Choosing a new pair of glasses can be a great opportunity to express your personal style. With so many frames and lenses to choose from, finding the right pair can feel like a big decision.
The glasses that suit your face are the ones that balance your features, complement your personal colors, and fit your everyday life. Understanding these 3 elements can make your search for new eyewear simple and fun. At our practice, we love to walk you through each step of the process.
Find Your Face Shape
The first step to finding glasses you’ll love is to identify your face shape. Most faces fit into 1 of 4 main categories. The key to a great fit is contrast; you want frames that provide a gentle balance to your natural features.
The 4 Main Face Shapes
You can get a good idea of your face shape by looking for these general characteristics. Most people find they fit into one of these groups:
- Round: Your face has soft, curved lines with a similar width and length.
- Square: You have a strong jawline and a broad forehead, with a similar width and length.
- Oval: Your features are balanced, with a chin that’s slightly narrower than your forehead.
- Heart: You have a wider forehead and cheekbones that narrow down to a smaller chin.
A Simple Way to Check Your Shape
If you’re unsure, try this easy trick. Stand in front of a mirror and use a dry-erase marker to trace the outline of your face directly onto the glass. The shape you see when you step back can be a helpful guide.
Match Frames to Your Face Shape
Once you know your face shape, you can start to pick frames that create a pleasing balance. A helpful guideline is to choose a frame shape that is the opposite of your face shape. This contrast can highlight your features, but remember that your prescription might also play a role, especially if you have a condition like astigmatism that causes blurred vision.
Frames for a Round Face
To add definition to a round face, choose frames that introduce some angles. Rectangular and square frames can add structure. These shapes can help make your face appear a little longer and thinner.
Frames for a Square Face
You can soften strong, angular features with frames that have gentle curves. Round or oval frames can balance your angles. This contrast helps to create a softer overall look.
Frames for an Oval Face
An oval face shape works well with most frame styles, giving you lots of options. You can try out bold or classic shapes with confidence. Just look for frames that are as wide as the widest part of your face for good proportion.
Frames for a Heart-Shaped Face
To balance a wider forehead and narrower chin, look for frames that are wider at the bottom. Styles like classic aviators or frames with lower-set temples can add width to the lower part of your face. This creates a more symmetrical appearance.
Choose Colors That Complement You
The right frame color can make a big difference. It can brighten your complexion and highlight the color of your eyes. Consider your skin, hair, and eye color when you’re making your choice.
Your Skin Tone Matters
Skin tones are generally categorized as cool, warm, or neutral. Cool tones often have pink or blue undertones, while warm tones have more yellow or golden undertones. Choosing frame colors that match your skin’s undertone can create a harmonious look.
For warm skin tones, colors like gold, brown, and olive green work well. For cool skin tones, consider frames in silver, black, blue, or purple. If you have a neutral skin tone, you can wear almost any color.
Eye and Hair Color Considerations
Your hair and eye color can also guide your frame choice. For a more subtle look, you can pick a frame color that is similar to your hair or eyes. This creates a cohesive and understated style.
If you prefer a bolder look, choose a contrasting color. A frame color that is opposite to your eye color on the color wheel can make your eyes pop. These same principles apply when choosing stylish prescription sunglasses, which are a fun way to let your personality shine through.
Consider Your Lifestyle and Needs
Your glasses should fit seamlessly into your daily life. A pair that’s right for sitting at a desk might not be the best choice for weekend sports or evening events. Thinking about your activities helps you find frames that are both stylish and practical.
Frames for Work and Play
Think about your daily routine. Many people find it useful to have more than one pair of glasses. You might want a durable, comfortable pair for everyday wear and a more distinct frame for special occasions.
If you have an active lifestyle, you could look for frames made from flexible or tough materials. If your work involves a lot of screen time, you might focus on frames that are lightweight for all-day comfort to help reduce symptoms of digital eye strain. Your glasses should support what you do.
Lens Options to Think About
The frames are just one part of your glasses. Lens coatings can protect your eyes and improve your vision. They add function to your stylish frames.
Options like anti-glare coatings can reduce eye strain from screens and headlights. Scratch-resistant coatings help keep your lenses clear from daily wear and tear. When looking for sunglasses, it is important to choose lenses that protect your eyes from UV light.
Get Professional Advice from Eye Doctors in Winnipeg
While online tools can be helpful, getting professional advice is a key step in finding the right glasses. Our team can help you find frames that not only look good but also work with your prescription and lifestyle. A professional opinion helps make the whole process simpler and more successful, starting with a comprehensive eye exam versus a simple sight test.
Try Frames On in Person
Visiting a store lets you feel the weight, material, and overall fit of different frames. You can see how they sit on your nose and ears, which is important for long-term comfort. This hands-on experience is something you can’t get from a screen.
Receive a Professional Fitting
An optician can provide a professional fitting to make sure your chosen frames sit perfectly on your face. They can make small adjustments that lead to big improvements in comfort. This also makes sure that your lenses are positioned correctly for your eyes.
Find Frames That Truly Fit You
Choosing new glasses should be an exciting experience, not a confusing one. By understanding your face shape, color palette, and daily needs, you can narrow down the options with confidence. The final step is getting help from people who know eyewear. At Village Optical, we are passionate about helping you see and look your best. Our team is here to provide personalized advice and professional fittings. If you’re ready to find your next pair of glasses, give the Village Optical team a call at 431-813-2793 or visit our location at 1079 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg, MB.
