Time for new spectacles. Advice/Tips/Recommendations

[syntax]

I've worn oakley frames for ten years. Doubt i will ever wear anything else.
I am definitely not a brand junkie (i wear slops and socks, to give you a sense of my style), but as someone who has worn glasses since i was 10, i have never found frames as strong or as comfortable as oakley frames. Price wise, I dont find them too bad, my current frames were around R1750.

I guess wear whats comfortable, i just find oakleys stay on my face better when i am running around etc

 

[ToneDef]

After wearing an old pair of spectacles for over 10 years I finally got an updated prescription and new frames. Well worth it, although I wouldn't mind having gone for slightly higher index lenses. The difference in the looks are night and day. Also went to a small local optometrist, and glad I did so. Before that, I had walked into a Specsavers, and walked straight back out after a minute. Their range is just old, and their service non-existent. Get proper advice from an optometrist who doesn't just treat you like a number.

 

[Shake&Bake]

Contact lenses?

And I agree with hansotto - plenty of good labs in South Africa.

I'm too squirmish for them
That and I'm not used to my face without specs

After wearing an old pair of spectacles for over 10 years I finally got an updated prescription and new frames. Well worth it, although I wouldn't mind having gone for slightly higher index lenses. The difference in the looks are night and day. Also went to a small local optometrist, and glad I did so. Before that, I had walked into a Specsavers, and walked straight back out after a minute. Their range is just old, and their service non-existent. Get proper advice from an optometrist who doesn't just treat you like a number.

The last week or so that I spent on their site looking at galleries of their frames - I was dissapointed to say the least...

I couldn't find anything close to this on their site:

 

[ld13]

It really does help to read up and 'know a bit' about lenses etc when you walk into the shop as well.

Does not always work. Had a px the other day that seemingly knew his stuff but in the end admitted defeat: "En daar vang slim nou sy baas" (in his own words)

Ps: Where are these 'cheaper high quality non branded' frames? All I see stocked all over Cape Town is the Guesses, Polo's and Levis of this world...

We do not stock a single one of those Brands... got many other lesser known "brands" available where you pay for the material and not the name itself. Eg. Zest - A brand that I swear by. Had a px literally drive over them last week and we just bent the frame level again. Most expensive frame we stock is ~R1600 from a local designer here in Cape Town - David Green. Very nice frames that sell extremely well. Sold a bunch of them during the last year to boere from Carnarvon that visit us every year... somehow the news spread between them and they walk in knowing exactly what frame they want.

I couldn't find anything close to this on their site:

Superlux got a few that almost look like that... cheaper frames that goes for sub R400. Do you prefer the shiny black colour or the matte?

 

[Shake&Bake]

Superlux got a few that almost look like that... cheaper frames that goes for sub R400. Do you prefer the shiny black colour or the matte?

I'm leaning towards a matte finish - but would have to have a look in person first.
I think my friend and I should take a drive out to you next week

You got a link for the Zest frames you mentioned?

EDIT: This David Green here?

 

[HavocXphere]

I don't personally wear glasses, but my parents had a rather inspired idea: get prescription sunglasses too. That way if you **** up and break your glasses you've got something to roll with until you can make a plan. Assuming very poor sight of course...if you can drive without glasses then this is less of a consideration.

Regarding the nerd glasses...sure...but tend towards the understated side. It is a fashion trend after all & won't last.

 

[ld13]

I'm leaning towards a matte finish - but would have to have a look in person first.
You got a link for the Zest frames you mentioned?
EDIT: This David Green here?

I'm also a matte fan. Busy ordering one of these just for the heck of it, hoping it will make for a nice prop in-store:


I had some Zest links, but Framesonly seems to have 404'd their whole site.
Currently pushing for them to expand their range.

Spot on with the David Green link there. It does not seem like much and the picture does not show the floating lenses, but this is our absolute top seller:

 

[Shake&Bake]

One attachment in your post not showing ld13

Been having a good look over at David Greene's work - iirc he was on Top Billing or some local show.
Great work and designs - the Wood Collection is intriguing and looks great.

But I'm too afraid to even consider them - pricing and I need something a bit rugged
I get into precarious/nefarious situations that bump and bruise them quite easily

I don't personally wear glasses, but my parents had a rather inspired idea: get prescription sunglasses too. That way if you **** up and break your glasses you've got something to roll with until you can make a plan. Assuming very poor sight of course...if you can drive without glasses then this is less of a consideration.

Regarding the nerd glasses...sure...but tend towards the understated side. It is a fashion trend after all & won't last.

Yeah - years ago I did come across that kind of deal - dunno why I never went with it.
Would be handy.

And understated, monotone is definetely what I'm looking for.
Blingy, colourful frames won't do for me - I can just about colour coordinate pants and Tee's

 

[ld13]

One attachment in your post not showing ld13

Re-attached it above.

Great work and designs - the Wood Collection is intriguing and looks great. But I'm too afraid to even consider them - pricing and I need something a bit rugged
I get into precarious/nefarious situations that bump and bruise them quite easily

The wood collection does feel awesome but I feel that the target market is quite specific, if not too specific. You need to feel the frames before you judge them. The frame I attached above is quite strong, but this one is the best of the whole range, rugged-wise:


But you are looking at <R1600 for the frame alone. Zest on the other hand goes for ~R700 and surpasses (imo) the strength of any David Green frame. Then you get a specific model Red Pony frame that is almost as strong as the Zest, but retails for <R400. Still trying to get my hands on more stock at the moment.

If you ever want to see the full range of eg. David Green etc etc, pop into your local optometrist and get them to make an appointment with the Rep for you. It is impossible for us to carry the full range of every make and model out there.

 

[Shake&Bake]

The wood collection does feel awesome but I feel that the target market is quite specific, if not too specific. You need to feel the frames before you judge them. The frame I attached above is quite strong, but this one is the best of the whole range, rugged-wise:
View attachment 43212

But you are looking at <R1600 for the frame alone. Zest on the other hand goes for ~R700 and surpasses (imo) the strength of any David Green frame. Then you get a specific model Red Pony frame that is almost as strong as the Zest, but retails for <R400. Still trying to get my hands on more stock at the moment.

If you ever want to see the full range of eg. David Green etc etc, pop into your local optometrist and get them to make an appointment with the Rep for you. It is impossible for us to carry the full range of every make and model out there.

Yip - will be sure to make an effort to choose something that works for me
Those ^ are too architect like for me
Audi drivers must certainly have them by the dozen

View attachment 43210

Why do I find myself thinking of Roger Wilco and Space Quest when I see these?

 

[ld13]

Those ^ are too architect like for me
Audi drivers must certainly have them by the dozen

I do not know how to respond to that. Not that I even have a car.

Why do I find myself thinking of Roger Wilco and Space Quest when I see these?

No idea. Must be before my time...

 

[Shake&Bake]

I do not know how to respond to that. Not that I even have a car.

Clarkson from Top Gear is responsible for the imagery I associate with it

No idea. Must be before my time...

This borders on sacriledge :erm:

Time travel man - get it sorted

 

[ld13]

Clarkson from Top Gear is responsible for the imagery I associate with it

I do not watch Top Gear. Not exactly a car fan... although I like his other shows.

This borders on sacriledge :erm:
Time travel man - get it sorted

Sacrilege? Hehe. Luckily it only borders on it.

 

[HavocXphere]

I do not watch Top Gear. Not exactly a car fan... although I like his other shows.

Top gear is not about cars. e.g. Refer to their evaluation of the ecological friendliness of Ford cars:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e7R3y-qwZ0#t=4m08s

 

[ld13]

Top gear is not about cars. e.g. Refer to their evaluation of the ecological friendliness of Ford cars:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e7R3y-qwZ0#t=4m08s

I know, but it is a love-hate relationship. I do not like cars, but I like the way he presents the show. I do not like clubs, but I like the trance/club music they play there. But I still do not go to clubs ... or watch Top Gear.

 

[Yotch]

The DX Empire also extends to spectacle frames. I think that I might try them in the future ...
http://dx.com/s/spectacle+frames
http://dx.com/s/eyeglasses.html?page=1

 

[Hosehead]

(i wear slops and socks, to give you a sense of my style),

You should be locked up.

 

[ld13]

The DX Empire also extends to spectacle frames. I think that I might try them in the future ...
http://dx.com/s/spectacle+frames
http://dx.com/s/eyeglasses.html?page=1

They have a few nice things there, but it is almost plagued by the same problem as buying shoes online: The fit. One 54-17-140 sized frame is not always the same as the next 54-17-140 sized frame. Heck, we have even found other minor inconsistencies with "brand" name frames of the same model number...

Would suggest you head to your local optometrist and at least try on a few frames and see about what size fit you best. Then take into account that the thickness of the temple will affect your fit: A thick plastic 54-17-140 frame might sit fine while the thin and metal 54-17-140 counterpart frame might be too loose.

 

[Yotch]

They have a few nice things there, but it is almost plagued by the same problem as buying shoes online: The fit. One 54-17-140 sized frame is not always the same as the next 54-17-140 sized frame. Heck, we have even found other minor inconsistencies with "brand" name frames of the same model number...

Would suggest you head to your local optometrist and at least try on a few frames and see about what size fit you best. Then take into account that the thickness of the temple will affect your fit: A thick plastic 54-17-140 frame might sit fine while the thin and metal 54-17-140 counterpart frame might be too loose.

Thanks for the advice. I'd have to do a careful investigation beforehand as it might end up costing me more to get the lenses made locally and fitted to mail order frames rather than purchasing a complete package during some type of promotion. I see that DinoDirect also has a range of cheap frames.
http://www.dinodirect.com/se-eyeglasses/
http://www.dinodirect.com/se-spectacle-frames-3052list/

 

[Alton Turner Blackwood]

The DX Empire also extends to spectacle frames. I think that I might try them in the future ...
http://dx.com/s/spectacle+frames
http://dx.com/s/eyeglasses.html?page=1

UV400 Protection PC Lens

I hope they're not referring to a computer there