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the best fit
“One size fits all” does not apply to choosing eyeglass frames. Your face shape, prescription strength, and lifestyle should impact your choice of eyewear.
The following tips will ensure that you have the best look and custom fit in your new eyeglasses.
Proper Fit
When your frames fit properly, they will not pinch or move around on your face when you smile, raise your eyebrows, or make any facial expressions. They should not rest on your cheeks, touch your temples, or make contact with your brows.
Face Shape
There are five main face shapes: oval, round, rectangular, square and triangular. Once you have determined the shape of your face, it will be easier see the affects of various frames on your overall look.
| Rectangular Smaller frames tend to emphasize the length of a rectangular face. Bigger, longer frames will make your face appear shorter. |
Triangular Eyeglasses with pointed angles bring out your face shape. For a straighter, longer look, try on some rectangular frames. |
Square Circular and oval glasses will contrast with a square face; straight lines, rectangular or triangular frames will emphasize it. |
Round Oval or round frames will make your face look rounder and softer. Frames with straight lines give a structured, angular look. |
Oval An oval face has the widest range of frame selection. Large, small, or trendy, all kinds will suit you. |
Thickness of Eyeglass Frames and Lenses
Over the years, a great deal of progress has been made in reducing the thickness and magnifying appearance of lenses. Nonetheless, if placed in the wrong frames, strong prescription lenses may still produce some unwanted effects.
If you are extremely farsighted, your lenses may make your eyes look magnified to others. Selecting a larger frame can bring your eyes back into proportion with the rest of your face. If you are extremely nearsighted, the opposite is true. Your lenses may make the eyes look smaller than they actually are. Selecting a more compact frame style can reduce this effect. With any type of lens, frames with thicker profiles can mask the thickness of the lens.
Hairstyle
If you have bangs, avoid glasses that are too large. Frames that are very dark or heavy in combination with bangs can cause your face to disappear. Short hair will showcase your glasses better than any other style. Hairstyles with high volume that expose your face and make your head look bigger, need to be counterbalanced with larger frames to maintain the proportion. If you change your hairstyle often, you may want to consider having various frames to complement each style.
Eyebrows
The position of your eyeglasses, relative to your eyebrows, is important when selecting a frame. Glasses should not hide the eyebrows. Make sure the top of your frames falls just below your eyebrows. Frames that are curved on top should follow your brow line as closely as possible without crossing it.
Hair, Eye and Frame Color
Brown hair goes well with metal or darker frames. Transparent or light-colored frames are best for blonds. All colors except yellow and white work well on redheads. The color of your eyebrows should also be a factor in your frame selection. However, if your hair and eyebrow colors are different, your hair color is a more important consideration.
Your eye color can be complemented by or coordinated with your frames. Dark brown eyes are the most versatile. Almost any color will work well, but dark brown frames are probably the least flattering. Rosy, orange, tawny, and dark purple tones look best with blue eyes. Roses, purples, warm greens and gold highlighted frames look good with light brown or hazel eyes. Green eyes look best with khaki, chocolate, purple and burgundy colors.