Are you a spectacle?

More than ever, glasses make a statement -- and designer Robert Marc knows exactly what they say. He's spent more than 20 years in the eyewear retail business, creating his own line since 1999.

"You can express individual style with eyewear more than any other accessory," he said. He noted that the rise in eyewear is evident on everyone from Tina Fey to Sarah Palin to Karl Lagerfeld to Chloe Sevigny. Just think about how many of the celebrities at the Emmy Awards sported spectacles at this year's ceremony.

The popularity of retro styles (graphic cat eyes for women and rectangles for men) can be attributed to "Mad Men." So can the overwhelming use of acetate (plastic) and streamlined styles with few, if any, embellishments.

However, the overwhelming presence of glasses as a fashion trend has to do with the state of the world. "There's something very political and economic right now about that statement. We have economic problems, there's a lot of political action happening out there. It's different than the excesses of the '80s or this decade. People are trying to show a more intellectual, studied, brainy look than a flashy look," Marc said.

He recently visited the Twin Cities for the first time for a series of trunk shows at InVision, which carries a wide selection from Marc's collection.

Here's his analysis of what your glasses say about you.

Rimless
What they say: Minimalist and smart. The rimless style reflects a desire to be professional.
Who wears them: Sarah Palin, Kate Beckinsale and Steve Jobs.

Wire or metal rims (including half-frames)
What they say: Proficient and sophisticated, they’re for someone who wants a minimalist look — someone who doesn’t want to draw attention to the frame.
Who wears them: Jennifer Garner and Bono.

Plastic (acetate)
What they say: Fun-loving and, depending on the frame, intellectual. It’s the style that people choose when they’re getting a new job and want a look that’s very professional. There’s so much you can do with it, because it’s sculptural. If you want to look young, plastic is good — wire frames can sometimes look grannyish.
Who wears them: Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer, Calista Flockhart and Chloe Sevigny.

Round
What they say: They make a bold statement, yet they’re somewhat whimsical. It’s a classic look — there’s a purity to it. Architects often wear them.
Who wears them: Bono and Johnny Depp.

Oversized
What they say: A brainy or bold person. On women, they are sometimes called a boyfriend frame.
Who wears them: Jay-Z,  Hilary Duff, Chloe Sevigny, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

Rectangle
What they say: It’s an intellectual and easy-to-wear shape. Trend-wise, they’re becoming more vertical and less horizontal, for a more retro feel as seen on “Mad Men.”
Who wears them: Justin Timberlake, Simon Baker, Alyssa Milano and Cate Blanchett.

Cat’s-eye
What they say: Playful, whimsical and very feminine. These are coming into vogue again; the retro-inspired look is happening. To modernize them, the shapes are less pointy, but they do have a nice upsweep. It’s flattering on women as it creates a great cheekbone.
Who wears them: Stephanie March, Megan Fox and Tina Fey.