Year in Review

Now that 2018 is in the rearview mirror, we can properly asses which eyeglasses styles really stood out over the year. Even the casual culture observer knows styles cycle in and out, and the frames our customers loved last year were no exception. It was both a futuristic and retro year when it came to frame fashion. In fact, we saw modern spins on frames from the ’60s, ’80s and early ’90s. Without any further ado, see what frame styles our customers loved in 2018!

Ready to kick off 2022 with a new you? Check out our 2022 styles or snatch up the 2018 styles that are still going strong.

SHOP WOMEN / SHOP MEN

OVAL WINNER: WINDSOR OVAL

• PRICE: From $5.95
• Colors: Black and Clear
• Face Shape: Square, Heart, Diamond and Oval
• What We Love: Trendy transparent frames with the oval rock star shape that looks great on everyone

By far, our Windsor Oval secured the top slot in not only the oval category but also as our overall top seller of 2018. Available in black and clear, the clear version clearly (ha!) took the lead. We took a moment to contemplate why the Windsor lapped its competition, but didn’t take long to figure out. The Windsor clearly has three huge draws:

It works for everyone.

An oval frame looks great on nearly every face shape, specifically square, heart, diamond and – you guessed it – oval! Traditional wisdom says the only odd one out of the oval-frame party is the round face, but we at Payne stress that confidence outshines shape any day. In other words: You absolutely love this look? Then it looks great on you!

It’s trendy and flattering.

Transparent frames are currently very popular and the clear version of the Windsor has the added benefit of being a thick, trendy frame whose color – or lack of it! – doesn’t detract from the best features of your face (which are all of them).

It features the widest appeal.

The Windsor has wide appeal across gender and age. Younger and older generations alike picked up the Windsor last year, and we don’t see this trend slowing down any time soon.

(Final draw: The price point. Seriously, how can you pass up all the above beginning at $5.95? Its price and first-place position among our bestsellers are proof that style really can come at factory prices.)

After all that, it’s no surprise that a frame with such wide appeal secured the No. 1 slot. The fact that it doesn’t dent the wallet doesn’t hurt, either. As the definitive reigning champion of 2018, it’s also primed to keep its momentum through 2022 and beyond. We’ll see what the people decide!

Second Place: Lynn Oval

CAT-EYE WINNER: AMORE CAT-EYE

• PRICE: From $5.95
• Colors: Black and Pink
• Face Shape: Heart and Diamond
• What We Love: Sassy in both black and pink

When we think of cat-eye frames, the sharp styles of the 1960s come to mind. But the frame actually first appeared in the 1930s as an attempt to make glasses feel less boring. It’s safe to say those industry-movers succeeded: the eye-catching style was snapped up by ’60s cultural icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn and caught on quickly with fashionable folks everywhere.

Though the ’30s (and for that matter, the ’60s) were decades ago, the cat-eye has made a comeback and adopted a few other modern style shticks: larger frames, thick acetate or plastic and sassy colors. However, this doesn’t mean traditional smaller and metal cat-eyes should be passed up. Although our Amore Cat-Eye definitely fits the first description, our smaller and metal-rimmed Dee Cat-Eye secured a solid second place in this race to the top.

So if you’re feeling sassy and sophisticated, and want to channel your inner Monroe or Hepburn without the lavish lifestyle (this frame starts at $5.95!), this classy style is positively perfect for you.

Second Place: Dee Cat-Eye

RECTANGLE WINNER: KENT RECTANGLE

• PRICE: From $5.95
• Colors: Black and Green
• Face Shape: Oval, Round, Heart and Diamond
• What We Love: Bold and versatile

You can’t walk past the Kent without taking note, and this is precisely why we think the Kent strode through 2018 with such widespread popularity. Here are the major factors we think put the Kent ahead:

Bold look. The thick black frames are a classy yet eye-catching look. While the black variety of these frames came out on top, we did note the green version was also quite popular as a pair of sunglasses.

Versatile shape. Much like the oval, rectangle frames look great on nearly everyone – oval, round, heart and diamond faces, to be precise. The only face shape that may look a little square with the boxy Kent is, unsurprisingly, the square face shape. But again, we stress that confidence can out-do conventional wisdom and if you love this frame style, you can rock it just as much as other face shapes do.

Second Place: Swirl Rectangle

ROUND WINNER: BETTY ROUND

• PRICE: From $5.95
• Colors: Pink
• Face Shape: Oval, Round, Heart and Diamond
• What We Love: It brightens every room (and face!)

Pink is an undeniable favorite when it comes to choosing a hue that is both vibrant and youthful. Our Betty Round also has the added benefit of being transparent plastic, so not only does it brighten anyone’s face with a pop of color, but doesn’t wholly block or break up a face’s natural features like opaque frames can.

Much like our other customer favorites, the Betty Round complements a variety of face shapes. Coupling that with its price point, and we have a feeling that customers who are feeling playful are fitting on their Betty Rounds and owning their day.

Second Place: Vee Round

SQUARE WINNER: AURORA SQUARE

• PRICE: From $8.95
• Colors: Black
• Face Shape: Oval and Round
• What We Love: Classic round with an air of sophistication

What we love about the Aurora is that it instantly brings sophistication to any wearer. Its stark black frame and distinctive nose bridge offer the perfect hints of class and professional polish. Our customers love it, too!

Once again, at this price point, it’s not surprising that the Aurora was so popular among glasses wearers. We think that if square frames were more versatile (they pair great with oval and round faces), it would have reigned even more supreme.

Second Place: Midnight Square

BROWLINE WINNER: PRESTIGE BROWLINE

• PRICE: From $8.95
• Colors: Black and Gray
• Face Shape: Oval, round, heart and diamond*
• What We Love: The perfect emphasis on the eyebrows

Browlines feel like the quintessential ’50s and ’60s style. This makes sense, considering they were created in 1947! Browlines come in a variety of frame shapes, but they all have a thicker upper frame that mimics eyebrows and emphasizes the wearer’s natural brow line. Up till recently, Browlines were associated either with decades past or nerd culture, but they have since broken out into the mainstream again in a major way.

Our Prestige carries an $8.95 starting price point, something its second place (the Harper Brownline) doesn’t quite share. So if you’re looking for both “the look” and the price, the Prestige is ready and waiting for you!

* A small note on the face shapes for the Prestige: Because it’s a square frame, it pairs fantastically with faces that look great in squares. For round Browlines such as the Harper, the matching face shape will change accordingly!

Second Place: Harper Browline

AVIATOR WINNER: JOURNEY AVIATOR

• PRICE: From $16.95
• Colors: Black, Gold and Clear (Silver)
• Face Shape: Diamond
• What We Love: The perfect ready-to-kick-butt-and-take-names frame

Pop culture has anointed aviators as an ’80s favorite thanks to movies like Top Gun, but did you know General Douglas MacArthur was sporting a pair of aviator sunglasses when he landed in the Philippines during World War II? It marked a major victory for the Allied forces and helped raise the frame style to its kick-butt, take-names fame. Another fun fact is this frame style was designed for fighter pilots in 1936 to protect their eyes while flying (hence the name!).

That said, if you’re ready channel your inner kick-butt persona or rock one of the most iconic shapes for sunglasses, you know which aviator is waiting for you.

Second Place: Flair Aviator

RIMLESS WINNER: FINESSE RIMLESS

• PRICE: From $19.95
• Colors: Brown and Clear (Silver)
• Face Shape: Varies
• What We Love: Timeless and minimalist

Also called Benjamin Franklin-style frames, rimless glasses are classic and minimalist. While the 1800s throwback can’t be ignored, these frames are also modern favorites because of their minimalist style. The lack of a rim around the lenses can make these frames feel lighter. At the same time, the subtle, simple appearance won’t distract from the natural features of the face. Finally, this frame style has the added effect of adding a cool intellectual vibe to its wearers!

The only downside to rimless is that, because the lenses aren’t housed in a protective frame, their unique fragility can make them susceptible to cracking when dropped. This is why we recommend our durable polycarbonate lenses with this frame style, which can buff up its durability and let you enjoy this style at the same time.

Second Place: Christina Rimless

CIRCULAR WINNER: ZEST CIRCULAR

• PRICE: From $16.95
• Colors: Black and Yellow
• Face Shape: Oval, Square, Round and Santa
• What We Love: A 1800s throwback with an eye-catching look

We received several queries about this frame just as the end-of-year holiday season swung in. Why? Because professional Santas absolutely loved the classic circle style and bridge that rested directly on the nose. Now, we can’t say that only Santas raised the Zest to be No. 1 in the circular category, but it’s somehow comforting to imagine an army of Santas out there nailing Old St. Nick’s look just right.

Separate from that tidbit, circular frames are a timeless look that, depending on the size, can work for a variety of face shapes. If Santa’s Zest Circular isn’t quite the circular style you’re looking for, consider our second place:

Second Place: Razz Circular

OVERSIZED WINNER: SERA OVERSIZED

• PRICE: From $19.95
• Colors: Black, Blue and Red
• Face Shape: Varies
• What We Love: Perfect for customers who love to go big or go home

Our final 2018 style contender is the Sera, winner of the Oversized category because… well, she’s the only one of her kind. But that didn’t stop her from climbing the sales charts because Sera fans are they type who are looking to go big or go home.

If you love a wide frame, we found the look for you. It’s undeniably bold and makes your glasses stand out as one of your most attractive accessories.

How Did Yours Rate?

Did you see your frame in the top 10 or honorable mentions? Or do you love these styles and want them as your own? Fortunately for you, many of these styles will continue to be popular throughout the coming years, so shop away! At factory prices, we make it possible to pick a frame for every style you have in mind.

We’re looking forward to finding out what the most popular glasses are for the coming years. What will be the top picks in 2022 or the most popular glasses frames for 2023? We already have our predictions. That said, our crystal ball is only so perfect, so we look forward to being pleasantly surprised! Start your own trend by shopping at Payne Glasses today.