Getting new glasses is an exciting, and expensive, process. There are two parts to a pair of glasses: the lenses, which actually correct your vision, and the frames. For most people who wear them on a regular basis, those frames and how we look and feel in them is the most important element of selecting new glasses. The average optometry shop will offer several hundred options for frames, and thousands more are available in online shops. You can narrow down your search by following these three steps and find a pair of glasses that help you see well AND look great.
Get an Eye Exam
You can pick the most attractive glasses in the world, but they still won’t be a good fit for you if they don’t improve your vision. Before you start comparing frame styles, start your search for new glasses with a full eye exam from a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist at a vision center like Eye Society Pty Ltd.
Getting new glasses every few years is also a good reminder to check in on the overall health of your eyes by getting a screening for glaucoma, retina health, or cataracts. Even if you’ve worn glasses in the past and haven’t noticed any difference, an eye doctor can check for slight changes in your lens prescription that might affect your vision. Especially for children who are still growing, or older adults, aging can change the shape of your eyes and the type of lenses you need.
Different lenses might limit the options you have for frames. For example, bifocals or lenses for astigmatism work best when matches with certain styles. Don’t worry though, no matter what kind of lenses you need, there will still be plenty of fashionable choices for your new glasses.
Frame Your Face Shape
You’re getting new glasses, but you’re keeping all the best features of your face. Don’t pick frames based on how they look on models or in ads. The best-looking glasses should have a shape that contrasts your face shape and is the right size for your face as well.
Look in a mirror and figure out what your face shape is. If you can’t tell, use a bar of soap to outline your reflection in the mirror. Most outlines will look similar to one of these basic face shapes: triangle, square, round, or oval. Frames that offer the opposite elements to your face shape will provide visual interest and highlight your features, not overwhelm them. For example, a set of round frames will emphasize the round lines of a circular face and make it seem plump, while angular frames will highlight the softness of the curves behind it in a more flattering way.
Compliment Your Coloring
Between your hair, eyes, and complexion, everyone has their own individual color palate. The Vision Council suggests that eyewear should complement, not contrast, that natural coloring. There are plenty of resources to determine what your coloring is.
If you have a cool coloring, look for frames in classic black or gray. You can get more playful but still within your complimentary palate by picking frames in plum, magenta, dark blue, or tortoise shell. If you have warm coloring, gold, copper, or white are your safest neutral colors. Feeling adventurous? Go for bright red, pink, or orange. Either way, avoid hues that match your eyes or hair color too exactly: you want your glasses to accessorize your face, not blend in.
Shopping for new eyeglasses can be overwhelming with all the choices. It’s easy to play it safe with a standard frame you know will look good enough, but if you follow these three guidelines, you can pick an effective and attractive frame with confidence. No matter what frame you choose, if you start with an eye exam and think about your face shape and personal coloring, you can play with shape and color to find an unforgettably stylish new set of glasses.
