Not sure how to glam up your glasses for an evening out? Fashion director – and specs wearer – Shelly Vella puts you in the frame
Retro and cat-eye styles work well with subtly tinted frames and can be teamed with more outfit colourways. A glasses chain will enhance that eveningwear feel especially if, like this pearl design, it feels like jewellery Glasses, from £95 (with prescription), bloobloom.com. Glasses chain, £90, talischains.co.uk. Dress, £450, lkbennett.com
A pop of colour is a sure-fire way to ensure your glasses become a statement part of your outfit: hot coral and blue hues are favourites right now. Matching accessories will pull the look together. Glasses, £220, and bag, £1,290, stellamccartney.com. Jumpsuit, £1,495, Stella McCartney, selfridges.com. Earrings, £275, shaunleane.com. Ring, £850, dinnyhall.com
Lightweight and easy to wear, metal frames are possibly the most fuss-free way to approach your eveningwear. If you wear more gold jewellery, opt for a gold frame, ditto with silver. A black metallic frame is also super-stylish if you want to draw attention to your eyes. Glasses, from £49 (with prescription), specsavers.co.uk. Jacket, £1,590, and trousers, £990, suzannah.com
Big frames are a trend that seems set to stay. As much a statement part of your look as jewellery, they look great worn with structured tailoring but equally lend a stylish accent to more fluid, 70s-feel looks. Glasses, £265, gucci.com. Blazer, £235, reiss.com. Dress, £445, joseph-fashion.com. Hat, £126, Tesi, fenwick.co.uk. Necklace, £20, estellabartlett.com
A multicoloured frame is a fun way to coordinate prints with your look. Pick similar colours in your outfit to complement the frames. When shopping for styles, look for frames with colours that are reflected in your existing wardrobe. Glasses, £85, calvinklein.com. Dress (worn as top), £431, Wolford, mytheresa.com. Skirt, £79.99, Toga Archives x hm.com. Earrings, £990, matildejewellery.com. Rings, £280 each, alighieri.co.uk
For more evening va-va voom, invest in some embellished frames. As stunning with a black poloneck as they are with an embroidered dress, they will always feel more accessory than necessary Glasses, £580, annakarinkarlsson.com. Dress, £795, Red Valentino, fenwick.co.uk. Earrings, £19, estellabartlett.com
This always looks classy, day or night, and will go with most evening looks. I like to keep it simple and wear mine with a chic white blouse and tailored black trousers Glasses, £265, eu.moscot.com. Blouse, £249, uk.maje.com
Fashion director: Shelly Vella
Photographs: Mark Cant
Fashion assistant: Joanne Toolan
Make-up: Kenneth Soh at The Wall Group using Spectacle Skincare and CT ZN Cosmetics
Hair: Alex Szabo at Carol Hayes Management using Rita Hazan
Model: Edna Rocha at Select
Production and casting: Clara Maidment