How To Choose Glasses Frames That Won't Age You
The older we get, the more likely it is that we’ll need to wear glasses at least some of the time. But with some smart tips and the right attitude, your new glasses can be a secret fashion weapon.
“Wearing them can be a great way to help give a natural lift to the face, giving the illusion of lifting it, enhancing the eyes and showcasing the personality,” said personal wardrobe stylist Sandra Veum. “Even if eyes get puffy with age, glasses can be a great way to slightly camouflage the puffiness. It’s one of my favorite accessories for adding pizzazz to an outfit, and I recommend for my clients to own a few pairs of different styles.”
If you’re ready to have a little fun and be bolder in your look, glasses are a perfect place to start. “As we age, we become clearer about who we are, and less worried about what other people think,” said optometrist and eyewear stylist Eva Dave. “It’s the ideal time to experiment with different colors and styles and have fun with your eyewear choices.”
If you’re wondering how to find the right shape, style and color for your face, our experts had lots of great advice.
Tip 1: Don’t outsource the decision.
“It’s a common mistake to let someone else, such as a daughter or a close friend, make eyewear decisions for you,” Dave said. “Choosing glasses because they look good on an influencer or a friend also can lead to choices that aren’t well-suited to your own personal style or wardrobe needs.”
“Professional eyewear consultants are trained to know which frames will work best for you,” said fashion, style and travel expert Nikki Steele. “For example, some lenses need more space to work better in a larger frame, or maybe some frames are too heavy for certain bridges of noses.”
One big way a professional will help is with the kind of close observations your friends might not be able to offer. “They’ll help you avoid glasses that are too wide for the face or ones that sit too low, hitting your cheekbones when you smile,” Veum said. You can play a part in perfecting your fit, too: “Make sure that when you’re trying on frames, you test the shape by smiling, tilting your head down and turning side to side,” she said.
Tip 2: Consider these styles to flatter the face.
“As gravity pulls our faces downward, look for frames that draw attention upward,” Dave advised. “A soft cat-eye can help elevate your gaze, define your cheekbones and add a little pizzazz. Frames with details on the upper outer edges also help shift focus upward rather than downward.”
If you have dark under-eye circles, select a frame with a rim that closely follows the circle. “This will appear to magically eliminate them,” she said. “Or choose a frame with a lighter color, like white or cream, on the inside, as this will reflect a brighter tone in your under-eye area.”
Tip 3: Don’t try to make yourself (and your glasses) disappear.
“The biggest mistake I see older people make when choosing glasses is they tend to go less bold,” Steele said. “I believe everyone deserves to be seen and heard, so please pick the bold choice instead.”
“One of the most common mistakes I see older people make when choosing glasses is to select a pair that no one will notice,” said optician and personal stylistDaniel Scott. “This leads them to choose rimless or semi-rimless styles, which can completely wash them out and age them even further. You’ll look far younger and more vibrant in eyewear by simply embracing it and owning the fact you are someone who wears glasses.”
Tip 4: But don’t allow frames to overpower your face.
You’ve probably got at least one friend who decided to approach over-60s glasses with gusto, and is now sporting glasses frames the size of dinner plates. Fashion stylistCatherine Bibeau warned against wearing glasses with frames that are too heavy. In addition to being out of proportion, she cautioned that they can be unstable on the nose. Even worse? “Having oversized brand logos that detract from your face’s charm,” she said.
Tip 5: Unless you’re a true “winter,” reconsider black frames.
“I can confidently say, as an expert in color analysis, that it is actually onlywinter seasons that truly suit black frames really well,” Scott said. As people age and their pigmentation fades along with their hair color, black can suddenly look very stark against the skin tone of an older person.”
His advice was echoed by Dave, who said: “Frames that are too dark for your coloring can cast shadows on your face and enhance dark circles.”
Tip #6: Consider anti-aging lenses.
These lenses are designed to block several kinds of light wavelengths, which can accelerate aging of the eyes and the skin around them. “What’s clever and ground-breaking is that as well as absorbing UV light and blue light, they also absorb infrared too, preventing key signs of aging developing around the eyes, such as wrinkles and dark circles,” Scott said. “And they preserve the health of the eyes themselves.”
You can also jazz up your lenses with a colored tint. “Fashion tints are now a huge trend in celebrity eyewear style,” Scott said. “You can actually completely transform how a piece of eyewear looks by putting a fashion tint in the lens, adjusting the coating color or introducing a photochromic option.”
“Wear eyewear that makes you feel amazing.”
Finally, if you’re thinking, “they’re just glasses,” remember that they’re an important part of your overall look. “Your style of eyeglasses is one of the most important ways to showcase your style and personality,” Veum said.
As long as you’re happy with them, that’s all that matters. “I always remind my clients that approximately one-third of people will love your style, one-third will hate it and one-third won’t care either way,” Dave said. “So you might as well embrace your individuality and wear eyewear that makes you feel amazing. Ultimately, when you wear frames that make you feel youthful and fabulous, that confidence is reflected in every area of your life.”
Do you already wear glasses? The products below will make life so much easier.
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Amazon
Non-slip adhesive nose pads
Whether you're battling those painful nose indents or a pair of glasses that won't stop slipping down your face, these cushioned nose pads are meant to give you some relief when you stick them to your glasses. Made with soft surgical-grade silicone, these pads easily adhere to most frames in order to reduce the space between the glasses and nose bridge so they stay in place. This set comes with 12 pairs of clear pads.
Amazon
Silicone ear-hook grips
Great for active glasses-wearers or if you're feeling a little behind-the-ear strain, these hook attachments help to keep glasses in place using a soft and easy-to-clean silicone. This set comes with 14 pairs of grips.
Amazon
A non-slip wax for glasses
If you don't want to use attachments to remedy slippage, this beeswax-based stick can be applied to the nose pads and bridge of your frames to provide a layer of friction and keep them in place on your face. This all-natural and cosmetic-grade formula works to prevent glasses from sliding for up to an entire day and won't leave any residue behind.
Amazon
A cut-out pillow for glasses
Out of all the trials and tribulations associated with wearing glasses, the worst just might be when you try to lay on your side to watch a movie or television show and your glasses get smashed against your face. This cleverly designed pillow is meant to do away with all that annoying readjusting thanks to a convenient cut-out that accommodates your frames. The pillow's core is made with a soft yet responsive cooling latex and is covered in a breathable Tencel fabric.
Amazon
A pair of glasses-friendly over-the-ear headphones
According to reviewers, Bose's QuietComfort 45 headphones manage to stay comfortable to wear even while also wearing glasses, which can be a feat when it comes to over-the-ear audio. The slightly oversized and cushioned ear cups won't put strain or pressure on the arms of your frames and the headband is adjustable.
Aside from their comfortable wear, these wireless headphones boast Bose's signature high-fidelity sound which can be adjusted to set bass, mid-range, and treble levels to your personal preference. Enjoy 20 hours of listening per charge, 11 levels of active noise canceling and a microphone system that allows you to take calls and be heard, even in noisy surroundings.
Amazon
A plush-lined glasses holder
There are times when I will carelessly throw my glasses on the nightstand before bed, only to wake up in the morning to find them lying lens-side down and scratched (or completely missing entirely). If you're in a similar boat, you might find this upright holder that's lined with a plush protective material to be a very worth addition to your nightstand.
Amazon
A glasses repair kit
Repair virtually any loose hinge or missing nose pad on your glasses with this extensive kit that contains tweezers, 16 sizes of eyeglass screws and eight precision screwdrivers with magnetic tips that are perfect for picking up tiny screws.
Amazon
A pair of clip-on sunglasses
Transform any pair of glasses into sunglasses with this pair of polarized clip-on lenses that attach to the nose bridge of your existing frames. This means you don't have to struggle to find oversized sunnies that can fit over your glasses or order a pair of prescription sunglasses. The lenses, which are offered in five different hues, contain a polarizing core, two UV-filtering layers and two anti-scratch layers.
Amazon
Individually wrapped pre-moistened towelettes
Pre-moistened lens cleaning wipes are always swimming around in my purse so I can address smudges and splatters on my lenses no matter where I am. This pack of 210 individually wrapped towelettes has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon and promises a quick-drying, streak- and residue-free performance to help you have crystal clear vision with your glasses.
Amazon
A glass cleaner and microfiber set
This popular glass cleaner set comes with two bottles of a deionized water solution that's formulated to keep multi-coated lenses extremely clean and intact. The ammonia- and alcohol-free solution is also accompanied by two microfiber cloths that can tackle fingerprints and other smudges without scratching lenses or leaving behind fuzz.
Amazon
An anti-fog lens spray
Steam from hot meals, your breath and mask-wearing are all surefire ways to cloud up your lenses, proving this anti-fog spray a useful product. Safe for a variety of lenses including goggles and VR headsets, this proprietary solution helps to prevent fog buildup caused by humidity for up to 24 hours.
Amazon
A set of lightweight glasses chains
Though handy to have, especially if you take your glasses on and off frequently, glasses chains are not always the most fashionable accessory. But the assortment of ultra lightweight chains in this 4-piece set look more like necklaces, and feature anti-slip loops to keep your frames securely in place until you're ready to wear them.
Etsy/HomeDesignStores
A pair of mask hook attachments
If your mask straps and glasses frames are at constant war with each other, these mask extending attachments can make things a bit more copacetic and reduce tugging on the backs of your ears. The attachments slide onto the arms of your frames and offer an easy resting place for mask bands to sit or be easily removed — no tangling involved.
