Tips and tricks on perfecting this eye-catching trend.
By Rachel Weisz
There is often a love-hate relationship with a person and eyewear. For some, glasses are a crucial necessity which often takes out the fun of buying the perfect pair. For others, glasses are a fashion statement and an accessory. As a previous eyewear stylist for a household brand, I have witnessed all kinds of contests to choosing eyewear. Even as a glasses-wearer myself, I often struggle to find frames that I love and that represent me. As someone with a high, long-distance script, and (according to myself) a face that does not ‘suit’ glasses, finding frames was definitely a chore. I also had all of these trends persuading me to choose certain frames, when in reality I can barely buy 1 pair a year with all the extras that I need ($200 for lens thinning is not cheap, but a necessity if I want to avoid ‘goggle eyes’).
When you search ‘How to choose the right glasses shape for you‘ online, the majority of articles talk about face shapes. They all sell the idea that you need to choose glasses that flatter unforgiving features and de-emphasise unsymmetrical aspects of your face. Like choosing the right clothes for your body shape, I believe this statement should not exist. When it comes to framing your face with frames, it’s all about what you want to achieve. Whether that be making a statement, accessorising, or even finding frames that blend into your face (often glasses are a necessity, not a fashion statement), choosing the right frames for you is a personal experience that results from many factors.
If you sound like someone who struggles to find the right glasses shape for you, we’ve put together some personal and industry-kept tips that will help you choose the right frames for you.
1. Figure out what frame size and shape works well for you
Yes, some frames will work better for you than others. However, this idea is incredibly limiting and will cause you to stress when choosing the perfect pair. There are many other factors that can offer loopholes to this statement. You may love an oversized look, but it can often look off-putting if the frames are too wide for your face. Make sure that the frames are not wider than the width of your temples. Also be wary of the vertical nature of the frames. You don’t want the frames to feel too heavy and fall on your cheeks which can later cause irritation to your skin. You can always check the length, bridge and arm wide which will usually be printed on the arm of the frame or at the bridge.
Secondly, take note of the size of the lens. You want your eyes to appear in the centre of the frame. Especially if you are getting prescription lenses, having your eyes fall at the centre of the lens will make it easier for optical dispensers to fit your multifocal or high prescription lenses.
2. Aesthetics
What is it that you want to emphasise? Aesthetically, if you are looking for something that flows with the natural shape of your face — then make sure that the top part of the glasses follows the shape of your eyes; similar to the way you shape your eyebrows.
Some eyewear stylists will tell you that you shouldn’t cover your eyebrows as it hides your facial expressions. This rule really only applies to men in my opinion. You can use glasses to emphasise and draw attention to your eyes while also defining them as the main feature of your face. If you want to accentuate the roundness of your eyes, then choose a round frame. If you want to emphasise a siren look or to de-emphasise the doe look of your eyes, then a cat eye may work best.
Maybe you like your strong jawline and don’t want to balance out your features, but rather compliment them. Sharp, rectangular glasses will emphasise a sharp jawline, while softer-shaped glasses will compliment the roundness.
3. Practicality
When trying on glasses, remember that this accessory is going to be sitting on your face for long periods of time. Is the frame touching your cheeks? If so, you may find this irritating in the future. Does it slide off easily? You may need a frame with nose pads. Some optical places, like Bailey Nelson, will add nose pads to your glasses. Otherwise, take note of this — especially if you do not have a prominent nose bridge.
4. Choosing the right colours
Personally, I love a soft pink tone for glasses as it blends perfectly into my skin tone, whether that be for an acetate frame or a rose gold for a metal frame. For someone with olive skin, for example, I would usually point them towards a limestone-coloured frame if they want something a little more subtle that isn’t the trendy clear frames that borderline look like lab glasses. Like clothing, play with colours that make you feel confident and bring out the best in your features. I often like playing with eye colour. For example, opt for a green or black frame for blue eyes, or a green or red frame if you have brown eyes. I also like to think about what I usually wear. If I wear a lot of black, I go one of two ways. I either choose a black frame for a monochrome style or alternatively, I choose a fun colour to brighten and contrast my look.
5. Consider the materials
Consider the materials that the glasses are made of. Frames are usually made out of plastic or metal, and sometimes titanium. Think, do your glasses need to be durable for your everyday? Do you work in a physical job such as construction? A lot of my clients were new mothers, and would return in every six months because one of their kids has snapped the arms! If this is the case, then perhaps a thicker frame may be more beneficial.
6. Trends
Of course, it’s fine to follow trends. However, think practically about this. If your prescription is small enough to be fully covered by your health fund, it may be fun to choose a different pair each year to match the current trend forecast. However, if you’re like me and need high index lenses (meaning the lenses need to be shaved down to avoid bulkiness or magnification/reduction to the eye), or want blue light filter or any other extras, this may lead to extra yearly costs you may want to avoid. If you want to be trendy, go for it. But think of how long you intend for these glasses to last and if you will like them still in the future.
The Pull 