What would Elton John or Sylvia Weinstock look like without their signature glasses? We wouldn’t even want to know. It’s time to own your glasses, and make these your most eye-popping accessory.
First step: Choose a color. Tara Dupuis, a fashion stylist in Los Angeles, recommends treating glasses like any other accessory. Think about what colors and metals are your favorites, and pick a frame and color the same way. You should be letting your personality shine through your glasses, while also considering how they will look with the clothing you wear most often.
Have fun with them: Eyeglass prescriptions are valid only for one to three years, so chances are, you’ll be swapping out these glasses for new ones pretty soon.
If you have a round face …
Go for bold, rectangular frames, Dupuis says. These complement the soft, round features of your face while drawing attention to your eyes. “Angular and geometric frames are also great for providing some contrast to a round shape,” she says.
Try these
- Cat-Eye Glasses ($28 at Zennioptical.com): They’re a chunky cat-eye shape with a retro vibe. Fit them for sunglasses or prescription glasses, or just use them as an accessory.
- Carrick (starting at $95 at Warbyparker.com): The vintage-inspired rectangular shape is made from cellulose acetate and will complement a round-shaped face.
If you have an oval face …
Go for any shape glasses, Dupuis says. “An oval face shape is the most versatile when it comes to choosing a frame,” she says. Most frames flatter your face. Consider a rectangular or geometric frame if you want to add structure and balance out your soft curves.
Try these
- Unique Cat-Eye Tortoise Eyeglasses ($32 at Eyebuydirect.com): These glamorous, horn-shaped classic square lenses really make a statement — and you can totally pull these off.
- Rickey Smiley 212 ($80 at Americasbest.com): They’re a timeless cat-eye shape fitted into a black frame. Since your face is so versatile, try these on for size.
If you have a heart-shaped face …
Go for glasses with angles or sharp lines to make your face appear to be more angular than curved, says Norman Shedlo, an optometrist with the Eyecare Center of Maryland. “Glasses that extend out at the corners will also help to soften a sharp jawline,” he says. You want a shape that will add width to your chin to balance your wide forehead and narrow chin — and rectangular or square frames are good for this.
Try these
- Wilkie Eastern Bluebird Fade (starting at $95 at Warbyparker.com): Available in extra narrow, medium or extra wide, these will flatter any heart-shaped face.
- Sebastian Square Rose Gold Eyeglasses ($39 at Eyebuydirect.com): Rimless or clear classes are a good idea for heart-shaped faces because they balance your facial features.
If you have square-shaped face …
Go for a soft, round frame. “Frames with angles or sharp lines will make a square face appear more angular,” Shedlo says. “Round or oval shapes work well for softening the facial features.”
Try these
- Ray Ban RB7140 ($203 at Glasses.com): These unisex transparent glasses are soft and round, and will lighten your entire face. They’re also available in blue and in black.
- Oval glasses 208221 ($16 at Zennioptical.com): This budget price includes the frame, prescription lenses, antiscratch coating and UV protection. Grab them in all three colors (black, blue, pink).
If you have a diamond-shaped face (high cheekbones) …
Go for glasses that extend out at the corners, which will soften a sharp jawline, Shedlo says. Some good examples of these types of frames, he says, are cat-eye glasses, round glasses, aviator sunglasses, butterfly frames and Wayfarer sunglasses.
Try these
- Hilary ($29 at Zeelool.com): The butterfly frames are full of drama and come in six colors.
- Percey (starting at $95 at Warbyparker.com): These round glasses are available in multiple widths and eight colors, and they provide a classic frame.
