Hide & Seek
How patterns peeking out from inside frames add a flirty flash
By Marcy Bruch

It's like spotting a silky slip as a skirt flies up in the breeze or catching a glimpse of a flashy camisole peeking out from under a blouse.

That's how some sales reps compare a new crop of frames that feature patterned laminates on their undersides.

Whether the patterns on the inside of the frames are polka dots, plaid, animal prints, or designer logos, the point of this new trend is to allow the underneath of the frame to show through--ever so subtly.

With a nod to the slightly racy aspect of this frame style, it earned the name: Underwear for eyes.

"The frame wearer gets the same thrill as if she were wearing Victoria's Secret lingerie under an otherwise conservative outfit," says l.a. Eyeworks designers Gai Gherardi and Barbara McReynolds, who were one of the first teams to develop this slightly secretive frame look, and maintain that they coined the catch-phrase "underwear for eyes."

"No one sees the underwear, but just knowing she's got it on gives her extra confidence that shines through," they add.

For those who want to announce their designer loyalty--but in a more understated fashion, there is an option. The big bling-bling logo at the temple is forgone in favor of a patterned logo that flashes fleetingly from beneath the frame.

Other choices take a wilder route with animal patterns. Or some frames even have hidden messages in the form of mysterious equations inside the temple.

The peek at the person's inner self lets everyone know more about the frame wearer in a flirtatious way.

So start offering your customers this eyewear as a sexy accessory.

Pssst! Can you keep a secret? You won't want to hide these pretty patterns from the world. Shown clockwise from top: Christie Brinkley style Lola for Nouveau; Nicole Miller style Eyelet for Signature Eyewear; Kate Spade style Maggie for Sàfilo; Spectacle Eyeworks style SE-108 Tiger; Lafont style Lully 583; l.a. eyeworks style lunks2; Coach style Jackie for Marchon