With the new year right around the corner, it’s important to update your look when the ball drops at midnight! Here is a guide to the most popular frames for the new year!

The ball is about ready to drop and 2012 is almost here - have you made your New Year’s resolutions, yet? If getting healthy is on your list, don’t forget about your eyes! Your eyes are an integral part of your health and if you’ve been holding off on getting a new pair of prescription eye glasses, you should not hold off any longer! If you’ve been holding off because of money, you can shop online for better deals but if you’ve been holding off because you think eyeglasses are ugly - think again! Glasses are the new number one fashion accessory due to their low cost and because they’re easy to find. This brief guide will highlight the most popular styles in eyeglasses frames for 2012.

The retro style is big right now and isn’t going anywhere any time soon! Retro styles shouldn’t remind you of the 1970s, but they should remind you of the cat-eye and wayfarer styles that were oh-so-popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Granted, today’s styles have more of a modern twist and they left the bulkiness in the decades-past. To get this look right, pair your retro frames with a little back dress or a simple pair of blue jeans with a white shirt, cardigan, and your favorite shoe of choice. Boots are recommended for the winter but a nice pair of flats will work just as well.

Keeping in line with the vintage look, what do you remember most about Santa’s eyeglasses? You may remember that they’re round, gold colored, and kind of small, right? Well, that look is incredibly popular this coming year! Instead of copying Santa’s look, try a larger frame in a more bold color like red or gunmetal. You can also achieve this cool look with rimless eyeglass frames but keep it minimalistic! Part of what makes this look popular is the thin wire frame - so steer clear of anything that pops too much.

Another popular look has stuck around for the last five years or so and isn’t really going anywhere - it’s the little black dress of the glasses world. You can’t go wrong with a simple pair of black plastic frames. Whether they are oval or rectangular shaped, they are incredibly versatile and go with just about anything! You can also opt for a dark brown or green if you’re feeling a little frisky but keep in mind that black is classic!

New for 2012 are plastic eyeglasses frames that have a deep or rich color, like berry, that surrounds the lenses and showcases a unique design at the temple. The stems are usually decorated with a cartoon, floral design, or colorful pattern and they are always bold! Staying within the bold theme is key for pulling off this look!

This coming year, while the classics will always be around, try something a little different! Since you can now shop for eye glasses online, you can afford to take more risks with your eyeglasses frames! Try a frame with a decorated or more bold temple; or perhaps try a rimless frame if you’ve never tried them before - they are light weight and so comfortable. The sky is the limit in 2012 - so don’t opt for ordinary.