Many factors come into play when getting a new pair of glasses. You have different lenses, coatings, and brands to choose between, but many people forget you have to select your frames as well. Your optometrist can help, but how can you get a head start knowing which frames are right for you?
Continue reading to learn more about glasses frames, including how you can determine which are right for your face.
Common Types of Frames
If you walk into your optometrist’s office, you’ll likely see hundreds of options for glasses. It can be a little overwhelming to figure out which frames will look good when you wear them.
Some common types of frames include:
- Round frames
- Oval frames
- Coloured frames
- Rectangular frames
- Upswept frames
- Angular frames
- Aviator frames
- D-frames
- Cat-eye frames
- Oversized
- Plastic vs. metal
Choosing the right frames isn’t just a matter of making a decision; there’s a process to identify which frames suit you best, beginning with your face shape. It is also important to choose a frame that will work with your spectacle prescription so that you can optically have the best vision. An optician can help steer you towards frames that fit your face and spectacle correction.
Determine Your Face Shape
You can choose any frames you like, but your face shape can help determine the best frames for your overall look. You don’t just want to wear glasses; you want to look great while doing it. Identifying your face shape is the first step in finding the right frames.
Oval Face Shape
An oval face shape has balanced proportions with narrowing at the forehead and chin. They’re well-balanced, and many different styles can look great. If you have this face shape, look for glasses as wide or wider than the broadest part of your face.
Heart-Shaped Face
Heart-shaped faces typically feature soft, wide cheekbones and foreheads. Another feature of this face shape is a narrow chin, creating the overall “heart” shape. If you have this face shape, wider bottom frames can be a good choice.
Consider asking your optometry team about what kinds of thin and rimless frames they have in stock.
Square Face Shape
A square face has the same width across the forehead, cheeks, and jaw. It has an overall proportion and longer look. If you have a square face shape, you can use frames that can soften the angles of your face.
Ask your optometry team about their narrow frame styles. You can get frames featuring more width than depth, with narrow ovals.
Round Face Shape
Round faces can be almost perfectly symmetrical. Your cheeks and chin are likely softer, and the width between your features is equal. If you have a round face shape, you can make your features appear longer and thinner with your frames.
Angular, narrow frames or options with a clear bridge and rectangular frames can be a good choice.
Base-Down Triangle
Triangular faces typically feature a wider forehead, narrow chin, and angular cheeks. Your glasses can add width and emphasize the upper parts of your face.
You can look at options with colour accents and detail on the frame’s brow.
Oblong Face Shape
Oblong faces are longer with a straight cheek line. This face shape is typically less wide, and your glasses can help your face appear shorter and more balanced. Consider looking into frames that offer more depth than width.
How Can You Determine Your Face Shape?
There’s no guaranteed way to figure out your face shape, but you can identify what looks most similar to yours. There are 3 steps you can do to help determine what face shape most closely resembles your own:
- Look at your jawline in the mirror; is it curved or more angular?
- Look at your forehead; is it wide or narrow?
- Look at your cheekbones; are they soft or more prominent?
Choosing a pair of glasses frames is easier now that you’ve got an idea of what your face shape is. However, you shouldn’t forget the other features that can influence your lenses, such as skin tone, eye colour, and hair colour. These are helpful guidelines but not hard and fast rules.
Don’t Forget About the Necessary Details
Your face shape isn’t the only important aspect when choosing the right frames. Skin tone, eye colour, and hair colour can impact your final decision. The right frames for you will complement these factors, and your optometry team can help determine which frames do this best.
Skin Tone
Your skin tone is either warm or cool, no matter your skin colour. Someone with a cool complexion has more pink and blue undertones, while a warm skin tone has a more yellow or peach-like undertone.
Eye Colour
Your eye colour isn’t as big a factor when choosing your frames because there are many colour variations. Blue eyes can range between light and dark, and the same with brown eyes.
Hair Colour
Hair colour can be warm and cooler, just like your skin tone. Blond, platinum, white, auburn, and ash brown hair are cool, while golden blond, brown-gold, and brownish-black hair are warm.
These 3 factors can help determine what colour of frames suits you. With so many colours to choose between, you may need some extra help. Your optometry team can help you with all of your glasses needs, from fitting to styling.
Your Optometrist is Here to Help
Choosing the right glasses can seem difficult, but you aren’t going through this alone. Your optometry team can assist you as much as you need to get you a pair of glasses that you feel confident wearing. Of course, have fun with his process as well! At the end of the day these are guidelines, but you want to pick a frame to fit with your individual style that you love and feel comfortable wearing. Please consult with an optician – they are highly trained to help you pick the most appropriate frames for your eyes!
If you need a new pair of glasses, contact your optometrist today.
