L.G.R

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 11 October 2026

# Best British eyewear brands

Britain has some excellent eyewear brands, from heritage makers with classic English styling to independent labels producing modern, design-led frames. If you want quality, distinctive design and long-term wearability, these are the brands I'd start with.

## My top picks

!Cubitts Spitalfields | Optician and glasses store in North London

## 1\. Cubitts

Best all-rounder · London

Modern British design with a strong emphasis on shape, proportion and understated style. Great for everyday optical glasses and sunglasses, particularly if you like refined, slightly architectural frames.

Style: contemporary, understated, intellectual.

Shop Cubitts

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!1393 Optical Square Glasses | Cutler and Gross

## 2\. Cutler and Gross

Best luxury statement frames

A British eyewear institution known for bold acetate, sculptural silhouettes and a fashion-forward approach. Ideal if you want your glasses to be a defining part of your look.

Style: luxury, expressive, fashion-conscious.

Shop Cutler and Gross

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!Manhattan | The Original Audrey Hepburn Sunglasses | Oliver Goldsmith

## 3\. Oliver Goldsmith

Best heritage and vintage style

Famous for distinctive mid-century-inspired eyewear and retro silhouettes. A particularly good choice for classic sunglasses with personality.

Style: vintage, cinematic, timeless.

Shop Oliver Goldsmith

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![Made in England - Kirk Originals](

## 4\. Kirk Originals

Best for individuality

An independent British label associated with artistic shapes, rich acetate colours and distinctive frame designs. Worth considering if conventional black or tortoiseshell glasses feel too predictable.

Style: creative, bold, unconventional.

Shop Kirk Originals

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![Dunhill 6211 43 Vintage Glasses | Dunhill Glasses | Vintage Dunhill - Retro Spectacle](

## 5\. L.G.R.

A useful alternative for heritage styling

Not British, but worth comparing if you're drawn to traditional British-looking frames: classic shapes, understated colours and a vintage sensibility. Include it as a style alternative rather than a British brand.

Style: classic, refined, heritage-inspired.

Shop L.G.R.

## Three more British brands worth knowing

- Kirk & Kirk - colourful, chunky frames with a distinctive artistic feel. Website - Tom Davies - a strong choice for made-to-measure glasses and personalised fitting. Website - Finlay London - accessible contemporary styling, particularly good for sunglasses. Website

## Which would I choose?

| If you want… | My pick | |--------|--------| | Best everyday glasses | Cubitts | | Premium luxury | Cutler and Gross | | Vintage British character | Oliver Goldsmith | | Frames actually made in England | Kirk Originals kirkoriginals.comkirkoriginals.comwww.cutlerandgross.com | | Bespoke, individually fitted glasses | Tom Davies |

One important distinction: British-designed doesn't necessarily mean British-made. For example, Cutler and Gross says its frames are now crafted in Italy and Japan, while Kirk Originals explicitly promotes its English-made frames. kirkoriginals.comkirkoriginals.comwww.cutlerandgross.com

Are you looking for prescription glasses or sunglasses? I can narrow the list to the best British brands for your style and budget.

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 1 November 2026

The best glasses for small faces in the UK are petite rectangular, oval or cat-eye frames, ideally with a lens width below 50 mm. These shapes balance facial proportions without overwhelming your features.

## What to look for

- Frame width: If your face or temple width is roughly 115-130 mm, try lenses around 44-50 mm wide. - Shapes: Slim rectangles, oval frames and subtle cat-eye styles are usually the most flattering. - Materials: Lightweight metal or thin acetate prevents the glasses from dominating your face. - Fit: The frame should not extend far beyond your temples, slide down your nose or touch your cheeks. - Avoid: Very wide square frames and oversized round glasses unless you deliberately want a statement look.

## Good UK options to try

- Specsavers petite ranges: Starlet, Watson, Ollie, Cindy and Alfie are examples of small-size styles listed for petite faces. - Vision Express small glasses: Look for frames marked small, particularly rectangle, oval and cat-eye designs; the retailer recommends lens widths below 50 mm for petite faces. - Glasses Direct: Its small-frame and petite sunglasses ranges commonly use approximately 44-50 mm lens widths. - Independent opticians: Brands such as SALT, Barton Perreira, Lunor and L.G.R offer particularly small eye sizes, including 41-47 mm, but are generally more expensive.

Best all-round choice: a lightweight, slim rectangular frame with a 46-49 mm lens width. For a softer or more distinctive look, choose a small oval or cat-eye frame.