It goes without saying that the lenses in your eyeglasses are the most essential component of your eyewear. It’s the lenses that improve or correct your eyesight and allow you to see clearly. The correct pair of lenses can improve degenerating vision from aging, too much time on the computer, and conditions like astigmatism.
While the lenses in your glasses play the most vital role, your frames are important too. Not only do your frames keep your lenses in place, they can also reflect your unique style or personality and complete your look.
When choosing frames, remember that they aren’t just practical lens-holders – you also have an opportunity to express yourself and have some fun. Here are four things to consider that will help you choose the right ones.
1. Express Your Personality
Choosing frames that compliment your personality can change the way people see you. You should think about your eyeglasses as an extension of yourself – they are an integral part of your wardrobe, and they are an accessory that can show the world who you are.
You can express your creativity by choosing a pair of cat-eye frames with embellishments, patterns, or bold colors. If you are required to wear business casual attire at work, you should choose half frame glasses that are stylish but still appropriate for the office. You can even opt for two pairs of frames – one professional-looking pair for the workweek and one ‘fun’ pair for weekends.
2. Think About Your Lifestyle
Before choosing a pair of frames, you should think carefully about your lifestyle and profession. For instance, if you have a labor-intensive job in an industry like construction, you need to choose durable, comfortable frames that will stay in place. If you enjoy fast-paced activities or spend a lot of time at the gym, choose frames made of polycarbonate and look into anti-scratch coatings.
Similarly, if you have a high-powered job that requires you to attend formal meetings, you should choose frames that look sleek, stylish, and professional.
When choosing frames based on your lifestyle, one of the most important things to get right is how they fit. Make sure the frames fit snugly against the bridge of your nose so they won’t fall off.
3. Consider the Shape of Your Face
While your personal preferences and comfort should be your primary guide when choosing eyeglasses, bear in mind that certain types of frames compliment faces of a certain shape.
The general rule of thumb is that the shape of your face will fall into one of the following categories: oval, round, square, or heart-shaped.
Oval faces are generally longer than they are wide. Frames that are wider or the same width as the broadest part of your face – whether it’s your brow, cheekbones, or chin – tend to compliment oval-shaped faces.
Round faces have soft curves and few defining angles. Narrow or angular frames will provide definition and give the illusion that the face is thinner and longer than it is.
Square faces are angular at the jaw, cheekbones, and brow. Rounded or oval frames in light colors can balance sharp angles and give a softer, more rounded appearance.
Heart-shaped faces are widest at the brow and narrowest at the chin. Frames that are wider at the bottom can make heart-shaped faces look more balanced.
4. Compliment Your Hair and Skin Tone
To choose the right frames for your hair and skin tone, you’ll need to determine whether your hair and skin tone is “cool” or “warm”.
Ash-blonde, blue-black, auburn, and light grey are “cool” hair tones, while golden-blonde, light brown, strawberry blonde, and brown-grey are “warm” hair tones.
“Warm” skin tones will have a bronze or yellow undertone, while “cool” skin tones have a blue or pink undertone. For “cool” hair and skin tones, opt for frames in black, rosy brown, silver, blue-grey, or dark purple. If you have a “warm” skin tone, try frames in peach, copper, warm blue, or red.
It’s important to remember that matching frames to your skin and hair tone is not a hard-and-fast rule – you should choose frames that you think look good on you.
Final Words
With such a wide range of eyeglasses in different styles and shades available today, choosing the right pair may seem like a daunting task.
By considering your lifestyle or personality and knowing what frames will compliment your face shape and skin tone, you can choose a practical pair (or two) of eyeglasses and make a statement.
