How to match frames to my face?

[amdi8]

The recent discussion about choosing frames for glases had this nugget there:

I can't reiterate enough how important it is to get a frame that fits your face properly and doesn't look completely horrendous when paired with your eye color, flesh tone and hair color.

So, in general, what are the things to look for when matching frames to my face as far as shape and color? I'm afraid I'm totally clueless about that.

I was planning on going to the optometrist to get a pair of glasses, but I'd like to have some idea before I walk in and I get horrible advice from a 50-year old lady :-b

 

[Britalian]

These may be of some help:
http://www.danda.co.uk/opticians/eye_wear/advice.asp

http://www.specsavers.co.uk/cgi-bin/...ame=guide.html

 

[Bandwagonesque]

1) comfort and fit... I've had a few pairs that looked good on me, that keep sliding down after my nose gets a bit of oil on it. Make sure they fit behind the ears also. Damn my big head. Rimless are flimsy and suck.
2) make sure they match your complexion and hair. Black frames only look good if you have almost black hair. They are very stark and look silly on me - pale w/ brown hair. Tortoise rocks.
3) the shape should match your face. There are no hard and fast rules... only guidelines. Ignore the Hollywood trends, and just go for what looks best on you. Nobody cares if you're wearing metal frames when plastic frames are "in", or vice versa.
4) forget about brands - 80% of what you'll find in most stores is made by Luxoitica anyway. Ignore Gucci or any other brand that slaps a huge logo on the side. Tres tacky.
5) Try stuff on at Lenscrafters, then go to a small, local optometrist that can order in the frames for you at cost (usually)... then charge a "dispensing fee" or something similar. Costs are usually 25-50% cheaper than Lenscrafters.

 

[gamelan]

Originally Posted by Bandwagonesque

3) the shape should match your face. There are no hard and fast rules... only guidelines.

big face = small lens. trust me, i speak from personal experience on this one.

-Jeff

 

[Bandwagonesque]

Originally Posted by gamelan

big face = small lens. trust me, i speak from personal experience on this one.

-Jeff

Wouldn't that make ones face look...bigger?

 

[gamelan]

Originally Posted by Bandwagonesque

Wouldn't that make ones face look...bigger?

for me the smaller lens definitely looked better than my older glasses with the big lens.

-Jeff

 

[thinman]

If you can find a library copy of "Color for Men", there is a section in the back devoted to matching face and eyeglass shapes. I own the book, but don't have a scanner to post (nor do I have the book at work with me). Matching frame color and hair color works well for me.

 

[nomovement]

I didn't even read the other responses because, I've already tried to do so much research on my own and it just never worked until I went to a boutique optometrist. I'd never seen a pair of glasses that I would consider putting on my face and, with the help of the stylist in the boutique, I was looking at 5 different pairs of glassses that I had to have within 10 minutes. Just go and take a few minutes with a consultant, then you'll have an explicit idea of what you need-you might even be able to find a similar style at that gangster ass optometrist you go to with the 50 year old lady behind the counter.

 

[mensimageconsultant]

The Specsavers guide is very good, although it questionably implies that male oval faces are small. It would be even better if it mentioned nose size and eye spacing for specific face shapes. For example, a long nose can take lenses with greater vertical height, to distract from the nose. (Though there are exceptions, let's assume that the long nose is found on a long face.) The big face mentioned probably has a relatively small nose.

 

[Renault78law]

your eyeballs should be in the center of each lens.

 

[amdi8]

I ended up going to the optometrist and letting the 50-year old lady suggest frames for me and she did a super job. Much better than I would have been able to

She immediately knew whether protruding sides would be good for my face, the correct nose bridge width, the shape of the glasses, the size...

Not like I care that much since they're only going to be an occasional pair for whenever I can't wear contacts, but it's nice that she did a great job with it.

 

[seanchai]

Originally Posted by amdi8

I ended up going to the optometrist and letting the 50-year old lady suggest frames for me and she did a super job. Much better than I would have been able to She immediately knew whether protruding sides would be good for my face, the correct nose bridge width, the shape of the glasses, the size... Not like I care that much since they're only going to be an occasional pair for whenever I can't wear contacts, but it's nice that she did a great job with it.
I did the same a few months ago and was shocked at how good my optician was. For being not very stylish herself she was unbelievably sharp at picking frames off a wall for me. I think they must have to somehow prove they're good at their jobs...