On trend

Oversized glasses have become a fashion staple, offering both style and practicality. From bold statement frames to comfortable, well-balanced prescriptions, oversized glasses allow you to express your personality while ensuring your vision needs are met.  In this guide, we cover everything from face shapes and frame-fit tips to designer options available at Leightons.   Why Are Oversized Glasses Trending?  The oversized glasses trend has evolved over decades, rooted in both fashion history and contemporary runway influence. In the 1970s, large frames became a symbol of self-expression, popularised by film stars, musicians, and cultural icons seeking to stand out. During the 1980s and 1990s, the trend embraced bold colors, geometric shapes, and dramatic designs, cementing oversized glasses as both a fashion and lifestyle statement. Today, oversized eyewear is experiencing a modern resurgence, driven in part by the revival of retro styles. Spring/Summer 2025 runways showcased this trend prominently, with luxury houses such as Chloé, Dolce & Gabbana, and Diesel featuring striking oversized glasses and sunglasses that blended nostalgia with contemporary flair. Whether through color, shape, or texture, large frames now serve as standout fashion statements, while designers continue experimenting with innovative materials and creative silhouettes. This makes oversized eyewear a versatile accessory that bridges classic influences with modern wardrobes. Beyond aesthetics, oversized glasses are valued for their functional benefits. The larger lens area can reduce the need for frequent head movements, improve peripheral vision, and provide better accommodation for complex prescriptions or multifocal lenses.   What Face Shapes Suit Oversized Glasses? Thinking of switching to oversized frames but unsure on size? Oversized frames aren’t a one-size-fits-all, here’s how to match them to your face shape: Round faces: Choose angular oversized frames to add structure. Oval faces: Most oversized styles suit this balanced shape, from square to round frames. Square faces: Soft, rounded oversized glasses help soften jawlines. Heart-shaped faces: Frames wider at the top balance narrower chins. On the other hand, if you have a very narrow face or a heart shape with a slim chin, large or heavy frames can easily overpower your features. In these cases, opt for softly oversized styles with lighter rims and a slightly narrower lens width to maintain balance and proportion. Tip: Oversized glasses should extend slightly beyond the widest part of your face for proportion without overwhelming features.   How big is too big? Finding the perfect fit Even in oversized styles, fit is key to comfort and aesthetics. A few factors to consider:Frame width: Should align with your temple width. Frames too wide may slip, too narrow can pinch. Lens height: Larger lenses are great for style but shouldn’t obstruct eyebrow movement. Bridge fit: Ensures the frame sits comfortably on the nose without sliding. Rule of thumb: If your glasses feel secure without pressure points and your peripheral vision is clear, you’ve likely found the right size.   Practical Prescription Considerations While oversized glasses can be a fashion statement, it’s important that they must support your prescription comfortably. Lens weight: Larger lenses can be heavier, consider lightweight materials like high-index lenses or polycarbonate. Frame balance: Look for adjustable nose pads or acetate frames that distribute weight evenly. Optical performance: Ensure the lens covers the full visual field, and minimise the effects of distortion with individualised lenses Tip: Our opticians at Leightons can assess your prescription needs when choosing oversized frames. You can also book a free style consultation to get personalised advice on selecting frames that perfectly match your style and lifestyle.   Inspiration For Men Oversized glasses can instantly elevate a man’s look, creating a bold and confident style statement. Men can experiment with classic dark frames for a professional, sophisticated vibe, or try tortoiseshell and patterned frames for a more playful, fashion-forward look. Popular oversized shapes for men include square, rectangular, and aviator-inspired designs, which balance strong jawlines and facial features.   Inspiration For Women For women, oversized glasses are a versatile accessory, adding glamour and sophistication to both casual and formal outfits. Round or cat-eye shapes can soften facial features, while square or geometric frames provide a bold, contemporary edge. Colourful frames and gradient lenses can add an extra touch of personality and creativity.   Oversized Prescription Glasses at Leightons Oversized frames from designer brands can offer high-quality materials and thoughtful engineering for prescription comfort. Our curated selection of designer oversized prescription glasses ensures high-quality materials, thoughtful engineering, and stylish designs for every lifestyle. Explore these standout options below, or find our full range of glasses brands available at Leightons. Tom Ford Oversized Glasses Tom Ford oversized frames are instantly recognizable for their bold, angular designs and luxurious finishes. They offer both acetate and metal options, balancing fashion with prescription comfort. Ideal for those wanting a high-fashion statement. Etnia Barcelona Oversized Frames  Etnia Barcelona is famous for vibrant colours and unique frame shapes. Oversized frames from Etnia suit bold personalities and can pair seamlessly with both casual and professional attire. Silhouette Oversized Glasses Silhouette focuses on ultra-light, rimless designs. Their oversized frames are surprisingly weightless, making them ideal for long-term wear while maintaining a large lens area. Blackfin Oversized Glasses Blackfin frames combine Italian craftsmanship with modern design. Oversized models are durable, lightweight, and perfect for those who want a designer frame that performs as well as it looks.   ProDesign Oversized Prescription Glasses  ProDesign offers innovative shapes and adjustable features, balancing cutting-edge design with comfort. Their oversized frames are great for high prescriptions where lens thickness might otherwise be a problem. Ready to try the oversized glasses trend? If you’re ready to embrace the oversized glasses trend, now is the perfect time to explore your options. Whether you’re searching for statement-making designer frames or everyday prescription comfort, Leightons has a wide range of oversized glasses to suit every style and prescription need. Pop into your local Leightons store, our opticians are ready to offer a free style consultation so you can discover the perfect oversized glasses for your face, style, and prescription.  

Your glasses are a daily companion and they go through a lot. From protecting your eyes from wind and dirt to coming into contact with the natural oils from your skin, they can become dirty really quickly. And keeping them clean is just part of your daily upkeep as it can lengthen the life of your glasses themselves and also make seeing through them easier – smudges and grime build-up aren’t easy to see through. Whether you’re improving old habits, realising you need to clean them more often, or just getting used to your new glasses, learn how to keep your glasses clean with Leightons in this two-part guide for both frames and lenses. How to clean your glasses lenses You’re going to need to clean your glasses fairly often – at least every day preferably or any time to notice smudges and dirt. Start with clean hands – washing your hands with soap and water ensures no dust or dirt that could scratch your lenses are on your hands. It also makes sure no bacteria or viruses are on your hands that could transfer to your glasses and into your eyes. Use a lens cleaning spray – gently spritz a suitable lens cleaner onto each side of your lenses. These cleansers are formulated to cut through oils and grime and leave your glasses streak free. Don’t be tempted to huff a breath onto them, this can leave more smudges. Use a microfiber/glasses cloth – Next, gently wipe your lenses over with a lint-free glasses cloth or microfiber cloth to clean away debris, dust, and oils. Wipe the entire lens – back and forth as well as in circular motions to clean the lenses thoroughly. Things to avoid when cleaning your glasses lenses Avoid using paper towels/dish cloths/clothing – Don’t use your t-shirt, random cloths, or paper towels as these can leave fibres behind or might cause micro scratches that are difficult to get rid of. Avoid using soaps and other ‘non-specialist’ cleaners alike – these can contain strong chemicals that will cause damage to the sensitive coating used when creating the lenses. Avoid breathing on your lenses to clean them – Although very common and almost everyone is guilty of doing so, it does more harm than good and causes smears and smudges. Ensure the water isn’t too hot as it can warp the lenses and frames and damage protective coating on your lenses. How to clean your glasses frames It’s also important to keep your glasses frames clean to remove dirt and bacteria built-up. Just like when cleaning your lenses, you will need to start with clean hands. Wash with warm water and soap before cleaning your glasses. Holding them by the sides to avoid warping, wipe the frames down with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Alternatively, you can use a special glasses cleaner to wipe down your frames. Things to avoid when cleaning your glasses frames Make sure the water isn’t too hot as it can warp or misshape the frames. If you’ve already cleaned the lenses, avoid allowing the soapy water to get onto the lenses – you don’t want to start the cleaning process over again. How to clean between your glasses lens and frame The gaps between your lenses and frames can become pretty gunked up over time so it’s worth spending time cleaning between them. The process is similar to cleaning your frames but it requires a bit more delicacy. Give your glasses a quick rinse under warm water – this is to help soften debris and dirt, making it easier to clean. Use a soft, micro-fibre cloth to clean your frames. You can use a glasses cleaning solution or a mild dish soap. Focus on the harder areas to clean like in the hinges, around the edges of the lenses, and around the nose pads where the most debris builds up. Make sure you rinse well when you’re done to remove any leftover cleaning products and to avoid smudges. If your glasses are particularly grubby, take them into your local Leightons branch for professional ultrasonic cleaning. You don’t have to do this thorough cleaning every time you clean your glasses, only when you notice a build up. How to properly store your glasses Storing your glasses and sunglasses helps to keep them free of dust while also ensuring they dont get knocked and scratched while you’re not wearing them. Hard cases are purpose-built to protect eyewear from external factors that could break or damage them. Glasses should be placed in the case with the lenses facing upward. Frame designers also build their cases with the frames in mind so it is recommended to store them in the case provided. Soft pouches don’t serve the same purpose as hard cases but they do protect your glasses from scratches, dust and act as a shield. Clean your glasses before storing them to help reduce the build up of grime, dust, and dirt overtime. Store your glasses in a cool and dry place away from direct heat or sunlight such as on the dashboard of your car. Glasses can be extremely sensitive to heat and moisture, causing damage and corrosion on some frames so proper storage is essential. Keeping your glasses clean is an important part of their upkeep, making sure your vision stays clear while you wear them and making them last as long as possible. If you’re still having issues with your glasses and the cleaning process hasn’t improved them, you might need to consider getting them repaired instead.