you read the article.

Research Released Into Why More People Are Buying Glasses Online And Enjoying Free Glasses Home Trials

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

According to a recent University of Leeds study, glasses wearers are avoiding getting their eyes tested because they fear being pressurised into buying expensive prescription glasses and lens coatings. The research led by Professor Darren Shickle of The University of Leeds Medicine School has been studying the public’s perception of opticians and optometrists.

The study is not due to be formally released until 2012, but delegates at the 2011 National Optometric Conference were treated to a few highlights in a lecture by Professor Shickle “[you] have got a PR problem in the way people see optometrists. There is a perception that you just focus on the money”

The study was catalysed by a low uptake of National Health Services funded eye examinations and was carried out via a series of focus groups in the area. “Even though people are entitled to free eye tests, some choose not to because they don’t trust their optometrist isn’t going to sell them something they don’t need.”

At SpecsPost we speak to many patients each day and we don’t believe that these early highlights of the report reflect the real situation. High street opticians seem to constantly get a bad press in the media, yet most of our clients who choose to buy glasses online love their opticians (particularly the independent opticians) and believe in their integrity and excellent clinical service. They buy glasses online purely to save money and often feel a little guilty that they are going elsewhere to buy their glasses. In the midst of the current recession consumers have to cut their spending wherever they can and survival comes before loyalty. In our opinion the real problem lies with the way eye care and eyewear are delivered. As things stand patients of high street opticians pay below cost price on the crucial clinical elements (the medical bit.) To make a profit opticians are forced to charge inflated prices for their glasses to simply make a living. To a large extent the social welfare states payments for NHS sight tests- set at just over £21- is the perpetrator of this situation. Until this regime changes, there will be pressure on opticians to push expensive products simply to allow them to make ends meet and to make up the cost of their valuable time spent on underpaid clinical sight tests. Whilst this continues their will continue to be a strong demand for prescription glasses online and in particular free home glasses trials where glasses wearers can try glasses in the comfort of their own homes without fear of being pressurised into upgrade options.

Get The Gareth Malone Glasses Look On A Budget

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

This year has seen the rise and rise of BBC's Gareth Malone with Christmas TV appearances and a possible Christmas number one record likely to be the icing on the cake. Gareth has been on our screens for a few years now but 2011 has seen his real emergence in the UK public's consciousness. A glasses wearing choirmaster is an unlikely cult figure, but this is very much what Gareth is fast becoming. The personification of Geek Chic and the preppy look, Gareth has become the de facto thinking womans crumpet and the image to mirror for the cultured man.

So about the glasses; Gareth favors chunky, retro Rayban Wayfarer style glasses. His signature glasses are classic black wayfarers, but he's been seen sporting variations on this theme. SpecsPost are delighted to offer a range of Wayfarer style glasses to help you get the Gareth Malone glasses look. Starting at just £29 + P&P we believe this is the ultimate combination of style and price. This range of glasses has been a best seller for us this autumn and we hope this continues over the Christmas and New Year period.

Best of luck to Gareth and his Military wives choir. They are the bookies number 2 favorite to hit the coveted Christmas number one chart spot and with Chris Evans (another notable chunky specs wearer) championing the song on his prime Radio 2 breakfast show we think he has a real chance. High profile television appearances by the likes of Gareth and Chris also tend to boost sales of similar style glasses here at SpecsPost, so we might be buying a few copies of the single ourselves too as it will be good for charity and good for our business!!!!

UPDATE 05/12/11 : Following Gareths unexpected and very kind mention of SpecsPost on his facebook page on Monday 05/12/11 we have received a significant uplift in traffic to this page and the website in general. As a big thank you and to get into the spirt of things we are delighted to confirm that SpecsPost will donate £1 for every pair of glasses ordered during the month of December. As per the Christmas single, the money will go towards the Royal British Legion and Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Forces Help. We would love to have bundled in a copy of the single as suggested by quite a few people (as we are desperate to help Gareth and his military wives beat The X Factor to the Christmas number one spot) however as yet we have been unable to find a practical way to do this. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

If you have not already seen it on Gareths facebook page, here is a copy:

Gareth Malone

£29! And they said they'd buy the single. Good on them. (NB Gareth Malone is not profiting from this website. NB Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. NB #MWC4XNO1 NB Isn't this all a bit crazy?!)

Glasses Blog | SpecsPost

www.specspost.co.uk

Buy cheap glasses online with confidence from the helpful spectacles shop. Glasses from 10 pounds with money back guarantee, delivered from the UK.

Like · Comment · 21 hours ago ·

Rosemary Seam, Louise Delahunty, Fiona Martin and 29 others like this.
- Emma Hanlon-Penny NB Great work Mr M!!! x x x
  21 hours ago · 2
- Military Wives Choir Haha!! not sure they're as good as our secret song glasses though LOL!!! x x and women's crumpet!!!! Well, well!!!
  21 hours ago · 2
- Sylvia van Bruggen You are a crumpet now, Gareth! XD
  21 hours ago · 2
- Christine Davis Lol, I'm not sure 'geek chic' is a very flattering description of your look Gareth......lol but I like the glasses.....
  20 hours ago
- David Cathmoir Nicoll £29.79 and they could sell the glasses PLUS a copy of the single.
  20 hours ago · 2
- Alexandra Mary Roach Secret Song glasses were the funniest thing ever. Not geek - intellectual badass..
  20 hours ago · 3
- Jenni Allen Gareth, you're the thinking woman's crumpet.......apparently!!!
  19 hours ago · 5
- Karina Lyburn Is it bad that I don't even wear glasses, and yet I still want them?
  19 hours ago · 1
- Jenny Weed You shouls have a pic of your Wives Choir all wearing the glasses! ;)
  16 hours ago · 1
- Donna Sprowles Yes, but it is a "good" crazy - isn't it?
  13 hours ago
- Julia Benson ‎"The personification of Geek Chic and the preppy look, Gareth has become the de facto thinking womans crumpet and the image to mirror for the cultured man." Well I'm proud to know such a man !!! Has your mother seen this? :))
  11 hours ago · 1
- Christina Rossi What's next the Gareth Malone inspired jumper collection? Now that would be quite the show stopper!
  8 hours ago

How to Choose the Right Eyeglasses for the Great Outdoors (Part 1)

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

With budgets tight and a healthy lifestyle becoming increasingly desirable, more and more people are looking to the great outdoors to pursue leisure activities.

Whether it’s a gentle Sunday stroll, a bike ride down country lanes or more challenging, strenuous sports and pursuits such as mountain biking or high level hiking, for each of these outdoor activities; having the correct clothing, footwear and equipment is essential for safe and maximum enjoyment. This includes having glasses or sunglasses that are going to provide comfort and protection whilst looking good.

One of the most important aspects of eyeglasses is their ability to protect our eyes from the glare of the sun. Especially if we might be exposed to the sun’s rays for extended periods of time. It is well documented that excessive exposure to the sun’s rays can cause damage to the retina of the eye. UV rays are the culprit. These are the rays emitted from the sun. UV stands for ultra violet and these rays are found in the light spectrum, slightly past the violet colour, hence the word ultra. A certain type of UV ray known as UVB will not travel through glass, and this is where wearing eyeglasses when outdoors is so absolutely vital.

For those who need eyeglasses to correct their vision as well as to protect their eyes from UV rays there are three options available.

Contact lenses to correct vision and sunglasses or shades to protect the eyes. This provides a degree of flexibility, but on cloudy days standard sunglasses may reduce vision necessitating the need to take the glasses on or off for example when your walk or bike route takes you from an open area into a wooded area.

Prescription sunglasses Like option one this provides a great fashion look, but again vision may be compromised in variable light conditions. However in this case, if you take them off due to reduced light levels you will have nothing to correct your vision and (depending upon your prescription/requirement for vision correction) you may need to carry a pair of specs around to allow you to swap in low light condition. Not ideal and may leave searching through your pockets and rucksack compartments to try and find your glasses or sunglasses at various points during your day out!

Prescription Eyeglasses with photochromic lenses such as Transitions lenses. By far the most practical option for outdoor enthusiasts looking for the optimal blend of practicality, comfort and style. Photochromic lenses adjust to light conditions; In bright sunshine the tint reacts to become darker providing more protection. In less ambient light conditions such as low cloud or underneath tree cover they will become lighter ensuring that you only need one pair of glasses for all situations. Choose your frames carefully and you should not have to compromise on substance over style.

Once you have decided upon your preferred approach from the options above, there are a number of additional considerations to be aware of when selecting suitable eyeglasses for the outdoors.

To begin with it is advisable to purchase eyeglasses that conform to acceptable standards of production within the country. Also there are ISO standards that the manufacturer may or may not comply with. Cheap sunglasses available on market stalls or from exotic overseas destinations outside of the Western world may not actually provide any protection from UV at all. If this is the case then they actually increase UV damage to the retina by overcoming the eyes natural defence (squinting and reduction on the iris size and amount of UV falling on the retina in high light levels) whilst providing no protection.) Whilst the internet does offer some great bargains, if you see sunglasses or photochromic lenses at rock bottom prices it is just not worth taking the risk. You only have one pair of eyes.

It’s a common mistake that people make, that UV rays are only present when the sun is shining brightly. This is not correct, because UV rays can travel through clouds also, which means that it is advisable to wear eyeglasses at all times when outdoors for extended periods of time. This is most important between the hours of 10am and 2pm. Also there is a possibility of glare and reflection off water, even sand and snow, so our eyes need to be protected from these also. That is why, when selecting eyeglasses for the outdoors, it is important that these give maximum protection against UV rays. The normally accepted level of protection is around 400. This means that the eyeglasses will resist light waves that are up to 400 nanometres which are all of the dangerous UV rays. Even dedicated gardeners should be wearing protective eyewear!

Having looked at the technical side of eyeglasses, it is equally important to consider the style we will explore this in our next blog article "Rugged Glasses For The Great Outdoors (Part 2)"

Photographs taken by the author on a trip to North Island New Zealand Spring 2011. The writer is a glasses wearer and a big fan of hiking and tramping, he also co-owns a mail order glasses company (SpecsPost) so would like to think he knows his stuff on this subject!

Rugged Glasses For The Great Outdoors (Part 2)

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Our earlier article “how to choose eyeglasses for the great outdoors (part1)" focused primarily on the technical side of lenses and protecting the retina from UV rays when spending long periods of time outside when persuing our hobbies or work. This second instalment will concentrate more on fashion and style for glasses for the outdoors as well as looking at frame function and practicality.

So what should you look for when choosing glasses for outdoor persuits?

From a practical point of view, frames for the outdoors need to be rugged, durable and ideally light weight. They need to be able to take a few knocks without major damage and they need to be able to take exposure to the elements (rain and wind) without corrosion and reasonable extreemes of temperature (direct sunglight, freezing air.) All of these demands require quality materials and manufacture for which you are going to need to pay a premium price when compared with glasses for day to day use. However buying glasses online should allow you to ensure that the cost of acquiring more specialist glasses for sports or outdoor use is still eminently affordable.

However there is one other school of thinking that I will mention. With some eyeglasses online available for literally peanuts, some people simply buy low grade generic glasses on the basis that they are essentialy disposable and may only last half a season. If they get lost, damaged or broken, if they rust or corrode due to the elements it's not a problem they just go out and buy another pair! Taking this philosophy further, we have customers at SpecsPost who elect to buy 3 or 4 of our cheaper generic frames and get one glazed with great quality lenses. If the frames get mangled if they fall off their bike, or if they sit on them whilst enjoying a picnic by a cairn it's not a problem, they just simply pop out the lenses and put them into another identical frame. For me personally, I prefer to have one cool and durable pair of glasses that I love and take care of, for me I take pleasure in having cool titanium spectacles designed specifically for outdoor use. But there is absolutaly nothing wrong with going down the cheap disposable route if this appeals. So assuming you are like me and prefer to buy the real deal, lets look at some options.

Choosing The Right Look For Outdoor Eyewear

When it comes to fashion, there is certainly no one size fits all solution for outdoor eyewear. Fashion, style and image is a very subjective area. Many people like to identify themselves with a brand image and then choose an eyeglasses frame from their preferred lifestyle brand. If you have not already bonded with a brand then I will recommend a couple for your consideration.

Undoubtedly the best know eyewear brand aimed at the rugged outdoor market is Oakley. However the Oakley brand has a clear biass to cycling and there is already so much information on the web dedicated to Oakley eyeglasses that I will avoid this subject and will focus on a couple of other niche eyewear brands with a broader apeal to hikers, sports enthusiasts and outdoorsie types in general.

Barbour Glasses

A very popular brand of glasses designed specifically for use outdoors and to compliment other outdoor apparell is Barbour. Barbour's origins lay in the design of country clothing which is suitable for active lifestyles. The most famous of Barber's product range, the Barbour (waxed) Jacket has become a proper noun in its own right. Barbour glasses and clothing are for both men and women, and blend the traditional country look with modern styles. Originating in the rugged North East of England, Barbour has become a global brand, but a brand that has retained a faithful loyalty and identiy harking back to it's roots in the idlyic English Countryside.

Barbour eyeglasses have been specially designed to complement their range of clothing, and give a great country look which suits all seasons. Built with durability in mind and to handle the demands of outdoor wear and the elements, Barbour glasses are ideal for those who enjoy walking, horseriding, gardening and other outdoor persuits and still want to look the part.

If barbour does not quite hit the spot and you are more into assailing rugged mountain peaks rather than walking in gentle pastoral countryside then the glasses brand for you may be Columbia.

Columbia Eyeglasses

The Columbia sportswear company has been concentrating on providing essential clothing, footwear and accessories that meet the demanding rigors of the outdoors, for over half a century. Their expertise has led them to also develop a range of Columbia glasses. It is without a doubt that this company puts a lot of effort into all of their product lines, including Columbia glasses being one of them. The Columbia eyeglasses and eyewear collection features the latest technological developments in frame materials whilst also using fresh and fashionable designs that their customers demand

That's it for now. In future installments we will begin to look at some specific outdoor glasses products and recommendations. In the meantime, if you have not already read it, you may be interested in reading " How to Choose the Right Eyeglasses for the Great Outdoors (Part 1)"

Hugo Boss Glasses: Upmarket Hip and Chic

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Looking for the right kind of eyewear accessory that is modern, sharp, and elegant is easy with Hugo Boss. The German designer brand which is well-known worldwide for their cool and sharp cuts in suits and apparel has managed to seamlessly translate their brilliant craftsmanship and German engineering heritage into their eyewear products. Boss glasses could easily be the crucial accessory that is missing in your office or casual look right now.

In these difficult economic times when budgets are under pressure luxury designer brands may be one of the purchases many people are considering forgoing and substituting for a generic unbranded, lower quality alternative. However with online prices, top quality glasses from leading designer brands such as Hugo Boss are still easily affordable for many pockets

The Hugo Boss story is an incredibly inspiring one, full of determination and dedication to a vision. It’s definitely worth a read and is something we intend to visit in some detail in a later blog.

Go Anywhere With Hugo Boss Glasses

The need for functionality and beauty is answered well by the current Hugo Boss eyewear collection. Modern and elegant, Hugo Boss sunglasses and prescription eyewear will definitely add more kudos to your overall look whenever and wherever you may go.

The Hugo Boss eyewear collection is substantial. Yet despite the relatively large body of design work, all of Hugo Boss glasses reflect the design flair, attention to detail and choice of quality materials and composition. The Hugo Boss eyewear design team have explored and exploited deep colours and rich materials and there are eyewear products for both men and women. Take a look at the coy and feminine pink Boss prescription glasses, or the BOSS 0386, and you could easily imagine a sharply dressed woman-on-the-go who hasn’t quite forgotten her innate sense of humour. She’s probably ticking off numbers in her head as she reads the myriad of company papers on her desk while she secretly wishes for a pink pen. Talk about being hip and fun at the same time. Expressing your own personality while reaffirming to everyone that you are the man or woman for the job is achieved effortlessly with Hugo Boss glasses.

Hugo Boss Eyewear Power Dressing For Your Face

Nowadays, many ambitious young men and women seem to rely on Hugo Boss heavily in their journey towards the top. Sharp and chic, Hugo Boss suits, apparels, and accessories are undeniably powerful and sleek. They should do the job of helping you go there superbly.

Some Background on the Boss Brand

A frequent powerhouse in many famous fashion seasons and events, on all illustrious cities that matters in the stylish sphere, Hugo Boss seem to continually dominate the globe with their distinct sharp and relevant style. It’s no wonder that celebrities and sport titans frequently sport their own Hugo Boss glasses.

Hugo Boss, which operates chiefly from Metzingen, Germany, and employs close to ten thousand personnel globally is one of the leading designer brand names all over the world. Hugo Boss aims to further corner a bigger share in the market of premium luxury goods for both men and women. Boss frequently sponsors highly visible events in sports in order to help achieve this mission. Yachting fans might have seen the bold and sharp Boss logo swaying amidst the turquoise waters as Alex Thomson mans the boat. Hugo Boss also is a chief supporter of other illustrious teams in other sports such as tennis, football, golf, DTM, racing, and Formula One. Hugo Boss has official partnerships with notable athletes and sportsmen including Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Mario Gomez.

Hugo Boss Glasses and Eyewear

Hugo Boss sunglasses are the product of decades of careful study into the fashionable and edgy silhouettes. It’s undeniable that a pair of Hugo Boss glasses in your fashion arsenal is easily the chicest and sharpest accessory you’ll have. Young and modern, staying up to date with trends while managing to look classic and understated is what makes Hugo Boss such a beloved brand all over.

With illustrious achievements in the field of eyewear such as a creative partnership with Christian Roth in 2010, Hugo Boss continues to cast its presence on the optical field. And it’s doing a superb job of it. The designs from the Hugo Boss eyewear collection are hard to ignore and impossible to resist. Hugo Boss glasses are made in different frame styles: full frame, rimless, and semi-rimmed (also known as supras). Materials frequently include stainless steel, hardy plastics, and aluminium.

Demanding and exacting customers should be delighted with the Hugo Boss brand. Glasses are made with thicker and sturdier combinations, with an emphasis on design aesthetics that are very much appealing and stylish.

DISCLAIMER: This article was written using information from a number of different sources. The author has not independently checked any of the statistics or facts presented in the source material and does not accept any responsibility for inaccuracies contained in this blog. This is intended to be a light, positive piece about Hugo Boss glasses a brand and product range the writer personally admires and should be treated as such i.e. the writing of a fan, not an authority on the Boss brand and company. Thank you!

Givenchy glasses - Shop them here soon...

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The French fashion house of Givenchy has been creating their iconic feminine designs for over 60 years. Amongst famous Givenchy aficionados were Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor and of course, Audrey Hepburn.

Indeed, the little blck dress worn by Hepburn in the film Breakfast at Tiffanys - which has become an iconic piece of fashion heritage, was designed and made by Givenchy.

This one simple dress, now a staple of every womans wardrobe is the epitome of Givenchy: chic, elegant and effortlessly stylish.

Givenchy pioneered the concept of luxury ready to wear and was the first fashion house to expand their lines from couture into more accessible collections.

Givenchy Eyewear is created for a luxurious feel every day, to add a simple elegance to even the most basic outfit. Completely feminine and utterly desirable eyewear, made affordable by SpecsPost.

Gant Glasses available soon

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The world renowned Gant brand was established over 60 years ago and has brought us unique American casual style ever since. The distinctive European styling which is apparent throughout their collections truly sets these designs apart.

The company began with one mans desire to create the perfect oxford shirt and is now a leading brand in over 70 different countries, with stylish and durable apparel designed for all the family.

Bernard Gant began making shirts back in 1910, stamping each one of his creations with a "G" - a symbol which would soon become ubiquiitous with the quintessential Gant button-down oxford shirt.

Recent collaborations with Micheal Bastian have proved to be immensely successful, with an emphasis on sports influence and a laid back approach to fashion.

Gant eyewear for men is the ideal designer frame for a smart casual look everyday. These glasases are created with accessible designs and premium materials for comfortable wear. To buy Gant glasses or view the range, simply follow the link.

Pictures courtesy of Gant

Cheap Glasses Online Don't Have To Be 'Cheap Specs'

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Summary: An article aimed at those new to buying goods online, with an emphacis on buying prescription glasses online. In particular we examine the key queston of whether buying eyeglasses online at a cheaper price means you compromise on quality.

Before you read on, follow this hyperlink for an example of some of the cheap glasses available online. These particular glasses retail at £10 ($15.8.) They were bought from the same distributor that sells to high street retail stores and are glazed at a 3rd party glazing company (included in the quoted price) that glazes for high street opticians. Therefore the answer the above question is clearly you don't have to compromise on product quality. The question should be WHICH online glasses companies provide the same quality products as high street opticians but at far cheaper prices. The other key issue you need to look out for is the SERVICE LEVEL. Clearly no matter how efficient an online glasses retailer is, they cannot provide the same level of service and after care. No matter how slick their promise, mail order glasses companies can't offer a walk in service for you to allow you to get your glasses adjusted. For many people this is not a problem, but it's important to draw this distinction!

People the world over started heaving a collective sigh of relief when the recession appeared to be ending. Now the dreaded double dip appears to be upon us. Recession or not (depending which set of statistics you believe) recent events have changed us and made us generally more financially cautious. Ordinary people the world over are trying to save as much as possible. The banking crisis and recession have taught everyone the importance of saving and dangers of overspending and credit binges.

So how can you meet your financial demands if the world goes even deeper into another recession? The answer is simple. You should increase your savings. How to increase the savings? The answer is to increase the earnings or to reduce your expenditure. If you want to earn more you can go for a part time job or start a business of your own. If you want to spend less what can be done? It is difficult to cut down the comforts that you are used to and it is clearly impossible to cut down on the necessities.

Are you wondering what to do? The good news is that you can buy whatever you were buying before and you can live as comfortably as before, but can still save a considerable amount of money. Do you want to know how? It is through online buying. Those who are used to online buying will definitely accept this. If you have not bought anything online, why don't you try and see for yourself? The facts are irrefutable!!

Shopping online is a wonderful way to save your hard earned money and your precious time. Once you start to buy online, you will quickly gain both confidence and experience to become an expert. You will soon discover all types of tactics to save money. Here are some tips to help you to save more money while buying online.

Where possible, use the price comparison tools available via many websites. You will be able to know which online retailer offers the cheapest price.

You can always find attractive discount offers up to 90% and other deals in the online stores. Search well and locate the best offer before placing orders. However a word of caution, make sure that you read the details carefully and are genuinely comparing like for like products.

Online shops are spreading like wildfire. To survive the competition the websites need to attract new customers and retain their existing customers and convert the prospective buyers to customers. You can make use of this to save money. If you like a product displayed in a reliable website, you can ask for discounts even if the website does not have any discount offers. You are sure to get a discount if you ask. They will not miss the opportunity of getting a new buyer. Don’t believe me – just try it!

Many websites post their deal offers on social websites like Facebook and Twitter. You can find discount coupons in them. Discount coupon codes are offered by many websites. Avoid websites that charge you for coupon codes. Coupon codes can be obtained absolutely free. Keep a close watch on websites you like for special offers and sales. Where possible, sign up for E-Newsletters that are sent by the web retailers you like the look of. The websites send you mail on the new deals and discounts. You should check your mail daily to make use of these discounts and deals

Cheap Quality Glasses Online

You can buy everything online including cheap glasses. Ten years ago, who would have thought that glasses could be bought online? Now like the mobile phone, buying glasses online and via mail order has become part of the fabric of our everyday life. Via websites it is possible to buy prescription glasses, reading glasses and prescription sunglasses. Online shopping has paved way to buy glasses at affordable prices.

There are a wide array of lens and frames available via the multitude of websites. In fact the choice can actually be a little overwhelming! All you have to do is to choose a frame you like and the type of lens. If you have any doubts you can get valid advice from the websites, send them an email or give them a call. The good online glasses retailers should be able to clear up any grey areas and give you the confidence to buy your glasses online from them. You will be surprised the difference in the online prices and the prices charged by high street shops. Some people worry that the lower prices are due to lesser quality of the frames and lenses. On occasion, this can be the case, but if you choose your mail order glasses company carefully this will not be an issue. In some cases the online sellers are able to sell quality glasses at lower prices because they don't need to spend money on rent of shop, salary to staff and shop maintenance. However in many cases online glasses websites are just extensions of a high-street optical stores, so you are actually getting exactly the same products as they sell to the customers they serve in their physical shop (just cheaper because you are not paying for an eye test or the same level of service and after care when you buy online.)

If you are worried about the quality or authenticity of the frames go for a designer pair or ask for a home trial. This will allow you to inspect the frames from the comfort of your home before you commit to a purchase. That way you can check out that your cheap Armani glasses are the real deal and not some cheap Chinese fake

Make sure the websites give you full guarantee on the quality of the glasses and replacing facility if the customer is not satisfied with the product. Make sure the website is genuine. Look for reviews given by existing customers. Search for discounts and free shipping offers. Shop online for the cheapest and best eyeglasses; Take care of your vision at affordable prices.

This article was written on behalf of SpecsPost and is intended to be a unbiased and helpful resource for those looking to save money and who are considering whether to buy cheap glasses online for the first time. SpecspPost aims to be the best online glasses company and we would appreciate any thoughts or comments on this article.

For a much more in-depth information about buying glasses online read our article "How to buy glasses online"

Gucci Glamour Glasses With A Double GG

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The world of today is wrapped in style. Designer brands have stormed contemporary fashion scene like never before. Everyone seems to be affected by the magical designer touch. Gucci is one such magical brand that has redefined the fashion scene and charmed its way into people's hearts.

House of Gucci, better known simply as Gucci is an Italian fashion and leather goods label that has carved a permanent name in the fashion industry, making its presence felt internationally. It is part of the Gucci Group, owned by a French company. As an immigrant in Paris and then London young Guccio Gucci worked in exclusive hotels and developed a fascination for quality luggage. He returned to his birthplace, Florence which is a city distinguished for high-quality materials and skilled artisans. His foresight and dedication to his dream led to the foundation of this 'haute couture' establishment in 1921 at Florence. This is how a craftsman son wrote the first chapter of Gucci's success story. In 1938, Gucci opened their first retail shop on the Via Condotti in Rome. Its House Crest became a registered trademark in 1955.The brand prospered through the 1970s and the rest as they say is history.

Gucci is currently the biggest selling Italian brand and has numerous directly operated stores worldwide. It wholesales its products through franchisees and upscale department stores. Gucci had a modest beginning and steadily grew to be a successful manufacturer of high-end fashion goods and accessories like clothing, watches, handbags and luxury luggage and glasses. It is now considered synonymous with chic and quality products and sported by Hollywood stars, sportspersons and other bigwigs around the world.

The signature double-G symbol is now displayed with pride in the most happening parties and ramp shows. Gucci's glamour as a brand is unparalleled. It is symbolic of style and an indelible fashion icon. It began its journey with classic leather goods and gradually diversified into a wide range of accessories out of which Gucci glasses calls for a special mention.

Gucci glasses bear the characteristic quality and craftsmanship of Gucci. Be it protective eyewear like sunglasses or prescription glasses, Gucci's innovative designs are unique, giving an edge to anyone who chooses to wear them. Spectacle frames are also available and provide just the right boost to your overall look. Gucci's glasses are in sync with the brand's stringent quality standards. A lot of research and thought goes in to developing various styles of glasses so that they can meet the needs and expectations of the customer.

Gucci's glasses can be in exclusive styles for men and women or models that are unisex. The are available in all kinds of shapes- oval, modified oval, rectangular, round, aviator, butterfly or wayfarer etc. Colours take your breath away. You can choose from gold, grey, green, burgundy, honey, tortoise, red and many more. Gucci's array of glasses, gives one the freedom to exercise one's playful streak and look classy too. For instance Gucci's retro cat eye women’s' sunglasses are shiny with plastic cat eye frames lined by golden brow bars.

The protective sunglasses from Gucci shield the eyes effectively from strong sunlight, blue light and Ultra Violet rays A and B. The anti-glare coating is also beneficial for the eyes. Comfort and protection are the main features that govern Gucci eyewear. Off late, big frame sunglasses from Gucci have become a rage. They lift the face and give extra protection from unhealthy light rays by giving extra cover to the eyes. With the wide range available glasses that suit the face cut and enhance its features are easier to find. It is like having a made-to-order pair of glasses, perfect according to an individual's personal choice. Gucci also offers you your very own prescription sunglasses too. Gucci sunglasses are accompanied by a Gucci carrying case, cleaning cloth and a one year manufacturer's warranty against defects.

Gucci's eyeglasses are also a wonderful accessory. Different frames that provide a snug and comfortable fit and are stylish to wear are available. You can pick the kind of lens you want from coloured, polarized or darkened. Gucci has also ventured into the 3-D glasses arena and are too good to be true. So people get that edge to your look and wear elegance on your eyes. Gucci is as striking as ever!

DISCLAIMER: This article was written using information from a number of different sources. The author has not independently verified any of the statistics or facts presented in the sources and does not accept any responsibility for any inaccuracies contained within. This is intended to be a light, positive piece about a brand the writer personally admires and should be treated as such i.e. the writing of a fan, not an authority on the Armani brand and company. Thank you!

Effortlessly Cool Armani Eyeglasses Online

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In Italy in 1934, at the same time that America was in the midst of the Great Depression, Giorgio Armani never dreamed that in the 21st century, 70 plus years later, Armani glasses online would be one of the most fashionable and sought after accessories in the world.

After a stint in the military, Giorgio Armani decided to try his hand at window dressing. For many years he made his living dressing windows, while at the same time he worked at designing his own high fashion clothing styles. It was not until 1974 that he finally launched his personal collection of high fashion women’s clothing and a new fashion designer was born.

In the intervening years the name Giorgio Armani has come to stand for haute couture clothing and accessories all over the world. Armani has now moved into the design area of sunglasses and designer prescription glasses for discerning men. Just like everything else Armani, they are among the more costly brands of glasses found anywhere. Of course, the price of any item you wish to purchase depends in part on where it is purchased, and from whom.

Today Giorgio Armani has shopping venues in most of the major cities in the world, including in America. Armani stores offer such products as leather, watches, shoes and glasses of all kinds. You will also find Armani home interior stores and most recently boutique Armani hotels in the worlds leading cities. Historically, Armani products could only be found at Armani stores and exclusive department stores. Now, in the age of the world-wide web, Armani can also be found online. Although, the prices of Armani goods can be rather extravagant for some household budgets, you will find that the quality of the products is also quite exceptional. This is what the name of Armani implies. Shopping for Armani glasses online is without question the optimal way to find the best prices for these superb products.

Should you decide to shop for Armani glasses online, caution must be used, as with the purchase of any premium priced designer product on the web. Imitations and fakes are plentiful online and since you cannot examine the merchandise in advance of purchase, it is easy to get taken by disreputable vendors. While the sale of an imitation is not illegal, passing it off as the real thing is a crime. There are many disreputable online dealers who do exactly that. If you are serious about buying a brand like Armani online, then make sure you know the reputation of the dealer and the site you are purchasing from. There are several online venues such as www.specspost.co.uk that are dedicated to selling glasses and sunglasses from brand name designers like Armani, or they may have a page on their website specifically for designer brands.

Armani sunglasses online, like all Armani products come in many styles and colours. Each and every Armani product will have a model number or serial number by which it is identified as being authentic. When you spend as much as $400 for a pair of glasses, you want to be sure of the product you have received. Report any dishonest dealers promptly.

If you do not like to attract attention to yourself, maybe you should not wear Armani glasses.

Even though Armani personal accessories are very tasteful and beautiful, most people know Armani when they see it. You will be noticed, and everyone will know that you have excellent taste. After all, Armani is one of the most preferred brands of the rich and famous. A-listers such as David Beckham, George Clooney and Robert Downey Jr have all been seen in Armani. If you wear your Armani glasses you will find people instinctively checking you out. Are you ready to go shopping for those Armani glasses you have wanted for so long? Go ahead, get shopping; get out there and find the perfect pair of glasses for you. You could be one of the beautiful people, too. Once you are looking out at the world from behind your new Armani glasses; you might be looking at absolutely everything in a whole new way.

If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy our earlier article:-

"LOVE GIORGIO ARMANI GLASSES AND WANT TO KNOW MORE?"

DISCLAIMER: This article was written using a number of different sources. The writer has not checked any of the statistics or facts presented in the sources and does not accept any responsibility for any inaccuracies contained within. This is article is intended to be a light hearted, positive one about a brand and company that the writer personally admires and should be treated as such e.g. the writing of a fan, not an authority on the Georgio Armani brand and corporation. Many thanks!

Coming soon: Police eyewear

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Eyewear by Police is designed with the company mission firmly in mind. This designer brand creates apparel and eyewear for the non conformist. For the fashion concious, not the fashion victim. The idea behind Police prescription glasses is to create edgy pieces with an aggresive and unique style. This brand is firmly on the pulse of modern living and urban fashions, and Police glasses are designed to be complementary to a contemporary look. Extensive research has gone into the development of the brand and into each item, created for Police eyewear. The latest technologies and materials are applied to create eyewaer which is durable, lightweight and stylish.

New Guess Eyewear range available soon

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Guess Eyewear is an extension of the renowned Guess brand. The designers at Guess have dressed celebrities such as Claudia Schiffer and Eva Herzigova. The brand was hugely successful in the 80's and this can be credited to their forward thinking and daringly different denim pieces. In fact, the designs were so unique and fashion forward that many shops did not think that the iconic Guess jeans would sell. However, when Bloomingdales decided to stock the new Guess denim, they soon sold out. The unique processes and design used in creating Guess denim gave people an exciting new look and made them one of the most desirable brands of jeans at the time. Guess as a company decided upon the new millenium to revamp their brand and established a new, sexier look which was a great success. With this new ethos of sultry style applied to Guess eyewear and clothing lines, this brand has had renewed interest in the 2000's.

Cheap Emporio Armani Glasses Online Range Expanded

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

SpecsPost aims to provide the cheapest Emporio Armani glasses online or anywhere!

Following customer demand we have now added a significant range of new Emporio Armani glasses frames to our stock.

If you can't find what you are looking for we can probably gsource it for you at our usual cheap Armani glasses prices. Send us an email or give us a call and we will try to source the frame for you .

Love Armani eyeglasses and want to know more about the history and culture of this amazing all conquering global brand? Then check out our article on the rise and rise of Georgio Armani. From haute couture to hotels, you will find it all here!

Update: April 2012 we have now added 90 new Emporio Armani sunglasses frames to our super value collection.

Whilst we can't guarantee the sunshine in 2012 we aim to promise the best possible Armani prescription glasses and sunglasses prices for all the best styles.

Love Giorgio Armani Glasses And Want To Know More?

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Giorgio Armani was founded in 1975 by Giorgio Armani and Sergio Galeotti. Armani’s headquarters are in Milan, Italy but the brand is arguably one of THE leading high end global fashion brands. With sales in 2010 of over €1.2 billion the brand has become an enormous enterprise, yet founder Giorgio Armani is reported to still be very much a key figure.

In the context of glasses, Armani offers prescription eyewear products via 2 of it's labels as follows:-

Giorgio Armani is a top-end label specializing in men's and women's ready-to-wear, accessories, glasses, cosmetics, and perfumes. The Giorgio Armani brand is the most exclusive and expensive of Armanis eyewear products and is available in less high-street outlets than the Emporio Armani glasses range.

Emporio Armani whilst still 'high end' offers a slightly less expensive, more accessible/obtainable label featuring ready-to-wear and accessories including Armani prescription glasses and sunglasses.

Both Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani glasses are currently produced under licence from Armani by leading glasses manufacturer Safilo. We believe that Safilo took over the rights to produce Armani branded eyewear from rival Luxotica a number of years ago. Armani glasses were sold for a brief period of time in Tesco Optical stores, but this ceased several years ago. We are unsure whether Armani felt that the brand was being denuded by being available in a non-designer, non-exclusive groceries and household goods outlet or whether Tesco Opticians operated by Galaxy Optical could not obtain the desired margins or volumes from Safilo. We will let you make your own mind up about this! Armani eyewear products are hand-made in Italy and come with a certificate of authenticity. In the opinion of the writer the product quality is extreemly good and the styles mirror the excellent design quality of the wider Armani group.

In 2011 Emporio Armani glasses are available from a variety of sources ranging from high street independent opticians, specialist high street optical chains such as Vision Express and on-line via several reputable websites such as SpecsPost. Following research into the subject we also discovered more than one overseas website marketing 'fake' Armani eyewear products. In email dialogue with these firms, when questioned directly, they openly admited to their products being cheap copies. A fact verified when none of the product names or codes matched the Armani catalouge. The message is that if something appears just too good to be true then it probably is.

In January 2010, Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo and Hollywood movie star Megan Fox became the male and female face and body of Emporio Armani. Pop superstar Rihanna is also reported to have been recently recruited to further promote this amazing brand.

Glasses For Small narrow and petite faces

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The customer service team at SpecsPost are regularly asked about recommendations on prescription eye glasses for men and women with small, narrow or petite faces. In the coming weeks we will provide a full report on the styles and brands best suited for glasses weares with this face shape, but in the mean-time we would appreciate any feedback from the on-line community on the subject.

Update: It's finally here! 2012 marks the arrival of SpecsPost's new glasses range for small, narrow and petite faces. Our new range is aimed at men and women of all ages. Consisting of 48 frame choices in a wide variety of frame shapes, styles and colours we hope we have something for everyone.

Click here for the glasses for small faces launch blog, or on the link above to go sraight to the new range.

Harry Potter Style Glasses Still Selling Well

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 left our cinema screens some months ago, but Harry Potter sytle glasses continue to sell extreemly well. We anticipate a further boost to sales over the Christmas period as the Harry Potter movies hit our TV screens once again over the festive period and the DVD of JK Rowlings finale (and the box sets of the whole series) gets opened under many a christmas tree on 25th December.

If you are looking for Harry Potter style glasses at great online prices then you have come to the right place.

Looking for something a little more in depth? Read our theory on how Harry Potter shaped the attitude of a generation towards glasses

Online Glases Market Update

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:00:00 +0000

The UK on-line market for prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses is a rapidly growing area. The last Mintel report on the optical sector alluded to significant growth, but reliable figures are extremely hard to come by.

We believe that at the start of 2011 the on-line glasses market in the UK represents approximately 2% of the total number of prescription glasses sales which equates to around £40 million annual sales.

On-line retailers in all sectors tend to transcend national boundaries. English speaking nations such as the USA and Canada, Australia and New Zealand automatically become potential markets, making the number of potential customers vast. With Google’s translation features becoming more and more sophisticated pretty much the entire globe

With such a large global target audience, competition is plentiful. This is illustrated by a few simple searches on Google for generic keywords such as “cheap glasses” and “cheap specs” which at the time of writing return 66 million and 129 million results.

Over the last few years many new entrants ranging from big, sophisticated specialist operations through to high street opticians setting up their own primitive glasses shops with little planning or strategy. Our market research has indicated that many of the on-line glasses vendors provide poor or at best inconsistent service and products.

A relatively late entrant to the market, SpecsPost aims to be one of the top global on-line eye glasses providers. Our aim is to offer a wide range of budget and designer eyeglasses, deliver within our promised timeframe (10 working days) and provide excellent communication, service and after care to people worldwide who buy their glasses online. Our aim is not to provide cheap glasses, rather great, high quality glasses at cheap prices. As more market data on the internet glasses market becomes available we aim to share it here on our website. We welcome any feedback or constructive criticism. Our ultimate aim is to be the best online glasses supplier and we need our customer’s feedback to help us get there.

Radley Glasses Supplier Correction

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:00:00 +0000

It has been brought to our attention that one of our previous blogs incorrectly described Radley London glasses supplier Olympus Eyewear as being based in Nottingham.

Olympus Eyewear are actually locatated in Leicester. We have now corrected this on this Radley Review blog entry.

We apologise for any inconvienience caused.

The full contact details for those looking for Olympus Eyewear are:-

Olympus Eyewear Limited
Olympus House
Main Street
Kirby Muxloe
Leicester
LE9 2AP

Tel: +44 0116 238 7521
FaX: +44 0116 239 4668

Olympus are a leading trade supplier of eyeglasses frames in the UK whose ranges include:

Radley London,
Urban eyewear
Fusion eyewear.
Bettini eyewear
K2000 eyewear (for young people aged 10-16)
Lightec
Nomad
Rebel

Referee Go Get Some Glasses : With Modern Technology There is No Hiding and No Excuse!

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0000

The football season is only a few weeks old and there have already been some seriously dodgy refereeing decisions!! The cry of “Get Your Eyes Tested Ref” can be heard from every terrace, living room or pub whenever a game is played. Indeed virtually anywhere with the latest IPhone live TV sports apps. Whatever the sport, with modern technology there is no hiding place for referees as every incident can be viewed and played again and again from multiple camera angles, goal line technology, “hot spot”, Hawkeye.

And what about the watching fans? Whether it’s on the TV, on an I-Phone or in the ground, many people will be missing that vital kick or superb save simply because they are not wearing the correct eyewear. But maybe the reluctance of the Man in the Middle or the cash pressed fan to visit his local optician can be explained by the high cost of glasses should he need some.

Even in today’s disposable society, eyeglasses are considered a luxury item, with many people putting off an eye examination because of the fear of high spectacle prices. Many high street Opticians will tempt a customer in with the promise of ‘2 for 1’ or a headline “glasses from” price point, but once the customer is through the door they often becomes the prey of the sales advisor and the limitations of the cheap offer model and the nicer looking frames with theire ‘add ons’ are revealed; those special offers do not seem so special anymore! Most sales advisors who work in an Optician’s practice will be on some form of commission ensuring the customer gets pressurised or flattered to spend as much as possible!!

David Cregor; CEO of Specspost the fast growing online glasses retailer says

‘it’s a real shame for sports fans. Many of them simply don’t see what the ref sees because they haven’t got the right glasses on. When you’re at the ground and haven’t got the advantage of TV technology, it’s difficult to get an accurate picture of what is going on’

Unfortunately, though, referees and sports fans alike now have no excuse for not seeing everything as they should!

Specspost offers the same great choice of frames and lenses at a fraction of the high street cost. From as little as £10 they can supply you with a pair of complete eye glasses together with a protective case and a cleaning cloth. Like your Designer glasses brands? No problem. Specspost can supply you with a complete pair from one of their many Designer ranges from as little as £40. When customers buy cheap glasses online it takes away the pressure. There is no sales person to hassle you into paying more than you intended. You don’t have to buy 2 pairs, you don’t have to buy transitions. You are completely in control. If you choose a reputable online glasses supplier like SpecsPost then your prescription eye glasses will come with a 12 month fair wear and tear warranty.

So the next time you are screaming at the ref or the linesman flags for a free kick when it should have been a thrown in, spare a little thought. Perhaps they really do need to get their eyes tested!!!

Best Online Glasses Shop

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0000

With prescripton eye glasses like these from just £10 including lenses made up to your prescription* we certainly have the high quality great value products.

However, we guess that who deserves the title of 'best online glasses shop' is rather subjective. However it is very much our aim and mission statement to become the best and most trusted online glasses shop in the world!

SpecsPost is run by nice people who work extremely hard to deliver both the best products and service to customers. We hope to bring you more stories soon such as our recent emergency glasses post. We are also working on bringing our customers more in depth information about products and brand heritage such as the Radley London Glasses Story and our discussion on how the Harry Potter books and films influenced current more general acceptance of wearing eye glasses and possibly the 'geek chic' trend.

We believe we must be doing a lot of things right because our original customers keep coming back, we get lots of "thank you texts and emails' and we achieve a load of busienss by people be recommended to us by our existing customers. We are also increasingly shipping beyond the UK to customers in the USA, Canada and Europe.

To allow us to continue to be what you want us to be, we need your feedback and thoughts. We are currently developing the website to improve the way we display frame sizes and to upgrade some of our rather patchy attempts at photographing glasses! Whilst we do offer a glasses home trial service, this is a manual process involving our customers having to phone up or email their requests through - we hope to be able to add a home trial service to the website ordering process very shortly.

Please let us know what you love or dislike this is the only way we can ensure that we are the best that we can be and hopefully the best online glasses company in the world!

A Short History of the Radley Brand from Bohemian Bags to Gorgeous Eye Glasses and Sunglasses

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Launched in London, England with an Australian influence and a little Indian spice for good measure; as well as being meteoric, the rise of Radley London is also a slightly more international one than the name suggests ! Established around twelve years ago, the Radley range of accessories has experienced an almost unbroken growth and success curve; in 2011 Radley has once again entered new territory with a brand new, inaugural range of Radley prescription glasses which are being snapped up by Radley fans and new converts to the brand.

The Radley story began a little over a decade ago, on a humble market stall in Camden, North London - not a million miles away from where Amy Winehouse used to live. What we now know as Radley London was started by a young Australian and accidental entrepreneur Lowell Harder. Whilst travelling on a gap year, Lowell met and eventually married a London based Dane. After settling in the UK and starting a family, Lowell was inspired by the chance sighting of some leather bags brought back from a trip to India by a cousin.

Intrigued, Lowell tracked down the manufacturer in India and was soon having her own bags made and imported in to London. Trading started on a Camden market stall under the name “Hidedesign” and proved an instant hit with shoppers. Word quickly spread and soon she was being approached by other traders seeking to buy her bags for resale to the public. Sales volumes increased quickly, but the big break came when a major upmarket retailer (John Lewis) approached her. Shrewdly realising that to accommodate orders on this scale she would need help, she secured the financial and business backing of established handbag maker Tula and at this point became Radley.

The partnership worked on the basis of clearly splitting the roles, Tula headed business and logistics matters, allowing Lowell to focus on her gift for creative input and design. The relationship proved a huge success and the Scottie Dog motif which was designer shortly after quickly became iconic. The adoption of Radley bags by celebrity fans also helped the brand rise even further into the stratosphere and launched Radley into the international market.

As the Radley London brand grew in stature, the product range also expanded from handbags, to purses, umbrellas, shoes and sunglasses. Bringing things up to date, a prescription eyeglasses range was the natural progression.

In June 2011 in association with Olympus eyewear, the first ever Radley prescription eyewear range was launched. The collection was designed to complement the Spring Summer collection of Radley handbags. For every Radley Mortlake or Chiswick handbag there is a matching pair of glasses and Radley sunglasses. ‘Accesorization’ at its ulitmate, brilliant! Radley glasses and sunglasses are also proving a big hit for online glasses firm SpecsPost. “We are delighted that Olympus have clearly worked so closely with Radley to produce quality designs and products that uphold the Radley values” SpecsPost is a UK based online and mail order prescription eyewear company selling a range of top end, high quality cheap designer glasses such as Gucci, Armani, Radley London and Hugo Boss.

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended to be a light, positive piece about a brand the writer personally admires. This is the writing of a fan, not an authority on the Radley London brand and associated company. This blog utilised information from several different sources. The writer has not had the opportunity to independently validate the statistics or facts obtained from these sources and does not accept any liability for any inaccuracies.

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in reading a similar article on the background to the Giorgio Armani brand and glasses ranges.

Jeff Banks STVDIO Glasses

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0000

After successful trials of a small selection of the Jeff Banks STVDIO glasses range, SpecsPost is delighted to announce plans to role out additional frame models over the coming weeks and long-term plans to stock the whole range.

The STVDIO (Pronnouned STUDIO) range is a great value 'budget' designer frame range from the highly successful Welsh born, UK celebrity designer.

We may also trial a few models from the slightly more expensive Jeff Banks London range. All Jeff Banks frames we stock will of course be at SpecsPost usual discount to high street opticians.

The following is a complete list of the STVDIO range, for ease of access, we will add a hyperlink as each frame model come into stock:

ST009 C1

ST009 C2

ST014

ST015

ST016

ST017

ST018

ST019

ST020

ST021

Click here to buy cheap Jeff Banks prescription glasses

Bargain On-line Prescription Glasses Provide Some Much Needed Cheer!

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0000

With current wall to wall negative economic news it’s nice to buck the trend and announce something positive; something that has the potential to benefit all glasses wearers. Whilst prices at the petrol pump, domestic fuel tariffs and weekly grocery bills are all on the rise in the UK and Canada, on-line glasses retailer SpecsPost is delighted to report that as well as our cheap glasses prices remaining frozen, we are now including a hard coat as standard with all our prescription glasses. This means that you can now purchase a complete pair of quality glasses made to your bespoke prescription* and including a hard coat from an incredible £10 (plus postage and packing.)

The option of shopping for glasses on-line has been offered for around ten years; however mail order glasses via the internet are finally gaining mainstream acceptance. If you are looking for an online glasses bargain then why look further than SpecsPost?

SpecsPost is a leading UK based on-line glasses retailer providing prescription glasses to spectacle wearers in Great Britain, Europe, Canada and other locations. SpecsPost’s on-line glasses come with a 1 year warranty and a 30 day no quibbles money back guarantee. Why not gag a prescription glasses bargain today, you will save a significant amount on your glasses and can try us at no risk.

Save Serious Cash By Adopting These Four Money Smart Trends in 2011

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0000

The double dip recession following the recent banking crash has brought about a variety of organic changes to consumer habits as householders focus on cutting back on expenditure.

The power of the internet and social media has improved communication and catalyzed the speed of consumer change faster than in any other time in history.

Here are the top four Key consumer shifts of 2011:

1. The ‘staycation’ a home based holiday with local outings in place of the more expensive traditional overseas vacation

2. The wide scale patronage of smaller 'value' supermarket chains such Germany firm Aldi

3. The emergence of web voucher codes promoting everything from two for one pizza deals through to half price days out at the theater and cinema.

4. The adoption of of on-line prescription glasses by the masses. These are glasses purchased via the internet and delivered via mail order.

Any one of these trends has the potential to save you money, adopt them all and save some serious cash! However watch this space become this really is a dynamic market place!

Online Glasses from UK to Canada

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0000

In a little over 2 years, UK based SpecsPost has gone from fledgling start up to an international glasses retailer. Most surprising of all has been the volume of demand for prescription glasses from Canada.

“It was not in the business plan, we just really stumbled upon the Canadian market and people in Canada searching for better value glasses stumbled upon us when we named one of our ranges after major Canadian cities” Charlotte Moore, Merchandising Manager, SpecsPost

“…however very quickly it became apparent that people looking to buy glasses in Canada loved our prices and did not see the fact that we are a UK based firm as a problem…. In reality with the internet, secure payment via credit card and modern airmail services it makes little difference whether our customers are in Edgware, London or Edmonton, Canada!...”.

Initially orders came from the internationally renowned major cities of Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver, but as word has spread we get orders from all over including some of the more remote frontier towns.

“I believe that for many of our Canadian clients SpecsPost’s appeal goes beyond just the major cash saving we are able to offer……many find it rather cool and exotic getting their eyewear from London” Charlotte Moore,

SpecsPost Online glasses you can trust to be delivered wherever you live

As with our UK based clients we are still able to deliver the glasses within 10 working days of the order being placed (usually much quicker) and we also provide the confidence to try us by offering a 30 day no quibbles money back guarantee and a 1 year fair wear and tear warranty on eyewear.

We hope to further develop the SpecsPost online glasses website to display prices in both British pounds and Canadian dollars, but in the meantime, many of our Canadian clients use the following online currency convertor tool to calculate the incredible savings we offer. Remember all our prices include both the frame and lenses* made up to the clients prescription.

If you are looking to buy glasses in Canada why not give SpecsPost a try? If you are not entirely satisfied we will refund your payment in full, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

SpecsPost the online Glasses shop you can trust

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0000

In 2011 there are dozens of online glasses firms to choose from so why choose SpecsPost? Here are 7 good reasons to give us a try. Remember, If you are not completely satisfied we will give you your money back, no questions asked:

1. SpecsPost is already trusted by thousands of customers in the UK and Canada including blue chip companies such as the Daily Mail (we deliver their readers offers glasses) and HSBC (we provide great value glasses to their staff.)

2. SpecsPost offers a 30 day no quibbles money back guarantee with all our products

3. All products come with a 12 month manufacturer’s warranty on all of our lenses and frames (for fair wear and tear)

4. SpecsPost offers a helpful UK based help line or a prompt email query service for overseas clients

5. Flexible payment methods, including secure online payment, cheque or credit card details over the phone.

6. A range of over 300 frames from budget through to top end designer brands such as Radley London, Ted Baker, Armani, Gucci and many more

7. Quality products at superb prices with complete glasses starting from just £10 plus P&P through to frames over £200. We typically save our customers 60 to 70% on high street glasses prices.

So what are you waiting for, give Specspost a try today, you have nothing to lose and lots of money to be saved. If you live in Canada and are a little uncertain about using a London based online glasses company click on the following link about buying prescription glasses online canada.

Radley Glasses Review

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 01:00:00 +0000

The inaugral Radley London glasses range was released earlier this summer and were met with very positive feedback from within the optical industry. The Radley range were trialled over the summer by many high end independent opticians and most noteably by the sizeable upmarket Vision Express opticians chain. Based on anecdotal evidence collected from a number of independent sources the frames appear to be selling very well as awareness of the extension of the brand into eyewear picks up.

The range was produced in association with Leicester based Olympus Eyewear and has been extremely faithful to the Radley Brand concept developed by founder Lowell Harder and financial backer and business partner Tula.. The frames are striking, robust and made to a very high quality. All models are designed to stand alone or work with the core range of Radley handbags and other accessories.

For every Radley Chiswick or Radley Mortlake handbag there is a matching frame; A neat concept and one that is sure to be a winner. Not every man can afford an Armani Suit, but most working women can afford a Radley designer handbag and are sure to want the sunglasses or prescription glasses to match.

Love Radley and want to know more? You may be interested in our History of Radley London article which charts the rise of the Radley brand from a London market stall to the global brand it is today.

JOIN OUR ONLINE GLASSES POLL IT'S FUN AND ITS GOING VIRAL!

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Yesterday we published a sneak preview of our interesting but rather dry report on the savings available via buying glasses online. As a bit of light relief after all the serious number crunching we'd been doing, we invited our clients and online audience to participate in a spot of fun in the shape of a poll. Our study had concluded that UK glasses wearers could save roughly £4k and Canadian's over £8k (C$13,440) if over their lifetime they bought their glasses online. We invited people to tell us how they would spend the savings.

By our Blog's normal standards the response has been viral and some of the suggestions range from the hillarious to the downright bizarre. It's an absolute must read! So what would you spend £4-£8k on?

Join the fun via yesterday's glasses blog entry and add your own idea to the comments below it:

Make The Hop to an Online Glasses Shop

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 01:00:00 +0000

The SpecsPost team have just published several new articles on a number of PR and infomercial web sites. Check out our handywork and some interesting stories and glasses themes via the following external links:-

"Make The Hop to an Online Glasses Shop"	An article about the increasing popularity of online glasses and how to choose a decent online glasses supplier. [The history bit is interesting, but you don't need advice on finding a reputable glasses company as you've already found us!]
"Canada Calling for London Online Glasses Startup SpecsPost"	A snapshot of our company history (we are a very young, fast growing company) and details of how we rather unexpectedly started selling glasses to the Canadian market.
"Online Glasses Firm With The X Factor"	Details of a fun and interesting trend we have observed. During the weeks when The X Factor series is running we experience a marked uplift in online glasses sales. We don't understand why this is and look for opinions on why this might be. This article also explores the more tangible influence of television, cinema and other media, such as the current celebrity driven geek chic and Harry Potter glasses trends.
"Buying Cheap Glasses Online Is Not A Crime"	A concise article reinforcing the fact that you have the legal right to obtain a copy of your prescription when you have your eyes tested and you have the freedom to purchase your spectacles from whereever you like, high street or internet glasses site.
"How to Buy Prescription Glasses Online"	An easy to follow guide for those about to buy cheap glasses online for the first time. Hints, tips and advice on how to choose both your glasses and a decent online glasses shop (don't worry aobut the last point, you have already found us!)

Buying Glasses Online Could Save UK Spectacle wearers a staggering 4,536 GBP over their lifetime!

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 01:00:00 +0000

We are currently completing our research into the true potential savings for glasses wearers if they buy their eye wear online rather than from traditional high street opticians. With online savings of up to 70% off high street prices we knew that the case would be strong, but according to our initial calculations a 'typical' UK glasses wearer would save an amazing £4,536 over their lifetime if they elected to buy their glasses exclusively online.

Our customers from Canada (where local glasses prices are significantly higher than the UK) would probably save almost double this figure (that's a cool £8k (C$13,440.))

Whist we finish writing up our findings, we would love to hear from you about how you would spend this extra money? We will add the results of this poll to the report before we finalise it. You might (with your permission) even get your name included in the report as a quoted source!

PLEASE POST YOUR IDEAS VIA THE FORM BELOW - THIS WILL TAKE NO MORE THAN 30 SECONDS OF YOUR TIME!

Competition Winner

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Thanks so much to all you lovely people who entered our most recent competition.

Congratulations Melissa Jordan, you are our lucky winner!

Anyone can enter our competitions, simply register your email address on the website for a great chance of winning...

Radley Sunglasses Available Online Soon

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 01:00:00 +0000

SpecsPost will shortly be adding the Radley London sunglasses range to our online glasses catalogue. This follows the fantastic reception we received for the brand new Radley prescription glasses range we launched earlier this summer. Update: Radley Sunglasses Now In Stock

Radley's sunglasses collection are a mix of current, retro and vintage shades and like the prescription glasses range they are designed to look superb alone or to perfeclty compliment Radley's handbag range.

ALL Radley sunglasses comply with European Directive 89/686/EEC in accordance with standard EN 1836:305 + A1 : 2007 (sunglasses for general use.) WARNING: these products are NOT suitable for direct solar viewing.

Many of the sunglasses are also suitable for prescription lenses.

Thank you for entering our competition!

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Hi all,

Just a quick thank you to all who entered our competition.

We will be announcing the winner next week (sorry if we didn't make that clear!)

Wishing you all the best of luck...

*fingers crossed*

From all at SpecsPost

Mail Order Glasses Gets a Boost As People Power Reprieves the Cheque

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 01:00:00 +0000

A combination of business owners, charities and the elderly appear to have saved the cheque, or at least to have secured a stay of execution. On July 12^ththe Payments Council backed down on its 2018 deadline to axe the cheque after MPs were inundated with letters of complaint and personal appeals at constituency surgeries.

Andrew Tyrie, the chairman of the Treasury select Committee welcomed the announcement “The decision to get rid of cheques was taken without having thought through the consequences for millions of people. That was unacceptable….the Payments Council is now concentrating on the right thing; making the existing cheque system faster and cheaper to operate……”

Here at SpecsPost we are delighted with this news. Many of our more elderly customers, particularly Daily Mail readers who buy glasses via the readers offers we run for the Daily Mail, Saturday Mail and Mail on Sunday do not have internet access or are uncomfortable with using debit or credit cards over the internet to buy their prescription spectacles. Mail order glasses are a core part of our business and we are committed to providing flexible payment solutions that suit our customers. We will therefore continue to accept cheques for the foreseeable future.

Does The Harry Potter Finale Spell the End For Geek Chic Glasses Fashion Trend?

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 01:00:00 +0000

There were tears aplenty last night as the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 raised the curtain on the new film and marked the end of an era.

For author JK Rowling, female lead Emma Watson and many fans the event in London’s Trafalgar square represented a watershed as the eighth and final installment brought to a close a significant passage of their lives.

In the time of filming, Daniel Radcliffe got through a staggering 160 pairs of the now infamous Harry Potter glasses. Radcliffe told the press that he has kept one pair from the first film and one pair from the last, to remember this amazing time in his life.

Certainly the Harry Potter franchise has provided the world with something very rare, a heroic lead character who wears glasses. I would go as far as saying that wearing glasses at school went from being dorky to cool thanks to JK Rowling. Taking this a step further, could it be that it’s these children, now all grown up, who are so receptive to the Geek Chic glasses phenomena?

Our glasses are now a fashion statement (whether we need them or not…). A chance to have a little piece of designer style every-day or to make a statement; To achieve a unique look and express personality and fashion acumen. But will the end of the adventures for our favorite be-spectacled wizard now spell the end of geek chic and nerd glasses?

Like Tolkien’s 1960’s Middle Earth masterpiece that influenced JK Rowling so much, it is clear that the Harry Potter books are modern day classics likely to remain best sellers for the foreseeable future. Likewise we suspect that geek glasses fashion is always going to be held dear to the hearts of the generation (young and old) who grew up or grew young again with the Harry Potter books and films. As a consequence we predict that Geek Chic glasses are most definitely here to stay, with even more oversize specs and extreme retro eyewear to come. I hope we are right, because we’ve just commissioned our buyers to source new products to expand our Geek Chic and Nerd Glasses Range!

Other relevant reading and resources

1. People who liked this blog article also liked "Do childrens role models wear glasses?"

2. Click here if you are looking to buy Harry Potter style prescription glasses

3. (External article on the Daily Mail) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-491224/Designer-frames-celebrities-specs-make-wearing-glasses-cool-school.html

Emergency Holiday Prescription Sunglasses Dash!

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 01:00:00 +0000

The great thing about being a young, fast growing company is that we are still able to be flexible and can often go that extra mile to try to exceed the expectations of our customers.

This morning we received an email from Helen who ordered her prescription sunspecs via Google just a few days ago. The email advised us that she was about to depart for a holiday and wondered whether there was any chance that we could fast track her glasses.

One of our agents happened to be attending a meeting in central London (about 4 miles away from Helen's East London work location) and we managed to divert him to make the delivery in person.

SpecsPost agent Dom was actually down from Manchester for the day for a meeting with strategic partner The Daily Mail. "It was great to be able to meet one of our online glasses customers in person and to expedite the order in time for her holiday."

Helen kindly let us take a quick photo of her modeling her new eyewear. Click on the photo for further details on the Arley Icy 162 glasses frame.

"Cheapest Glasses" Range : Budget to Designer frames

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 01:00:00 +0000

We are delighted to publish a sneak preview of our brand new offers and price points; some of the cheapest glasses available for you to buy online in the UK. All our glasses come with a 1 year fair wear and tear manufacturers warranty and a 30 day no quibbles money back guarantee. We also offer a free home trial with most products. So why don't you try us out today? You have everything to gain and nothing to loose. If you don't like the glasses, post them back and we will give you your money back. However, we compromise on price, not quality so we are confident that you will love our products (we have a 92% customer satisfaction rate.)

New Vera Wang glasses in stock now at cheapest online prices

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:00:00 +0000

From the preppy princess herself, Vera Wang excels once again with sleek, feminine glasses designs, guaranteed to make you look and feel gorgeously styled and effortlessly put-together every day.

We have 3 new Vera Wang frames now in stock at the cheapest prices available online: Fact. (Feel free to search yourself!)

Treat yourself to a beautiful new pair of glasses by the belle of bridal couture - you can always dream about the designer wardrobe to match...

Vera Wang V141 Copper £74 Vera Wang V141 Black £74

Katy Perry wears vintage glasses

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Katy Perry has transformed herself from girl-next-door to pop starlet, with her unique daring style. Katy's amazing look uses retro influences to set her aside from all the wannabes and keep her a step ahead in the fashion stakes.

Her winning formula consists of vintage glasses with perfectly matched make up and outfits, proving that you really can re-invent yourself with a simple pair of specs.

She's not the only celeb to realize the difference that a great pair of glasses can make to your look. Johnny Depp and Tinchy Stryder also have signature specs, and geek glasses are now a really popular way to update your look - even if you don't have a prescription...

So are you ready for a change? Why not make like this California Girl and get a hot new look for summer, we bet you'll look a (teenage) dream!

Click on the picture of Katy to view a range of vintage and retro glasses to help you stand out from the crowd.

Lutein and zeaxanthin - how important are they really?

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:00:00 +0000

At the back of your eye is the macular, which is part of the retina.

The macular is needed for your straight ahead vision, which we all need for reading and driving.

This vital part of the eye contains lutein and zeaxanthin.

These naturally occuring antioxidants are known as carotenoids, which provide vitamin A and make the red, orange and yellow colour of various vegetables and fruits.

These carotenoids in the eye make the macular a yellow colour. This absorbs UV light, which means that the potential sun damage to the eye is reduced.

However, the macular can be worn away with age, this is known as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) - a condition which causes problems with straight ahead vision.

Studies have shown that with a high intake of lutein, zeaxanthin, and other vitamins, can help to slow the process of the macular deteriorating, which means that the eyesight is preserved for longer.

Supplements which are produced under the name of ICaps are available containing the correct amounts of vitamins, needed to be beneficial for preserving eyesight.

Smaller amounts of these antioxidants can also be found in everyday foods such as peppers, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes and leafy green vegetables.

5 ways for girls to wear the nerd glasses trend

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:00:00 +0000

1. Do not be tempted to accessorize with drawn on freckles, unless you are either 12 years old, or attending a hen party.

2. Do wear with a flippy skirt, flats and a worn satchel for a cute, preppy look.

3. Don't think it's just for youngsters, Demi Moore and Susan Sarandon are both big fans of this fashion too.

4. Do buy a real pair of glasses, even if you don't need a prescription - taking the lenses out of 3D glasses is just.not.cool.

5. And lastly, do have confidence! It's the only thing you really need to pull off this look.

Click here if you are looking for suggestions to buy nerd glasses online

Novelty sunglasses - glasses made of hair...

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 01:00:00 +0000

These sunglasses are made of human hair at that! Hmmm, think I'll stick with my plastic glasses for now...

Although they do make an environmentally friendly option, as these strange new concept glasses are biodegradable - making them a must-have for green fashionistas!

Have you seen any weird and wonderful glasses or sunnies recently? Email your pics or ideas for wacky eyewear to sales@specspost.co.uk - and remember, it's just for fun!

Chanel launch SS11 eyewear collection.

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 01:00:00 +0000

This amazing new collection of designer optical frames and oversized sunglasses is modelled by the one and only Claudia Schiffer, who proves that glasses really can be chic and oh so sexy.

One of the styles features the trademark chain detail to the sides - remember those quilted bags?

Using this seaons hottest eyewear styles, the collection includes cats eye frames and aviators.

Get the look for less with these vintage inspired frames by Armani, just £94 (available at SpecsPost) and are really similar to Chanel's version, at half the price!

So what do you think, will you be matching your glasses to your handbag a la Chanel?

Radley Glasses Now Available

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 01:00:00 +0000

We are proud to be the first online glasses shop to stock the new collection of Radley glasses. With a range of 18 new delightfully feminine frames with a touch of quirky, creative styling, designed to brighten any outfit. Your new Radley prescription glasses will even co-ordinate perfectly with this seasons new collection of Radley handbags. See our Radley Glasses Review for futher information.

We guarantee the best prices online for Radley designer glasses, and we even offer a 100% no quibble money back guarantee so there really is nothing to lose. Order yours today and avoid dissapointment - we suspect they'll be flying off the shelves!

Love Radley and want to know more? You may be interested in our History of Radley London article which charts the rise of the Radley brand from a London market stall to the global brand it is today.

Wear your glasses with style

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 01:00:00 +0000

This weeks hottest trend: Floral Clash

Think: Mixing up your florals with contrastiing prints to give it a fashion edge.

The glasses:

Mandarina Duck 40221 £95

This frame comes in 2 colour options, add a tougher look to girly florals with black, or mix and match ditsy prints with the alternative coral/pink option.

Bring your look right up to date with a floral dress, bag, shoes, glasses... this season throw away the rule book and make sure your prints clash with the best of them.

Loose women wear glasses!

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Andrea Mclean glasses

If I could style just one celebrity, it would have to be Andrea Mclean. The Loose Women presenter can often be seen wearing quite heavy, full framed spectacles, which take over her pretty face.

A more flattering style for this Loose lady might be a semi rimless glasses frame, which would give her a professional look without overshadowing her lovely features. A tortoiseshell coloured frame would work really well on someone with Andrea's colouring and eyes.

Mclean is quoted as saying that her eyelashes touch the lenses of her specs... this needn't happen! Ladies, as I've said before, there really is no need for the mascara on your upper eyelashes if you wear glasses, opt for a subtle shadow and brown liner instead. And if you really can't give up your mascara habit, just the lightest of coats will be magnified through your glasses, giving you gorgeous, wide-awake eyes (tip- wear a little white liner on the inside of your eyes to really make them look fresh).

Don't forget, you can find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more style advice, make up tips for glasses wearers, or which eyewear shapes and colours will suit your face and colouring.

If you would like your own personal recommendation, send me a description of yourself or a link to a picture and I will happily advise you on the best styles to make your eyes look gorgeous.

So what do you think about Andrea Mclean's glasses, glam geek or fashion?

Glasses for fashion: Get the nautical look

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 01:00:00 +0000

The Trend – Nautical

Think – vertical stripes, navy blazers, deck shoes

Giorgio Armani GA10

The glasses - These Giorgio Armani glasses in a beautiful shade of ocean blue will ensure your take on nautical will be ship shape!

In the Future there will be... Glasses!

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Forgive the B-Movie title but I'm in a bit of a sci-fi mood, in no small part due to an old link to io9. It's something I saw months ago and thought 'That'd be a good idea for a post!' and then did nothing about. It got me thinking though about the future of glasses, not the real future of course, that'll be a maze of dull advances in coating methods that reduce refracti-zzzzzz....

Oh no! I have bigger and brighter ideas. I'm thinking not about what will happen, but what I want to happen. Science is already making glasses with a prescription strong enough to cure blindness (my understanding of that technology may not be accurate) alá The Next Generation, all I'm thinking is that if I make enough wild and silly predictions maybe one of the will come true and I will reap the prestige of saying I called it.

Lets dive right in:

1: Actual X-Ray Specs

In theory a perverts paradise, X-Ray specs are an idea that could have altruistic motives (doctors could X-Ray you in the waiting room) but would almost certainly lead to the collapse of the litigation system as the first scientist who demonstrates them is sued by everyone in the room for peeking through their clothes. If I see them working on X-Ray specs I'm putting my money into the lead industry. On the up side we get to watch size-zero models attempt to sashay down the catwalk with clothes weighing twice what they do.

2: Learning Lenses

Joe90 was omitted from io9's list, possibly because it was a small British show that never made it to America (or never made an impact) or perhaps because it was a bit pap. However never let it be said that I would miss out on the opportunity to mention esoteric supermarionation (this phrase is a drinking game, say it quickly and every time you slip up take a drink, Myself and Specspost accept no responsibility for injury, loss or damage incurred). The premise was simple, young boy, scientist dad uses him for an experiment, there was a machine involved and he had skills downloaded into his brain via a pair of dorky glasses. I did mention it was not a very good show; but what an idea!

Now I am the laziest man in the world, I've had Guinness over with a certificate and everything, so the thought of being able to get something for no effort is appealing. Lets consider daily life; your sink backs up, your house is flooding; but wait! Pop on your teaching glasses and you become a plumber. The problem is fixed, you save £90/hour and all it costs you is the possibility of some mild brain damage...

I may have just talked myself out of that one.

3: Night Vision

When Guinness came over they also gave me a certificate for being the clumsiest man alive (actually called the Walter Bagshot Memorial Broken Toe award). If I can walk into it, trip over it or spill it down myself I will do. You can imagine what I'm like in the dark, and considering I spent last weekend in a pitch black abandoned cold-war bunker I'm surprised I'm not dead or lost forever beneath the crust of the earth. Yes I had a torch, except for the time where I forgot it and wandered around blindly for an hour, and it was at times like that when I wished I had night vision.

Now you can buy night vision from Aldi if you're so inclined, but that just means its something else for me to forget; and it's not exactly chique. That's right, it's pitch black and I'm considering sartorial elegance. The one thing I never forget (except for that one time) are my glasses, and so it seems to make sense that they could pull double-duty stopping me from walking into bear-traps, sink holes, antlions and enything else that I might leave lying around in the dark.

4: HUD (Heads Up Display)

Fighter pilots have them, cars have them and video games are trying to get rid of them. The Heads Up Display (or HUD if you're pretending you're 'in the know'- like me) basically filters information back to the pilot/driver/gamer so they know what's going on around them. It tells them things like speed, altitude (of the plane, if you see altitude in a car you are doing it wrong) and target information.

Now as much fun as it would be to spot my exes in a crowd and mark them for a Tomahawk strike from the HMS Sweet Sweet Revenge, that's not what I want HUD glasses for... Mostly. A more practical use for them would be, say, social networking. We're slowly breaking down the barrier of needing a PC to do our social networking with better internet access on our phones and suchlike. Now imagine if instead of not just being able catch up by looking at your phone you could see your friends flagged in say a crowd at a gig, and see their status update about how the band have sold out and they should play all the old songs from when they were good.

Beware however, at a glance social networking would have its own perils. The internet is a place where one can give flight to every passing thought (as you can see) and if someone can see what you're thinking it could lead to trouble. Complaining about a boring dinner to your friends might offend your date, but they may find it doubly galling if you complained about them in an update that they could see whilst you're still at the table.

Cheque please.

So four ideas that will see me ascend to the top of the mountain of innovation to bask in the warm glow of my own genius... Or something like that. In truth I could continue but a) I want to leave some inventions for so-called scientists, otherwise I could single handedly destroy the industry and b) in any situation if your next idea was 'add lasers' it is always time to stop.

So my question to you my bi-spectacled warriors is, given infinite time and money (or failing that £50 and an afternoon) what spectacle based technology would you like to see in the future?

A-Z of eye problems: Stye

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Stye

A stye is a common condition, also known as a hordeolum.
In most cases they appear externally and are caused by infection of eyelash follicles
They are a small, painful swelling which can develop either outside or inside the eyelid.
Less common, internal styes occur due to infection of a gland in the eyelid.
They do not usually need any kind of treatment.

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Best Prescription Glasses 2 for 1 Deals in the UK

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 01:00:00 +0000

One great side effect of the so called age of austerity is that there are some great deals out there for consumers. Buy one get one free deals (BOGOFS) on prescription glasses are becoming almost the norm. In fact, we would go as far as to say that the current decade may well become know as the BOGOF decade!

With lots of deals out there, we thought we would do some of the hard work for you, to help you find the best deals and to save the most money on your next specs. So without further ado, here is a price comparison of the best prescription glasses offers online and on the high street, ranked in reverse order:-

`2 for 1 Prescription Glasses Offers : Price Comparison`


`Rank`	`Company`	`Offer and Price`
`4th`	`Boots & D&A (High Street Chain)`	`2 for 1 from £79`
`3rd`	`Specsavers (High Street Chain)`	`2 for 1 from £69`
`2nd`	`Glasses Direct (online glasses shop)`	`2 for 1 from £49`
`1st`	`SpecsPost (UK based online glasses shop)`	`2 pairs from £20 (or 1 pair from £10)`

The high street stores have the advantage of convenience. However, online glasses providers offer an unquestionable price advantage, particularly if you are only looking for just one pair of glasses which you can get for as little as £10. Therefore If you are simply making your purchase decision purely on Price then the internet suppliers can't be beaten. Likewise if you frame you are looking for is not a Boots or SpecSavers 'own label' brand (such as Specsavers own brand Osiris) then you can probably find it cheaper via an online glasses retailer, just make sure that they are a genuine reputable company.

The quality of products from all of the suppliers listed above should in our experience be of a decent quality. So there are the facts, the choice is yours - happy shopping!

UPDATE: SpecsPost are now offering a series of two for one glasses duo options.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all the offers available as these can change from day to day. This blog article is meant to be a useful overview of the offers available on 11 June 2011 from the main reputable suppliers we are aware of.

How to save money buying glasses online

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Nearly a fifth of the people whom participated in a recent survey say that the high price of glasses means that they delay going for that all important eye test.

So how can you save money buying glasses online?

You no longer are resticted to buying your glasses from your local optician, by law they have to give you a copy of your prescription. One opticians store will never have the room to be able to cater for all tastes, styles and budgets, so it makes sense to shop around.

Try on lots of frames in store then search for your favourites online. Designer glasses are hugely pricey on the high street , so why not try our tip for finding your new designer glasses online and save yourself a pretty penny!

If you're going to shop for your prescription eyewear, knowing how to buy glasses online is really important. Check the website for security signals (such as encryption specifics). You want to know that your money and personal details are protected when buying online.

A-Z of eye problems: Refractive errors

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 01:00:00 +0000

What are refractive errors?

(And is my prescription suitable for buying glasses online?)

The main refractive errors are:

• Astigmatism
• Hyperopia
• Myopia
• Presbyopia

At a very basic level, they are caused when the front part of the eye (cornea) is not a regular shape. This makes light entering the eye unable to focus properly, creating blurred vision.
With the correct lens and frame choice, a remedy to most common refractive errors should be available. However depending upon your prescription, buying online may not be the best solution for you.

For more guidance, on when & when not to buy glasses online read our blog for impartial information and advice.

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Designer Glasses Online: How To Avoid Paying A premium Price For A Poor Pretender!

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Designer Glasses : Can you spot the difference?

The dictionary definition states that a designer is:

Noun – a person who devises or executes designs.

Adjective – designed or created by or carrying a label of identification of a designer, especially a fashion designer.

When shopping for glasses on the high street, some opticians will attempt to steer you away from specs by designers you recognise such as Missoni, French Connection, Armani or Radley and guide you towards their “alternative” designer frames.

These glasses are often at a similar price to point to ‘real’ designer frames, but these specs are usually designed and made on behalf of the company. This means that you are not getting a “true “designer product by a recognised designer or company; you are getting a product that is cheaper for the optician than the designer frames they stock, so they make much more profit on every pair sold.

Technically, these glasses have been “designed” by “someone”, so they can be sold as designer products, although this can be misleading.

Many fashion designers create eyewear, clothing and accessories for lifestyle brands. The brands you choose can say a lot about you, whether it’s eyewear, footwear, even homewear.

So what does wearing opticians’ own “designer” brands say about you?

Opticians’ can charge around £125 for their own “designer” glasses. Online, you can get Armani, Radley or Gucci glasses for the same price or less.

I know which I’d rather have…

3 Top Reasons to buy Designer Vs fashion glasses?

Tue, 31 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

When looking to buy glasses, it can be a tough call between buying nice looking 'unbranded' fashion glasses and true designer spectacles from a well known 'designer label'. True designer glasses, even when purchased via the internet tend to come at a premium to their non designer peers so to help you make an informed decision as to what is right for you, we examine the top 3 reasons to consider each option:-

3 reasons to buy designer glasses:

Everyone likes a little bit of luxury. Whilst designer clothing is expensive, designer glasses are not so pricey. A Gucci handbag might be out of your price range, but Gucci glasses are probably much more affordable (especially if bought online).

It’s not all about the designer name. With designer eyewear, there is much more emphasis on style. There is a higher quality of design, and more attention to detail.

They will not date as quickly. Fashions change constantly, so that fashionable retro pair of specs you love this week might look dated once a new style takes over. A pair of designer glasses can be timeless, and will make an outfit look instantly chic.

3 reasons to buy unbranded fashion glasses:

Any magazine will tell you that you needn’t spend a fortune to achieve a great look. Fashion glasses are the eyewear equivalent of high street clothing. As with disposable fashion (think Primark), you can buy different pairs of fashion glasses to pair with different hair and make-up styles, outfits, shoes… you can even match them to you mood or the weather!

If you’re on a budget, any glasses can be an expensive purchase. So many people put off having their eyes tested regularly, simply because they are worried about the cost of new glasses. You’re sight test is vital to check on the health of your eyes, as well as making sure your prescription is still correct. If you’re watching the pennies, a good pair of glasses can be bought online for as little as £10. Make sure to find out if you are entitled to a free NHS sight test, or shop around for offers on free or reduced price sight tests from opticians in your area.

Trends in eyewear do not change as often as other fashions, and do not date as quickly. Makers of fashion glasses usually include the latest key trends into their new collections. This year expect to see cut out details, retro styles and shapes, and acetate (plastic) frames. You can still be on trend with the latest stylish specs, without paying designer prices. Check out SpecsPost's best value cheap prescription glasses range for further details of some of the options available.

Fashion glasses for the frugal fashionista

Fri, 27 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

These contemporary frames from Missoni are already a steal at £65, and feature the key trends in eyewear this year.

Missoni MI06704

If you’re watching the pennies, this equally stylish pair (priced at just £24.99!) are perfect for the frugal fashionista.

Florence 518

A-Z of eye problems: Presbyopia

Thu, 26 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Presbyopia

People with Presbyopia have trouble seeing objects close up, as due to age, the eyes’ lens can no longer focus.

It usually occurs after the age of 45, and can be easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Causes of dry eyes

Wed, 25 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

There are many causes of dry eyes. They include:

• Wearing contact lenses
• Reading, writing and working with computers
• Certain medicines
• Menopause
• Environmental factors such as wind and sun

To avoid getting dry eyes you should:

• Keep your eyes clean
• Make sure your computer is set up properly to avoid eye strain
• Don’t smoke
• Wear glasses to protect from wind and hot air

If you are suffering with dry eyes, see your GP as soon as possible

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Do childrens role models wear glasses?

Tue, 24 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Watching the popular childrens’ TV show Dani’s House, I saw two characters wearing glasses. Unfortunately, they both fit certain stereotypes: One- the geeky young boy with sellotaped-specs and slicked down hair,
Two- goody two-shoes girl: clever, sensible,prim and proper, definitely NOT cool. The main character Danni, does not wear glasses. The cool kids in the show, the ones children aspire to be like, do not wear glasses.
It appears that although wearing glasses no longer has such stigma attached, the media has yet to catch up and stop relying on dated stereotypes.
There seems to be an increase in books and toys depicting characters with glasses, aimed at younger children-for example Charlie and Lola and Princess Peepers, but there are few positive examples for the older child.

My two children are 7 years old, and if they or their friends needed glasses, where would they find role models or characters to help them realise that wearing specs is ok or even a good thing?
Where are the role models for girls and boys who are too old for Charlie and Lola, and too young to follow fashion or appreciate the “geek chic” style?
As a glasses wearer myself, the only character I remember from my childhood who wore glasses is Postman Pat – hardly what most little girls aspire to look like…
As a child who disliked glasses and wanted to fit in with all the other kids, I tried to avoid wearing my glasses when I was 7, and eventually stopped completely. As a result, my lazy eye was never corrected, leaving me with very poor vision in one eye. I’m sure many other people must have had similar experiences.

We are faced with enough images of “perfection” as adults; while our children are young, shouldn’t they be safeguarded from this? I believe that the media has a responsibility to young people to not make them feel bad about themselves because they are different in any way.
This seemingly forgotten age group need positive bespectacled role models, not clichés.

As flagged up in the feedack from Jonnie (below) If you enjoyed this article, you may also be interested in our discussion about Harry Potter glasses.

A-Z of eye problems: Ocular Rosacea

Mon, 23 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Ocular Rosacea

Ocular Rosacea affects the eyelids and eyes; and results from the skin condition Rosacea, which mainly affects the face with spots and redness.
Around half of all people with Rosacea also have signs of Ocular Rosacea, which include dry eyes, redness, styes and blurred vision.
Medical treatment and lifestyle changes can help to keep this condition under control.

Radley to launch new eyewear collection June 2011

Fri, 20 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Best known for their distinctive handbags and accessories, Radley have gained prestige by creating desirable, yet practical bags, purses and travel accessories. Renowned for their use of colourful prints with unique designs, Radley products are instantly recognizable by the Scotty dog icon which is found on all handbags and accessories.

Now in association with Olympus Eyewear this cool and quirky British brand is to launch their first eyewear collection, from which all Radley prescription glasses and sunglasses can be matched with the Spring Summer 2011 range of Radley handbags.

Since the first Radley handbag was crafted in 1998, this creative company has gone from strength to strength to become the UKs best- selling luxury handbag brand. Having inspected and pre-ordered the full range of Radley eyewear at the unveiling at this year’s Optrafair trade show, SpecsPost believe that Radley have another big hit on their hands.

UPDATE: Radley Glasses collection now in stock: click here to browse the full Radley Eyewear collection or here to read our Radley Glasses Review. Do you really, really love Radley and want to know more? You may be interested in our History of Radley London article which charts the rise of the Radley brand from a London market stall to the global brand it is today.

You get what you pay for

Thu, 19 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

When I heard that certain retailers are charging as little as £6 for glasses online, I had to wonder what hidden nasties lurk behind this bargain basement offer? On our quest for cheaper glasses to what extent are we really prepared to lose out on quality and to take a punt?
I mean come on SIX POUNDS! That’s the price of a pint of beer with a pie and chip lunch at your local Wetherspoons!
Analyse the costs further and the equation becomes even worse! If you factor in the VAT that the company has to pay to the government (at 20% of the glasses price) and the cost of the case, postage and packaging - then you are looking at an actual cost of the glasses of about £4. FOUR POUNDS! That the price of a Large Big Mac Meal and not much more than a posh coffee from the likes of Starbucks or COSTA Coffee!

So how much do glasses really cost and how can they do this?

As someone within the industry I don’t believe that a company can genuinely sell a quality pair of glasses for less than £10 - and still make enough profit to continue trading over a sustained period of time. We are not talking ready readers here which can be mass produced by machine. These are glasses with lenses that have to be made to your specific prescription and the then cut and fitted into your chosen frame – each job is 100% bespoke.

So how or why do they do it and what is the catch?

Some firms use loss leaders. These are products that they sell at below cost price as part of a marketing strategy. This is done to gain your trust and to build a customer relationship with you. Their marketing teams hope for future more profitable sales from you - or from people you recommend them to. A few ‘headline grabbing’ incredibly cheap products may be thrown in to the mix in the knowledge that you might spend some time looking at their website and then buy an alternative more profitable item.
Sometimes, the answer is rather less appealing and the firm may be run by cowboys. Select one of these outfits and at best, the quality of both product and service are likely to be severely compromised. Sometimes it can be far worse and your ‘bargain buy’ can become your worst nightmare. You pay your money online in good faith and despite increasingly angry emails you start to realise that you are never going to receive your glasses – you have been scammed!

Feast or famine

Loss leaders if you can find the ‘real deals’ can prove to be great bargains. The problem is that it can be hard to tell the difference between the good, the bad and the ugly. Some would argue that if you are only dealing with small quantities of money – then perhaps the potentially amazing bargain is worth the risk? Well, yes, maybe – so long as you don’t get scammed for further unauthorised larger debit card transactions. If you are really unlucky this could cost you hundreds of pounds in fraudulent transactions and whilst you may be able to claim it back from your bank – it’s stressful and a hell of a hassle.

So what would we recommend? How can I choose a decent pair of specs online?

Choose the right company and Mail order glasses via the internet can offer safe and genuinely significant savings, but going for the cheapest deal in town is probably not the best solution for you. With online glasses, like with everything else if something looks too good to be true then it probably is. When searching for your next pair of glasses online, think “great value” glasses, not “cheap” glasses.

For those looking to buy some of the best value cheap prescription glasses please check out SpecsPost's online spectacle shop via the navigation bar at the top of this page.

Savvy shoppers buy glasses online

Wed, 18 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Savvy shoppers are more likely than ever before to buy their glasses online. A recent article in the Daily Mail tells the pros and cons. For a balanced view, be sure to read our blog “ You get what you pay for".

A-Z of eye problems: Nystagmus

Tue, 17 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Nystagmus

Nystagmus is the name given to involuntary, repetitive eye movement, which can result in some vision impairment, balance problems, social anxiety and an inability to obtain a driving licence.
It can be inherited or be caused by a trauma or medical condition.
If this condition develops, it is vital that the child or adult affected be referred for professional medical advice, as it could be a symptom of an underlying and serious eye or brain disorder.

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

The Importance of Taking Care of Your Vision

Mon, 16 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Vision is important to everybody, young and old. But, when you start to lose your eyesight when you get older, it can be very frustrating. No longer can you read the fine print on products, play basketball with your grand kids or even drive if it’s gotten bad enough. Whether it’s becoming near sighted, or far sighted, taking care of your vision is crucial to living a life of visual happiness.
If you are having troubles with near or far sightedness, consult with your local optometrist.

Having watery, tearing or dry eyes are not uncommon eye issues. Many people, young and old, find themselves sensitive to natural occurrences such as light and wind. Going out with some sunglasses is very important at all ages to shield your eyes from the elements. If you are at all concerned, or an eye problem is affecting your daily life in any way, you should visit your optometrist immediately.

Nobody wants to have to lose their vision as they get older. If you’re finding it hard to simply read a book, be sure to get your eyes tested. You may find that you need reading glasses. These simple glasses are inexpensive and can really help you read small print. Please don't be tempted to buy ready readers: these glasses which can be purchased from pharmacies are not made up to your personal prescription and the lenses have been mass-produced by machine. These cheap reading glasses can be bad for your eyesight as the lenses are not measured to your pupils.

Mark Taylor, a popular online blogger in the health and fitness related industries. He enjoys writing about health related topics and on his spare time, he is a LifeStrength balance wristband advocate and outdoors enthusiast.

Glasses for fashion?

Fri, 13 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Fashion forward or totally tacky?

If you don’t need glasses, will you be indulging in this controversial trend?
Open any magazine and you will see models featured wearing fashion glasses, and all the big high street stores now sell fake glasses with clear lenses.
Any fashionista will find it hard to deny that to wear some current looks, geek glasses are the icing on the cupcake. Definitely one for hipsters, these black rimmed glasses make your preppy outfit complete.
Always one step ahead in the style stakes, some of our fave famous faces have eagerly donned specs (fake AND real) and they look amazing. Celebrities wearing glasses for fashion include Alexa Chung, Lily Allen, Josh Hartnett, Neyo and Justin Beiber. Katy Perry looks fab in 50’s style cats-eye frames, and Avril Lavigne rocks her black geek glasses.
Non prescription glasses could even help you get a job. Research has shown that wearing glasses to your interview gives a better chance of being successful, as glasses wearers are deemed to be intelligent, studious and professional.
Sarah Palin still wears her rimless glasses, although it is reported that she has had laser eye surgery and actually doesn’t need them…
What do you think, will you be wearing non prescription eyewear?

And the winner is...

Fri, 13 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

As so many of you entered our first competition, we decided to have not one, but two winners!

Congratulations to Gareth Matthews and Jeanette Davis, you have both won a pair of glasses up to the value of £50!

To claim your prizes, simply email us your choice of glasses from the website, along with your prescription and address for delivery.

Thank you to all who entered!

5 Best Buy Glasses for Professionals

Thu, 12 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

While studying in my undergraduate program, I had a fun, brightly colored pair of glasses that I wore to class. Since starting law school in Massachusetts, I’ve decided I need to look for a more mature and stylish pair of specs to reflect my ambitions.

I decided to look online for my new glasses and found some great looking specs to match my new, more sophisticated look. My only problem was deciding which was one was best for my face shape. When you go to shop for glasses and end up having a hard time deciding which pair is right for you, ask the optometric assistant for their opinion. They see people in glasses all day long, every day of their life, so they should know what looks good. It is also a good idea to ask a friend to go along with you, as they will give you an honest opinion.

If you see a pair of glasses you like on the high street, remember to search for them online as you could save up to 70% by buying them from a website instead of an opticians’ shop.

Some good websites will give you advice on which styles and colours should suit your face shape and colouring.

Here are my top five picks for frames:

1. Diesel DV0046 – Sophisticated and bold, these glasses are the perfect pair to make me look modern and stylish. The gold square side detailing adds a nice touch of class.
2. Jeff Banks J226 – These frames are great because they have a lightweight feel, and the simplicity is really striking.
3. Diesel DV0058 – I really enjoy the simply, classic style of these frames. The shape of the lens is really modern and hip, and suits my face shape very nicely.
4. Jai Kudo St James's – If you’re looking for modern and cool, these silver and black two-tone frames are the way to go. Edgy and hip, these are the perfect frames for any look.
5. Emporio Armani 9654 – Classic black frames are timeless and look great with anything and everything. Understated, but rich-looking, these are very fashionable.

Win a free pair of glasses!

Thu, 12 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Simply answer this question to bag yourself a free pair of specs:

What can you catch but not throw?

The best answer will win a great pair of glasses, courtesy of SpecsPost.

Please send your answer to specspost@hotmail.co.uk, winner will be announced tomorrow, Friday 13 May.

Lucky for someone!

please remember to add contact details in case you are the lucky winner!

Do fringes work with glasses?

Wed, 11 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Fringes can look great with glasses, but whether they suit you can depend on your face shape or personality.
Funky, short side bangs can show off bold glasses perfectly. This works well on rounder faces.
Beware the longer side fringe – too long and they can fall over the frame of your glasses, which can be annoying.
A blunt fringe gives an edgier look and works well on longer faces, just make sure it’s short enough to not get caught in the hinges of your specs (ouch).
For a softer look, a wispy fringe teamed with ultra-feminine glasses works really well on you girls with square shaped faces.

The Apprentice 2011 Online Glasses Entrepenaur

Wed, 11 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Online glasses retailers got a great plug yesterday on episode 1 of BBC's the Apprentice.

It will be fascinating to watch how Liverpool based businessman Gavin Winstanley fares.

The first episode and already in the firing line, but here at SpecsPost we are routing for him!

The longer he stays in, the longer we continue to get free marketing & PR for online and mail order glasses.

Go Gavin!

Retro Fashion

Tue, 10 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

If you favour a fabulous 50’s look, then you’ll love Tara Starlet, a vintage-inspired online clothing store.

For retro fashions, prom dresses and cute kitsch accessories, check out tarastarlet.com – I’m loving the Peggy Wiggle dress paired with black rimmed glasses.

Cool glasses? Not for me, thank you

Mon, 09 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

The problem with cool glasses is they can make you look like you’re trying too hard.
Lots of celebs have been spotted wearing specs, and Myleene Klass payed homage to this trend with an uber cool pair of black rimmed geek glasses. She got it wrong.
The glasses looked like they were too heavy for her face, and the style was not consistent with her usual way of dressing.
Sometimes, even the most dedicated fashionista has to accept that this seasons key trend just isn’t for her. We can’t all pull off jumpsuits, or harem pants, or geek glasses (sorry Myleene).
Being effortlessly cool comes from being true to yourself. These lucky people know what suits them and create their own style(think Jameela Jamil or Alexa Chung). It also requires lots of confidence.
Which is why you won’t see me in cool glasses thank you very much – fashion victim just isn’t my style…

A-Z of eye problems: Myopia

Wed, 04 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Myopia

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness or short-sightedness, is a refractive error.
People with Myopia can see close objects well, but have trouble seeing objects in the distance.
It can be treated with glasses or contact lenses, and is estimated to affect at least 5 million people in the UK.

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Fashion and Glasses - Latest Looks

Tue, 03 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

If you love fashion and want to stay ahead in the style stakes; I’ll be keeping you up to date on the latest styles straight from the catwalk – and the perfect eyewear to complete your look.

The Trend – The New Preppy

Think – High waisted shorts, sheer blouses, satchel bags

The glasses -

Christian Dior CD 3187 £130.00

These Christian Dior glasses add a touch of grown-up glamour to any preppy style.

A-Z of eye problems: Macular Degeneration

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Macular Degeneration

The macula is a small part of the retina, which is necessary for straight-ahead, clear, central vision; needed for reading, watching television, driving and many other activities.
When the macula is unable to function correctly, straight ahead vision becomes gradually lost and the name given to this is Macular Degeneration.
Peripheral vision is not affected by Macular Degeneration.
Studies have shown that this condition can be slowed by use of a high dose of selected vitamins and a healthy diet. This particular formula of vitamins is sold as a supplement by the name of ICaps. For more information, read our eye health blog.

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

A-Z of eye problems: Keratitis

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Keratitis

Keratitis is inflammation of the front part of the eye (cornea).
There are different levels of severity and it can occur repeatedly or just on one or two occasions.
There are different reasons for the onset of this condition, the most common cause being infection.
Keratitis requires medical treatment, which can usually prevent long term damage if treated quickly.

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Fashion and Glasses - Newest Styles

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

If you love fashion and want to stay ahead in the style stakes; I’ll be keeping you up to date on the latest styles straight from the catwalk – and the perfect eyewear to complete your look.

The Trend – Ladylike

Think – Gingham checks, elegant wedges and lady bags

The glasses –

Jill Stuart JS138 - £45

These Jill Stuart glasses will give a contemporary feel to your ladylike style.

A-Z of eye problems: Iritis

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Iritis

Iritis is the name given to inflammation of the iris.
The reason for the onset of Iritis is often unknown, however it can occur as a result of certain medical illnesses, or because of trauma to the affected eye.
Medical treatment is almost always necessary to stop any long term damage to the eye.
For more information, visit eyehelp.co.uk

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

A recipe for healthy eyes

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

We all know how important healthy eating is, but did you know just how much your diet can affect your eyesight?

Vitamins C, E, and A, and antioxidants are vital for healthy eyes; as they help protect cells and help vision in dim light, and even protect the eyes from excess UV light.
For more information, read our blog on age related vision loss.
This recipe for spicy pasta sauce contains red and orange peppers, broccoli and green beans, all of which contain essential vitamins needed for good eye health.
If you have a recipe for healthy eyes, please send it to us! Include ingredients such as fish, leafy green vegetables, egg yolk, peas, red peppers, beetroot, broccoli, kale, spinach, green and orange peppers, berries, oranges, corn, and sweet potatoes.

You will need:

1 red pepper
1 orange pepper
1 onion
1 broccoli
½ pack fine green beans
Tin chopped tomatoes
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon red chillies
Olive oil
Your choice of pasta

Heat oil in a pan
Add onions and peppers
Fry until soft
Add garlic, cook for another minute
Drain excess oil
Add tomatoes and chillies
Steam broccoli and green beans
Add to sauce
Serve with pasta

Serves 4

To 3D or not 3D?

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Because all the cool kids quote Shakespeare.

So I was recently in the Nintendo 3DS pre-release that came to town, a little invite only thing that, due to me being lazy and registering late, took place on a Sunday morning when all sane people save ten brave souls and a handful of booth-babes took over the Cube museum to ogle Nintendo’s latest handheld offering.

The twist this time was that Nintendo were giving us a handheld that would bring gaming into the Third-Dimension (trust me, this sounds corny no matter how you try to say it), but without the need for obtrusive glasses ruining the experience.

We’ve all been there, nestled down between our pop-corn and super-slushy in the darkness of the cinema, silently hating the kid three rows down who insists upon shouting with excitement at every advert, wondering how long you would get if you went down and throttled him with his liquorice lace. Then comes the main feature, glasses on, and the undignified jostle to sit them on top of your own specs.

You can see why the idea of specs-less 3D is an attractive one. I despise the weird balancing act I conduct in the dark every time I go to see a 3D movie, and I have no desire to repeat that in the comfort of my own home; especially when it would mean spending Liberia’s deficit on a 3D TV.

So there I stood sweltering under the spotlights, the 3DS in my hands at last, my mind keen with the possibilities of specs-less 3D and a girl at my elbow chosen simply to be the most attractive creature at the room says; ‘Isn’t the 3D amazing?’

I said yes.

I meant no.

Once my eyes had adjusted to the 3D and I was no longer seeing three images in one (left, right and maybe) I was quite impressed, but not with the 3D. You see for me 3D is something that pops out of the screen, which climbs over the barrier between me and the screen and makes me pay attention. For all my winging that Avatar was just Fern Gully with explosions, it was still a visual spectacle that I couldn’t ignore.

The problem with the 3DS is that instead of giving me this experience it instead gives the illusion of depth. It’s like looking through a window on a game that is 3D rather than being part of the 3D experience yourself. On top of that it is quite easy to move your head and watch the whole image fragment into three, causing your eyes to refocus. The whole effect is rather tiring and after half an hour my eyes were beginning to feel tired.

It’s a pity because I wanted to like the 3DS, and a lot of the tech on show was very impressive if a little niche. The problem is that it offers a lot, but in making a shortcut in order to ditch the glasses I think Nintendo may have missed the point of having a 3D display.

What we end up with is a half-way-house that doesn’t satisfy my 3D itch, and worse than that leaves my eyes feeling tired and strained. As much as I’m ready to ditch the 3D glasses, I’m afraid that the 3DS isn’t ready to deliver on it’s promises.

A-Z of eye problems: Hyperopia

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Hyperopia

Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is a common refractive error.
People with hyperopia have trouble seeing objects close up, but can see clearly in the distance.
Hyperopia can be easily corrected with the appropriate lenses.
For more information, visit All about Vision.

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

A-Z of eye problems: Glaucoma

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Glaucoma

There are two main types of Glaucoma, Acute and Chronic, although there are two types which are rarer.
Some of the symptoms of Acute Glaucoma include pain in the eye, rapid loss of vision and sensitivity to bright light.
Chronic Glaucoma can result in the loss of peripheral vision and objects straight ahead appearing blurred.
Glaucoma is caused by high pressure and/or weakness in the optic nerve. Too much pressure on the optic nerve can damage it.
Glaucoma is treated with eye drops or other medication to reduce pressure in the eye.
Left untreated, blindness can occur as a result of Glaucoma.
Those over 40 should have their eyes tested every two years to ensure early detection of any eye problems.
For more information, visit Glaucoma Association.

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Glasses to wear when the cupboard is bare

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

You know the feeling, it’s almost payday and things are pretty tight. But being skint shouldn’t mean being shabby; so on behalf of all recessionistas, I’ve found the most stylish specs for under £25.

Be bang on trend in orange, this seasons’ sexiest colour. Seville from Sunoptic will bring any outfit up to date for SS11.

Seville £24.99

Favoured by hipsters, see in style with geek glasses like the fabulous Oregon - black rimmed specs by Sunoptic.

Oregon £24.99

For those who prefer the ladylike look, our popular Florence frame features must-have cut out detail with a delicate design.

Florence 518 £24.99

Superman

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Do you remember David Carradine’s speech at the end of Kill Bill, when Uma Thurman had stormed his house and he went on some long rant about Superman? The basic gist of it was that unlike Batman or Spiderman, who put on their suits to become the hero, Superman is always Superman. Clark Kent is the act, a representation of everything Superman sees as being human. He’s clumsy, awkward and always hiding behind those glasses, because human’s eyes suck; we can’t even see X-Rays...

The glasses really are at the core of the disguise, nobody remembers the suit or the fact that he hides that weird little kiss curl when he’s playing reporter with Lois Lane. Everybody looks at Clark Kent and sees the glasses, and they all know what it means. ‘This is Superman and he’s not being a hero.’

Traditionally heroes don’t wear glasses. The smart sidekick can, the guy who makes their gadgets or the girl who keeps the hero informed; but whenever the bad guy comes knocking, their role is to get caught and wind up in an improbable death trap, waiting for the hero to turn up and save the day.

It’s not just the world of comic books where this happens. Take your generic teen makeover story, the girl who’s all bookish with her glasses and her hair in a tight bun; but undo that bob, ditch those lenses, and that bookworm turns into a pretty girl faster than Clark Kent disappearing into a phone box.

So why all the hate for the lenses?

There’s a long tradition of glasses being shorthand for geeks, for those who were intelligent but socially awkward. It’s the kind of shorthand used in movies when they don’t have the time or inclination to flesh out a character properly, and decades of lazy writing have perpetuated it until it became a stereotype. Glasses equal geeks, geeks equal un-cool. Heroes need to be cool to grab the audience and so heroes go without the specs.
This of course sucks.

It’s 2011, geek chic is in, every other movie grew out of a comic book (or ‘graphic novel’ if you enjoy living in denial), but we’re still using the same old stereotypes. Geeks in glasses still clumsily chase girls out of their league, the bookish girl still abandons her glasses and Clark Kent is still Superman’s inner dweeb.

The problem is some writers are still lazy, and some images are so engrained that we accept them without thinking. We see glasses and think nerd. Why? Because that is what we’ve always been taught to see and clichés trump common sense every time.

A-Z of eye problems: Floaters

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Floaters

Floaters are quite common and are most likely to appear with age.
They are spots or shapes that drift or “float” behind the eyes lens, and they can be annoying and distracting.
If your sight is badly affected by floaters, the “jelly” in the eye which the floaters are formed from can be removed and an artificial “jelly” put in its place.
If you notice an increased amount of floaters or if they are accompanied by flashes of light, seek advice from your optometrist.
For more information, visit NHS.uk

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

A-Z of eye problems: Diabetic Retinopathy

Sat, 09 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy is a disease of the retina, brought on by diabetes.
There are four stages of Diabetic Retinopathy.
In the first stage, small areas of swelling form in the retina.
In the second stage, some of the blood cells which nourish the retina are blocked, and so deprive the retina of the blood supply it needs.
In the third stage, lots more of these cells become blocked, and the areas of the retina which are affected send out signals, telling the body it needs to grow new blood vessels.
In the fourth stage, these new blood cells are grown. However, these are fragile and if they were to leak, blindness or severe vision loss can occur.
By having regular eye exams, and by keeping your blood sugar level as close to normal as is possible, you can reduce your risk of blindness and slow the progression of retinopathy.
For more information, visit nei.gov

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

A-Z of eye problems: Conjunctivitis

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Conjunctivitis

There are two main types of conjunctivitis, infective and allergic.
Infective conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva (the thin membrane covering the outer surface of the eyes and the inside of the eyelids) becomes inflamed as a result of cold, flu or another viral infection.
Allergic conjunctivitis often occurs in people who have asthma, eczema or hay fever, as it can be caused by allergens such as pollen and dust-mites.
The symptoms for both kinds of conjunctivitis include sore, red eyes; although there are other different symptoms for both infective and allergic conjunctivitis.
For more information, visit BUPA

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Channeling Chanel

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Monochrome will always be in fashion.

Effortlessly chic, pairing black and white is a sure fire way to achieve a timeless style.

This seasons' Armani and Gucci eyewear collections feature fabulous black (and white) frames to finish off your monochrome look.

For ideas on how to accessorize this key trend, see cosmopolitan.co.uk for styles inspired by Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn.

Great tips on how to wear Geek Chic

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Try as I might, I just can't seem to find many blogs, websites or other resources devoted to glasses.

I don't mean your sales-y blogs (they are everywhere...), I mean full-on fashion for specs wearers; how to accessorize your glasses to your outfit, which colours go well together, maybe even handbags to match...

Considering how many people wear glasses, and how many of those love fashion (men and women), I'd expect there'd be more out there for us stylistas. Too often left to our own devices, it can be far too easy to make a fashion faux pas...

For now, why not check out these pictures of celebrities with glasses and when I find some fashion forward blogs or websites for glasses wearers, you'll be the first to know!

A-Z of eye problems: Cataracts

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Cataract

A cataract is a clouding of the eyes lens, which blurs your vision.
This condition tends to affect both of the eyes, although one will normally be affected before the other.
Cataracts can be treated with an operation to remove the lens.
Having your eyes tested on a regular basis can help to spot eye problems at an early enough stage for efficient treatment.
For more information, visit RNIB

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

A-Z of eye problems: Blepharitis

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a condition where the eyelids are inflamed.
It is a common condition, accounting for approximately 1 in 20 eye problems.
There are 3 types of blepharitis, caused by either bacterial infection or skin conditions.
There is not a cure for this recurring condition and it is not contagious.
For more information and practical tips on managing this condition, visit goodhope.org

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

A-Z of eye problems: Astigmatism

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a refractive error and is a common condition.
The cause is unknown, although it is thought it could be inherited genetically.
It is a minor condition where the cornea (front part of the eye) is an irregular shape, which means that light passing through the retina cannot properly focus, making vision blurred.
Treatment is not always necessary, but astigmatism can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or laser treatment.
For more information, visit BBC Health.

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Healthy Eyes

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 01:00:00 +0000

On my travels through the blogosphere, I’ve found some great websites and blogs which are packed with helpful information on eyewear, style and healthy eyes.
Healthy eyes.org is a website which provides information about sight, eyes and how to look after them.
You can find quizzes, recipes and fun facts to make learning about the eyes more entertaining.
Visit Healthy Eyes and try one of their optical illusions, find out about related charities and see staggering statistics.

Fashion and Glasses - Top Trends

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 01:00:00 +0000

If you love fashion and want to stay ahead in the style stakes; I’ll be keeping you up to date on the latest styles straight from the catwalk – and the perfect eyewear to complete your look.

The Trend – 70’s Safari

Think – Animal print, platform heels and big jewellery.

The glasses - For a modern take on 70’s style, these Guess glasses will set off your look perfectly.

Guess GU1537ST

A-Z of eye problems: Amblyopia

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Amblyopia

Amblyopia is also known as “lazy eye”, and normally affects just one of the eyes.
It occurs because the brain and the eye are not working correctly together.
Amblyopia is “the most common cause of visual impairment in childhood”.
If amblyopia is detected at an early age (usually before the age of 7), it can be corrected, usually by “patching”
For this treatment, a patch is placed over the “good” eye, making the child use the “bad” eye, which then stimulates vision in this weaker eye.
Presently, there is no research to say that treating “lazy eye” in adults is effective, as the eyes develop rapidly in childhood, however, it is now thought that treatment for children up to the age of 17 can be beneficial.

For more information, visit Patient.co.uk

Any eye health content in our blog is for information only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Ask The Expert - Glasses for small or narrow faces

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you find glasses frames generally too wide - don't worry - you are not alone. Around 1 in 10 prescription glasses wearers consider themselves to have a smaller or thinner face and find many of the frames too wide. Fortunately, with a little guidance it's still pretty straight forward to select your frames online.

Shop our new range of glasses for small or narrow faces here.

We will shortly be publishing a comprehensive guide on this subject, in the meantime, please give us a call and we will talk you through it!

How to choose glasses

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you need some help choosing glasses, send me a description of yourself or a link to a photo, and we will suggest styles and colours to suit you.
Descriptions will need to include your hair colour, eye colour and face shape (for example,round, heart-shaped, oval)
Don’t be shy, ask the experts, we’re here to help!

Online Glasses: "Top Tips On Bagging A Bargain & Avoiding A Scam"

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

I mean come on SIX POUNDS! That’s the price of a pint of beer with a pie and chip lunch at your local Wetherspoons!

Analyse the costs further and the equation becomes even worse! If you factor in the VAT that the company has to pay to the government (at 20% of the glasses price) and the cost of the case, postage and packaging - then you are looking at an actual cost of the glasses of about £4. FOUR POUNDS! That the price of a Large Big Mac Meal and not much more than a posh coffee from the likes of Starbucks or COSTA Coffee!

So how much do glasses really cost and how can they do this?

So how or why do they do it and what is the catch?

Some firms use loss leaders. These are products that they sell at below cost price as part of a marketing strategy. This is done to gain your trust and to build a customer relationship with you. Their marketing teams hope for future more profitable sales from you - or from people you recommend them to. A few ‘headline grabbing’ incredibly cheap products may be thrown in to the mix in the knowledge that you might spend some time looking at their website and then buy an alternative more profitable item.

Sometimes, the answer is rather less appealing and the firm may be run by cowboys. Select one of these outfits and at best, the quality of both product and service are likely to be severely compromised. Sometimes it can be far worse and your ‘bargain buy’ can become your worst nightmare. You pay your money online in good faith and despite increasingly angry emails you start to realise that you are never going to receive your glasses – you have been scammed!

Feast or famine

Loss leaders if you can find the ‘real deals’ can prove to be great bargains. The problem is that it can be hard to tell the difference between the good, the bad and the ugly. Some would argue that if you are only dealing with small quantities of money – then perhaps the potentially amazing bargain is worth the risk? Well, yes, maybe – so long as you don’t get scammed for further unauthorized larger debit card transactions. If you are really unlucky this could cost you hundreds of pounds in fraudulent transactions and whilst you may be able to claim it back from your bank – it’s stressful and a hell of a hassle.

So what would we recommend? How can I choose a decent pair of specs online?

SpecsPost offer a 'best value cheap prescription glasses range" starting at just £10 + postage and packing. Want to check out our credentials? Review a range of independent feedback via our strategic partner for mail order glasses the Daily Mail.

A New Look for SS11

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Ever since the much copied "Rachel" cut of '94, Jennifer Anistons' hair has been a hot topic of conversation amongst us girls. After her recent chop, the A-lister admitted she hated the hairdo made famous in the hit show Friends. Which had me thinking; how many of us have had a drastic change of hair style only to regret it later?

Lucky for Jennifer, having celebrity hair stylists on hand means the risk of a bad barnet is much lower. The publicity can't hurt either. After all, in a celeb-centred world, hair makes headlines.

If you want to shake up your style for spring, a change of eyewear could give you a brand new look; so you can be right on trend this season. With glasses covering up to 25% of our faces, it's not surprising how changing your usual style of specs can instantly update your look. With recent pics of Jen and other A-listers looking glam in their glasses, and news of Beyonce launching an eyewear collection, it's clear that this trend is here to stay

So before you opt for a dramatic chop or a bottle blonde, consider a new colour or style of eyewear instead.

"Circumstances when you should absolutely NOT buy glasses online"

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Purchasing your prescriptions glasses online or via mail order can be provide an excellent money saving alternative to buying from a high street optician. However it is not the right option for everyone and there are several circumstances when you should absolutely NOT buy your glasses online. The following are the 3 main circumstances when you should not buy your glasses online:-

1. If you are buying for someone under the age of 16. In the UK under the Opticians Act 1989. This is because it is illegal to dispense glasses to the under 16s unless a qualified optometrist or Dispensing Optician is actually present

2. If you have a very high or complex prescription. With this type of prescription you need to be measured to ensure that the centres of the lenses match the centre of your pupils. If this is incorrect it could lead to visual distortion and headaches

3. If your prescription is over 2 years old

If in doubt give us a call. We can arrange for you to talk to a qualified dispensing optician about your specific prescription [0844 870 7894] and what level of service we can provide in your area.

We pride ourselves on providing honest, no nonsense advice so that you can make an informed decision about whether mail order glasses or a purchase from a more traditional local high street optician is going to provide the best solution for your particular needs.

A-Z of Eye Diseases

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Many people do not have regular sight tests. Usually as they can see fine and do not think they need glasses.
Even those of us who do wear specs are sometimes guilty of postponing our check-ups, as we feel our current prescription is fine, or we simply can’t find the time to go.
However, sight tests can also pick up on any eye health problems.
You should visit your optician every two years, or more often if you are over 45 years old and have a family history of eye health issues.
In later posts, we’ll be describing the main eye problems, from A to Z.

Should you ditch your optician?

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Goodness no! Your local optician not only provides your prescription, but also checks for any eye problems. Your optician will keep an eye (excuse the pun) on your general health (a sight test can detect problems like high blood pressure and diabetes) and can also spot eye diseases in their early stages so any treatment can be given promptly.

So should you buy your glasses from your optician?

It is worth remembering that your optician is obliged by law to give you a copy of your prescription. You do not have to buy your glasses from the shop where you had your eyes tested. A good optician will appreciate that they can only stock so many brands and styles of glasses; and it is important to choose a pair which you are happy with, a pair which suit your face and your pocket!

If you are buying for anyone under the age of 16 then no you cannot buy glasses online. If your prescription is strong then online retailers may not be able to help (check their Frequently Asked Questions for limits).

Even bifocals and varifocals can be purchased online. Glasses are sold at much lower costs from a website; as with no shop, there are fewer overheads and the savings are passed on to you.

If you are unsure about buying glasses online, you can buy just the frames from a website and have your lenses put in by your optician. You will still save a considerable amount of money.

If you have seen a designer style in an opticians shop which you like but find to be too expensive, note down the product name or code (this can be found inside the arm of the glasses) and have a look online; it is likely that you will find the exact pair for much less from a website.

If you are concerned about the lack of fitting, many opticians will still fit your glasses, even if they were bought online. Some will carry out this service for free, others will charge a small fee.

Many online retailers will allow you to try a pair at home, so you can be sure they are right for you before adding the lenses. Always remember, your vision is important, so don’t be afraid to ask any questions if you are unsure. Always make sure there is a telephone number for the company, a good retailer will have staff who are happy to answer any questions.

Which are greener, glasses or contacts?

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you wear contact lenses, you also need to wear glasses to give your eyes a rest.
So how environmentally friendly are contacts?
According to one article, wearing “daily disposables (contact lenses) for a couple of years could contribute 22 times more greenhouse gas emissions than wearing glasses over that time”.
Join the debate, and read the full article.

5 ways to reduce puffy eyes

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Most of us can be guilty of burning the candle at both ends, having a few too many to drink and not looking after ourselves; and it shows in our eyes.
Puffy eyes are brought on by dehydration, water retention, lack of sleep, stress, even too much crying.
These are some of the best (and cheapest!) remedies for puffy eyes:

Cold tea bags

Put two used tea bags in the fridge to chill, and when cold place over the eyes for 15 minutes, and relax.
Tea contains caffeine, which helps with fluid retention by draining the water from the tissue under the eyes.
Tea is also rich in antioxidants, which can help prevent premature aging of the delicate skin around the eye area.
You can use black or green tea, or chamomile tea, which has anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce those puffy eyes.

Potato juice

Sounds strange but really works! Like chamomile tea, the starch in potatoes has anti-inflammatory properties, and sooths irritated eyes.
Simply peel one potato, then wash, dry and grate finely. Place the grated potato in a clean cloth and place over both eyes.

Cucumber

Probably the easiest remedy, however this only works because it is cold. You could use cold spoons placed over the eyelids instead, but both of these are quick fixes and only provide a temporary solution.

Water

Drinking lots of water will keep you hydrated. Often, puffy eyes are caused by your body storing water when you are dehydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids will stop your body from retaining water.

Salt

Excess salt can also cause water retention, so cutting down on salt should also help reduce puffy eyes.

Top 9 reasons why glasses are better than contacts

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Including avoiding a shiner, earning more money, saving the world...

You might not be able to afford an Armani suit or a Gucci handbag, but you can have a designer pair of specs. There is no such thing as a designer contact lens! Glasses are fashion accessories; even people who don’t need corrective lenses are wearing them!

Glasses are better for camping trips. No sterilizing solutions are needed for glasses and you don’t need to wash your hands before you put them on!

Continuing on this theme – you can use the lenses from your glasses to light a camp fire, although not at night time and only about 3 weeks of the year in the UK when the sun is actually out.

Dropped contact lenses are much harder to find than a misplaced pair of glasses (especially in a field of cows on your camping trip.)

Specs are genuinely reusable - more than 1 billion people in developing countries need eyeglasses but cannot afford them. You don’t need to throw your old glasses away there are a number of charities which revamp and redistribute specs to the 3rd world.

Glasses may be a more environmentally friendly option than daily disposable contact lenses. Just think about the amount of packaging you throw away with daily disposables clogging up a landfill site near you.

Glasses can earn you money! You could be more successful in job interviews; studies have shown that glasses-wearers are perceived to be more intelligent.

More flexibility - Glasses can be taken off and stored more easily. You can match your glasses to your personality, whether you’re stylish, practical or fashionable. You can also have more than one pair of glasses to suit your mood.

Glasses can stop you getting hurt – no one punches a man wearing glasses, for contact lens wearers it’s another story! Although please don’t try this one out at the pub on Saturday, exceptions can happen.

3 things you should know when buying glasses online

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Top tips for buying mail order or online glasses

Do they suit me?

As a rule, your glasses should be the opposite to the shape of your face. For example, people with round faces suit angular frames, and vice versa.
Your glasses should complement your skin tone, hair and eye colour, and your personality.

Are they comfortable?

Occasionally, people can find some frames quite heavy, and feel uncomfortable after wearing them for a long time.
Some companies will let you try the frames at home before adding the lenses, so you can see if they fit nicely and suit you.

Are they versatile?

Can you wear them with everything? Probably not, so you may want to think about having more than one pair.
Luckily, modern ways of buying glasses means that you can save up to 70% compared to high street prices, so it is affordable to have different pairs of glasses for various outfits and occasions.

Specs in the press

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

We all know how expensive glasses can be, and you’d be pretty upset if someone broke yours. If it was you who broke someone’s specs, you would probably feel very bad, maybe even offer to pay for a replacement pair.
In July, a man was imprisoned for a scam in which he would weaken or break his own budget eyeglasses, then accuse people who passed him in the street of breaking them. He then used threatening behaviour to obtain up to $100 a time from unsuspecting people, in order to make his living.
You can read the full article at Wall Street Journal

5 things you must know when buying online

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Before buying anything online, there are a few things you should know.

How to contact the company

You need to be sure that the company you wish to buy from is trustworthy and legitimate. After all, online businesses often don’t have a physical shop you can visit.
You should make sure the company has a telephone number so that you can easily speak to someone about your order, should you need to.

Returns policy

Check the returns policy. Companies are not obliged to give refunds for custom-made items (such as glasses with prescription lenses), however, some sites will offer a money back guarantee, so you can buy without worrying.

Shop around

You can expect to save up to 70% by purchasing your glasses online, so shop around and make sure you’re getting the best deal! But remember, it’s not about cheap glasses online, it’s about great value glasses online, so make sure you trust the company, and can return the item if you’re unhappy with the quality.

Research and reviews

Do your research! Look for testimonials on the website, speak to someone at the company if you are unsure, see if they have other happy customers.

Your Pupillary Distance measurement

For you to see clearly, when your glasses are made up, the centre of the lenses should be in line with the centre of your pupil.
For this to be accurate, your pupillary distance measurement is needed.
You can ask your optician for this during your sight test, or take it yourself with the help of a friend.To get your measurement, hold a millimetre ruler just above your eyes and measure the distance. The average distance is 63 millimetres.
Some companies are happy for you to send in an old pair of specs for them to take the measurement from.

For more advice and tips on buying online, visit ConsumerDirect.Gov

IPhone apps for glasses

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

A new app for the IPhone allows you to easily take your pupillary distance measurement yourself, no friend with a ruler or optometrist needed! Pupil Meter is available for £2.99 from the IPhone store.

If you’re really stuck and you’ve lost or broken your glasses, you could try IGlasses, an app which turns your IPhone into a magnifying glass…

Why 12 pairs is never enough

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There’s boots for the winter and sandals for summer,
Two pairs of “work shoes”; one comfy, one smart.
Heels for each dress when you need to impress,
Pumps for the gym (help for looking the part!)

There’s wellies for bonfire night, festivals, snow,
Jellies and flip flops for sun, sea and sand,
Slip on your slippers for nights by the fire,
(Slip on kinky boots for that night in you planned…)

But just one pair of glasses? Well that can’t be right,
One specs, twenty shoes, for two feet and two eyes?
They used to be pricey, but now I can see,
Online is much better, now you can buy three!

Rimless glasses

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Rimless frames are fast becoming a popular choice for fashion conscious glasses wearers.
With framed glasses covering up to 25% of your face, a rimless frame allows people to see your fabulous features.
With rimless glasses, you never need to worry that your glasses clash with your outfit; although if you like to accessorize, many people choose to experiment with various inexpensive frames to match their different looks.
These frames are usually supplied with thinner lenses, however they may be unsuitable for people with a very strong prescription, who might prefer to try a semi-rimless frame.

How non prescription reading glasses can ruin your eyesight

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

You may at one time have lost or broken your glasses, and been tempted to opt for a pair of ready-readers.
With reading glasses available for as little as a pound, it’s no wonder people take a chance on them, but are these bargain specs too good to be true?
Which?, the leading provider of independent reviews for consumers, had their optometrist check out some of the specs on offer from high street stores, and found that most of them would be unsuitable for the majority of people and could even lead to eye problems.
Many of the ready-readers tested had large distances between the lens centres; and as our eyes adapt quickly to changes in our vision, wearing these glasses could cause problems when you return to wearing glasses with a correct lens distance.
To see the full review, visit Which? .

Non prescription glasses

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

We've seen celebrities wearing glasses with blank lenses, high street stores selling geek chic specs purely for fashion, even teens recreating the look by removing the lenses from their 3D glasses!
Designers are creating eyewear collections and many of us now see our specs as our "face jewellery" and love to accessorize with fashion glasses.
So is it ok to style it up with non-prescription specs?
Some people are still unsure. There are forums online with people asking the question "is it silly to wear glasses if I don't need them?"
I think this trend is here to stay. Fashion is taking the stigma out of specs, making them into desirable accessories for fashionistas worldwide; so if you are blessed with 20/20 vision but want to wear glasses, give them a go! Those of us who wear glasses already know it's a great way to update your look (and less risky than home hair-colouring!).

Glasses for kids

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

I recently came across a fantastic site for parents of children who wear glasses.
It is described as “a community for family and friends of little ones in glasses. A place to share experiences, tips, tricks and pictures”.
As a former wearer of patches myself, I particularly like their advice and support on patching.
If your little one needs glasses, check out Little Four Eyes and find even more links to useful websites for looking after little eyes.

False eyelashes

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

False eyelashes have become increasingly popular. Once a favourite of 60’s starlets, false lashes have made a comeback; with celebrity endorsement from Girls Aloud and in particular, the ever- popular Ms Cheryl Cole.
Last year, X Factor’s Katie Waissel and Cher Lloyd both showed a fondness for falsies and girls everywhere copied the look.
According to Debenhams, they have seen a year on year increase of 1,000% in the sale of false eyelashes.
Even if you don’t wear them yourself, there’s every chance your daughter/niece/cousin will, so here are a few tips on caring for your eyes when using false lashes:
Be sure to apply them with clean hands.
Always stick them to your eyelids rather than your eyelashes; and make sure you are using a good quality glue (usually supplied with your false lashes)
Keep them in a clean, dry case and always wash them before using again.
Don’t share them with anybody!
And even if the rest of your make up stays on; always take your lashes off before bed.

i caps

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Macular degeneration is a condition which results in age-related vision loss.
It is the most common cause of vision loss in people over 50 years old.
The macular is an important part of the retina, at the back of the eye. It is essential for central vision, which enables us to recognize faces, read, drive and partake in other activities which need straight-ahead vision.
Because of the lutein and zeaxanthin content in the macular, it is yellow in colour, which absorbs excess UV light and therefore acts as natural protection for this part of the retina.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids, which are naturally occurring pigments, responsible for the red, yellow and orange colour of fruits and vegetables, and are also present in many dark green vegetables.
Carotenoids are a source of vitamin A, which helps vision in dim light.
Studies in recent years have found lutein and zeaxanthin to be essential micronutrients for eye health.
The National Institution of Health (NIH) commissioned the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), which found that taking a combination of vitamins and zinc had a beneficial effect on participants with moderate to advanced macular degeneration.
At this time, lutein and zeaxanthin were not commercially available, and so were not included in this particular study.
The vitamins used in the AREDS formula are vitamin C (which protects cells and keeps them healthy), vitamin E (which protects cell membranes) and vitamin A (which helps vision in dim light).
These are all antioxidants, which protect the eye from free radical damage; and when taken with zinc, participants of the AREDS were found to have the lowest risk of developing advanced stages of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and the accompanying vision loss.
The vitamins which are essential for good eye health, can be found naturally in foods, although in much smaller doses than used in the study.
These can be found in foods such as broccoli, kale, spinach, green and orange peppers, and sweet potatoes.
Lutein is present in leafy, green vegetables, egg yolk, peas, red peppers and beetroot.
However, in order to maximise the effect of antioxidants and carotenoids, you would need much higher doses than can be found in food alone.
The formula of antioxidants and carotenoids used in the AREDS is now available as a daily supplement. It is also available with added lutein and zeaxanthin.
The supplement is sold under the name ICaps and is aimed at people aged 40 years and over.
This supplement is frequently recommended by opticians, pharmacists and nutritionists.
Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
For more information about ICaps and where to purchase them, you can email us at sales@specspost.co.uk

Make-up tips for glasses wearers

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When you wear glasses, you have to be careful when choosing your make-up; and any flaws in your application will be magnified through your lenses.
Start with neatly shaped eyebrows. This is even more important when wearing glasses, as the attention is drawn to this area. There is nowhere for unruly brows to hide…
Ladies, I know this is a hard habit to break, but try not to wear much mascara on your upper eyelashes. Your lashes will constantly brush the lenses (which can be very annoying) and may even leave flecks of mascara on the inside of the lens. Not a good look.
Using mascara on your lower lashes, and a little white eyeliner on your inner eyelid will give you a wide-eyed look.
If you own a statement pair of specs like these here, you will need very little make up. Start with a flawless base and accentuate your lips!
Use a powder blusher for a softer, more delicate appearance.
It’s best to avoid too much eye-shadow; and no harsh lines around the eyes please…
Go down a shade of your usual eye-liner and try smudging it slightly using an angled eye-brush.
For a modern-vintage look, try wearing a green eye-shadow under a rounded, tortoise shell frame.

History of Glasses

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Did you know it took almost three hundred and fifty years after the invention of glasses, to find the best way to keep them on!
Keep reading to find out why…

Today glasses are seen as a fashion item; helping us to express our personalities as well as correcting our eyesight, but it wasn’t always like this.

It was in the 1930’s that people first began to see spectacles as accessories, and no longer felt there was such a stigma attached to having less than perfect eyesight.

Sunglasses also became popular at this time, with Hollywood stars wearing them during filming to reduce glare from the studio lights.

Before this, pince-nez were worn by both men and women. This style of spectacles have no earpieces, and were designed to stay on by pinching the nose. These were popular at the end of the 19th century, but were still worn by older generations until the 1930’s.

In the 19th century, women used lorgnettes. These are glasses with handles, designed to be held rather than worn. They were considered to be more like items of jewellery than visual aids.

In the 1800’s, the monacle was introduced in England. It was connected by string to the wearers’ clothing to avoid losing it, and it could be hidden quickly, as many people in those days were ashamed of their bad eyesight.

In the 1780’s, bifocals were developed by Benjamin Franklin. He was frustrated by needing two pairs of glasses; one for distance and one for reading. He had the lenses from both cut in half and had one half from each placed in the same circle, allowing him to wear one pair of glasses by moving his eyes up or down accordingly.

In 1752 double-hinged side pieces were invented.

In 1730 rigid side pieces were invented.

In the 17th century, silk ribbons were used to keep glasses on, with loops tied over the ears. Later, weights were fixed to the ribbon, so it would rest over the ears instead of tying loops.

In 1306 a monk of Pisa said “It is not yet twenty years since the art of making spectacles was discovered.”

In 1268 an English philosopher wrote how examining letters through glass or a similar material, makes letters appear larger and more clearly; if it is shaped like “the lesser segment of a sphere, with the convex side towards the eye”.

Trends in eyewear

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

This year has seen a growing popularity in the geek chic styles favoured by celebrities. Once primarily a fashion for men, wearing these black, rounded spectacles has now become just as crucial a trend for women. Non-prescription frames can be found in many high street stores (something many of us never thought we’d see, having spent our childhood days trying to lose/break/forget our own geeky glasses!).

As the style has evolved, perhaps due to influence from the media and shows such as Mad Men, there is more emphasis on the 50’s style cats’ eye for women, and angular frames for men.

Another key trend is to have cut out detail on the arms of your spectacles, a design feature which has been used by all the main designers and fashion houses this year.

Frames using a mix of materials are very popular this year, as are plastics in either white or translucent colours.

We have all these new styles in our current collections, so that you can be on trend, for much less.

From top to bottom: Jill Stuart £95.00, Missoni £79.00, Emporio Armani £85.00, Intensity by Sammy G £35.00

Up close and personalised glasses

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Most of us like to feel that we have something unique to us, that nobody else has and that complements our personalities. Which led me to look into spectacles which can be customized.

Now, we all grew up with Lego - Actually, some of us never grew out of it...- JP

They’ve made cameras, MP3 players, and now even glasses.

Using the iconic bricks, you customize the arms for your personal pair of Lego frames.

For the less nostalgic among you, there are the Prada Private.

These decidedly more grown-up frames come with letters, numbers and symbols to create a design classic of your own.

A Spectacular New Year

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

So it's January. Christmas is over, our wallets are almost empty and our trousers too tight.

Lucky for me, there are two things I wear that will always fit; shoes and specs. Even after all those mince pies and chocolates, my glasses still look fabulous!

At the moment, I'm wearing these gorgeous glasses by Guess:

which give me some much needed glamour on these cold, dark mornings.

And although our purses are feeling the pinch, we can still treat ourselves to some new specs for the new year.

So now the eyewear's sorted, that just leaves the shoes...

Happy New Year from all at SpecsPost

Bespoke Your Specs!

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Want your glasses to be a little different? There are a whole range of options to give you something that is unique to you. From getting existing frames gold plated through to having your glasses hand painted! Over the coming months we will run through the excited, weird and wonderful options available to spectacle wearers in 2011.