Glasses direct blog

Our perception of glasses has moved on so much over the years. Whereas glasses used to be seen as geeky and unfashionable, you now see people who don’t even need to wear glasses lining up for a pair of frames to match the latest craze! Check out these blue funky specs from our on-trend GD Collection in The Guardian’s ‘Something For The weekend’. Apart from the fact that these Cosmopolitan frames are actually Mai Tai frames, it’s a pretty great article!

We would love to see your bold and beautiful specs, so feel free to post your pics up on our GD Facebook page. We can’t wait to see them!

With 65% of the British public feeling ‘ripped off’ at their opticians and almost half admitting they’ve actually postponed their eye test because of the costs involved with buying new glasses, we at Glasses Direct felt it was our responsibility to help clarify the rather baffling optical world.

We have created a guide called ’seeing clearly’ to help you make clear, informed choices when it comes to shopping for your glasses. We teamed up with Plain English Campaign (an independent group fighting for plain English in public communication) and received their Crystal Mark to show that this guide is as clear as it can be.

For clear information on what your prescription means, what you should expect during and after an eye test, how to find the best glasses for you and much more, check out our seeing clearly guide here. You will also find a downloadable pocket guide to take with you in your pocket or handbag at your next visit so that you’re armed with all the knowledge you need!

Have a listen to our latest radio coverage here:

And take a look at some of the other great coverage below in the Times, Metro, Sunday Mirror, the Scotsman and Daily Express.

Check out Glasses Direct as one of the five recommended ways to save money on your eye care in The Daily Telegraph…  Sticking to these tips can save you hundreds of pounds on eye tests and products. The article highlights our Free Unlimited Seven-Day Home Trial which allows customers to try before they buy, as well as our helpful customer team and team of qualified opticians.

You can certainly have a lot of fun with your glasses and this article in The Times shows off just a few bold numbers you can choose from. Check out these John Lennon JL09B specs from Glasses Direct’s enviable collection…

You Love It! readers out there had the chance to win a pair of stunning Missoni 671 sunnies from Glasses Direct, who have worked hard to offer a mouth watering collection of designer eyewear for customers. Twists and knots in your glasses are IT right now, adding that extra touch of glamour to your frames.

Check out our latest coverage, capturing a number of our hottest glasses from our amazing designer brand collections! Take a peek at our stunning Chloe sunnies in Look magazine and sunglasses from Giorgio Armani, Chloe and Jigsaw in The Independent and a combination of our top names on Sugarscape. All perfect for that envious beach or festival style…

Find a range of Chloe sunnies at Glasses Direct...

Designer sunnies perfect for the beach...

More of our designer sunnies on SugarScape...

With four out of five British Prime Ministers having worn glasses James Callaghan, Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair – Gordon Brown does not) we at Glasses Direct wanted to find out whether the right pair of glasses can make a difference to the public opinion. According to an independent survey of 2,000 glasses wearers, it turns out it that can make a difference. With this in mind we went on a quest to understand what might help politicians improve their image. Results revealed that wearing the right pair of glasses for that specs appeal affects how the public perceive them.

Findings we found particularly interesting are:

• 38% think that the right pair of glasses can make them appear more intelligent
• 35% more genuine
• 35% more human
• 33% more serious

To give a helping hand and to increase the specs appeal, Glasses Direct recommends the following frames for our party leaders…

David Cameron in Fabian

Gordon Brown in Regan

Nick Clegg in Luke

What do you think? We look forward to your comments!

When I arrived into the office this morning I was greeted with a fairly bulky parcel on my desk, something that I’m not entirely used to considering I do everything online. So like a child at Christmas I couldn’t wait to get it open. After much fiddling about with a plenitude of sticky tape (it was well wrapped), with my eager anticipation slowing me down somewhat, I eventually made it into the package. To my great surprise, out came a hefty chunk of an Econsultancy award for innovation in E-commerce.

I didn’t even know such an award existed let alone that we had been shortlisted as a potential winner for the Econsultancy Innovation Awards 2009, so it was a nice suprise to see that the industry recognises all of the innovation and hard work that has and continues to go into building the site and services, our aim is to ensure that as many people out there have the option available to them to buy their glasses online with 100% confidence and that they will get a top service and quality pair (or pairs with our 2 for 1 offer) of glasses at much less cost than the high street can or will offer.

Whilst I would dearly love to take all of the credit for winning this award I am truly only part of the picture, this award goes to each and every person that makes up the company for all the hard work and attention they have put into their respective areas, from development, customer services, dispatch through to the dispensing opticians, for making the company what it is today, so on behalf of the whole company I would like to say a massive thank you to Econsultancy we accept this award with eternal gratitude and hope to continue to innovate long into the future.

Barbie is growing up, and has started taking her career more seriously. Digital files have replaced nail files for the blonde bombshell as she begins her new role as a Computer Engineer. Most importantly however, in her new role she sports a very striking pair of geek chic glasses in the obligatory Barbie Pink.

If you want to be a Computer Engineer in Barbie Land, get the look with Glasses Direct:

Glasses Direct price: £59 inc. single vision lenses + extra pair FREE
http://www.glassesdirect.co.uk/daiquiri-wings/

Glasses Direct price: £59 inc. single vision lenses + extra pair FREE
http://www.glassesdirect.co.uk/cuba-libre/

We’re doing something different here at Glasses Direct and it’s always nice to be recognised for it. We’ve been included in the Top 20 of a prestigious awards table that looks at the fastest growing technology companies in the UK.

The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 is based on official financial reports for technology companies over five years. Glasses Direct is in at 19th position with a turnover growth of 2098% over the past 5 years.

This is fantastic news for us and we’re delighted that Glasses Direct has received so much support in a tough economic climate. Consistent value for our customers and new ways to shop (like our home trial service) means that more and more people are choosing to buy from us. More futuristic ideas, such as the video mirror, allow us to keep ahead of competitors and grow during this time of economic uncertainty.

Thanks to all the staff, partners and (most importantly of all), our customers who helped make this happen. Here’s to the next 5 years!