How to Choose the PERFECT pair of Eyeglasses

by Gal Shapiro EyeBuyDirect Fashion Stylist

Eyeglasses do more than just improve eyesight – they are also a reflection of one´s personality and individual style. Today with so many choices available on the eyewear market, finding the perfect pair can indeed be a difficult and overwhelming experience.

Selecting a pair of eyeglasses is often like choosing a hairstyle – not all cuts and colors will suit you. Fortunately, eyeglasses are becoming cheaper and more accessible, giving today´s consumers the option of owning multiple pairs. This enables wearers to select whichever glasses they´re in the mood for on any particular day, and even allows them to match frames with their outfit.

To help aid your judgments, here are 5 factors to consider when selecting eyeglasses.

1) Your glasses frames should suit and flatter your face shape:

• For round faces, try boxy or narrow rectangular eyeglasses to lengthen the face. Wider lens shapes are preferable to longer ones, and avoid round frames which make the face look larger.
• Oblong faces are long and thin. This type of face will seem shorter and more balanced with wide rectangular or even triangular lenses. Frames that have embellishment near the sides will broaden the face.
• An oval face can support any type of frame due to its equal proportions.
• Try round or oval frames to soften the look of square face. To make this face shape appear longer, try frames with slightly more width than depth.
• Diamond faces generally have wider cheekbones, while the jaw and eye lines are narrower. Choose oval, cat-eye shaped or rimless glasses to reduce the horizontal distance between your cheekbones.
• Flatter a heart-shaped face with frames that are wider at the bottom than the top, or select a rimless or light colored frame to draw less attention to the top of your face.

2) Eyewear frame size should be in proportion with your face size.

• If you have a small head, stick to small glasses frames otherwise your glasses will appear too big for your head.
• If you have an unusually large head, avoid oversized glasses as they will tend to exaggerate your head size.\Ensure your glasses aren´t any wider than the widest part of your face.
• Avoid glasses that appear to squeeze your face.

3) Your glasses should enhance or reflect your best features.

For instance, emphasize the color of blue eyes with blue frames. If you have big, beautiful eyes, don´t select frames that are highly decorated or complicated, as they will distract attentions away from your attractive feature. And if you have naturally rosy red or blushed cheeks, keep with this theme by trying pink or red frames.

4 )Look for glasses that are versatile and suit your lifestyle.

Versatile eyeglasses can be worn daily and to a variety of occasions and events, from casual lunches to award ceremonies. Generally neutral or achromatic colors (black, white, gray, brown, tan, beige) will complement most outfits and are respectable enough to wear to the most formal of events.

If you spend much of your time in an office environment, professional looking, business-type glasses like semi-rimless and rectangular are ideal. If you live an artistic lifestyle, you might want to choose an edgy pair with wide sidearms, a bold color or a striking striped pattern. And if you are a tradesperson, it might be wise to consider a pair that is durable yet not too expensive, as manual jobs could put your glasses at risk of accidents and breakages.

However, if you are one of the fortunate ones who are able to afford multiple pairs of glasses, this will give you the flexibility to mix-and-match glasses to outfits and particular occasions.

5) Consider what your eyewear says about you.

Glasses are often the first thing people will notice when they see your face. Consequently, this first impression could greatly contribute to the opinions people form about your personality or character. If you want to reflect your bold and daring side, why not show people through head-turning frames? And if you are a reserved, sensible and level-headed person, choose frames which are unobtrusive, simple and modest. What could be worse than projecting personality traits that you simply don't have?

Most importantly, trust your instincts when considering eyewear. While other people´s advice can be valuable, you are the best judge of your wants, needs, loves and hates. By listening to yourself and considering your personality, facial features and lifestyle, it´s hard to go wrong.