Transparent glasses were a trend a few years ago and have stayed: clear and see-through coloured frames look light, modern and suit many looks. Here you will find what clear frames are made of, who they suit and how to combine them with skin tone and hair colour. Which other styles last is covered in our article Glasses Styles That Last.
Key points at a glance
- Transparent frames are mostly made of acetate. They come clear, in see-through colours and mixed with other colours.
- They look light and let your complexion show through. They harmonise especially well with fair skin; on dark skin they set a deliberate contrast.
- Clear is the most understated; lemon yellow, orange or tomato red are accents.
- For sunglasses with clear frames, look for UV400 and the CE mark.
Transparent glasses: why the trend stays
Transparent frames in lemon yellow, orange and red were among the sunglasses trends of 2020. Today clear glasses frames are part of the regular repertoire of popular eyeglass frames. A clear frame does not give the face a hard outline but lets skin and brows show through. That looks light and modern, and it works with angular and round shapes. “Transparent” refers to the frame here; the lenses of glasses are clear anyway and in sunglasses tinted.
Clear, coloured or mixed
- Clear: the most understated version; the frame visually steps back.
- See-through colours: lemon yellow, orange, tomato red or rosé set accents and look lighter than an opaque colour.
- Tinted: transparent grey or brown is calm and suits many types.
- Two tones: frames with a gradient or two colours combine several shades.
Acetate: the material behind clear frames
Transparent frames are mostly made of acetate (cellulose acetate), a plastic based on cellulose. Acetate comes in almost every colour, including see-through. It is light, and an optician can gently warm it and adjust it to your head. In return it is more sensitive than titanium: you should not expose the glasses to great heat, such as on the dashboard in summer. More on titanium, acetate and other materials is in our article Glasses Materials: Pros and Cons of Titanium, Acetate and More.
Fingerprints and skin oil show up faster on clear frames. Rinse them with lukewarm water and dry them with a soft microfibre cloth. Avoid alcohol, acetone and harsh cleaners.
Who suits transparent glasses? Skin tone, hair and face shape
Skin tone
- Fair skin: Clear frames, rosé or transparent grey give definition without emphasising paleness.
- Medium skin: A medium or olive skin tone suits almost all classics, including clear frames.
- Dark skin: Light or clear frames set a deliberate contrast. Warm see-through colours such as orange or red look rich.
Hair and brows
With dark hair, a clear frame looks lighter than black. With blonde hair, yellowish and rosé tones harmonise. Choosing a frame to match your hair colour takes a little courage. Which colour suits your hair, eyes and type is covered in Colourful Glasses Frames: Which Colour Suits You?.
Face shape
Transparent works with angular and round shapes and can be a little larger. As a rule of thumb, contrast works best: round faces can take angles, angular faces soft curves.
Transparent sunglasses or glasses with a prescription?
The frame is only the outline. There are sunglasses with a see-through frame and tinted lenses as well as glasses with a transparent frame for everyday wear. With see-through sunglasses, look for UV400 and the CE mark. With a clear-framed pair of glasses, the edge of the lens is more visible than with a dark frame, especially with stronger prescriptions. If in doubt, ask your optician.
Among the new arrivals in the shop you can currently find, for example, frames from Tom Ford, Gucci, Chloé, Isabel Marant and Etnia Barcelona. Whether a model is available in a transparent version, you can see on the model itself.
Ray-Ban ALAIN (RX7239 2001)£60.29
Oakley CENTERBOARD (OX8163 816303)£63.52
Ray-Ban RX5421 2001£73.55
Oakley HSTN RX (OX8139 813905)£72.71
Miu Miu MU 04UV 2AZ1O1£134.56
Oakley WHEEL HOUSE (OX8166 816602)£76.63
Ray-Ban ELLIOT (RX5397 2001)£71.88
Ray-Ban RX7159 2001£76.06How to combine transparent glasses
- With calm outfits: Clear frames go with black, white and beige. See-through colours bring colour to a neutral look.
- With colour: Lemon yellow and orange look cheerful, red bold. Keep the rest of the outfit calm.
- With metal: Match hinges and jewellery in gold or silver.
Frequently asked questions
Are transparent glasses still in fashion?
Yes, transparent frames are now part of the regular repertoire. Understated, clear tones are easier to combine than very bright colours, and they make trendy glasses that last. All styles, shapes and colours at a glance are in our article Glasses Styles That Last: Statement, Panto, Cat-Eye and More.
