Buying spectacles online and in particular designer spectacles as a fashion accessory is becoming more and more main stream.

There are many reasons for this, from price savings compared to the traditional high street shops to the sheer range of frames online sellers can stock.

So, if you’re considering spending some of your hard earn cash on new spectacles, and letting your fingers do the work seems like a good idea, here are couple of tips to help your shopping spree.

Smart Buying Tips:

1. Narrow Down Your Search – There are thousands of frames to choose from, be it a particular frame type you always wanted to a particular frame material. Narrow down your search and focus on the type of style you desire.

2. Broaden Your Horizon – Now that you you’ve narrowed down your search, look at less known designer brands on top of the well known brands. Sure, everyone is familiar with the likes of DKNY, Benetton, etc and if you buy a pair you won’t regret it, but also consider less known brands. To name just a few, brands such as Nicole Farhi and Jeff Banks will not only make your new frames standout from the crowd, they might also give you that special look other brands can’t.

Smart Fitting Tips:

3. Matching The Frames To Your Hair, Eyes and Skin – Knowing which style suits your face shape will help you. After chating with many customers, we found that if your natural colouring (hair, skin and eyes) is dark, you’ll easily be able to carry dark, bold glasses and if your natural colouring is light to medium the best match is probably paler colours such as cream with rimless or delicate frames.

4. Try The Frames Online Before You Buy – Many online sellers offer some type of functionality which will allow you to upload your picture and superimpose the frames on your face. The results are 100% realistic and you can even save the results to share with your friends, family, people at work. Take the time to try a few frames and consider putting up to a vote with your friends those which compliment your look.

5. Try The Frames At Home Before You Buy – If you’re still not 100% convinced a particular frame is suitable, consider ordering a sample first. Normally you’ll get the frames to try at home by post without a prescription lens so the focus is really on the frame suitability. Now you’ll be able to show your friends, family, people at work and get as many second opinions as you like.

Read The Small Print:

6. Get Your Prescription Ready – If you’re going to order sunglasses or designer spectacles with prescription lenses, you’ll need to obtain a copy of your prescription before ordering. You can get your prescription by going to your local optician and getting your eyes tested. Following the eye test, your optician is – by law – obliged to give you a written copy of your prescription.

7. Read The Returns Policy – If you’re less than delighted with your new designer spectacles, make sure the online seller will send you an alternative pair or give you your money back. If the seller does not state that, don’t take any risks and find one that does. Because spectacles are seen nowadays as a fashion accessory, many people even those who don’t need spectacles will often wear a pair on a night out. So, next time you consider buying designer spectacles, consider letting your fingers instead of your legs do the work and look online as well.

Guest Post by Glasses Direct ™, online sellers of designer spectacles from £19.00.