Wondering how to find glasses that fit your face? Check out this article to find out!
Given that around 75% of the U.S. population uses some type of vision correction, you may be faced with the need to buy reading or eyeglasses at some time in your life — unless you decide to go the surgery or contact lens route.
How do you choose glasses that correct any vision problems you may have, but also make you look good?
How To Choose Reading Glasses
The first step is to get an eye exam, so you can understand your prescription needs. It may be a simple measurement such as +1.0 or +2.5, which tells you if you are near or far-sighted.
Astigmatism is when your cornea or lens has an irregular oblong or football shape giving you blurred vision.
If your glasses are for reading or computer work, a standard pair should be fine. However if you wear glasses for long periods of time you may want to consider an anti-reflective lens coating.
Bi-focals or progressive lenses are necessary if you need correction for both close-up and distance vision. These give you two different prescription strengths in one lens.
How To Choose Glasses Frames
So, how do you choose glasses frames? The great news is the right pair of glasses for your face shape can give you a sharp new look.
Scholarly or hip, chic, frameless, unobtrusive, or colorful, there are endless options.
The frame style should complement your facial features, as well as correct any vision problems. For example, if you have angular features, balance them with circular shaped glasses frames.
Eyeglasses these days are an expression of personal style; they’re a valuable part of your fashion wardrobe, so you need to choose them carefully. The shape and color of the frames you wear are part of your visual identity, and stylish frames can help you make a great first impression, or not.
Let’s start with a few basic pointers on how to choose the right glasses for your face:
How To Choose Glasses for Your Face Shape
How do you choose the right glasses frames for your face? You’ll want your glasses to complement your face shape rather than overwhelm it.
The ground rule is to figure out what your face needs to balance it out. If you have an angular face, choose round frame shapes to give your face some curves. If you have a round face, you’ll look better in straight or angled glasses.
Don’t feel like trying to identify your face shape? Go to the end of this section for an easy-to-follow video guide.
Round Face
Angular, flat, and rectangular glasses will make your face appear slimmer. The corners should be squared off rather than rounded. Choose glasses with narrow frames, as thick frames look clunky on a round face. Best shapes: Rectangle, Aviator, Square.
Here are a pair of Cutler and Gross square-frame tortoiseshell acetate glasses from Mr. Porter that will look good on you:
Oval Face
Lucky you! Most eyeglass styles look good on your oval-shaped face, which is taller than it is wide.
You can wear squared-off frames or curving ones, but don’t wear heavy rectangular frames, as they’ll overpower your oval-shaped face and narrow chin and are not the best complement to your facial features. Best shapes: Rectangle, Square, Round, Aviator.
These are from Saint Laurent and are D-frame in clear acetate.
Square Face
If your face is approximately the same in width and height, with angled features and a strong, squared-off jaw, oval frames or narrow frames which are lighter and slimmer will best complement your look.
Try these:
Frameless glasses, such as the ones in the picture, are also a great choice Best shapes: Oval, Aviator, Round.
Heart-shaped Face
If you have a heart-shaped face and a small chin, wear glasses that are wider at the top than the bottom, tapering outwards. This will focus the attention to the center of your face. Don’t choose anything too squared-off as it will not complement the curves in your face, but you can opt for a thicker frame.
These are from Christian Dior at Mr. Porter:
Best shapes: Rectangle, Square, Round, Oval, Aviator.
How to Choose Glasses Without Knowing Your Face Shape
Confused by the whole “face shape” thing? Here’s how to find a pair of glasses that fit without all that fuss.
While the video talks about sunglasses, the simple principles apply for regular old specs.
Sizing
The width of the frames should match the width of your face and line up with your temples. The frames should also sit in the middle of your face and not extend above your eyebrows.
Keep comfort in mind — your glasses shouldn’t dig into your nose, leave marks or slip off.
Eyeglass frames use three numbers for size. They are:
· The lens width is at its widest from left to right.
· The bridge width across the nose from the left edge of the right lens to the right edge of the left lens.
· The temple arm’s length goes from the hinge to the elbow to the far end of the tip. This measurement will determine the hooks that go over your ears, but it won’t account for thickness or shape of the wires, so identical measurements in two sets of frames may not feel the same. Lighter, thinner frames will generally sit more comfortably and allow a closer fit. Large, wider frames may need to be sized looser than usual.
Skin Tone and Hair Color
If you have a warm skin tone with darker hair, you’ll tend to look better with frames in colors like gold, brown, beige, or olive. (For an in-depth look to color-theory relative to menswear, including skin tones, check out this video).
Here are Cider tortoiseshell frames from Warby Parker, priced at $95:
If you have a cooler skin tone and lighter hair, you will look better in black, silver, pink, blue, or gray frames.
These are Primrose glasses from Eyebuydirect. At $28 before lens cost, they’re a great buy.
Eyeglasses Frame Materials
You’ll find a variety of materials used to make eyeglass frames. Most colored frames are made from plastic. Zyl or Zylonite is another popular material. It is lightweight and affordable, and it’s used in many types of eyeglass frames including colored ones.
Titanium and titanium alloyed frames are flexible, lightweight, and durable, though more expensive. If you have sensitive skin you may want to avoid frames made of cheaper blended alloys which include materials such as nickel, as they can cause a skin reaction.
How To Choose Colored Glasses
Colored glasses can give you a whole new look. Choose them carefully to find a good look for you. Remember, unless you buy multiple pairs, you’ll wear them for a long time.
If you work in a traditional office environment and don’t want to stand out, and it’s better to stick with monochromatic black or metallic colors such as silver or gold.
However, if there is no formal dress code where you work, a pair of colored, thin-framed glasses can add an artistic jump-start to your whole look. You can get away with thick brightly colored frames if you work in fashion, music, movies, design, or a related business. If so, anything goes.
Out to make a style statement? I think that one of the coolest eyeglass collections around is from Moscot.com; many options are available with custom tints. (No, Moscot didn’t sponsor this article or anything. I just like their selection).
Foygel –
Lemtosh with custom tint –
Pretty interesting frames, huh?
Get the Right Specs for Your Lifestyle
Finally, lifestyle should play a part in your choice. If you’re the sporty type, flexible and durable frames might be best. If you’re in a professional environment, a more refined and classic style may be more suitable.
Many eyeglass companies will send you a few pairs to try on so you can make your final choice at home in front of a mirror. Remember to get that eye exam done before ordering any glasses because you’ll need the proper prescription – or if you need bifocals or progressive lenses, as these are not always available on every frame.
Do you wear glasses? What kind of frames do you prefer? Let me know in the comments!
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