Picking out glasses can be a tedious (and expensive) task. Streamline the process by learning how to choose glasses frames that are perfect for your face and personality.
How to Choose Glasses Frames That Suit Your Face
Glasses are expensive, even with insurance. You’ll probably have your frames for at least a year, so you want to love the ones you pick. Not sure which suit you best? We’ve got the keys to help you unlock how to choose eyeglasses frames.
Pick the Correct Frame Measurements
If you picked out your first pair of glasses at 8 years old, like me, then you probably didn’t know that glasses frames have actual measurements. Yep, it’s not as much of a “see if the shoe fits” kind of guessing game as you might think.
Look on the inside of one of the frame’s legs and you should see three numbers separated by dashes or squares. These tell you the size of different parts of that frame.
For example, 51-19-145 is the shorthand for a 51mm lens width, 19mm bridge width, and 145mm temple length. But what does that mean?
- The lens width is the distance from one end of the lens to the other.
- The bridge width is the distance from one end where the piece that goes over your nose connects to the rim to the other end.
- The temple length is the full distance of a glasses’ arms (aka, the part that folds).
Consider Your Prescription
The higher the prescription, the thicker the glasses' lenses will be. Even with high-index lenses, you’ll still have some extra heft there that mild prescription or blue-light blocking and fashion lenses won’t. If you have a high prescription and want full-rimmed glasses, look for ones with rims on the thicker side.
Similarly, bifocals, trifocals, and progressives require taller/wider lenses to accommodate the different vision variations. It’s important to know how strong your prescription is so you can choose the right frames for you.
If you have multi-focal lenses, avoid the small lens frames that have come back into fashion. And if you’re unsure about the frame you’ve picked out, ask your optometrist or vision tech to check for you.
Your frame needs may change depending on what kind of lenses your insurance covers. Lower-index lenses are cheaper but thicker and won't fit well in every frame.
Related: 6 Tips for Buying Jewelry as a Gift (That They'll Actually Love)
Think About Your Daily Needs
Glasses frames come in multiple materials, each of which has its own pros and cons. The most common materials include:
- Acetate
- Plastic
- Stainless steel
- Aluminum
- Titanium
- Combination
Acetate and plastic frames typically lack nose pads, which can be more comfortable for some. However, they can grow milky/hazy over time, which means you may need to invest in acetate/plastic frames more frequently than with metal ones.
However, metal frames typically offer fewer fun styles, so they might not suit a fashion-forward career. In contrast, athletic and outdoorsy people often prefer acetate or combination frames because they can take quite a beating.
Think about your lifestyle and priorities. These should help you narrow down the best eyeglass frames for you.
Decide What Features You Want to Highlight
Everyone has a facial feature they like best, and you probably want a pair of eyeglasses that highlight said feature. For example, if you love the shape of your eyebrows, you’ll want to look for glasses frames that don’t obscure them. Aviation-style frames might not be best because of the tall brow bar.
Love your eye color? Look for frames in a color that complements it. Want your eye makeup fully visible? Pick frames with a larger lens height. Need glasses but don’t want to obscure your face? Look for clear frames.
Buying frames in-person? Take a selfie of each one so you can actually see what they look like. Bring along a ring light to correct the store’s (usually) poor lighting.
Appraise Your Face Shape
While your face shape shouldn’t be a deterrent for a specific type of glasses frame, some people might discover that certain frame styles fit their face best. For example, I have wider, higher cheekbones, and smaller frames can exaggerate them to a clownish degree. It’s why larger frames that take up more real estate on my face give me better balance.
What’s complementary is all up to you! People with lovely round faces might prefer adding definition with sharp square or rectangle frames, while others might think equally round frames give off a romantic feel.
Play around with different frames and see how they sit on your face. The more you try on, the more evidence you’ll have for what you think suits you. Knowing your go-to shape can make glasses shopping a breeze in the future.
The Final Step Is Falling in Love
Ultimately, the key to choosing glasses frames is falling in love with one. But you can make falling in love an assured thing by arming yourself with these helpful tools.
