Eyeglasses are fun, sexy and sophisticated. They can add a touch of class, “nerdiness” or elegance to any outfit. Women who wear eyeglasses are generally perceived as more intelligent and interesting. Of course, you can be smart, sophisticated and sexy without glasses but a great pair of spectacles never hurt. The truth is, choosing a great pair of eyeglass frames for women is as important as a fashion decision as any could be. Whether you choose a modern and sleek style or go for a more traditional look, your eyeglasses say something about who you are.
How to Choose Eyeglass Frames for Women
1. Take a look at your face in the mirror and decide what shape your face is.
If you have a round face, then your face is full and circular.
An oval face is long and proportionate.
A square face is boxier and more angled.
A heart-shaped face is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom.
A long face is narrow and long and often has a pointy chin.
A triangular face looks like an upside-down triangle with a wider set eye and forehead and a pointier chin.
2. Once you have decided your face shape, consider the use of these glasses.
Every day?
When contacts are not in use?
For work?
For casual events?
For formal events?
Just for the show? (No lenses)
3. Now, think about your style. Are you…
Funky?
Preppy?
Modern?
Sophisticated?
Understated?
LOUD?
4. Lastly, consider your budget.
Be sure to walk into the optical center or log onto the eyeglass website with a reasonable budget in mind. Salespeople and advertisements will, of course, steer you toward the most expensive frames. However, if you fall in love with a pair that you can’t afford you will be very disappointed.
Once you have considered all of these factors you will be ready to make a decision. Your style will dictate what color, style, and details you choose. If you are funky, for example, you may want colorful frames. However, a preppy girl might love a pair of solid black eyeglasses with a thick frame. When and how often you will wear the glasses is also important. If you plan to wear your glasses every day then you should invest in a solid pair that won’t break easily. However, if you only plan to wear them occasionally or when you have taken your contacts out then you may just want to choose a simple pair. By the same token, a great pair of colorful glasses could be great for a day at the park but not appropriate for an event in the evening. And, of course, your budget is always an important factor. What can you afford? What CAN’T you afford?
Your face shape is, however, the single most important factor in choosing eyeglass frames for women. The right pair of eyeglass frames can make a woman look stunning while the wrong pair can make her look homely or make her face look out of proportion. So, how do you choose?
Here is a quick guide:
Round face (A circular shape with rounded cheeks and few angles or strong lines):
If you have a round face, you want to steer away from rounded glasses which will give your face even more fullness. You should also nix glasses with huge frames as they can make your face look larger when the lenses sit on your cheeks. However, tiny frames are generally not a great choice either. A medium-sized frame in a dark color will break up the face and give it definition. The Maui Jim Ho’okipa Sunglasses are a great choice for this face shape.
Stars with round faces: Kirsten Dunst, Ginnifer Goodwin, Cameron Diaz
Oval face (A long, evenly proportioned face):
This facial structure looks great with almost any frame. However, if your face is a tad longer than you might like, try wearing large frames to take the emphasis off of the length of your jaw.
Stars with oval faces: Beyonce, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson, Tina Fey
Heart-shaped face (A face with a larger forehead and smaller, pointier chin):
Choose eyewear which emphasizes the bottom half of your face to bring accentuation to the smaller half of your face and create balance. You can choose glasses with lenses that are larger at the bottom or with thicker frames at the bottom to do this.
Stars with heart-shaped faces: Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Christina Ricci
Square face (a face that is a bit boxy and has strong angles):
A square face can be a bit harsh if you wear rectangular or square-shaped glasses. Try choosing frames with soft lines to break up the face and diminish the strong angles. Call attention to the eyes with colorful frames and rounded lenses for a funky look that will accommodate and flatter your feature. For example, Cocoons Fit-Overs in Medium will look good on a square face.
Stars with square faces: Demi Moore, Keira Knightley, Mandy Moore
Now you are armed with all of the information that you need to make an informed decision about eyeglass frames for women. They are not all created equally and some may work well for one person and not for another. Brand name or designer frames are great but if they are out of your budget or don’t suit your face shape then it doesn’t matter how “cool” they are. If you choose a pair of glasses that are not suitable for your style, you will be left with buyer’s remorse. Sure, the hot pink frames looked great at the store but will you wear them? Also, keep in mind when you plan to wear them. If they are everyday glasses then simple and sophisticated is probably best. They will match everything and be suitable for any occasion. If you are only going to wear them occasionally then spending a huge sum of money doesn’t make sense. All of these factors should play a part in your choice. The greatest advice for an eyeglass shopper? Don’t buy the first pair you like and be sure to wear them around the store for a while.