Looking Better All the Time
By Erinn Morgan
Photography: Peter Baker
Hair and Makeup: Alicia Kochis
Wardrobe: Meredith Gray
Model: Jean Blanchard
Agency: McDonald Richards

Setting the Stages of Life. Kazuo Kawasaki style MP 700 by Italee. Jacket and sweater by Fairway & Greene. Pants by Lauren, Ralph Lauren

Don't discount your seniors and baby boomers when it comes to fashion. Today, many of them are looking for stylish eyewear to help them appear younger

Times are changing. And today's seniors are reflecting those changes in their eyewear choices, says Bob Royden, optician at The Village Eyeworks, which has locations in Phoenix and Surprise, Ariz. "More than ever, older people are interested in eyewear with style," he says.

To keep up with the shifting style focus, he has stepped up his inventory with trendier looks for his senior-centric dispensaries. "In my Sun City store, we had the older, bigger frames and we put in unique, younger-looking lines."

Both boomers and seniors are striving to hold back the years, or at least the appearance of them. In addition, today's seniors are jumping on the anti-aging bandwagon, and some eyecare professionals say they can actually be the most venturesome group when it comes to style.

"Seniors are definitely interested in stylish eyeglasses," says Selima Salaun, optician and owner of Selima Optique in New York City. "I find our older clients to be more daring than the younger ones."

Thus, many seniors and boomers are also looking to move into younger-looking, more stylish eyewear to help shave off some years. This trend in
eyewear selection tends to be more noticeable and dramatic with the female patients, but aging men are also stepping up to the style plate. "Some men are trying to go a little bit trendier and smaller," says Royden.

There are many other frame features, such as color, lens selection, and shape, that can help minimize age and its telltale signs, including skin tone, wrinkles, and gray hair. Here, some style-oriented dispensers offer their top tips on outfitting those who are aging with style.

Classy chic. (opposite page) Model 938 by Tura. Jacket, shirt, and scarf by Gap. Jeans by Ann Taylor; (right) Catherine Deneuve style CD 202 by Viva International Group. Jacket and sweater by Lauren, Ralph Lauren

Don't pre-judge. This customer may be more open to style than you think. "We don't treat them like they're old," says Kris Childs, owner of iiis optical store in Birmingham, Ala. "We look at everyone as if they are the same age."

At the shop, they study the way patients dress, their skin tone and coloring, and, "then we try to break the rules. We always try to have a predictable response, too, just in case. We try to be respectful of that and then present things to them that are outside the box," Childs says

Sophisticated color. While pastel pinks or blues hold lasting appeal for this group, the color palette is expanding to include darker shades.

"Today they want lime greens and reds, dark purples, black, dark blues, and bright royal blues," says Royden. "I used to not go real dark, because I thought their complexion didn't want it, but they are hipper now. It's hard to find anything that won't work for them."

Draw attention from wrinkles. What is recommended for an older woman looking to her eyewear to help lose some years? "I would put her in a dramatic-looking frame; something dark to draw attention away from wrinkles," says Royden.

Shape matters. "We do best with squarish or oval frames (if round, it has to be a major statement) to alleviate the 'sagginess' of the skin," says Salaun.

Better than makeup. Frames can do a lot for the wearer. In addition to masking the signs of aging, they can brighten up the face. "I always tell my clients that a beautiful pair of glasses can be the best make up ever," says Salaun. "If you wear red frames, your face looks more luminous, and you don't need lipstick anymore."

Material issues. While titanium is a lightweight favorite and metal
is perceived as a classic, durable choice, plastics are also popular. "I would recommend a zyl because it is a younger look that is more dramatic, and it makes one appear younger," notes Royden,

Male Perspective. Men may need a little more direction in choosing a frame they feel comfortable with that may also make them appear younger and more stylish.

Casual Sophistication. Laura Ashley style Antoinette by Signature Eyewear. Sweater by Inc., International Concepts. Pants by Style & Co.

"For men, a smaller frame makes them look younger," says Royden. "Usually more of a rectangular shape can help bring them up a bit so they don't look so droopy." EB

Mirror, Mirror 

Boomers, in particular, are an appearance-conscious group. In fact, they spent $30 billion on anti-aging products and rejuvenation services in 2002, according to American Demographics.

In addition, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than half of the 3.9 million people who received surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures in 2002 were 35- to 50-year-olds. And these numbers continue to grow as boomers, a group with more disposable income than their parents, continue to age.

According to the 2004 annual Del Webb Baby Boomer Survey, over two-fifths of baby boomers think that "looking young" is important.

Survey results in 2003 showed that 52 percent of boomers exercise "to look good."

Sexy Style. Float Eyewear Style ML-806VP by Match Eyewear. Jacket by Black Diamond. Scarf by Echo. Turtleneck by Tomm