Brulimar (pictured right and below)
Injection moulded with a retro feel, the Aquarius Plus AP513 is fitted with soft-action spring hinges and front metal trim.
Three colourways each feature an on-trend matte black front silhouette.
The company says DiMarco DM147, with its tri-laminate acetate and wood-effect finish, shows high fashion frames can be affordable.
International Eyewear - pictured below
Established supplier International offers three distinctly different collections in this cost-conscious category. Storm London’s double laminated S552 style features rubber temple inserts, while the OK collection’s OK 2184 striated acetate model sports a subtle cat’s eye shape.
Continental Eyewear - pictured below
The Lazer adults and children’s collections are made from high quality materials, yet offer exceptional value for money, says supplier Continental Eyewear. The children’s range is made of brightly coloured plastics and modern metals, while the adult’s range includes more classically styled designs.
Dunelm Optical
Dunelm Optical says it has one of the widest collections of budget frames available to independent opticians. Not only are its fashion forward frames from OMG and Meridan reasonably priced, additional discounts are available when ordering a glazed package.
Eyespace
Known for its on-trend affordable frames, Eyespace offers the Zips collection for men, women and children. ZP4039 uses contemporary colours, subtle pin-detailing and gentle upswept brows that are the height of femininity. With an eye size of 48, ZP4040 is a useful Wayfarer-inspired option.
Pennine Optical
Pennine Optical’s Street Eyewear brand just sneaks into this round up with its wholesale cost, though frames do come with a branded hard case. ST055 and ST057 are both unisex acetate models available in a mature colour palette.
Fabris Lane
American Freshman is a unisex lifestyle brand inspired by the freedom and aspirations of college life. The ophthalmic collection, produced by Fabris Lane reflects the ethos of the brand through easy to wear silhouettes and colour schemes. Jenna majors on the trend for crystal colourways while Sam is a classic rectangle with a matt tortoiseshell finish.
Louis Stone
From the Icy plastic collection comes the ICY 185, a chunky Wayfarer-inspired frame available in three colours, including the graduated Purple Shock. Black Chequer is at the heart of the i wear 5075, which is available in two striking colourways.
Optical Service
With its graduated colour scheme, the Metz 1497 is a bold, no nonsense TR90 and stainless steel combination frame with rivet detailing and sculpted temples for that Wayfarer look. Visage 4521 is a relaxed cat’s eye TR90 frame, which is available in three feminine shades.
Ridgway Optical
The long-standing Banbury-based supplier is an expert in this segment of the market. Charlie from the O-O frame range is an injection moulded easy to wear rectangular style with high wraparound temple joints and classic Havana colouration. Lana from the Allegro Elite range is a beautiful layered metal frame with purple inlays and a silhouette that mixes oval and cat’s eye forms.
