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Style is important in every setting, which is why it’s important to choose frames that not only feel good, but also look good.
Picking out the perfect pair of eyeglasses can be tough for anyone. While getting the correct prescription is the most important thing for eyeglass wearers, you shouldn’t settle for bland looking glasses that don’t fit your personality and style.
According to Antonio Centeno, the founder of Real Men Real Style, men need to consider at least five things when choosing their next pair of glasses: should they be noticeable, face shape, color, sizing and materials.
1. Should a man’s glasses be noticeable?
The traditional thought is that glasses should be unobtrusive, which is impossible to achieve even with the thinnest wire frames.
The thin-wire frame look may not be the best look for your face, but it’s also important not to let whichever pair you buy define your style. Glasses are meant to complement your style and a fashionable pair can become a part of your visual identity.
Don’t let the old tradition of thin-wire glasses be your style if it isn’t. Choose a pair of glasses that enhance your style even if it is the traditional thin-wire glasses.
At Performance Eyecare, we offer designer frames of the highest quality and also affordable name brands such as Lafont, Oakley, Oliver Peoples, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Tom Davies, OGA, Tom Ford, Maui Jim, OGI and many others.
2. Face shape
It’s important to keep your style in mind when choosing glasses, but don’t forget your face shape. Keeping your face shape in consideration will determine which frame shape is best for you.
Glasses for round faces
A “round” face is considered to be the same width and height with a curving chin and cheeks. Centeno suggests something angular and slimming for people with a round face.
Rectangular glasses will make your face appear longer and thinner. The corners of the glasses should be squared off and the frames should lean toward thin more than thick.
Glasses for square faces
A “square” face is similar to a round face in that it’s equal in width and height, but its features are more angled with a broad chin and strong jaw. Men who want to soften their impression can wear rounded lenses. Those who want a stronger profile and don’t want the glasses to look imposing can still wear squared-off lenses, but need to be sure the lenses are large and even in width and height.
Glasses for oval faces
“Oval” faces work well with most styles as long as you don’t go too extreme. An oval face is taller than it is wide with a rounded chin and high cheekbones. Oval faces can wear both squared-off and curving frames, narrow or wide.
The thing to look out for is if the frames are too square or circular. A thicker frame can add definition, but make sure it doesn’t overpower your features.
Glasses for heart-shaped faces
“Heart-shaped” faces have narrow cheekbones and a small chin. If you want to take away from your narrow chin, then choose wider frames at the top than the bottom. It’s also important to stay away from too block or squared-off because of the curves in your face’s shape.
3. Choosing the color
Most people wear the same glasses for years, so you better get used to the color. Men who wear suits and ties have a limited dress code which also narrows down the color selection for frames. Base metallic colors (gold and silver tones) or a fine black are acceptable. Suit-and-tie men should avoid thick, plastic-looking or brightly colored frames.
Casual dressers have a greater number of options to add colors, either as the solid base of the frames or as detailing. Thinner frames are best for men looking to add color.
4. Frame sizing
The rule of thumb here is that thinner frames will generally sit more comfortably and allow a closer fit. Large, heavy frames may need to be sized looser than normal.
Eyeglass frames are sized with three numbers representing in order: size of the lens, size of the bridge across the nose, and the length of the temples (the hooks that go over your ears). These measurements don’t take into account the shape of the wires or the thickness which means one set of frames may not be as comfortable as another with the identical measurement.
5. Frame materials
Plastics and nylon-based composites are usually used for brightly colored glasses. Higher-end sports glasses are made from more flexible nylon materials.
Titanium and titanium alloys are popular for their flexibility and the lighter weight. People with sensitive skin need to be more cautious with cheaper metals because some include nickel, which some have a contact allergy.
Aluminum frames are cheap, but not durable.