perfect style & fit - How To Choose Glasses

What style and fit is right when choosing new vintage eyewear? Here's our handy how-to guide to choosing glasses…

STYLE

Frame shape should contrast face shape to achieve balance. So if you have angular features, soften with curves and if you have round features, get some angles going on.

Use darker tones and square shapes to break up length and add sharpness. Or try a cat eye to break up squarer and more rounded face shapes.

Above all, go with your gut and wear what you love.

FIT

A good fit is crucial to comfort. When choosing glasses, oversized or not, pay attention to the width of the frames and the distance between the two lenses.

Your eyes should sit as close to the horizontal centre of each lens as possible and vertically in the top third of the frame. Balance your features and keep some proportion above and below the frames. 

Be warned... a frame that's too wide, will make your eyes appear too close together and no one will ever trust you again. They'll end up on the end of your nose before long! Go too narrow and you risk appearing a little alien. Don’t follow guidelines solely based on the shape of your face, work with your own features. 

A - width of lens (mm)

B - depth of lens (mm)

DBL - distance between lenses (mm)

Side length (SL) - taken from screw to tip (mm)

FW - frame temple width, total width of glasses (mm)

 
 

Top Tip : Look at measurements on your old eyewear to find a similar size that works for you.

Once you find your perfect pair - note the frame size and measurements and use this when in search of your next piece.

COMMON FIT PROBLEMS

Glasses ending up on the end of your nose - make sure you’re wearing the correct frame width, if you are, a simple adjustment at your local optician’s all that’s needed.  

If your nose pads are pinching and leaving indents, they’re probably too tight. This one is easily remedied with a fitting adjustment.

Aching behind the ears - if you’re experiencing this, it’s due to the bend of your glasses sides - this is solved by having a professional adjustment at your local opticians.

COLOUR

Choose colours that compliment you - colours that you know work with your skin tone, eye and hair colour. Choose colours you both adore and that work with your current wardrobe.

A good rule of thumb is if your coloring is warm, stick with colours that have warm undertones. If your coloring is cool, go for colours that have cool undertones...

  • Cool (pink, red or blue undertones)

  • Warm (peachy, golden or yellow undertones)

  • Neutral (a mix of warm and cool undertones)

Black and tortoise frames are classic for a reason - they look great and work with everything. Or go bold and make a statement with vivid hue.

When it comes to lens colours, the world's your oyster! Choose block or graduated; all colours have different strengths... 

Greys keep colour true, browns offer warm tones, greens are calming, pinks enhance visual depth, blues improve colour perception and yellows are perfect for low light like sunrise and sundowners. 

UV PROTECTION

Sunglasses are crucial for protecting against sunlight that damages eyes over time. Only shop frames with UV 400 protection. The bigger the frame, the better the coverage. Don't leave home without them! 

Get in touch and let us help you on your journey to eternal visual happiness.

Your face will thank you.