See the savings this month in eyeglasses and winter boots

Getting great deals on these items can go a long way in curing the winter blues

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By Robin McMacken, Staff Writer 11:37 AM Saturday, January 28, 2012

If the daily pop of vitamin D3 doesn’t help keep the wintry blues at bay this month, then a dash of retail therapy seriously might be in order.

While now is a great time to find deeply discounted bedding and linens, as well as electronics, as I have reported earlier, I have also spied some cool deals on eyeglass frames and winter boots.

All eyes on frames

Since I desperately need new eyeglasses this month, I decided not only to scope special offers but also review the trends in frames. On the first front, I was pleasantly surprised to find winter eyewear sales at many providers since the back-to-school season is traditionally the best time to find such sales.

In the blink of an eye, I discovered: 60 percent off select frames at participating JCPenney Optical stores (offer ends Tuesday); two prescription glasses for $99.99 at Sears Optical (offer ends Feb. 14); buy one pair of eyeglasses and get a second free (plus a free eye exam) at Stanton Optical stores; and 30 percent off prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses at LensCrafters (offer ends Thursday). At Pearle Vision stores, current promotions include a buy-one, get-one event that ends March 31.

If online eyewear shopping is your style, then check out GlassesUSA.com. The online optical store’s current coupons include 20 percent off your total order ($80 or more), plus free shipping. (Enter FS20 at checkout.)

Or visit framesdirect.com, which is currently highlighting three promotions ending Tuesday.

Based partly on the fact that my ideal vacation would be lounging on the French Riviera (true), my eyeframe personality, according to LensCrafters’ online style quiz, is connoisseur.

Apparently, nothing is too extravagant for my taste, and, as such, I favor frames from such style icons as Prada, Versace, Tiffany & Co., Tory Burch and Dolce & Gabbana (true again).

Frames embellished with crystals and jewels are made with me in mind.

But this year I am thinking outside the eyeglass case and leaning toward the “geek-chic” trend as reported by Jay Engelmayer, senior vice president of GlassesUSA.com.

“Carrying on from 2011, we are seeing more interest in the ‘geek-chic’ styles as well as a resurgence of the 1980s staple: the ‘Annie Hall’-type frames,” he explains.

And there were definitely some sexy yet geeky specs on the Golden Globes runway earlier this month, as seen on John Stamos, Martin Scorsese, Seth Rogen and Paul Giamatti.

Other luminaries sporting the look of the moment include Diane Keaton, Anne Hathaway, Johnny Depp and “Glee” heartthrob Chord Overstreet.

“Many styles have made it big as a result of the right people wearing them at the right time,” says Engelmayer. “In eyeglasses, one look at Randy Jackson’s frames the past few years, and it is understandable as to why the classic frames of the ’60s have come back big.”

He says thick-framed glasses have been a trademark for the “American Idol” judge — and now it’s among one of the most popular trends in eyewear.

Thanks to technological advances, Engelmayer says 2012 will show more old-school styles but with lightweight construction.

Engelmayer adds the affordability factor, due in part to the launch of online optical shops a few years ago, allows people to buy eyeglasses more frequently and sometimes in batches.

So maybe I will hit those buy-one, get-one events and balance my geeky side with frames to flatter my inner connoisseur.

Another tip from Engelmayer: “As for the frames, I always believe that chic is a subjective word — what looks hot to me might not look as such to someone else.”

Visit optical sites or stores that have a wide variety to ensure your vision of chic is fulfilled.

Back to boots

Our incredibly mild winter this year has put a screech on the sales of many cold-temperature products — from snowblowers and shovels to winter wear, including boots.

“Mild weather was tough on cold weather (true snow boot) sales, but we had a really strong August and September for boots,” says Amanda DeGrave, divisional merchandise manager for Von Maur stores. “The leather casuals sold the best throughout the entire season.”

“We are moving out and marking down our boots to make room for sandals — sandals are already on the floor and selling,” adds DeGrave.

“Right now, there are some good deals,” says Chris Roderer, manager of Roderer Shoe Center in Kettering, noting winter boots are heading to the clearance room to make way for spring arrivals.

Winter 2012 is decidedly Uggs R Us, say both DeGrave and Roderer, adding the all-weather Bogs boots, too, have enjoyed success.

“Ugg, by far and away, is still a strong seller, as the brand keeps evolving and changing its fashion portion of the business to match the trends of the season,” explains DeGrave.

Clarks and Merrell brands, too, have been popular, says Roderer, because they showcase a wide range of footwear — from snow boots and hiking boots to casual fashion boots.

To add further savings to boot purchases, step toward such online sites as Von Maur, for instance, that offer free shipping. (More important than ever for consumers as shipping prices are expected to jump in light of the U.S. Postal service’s increased rates.)

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