What sort of glasses are in these days?

[poocatcherchampion]

I haven't worn glasses for a few years although I should have, and I am finally going to the optician today.

What sort of styles are we going for these days?

Ive got shoulder length brown hair which should be died and washed for that matter roundish face largish features. Blue eyes.

Casual lifestyle mostly sahm although I. Am trying to smarten up somewhat.

Any suggestions?

[elQuintoConyo]

It depends what suits your face shape, surely? I could try on any number or fashion glasses and look bloody awful so go for what suits.

Try on loads and see what you like best. And I mean LOADS. Opticians trued to convince me all sorts of glasses looked 'just lovely' when obviously just wanted Little Miss Awkward me out of the shop. I took selfies in some of the most hideous just for laughs!

Best of luck!

[WhiteHairReally]

Larger rather than narrower. Frames can be quite dark.

However elQuinto is right. What suits you and which you love are best.

Remember, once you have your prescription you can shop around.

[mrsmortis]

How bad is your eyesight? I never go shopping for frames without taking someone I trust with me, because I can't really tell what they look like on me until the lenses are fitted (if that makes sense)

[BettyBi0]

I think the geeky look is still in but with a bit of a retro cat eye if you know what I mean. Not too 50s and quite light, large frames.

I'm a million miles away from being a fashion guru myself but I live surrounded by trendy yummies

Plus a bit of a cat eye looks great on round faces (yay!)

[BettyBi0]

YY to taking loads of selfies and thinking about it.

[Belikethatthen]

I've got dark heavy frames and I put them on yesterday and thought they looked dated. My 21 year old niece wears rimless frames.

[mayhew]

You can get a prescription from the optician so you can choose frames from anywhere. I like online FramesDirect. They send you a selection to try at home which is much better than a shop. Only buy what works.

[DonkeyOaty]

Do ask optician to measure your Pupillary Distance and write it on your prescription. Some may charge a small fee for this.

[DonkeyOaty]

Then shop around. The PD measurement is asked for when you buy specs online.

[poocatcherchampion]

Thanks this is exactly the sort of stuff I need to know.

I know to choose something for my face but it is good to see what is in too..

[specialsubject]

I'm told it is black plain frames, seem to look OK.

some opticians have a mirror that takes photos, which solves the 'I can't see far enough to check the frames' issue.

if you don't like pink, bling or someone else's names on your frames, turn around and look at the men's range. Usually cheaper and better made too.

[maggiethemagpie]

I always go for rimless, don't care if they are officially 'in' or not but seems less full on that full frames

[TondelayaDellaVentamiglia]

geekchic is still quite in...think traditional raybans, tortoiseshell, heavier colours.

Size wise, bigger is in now, thinking more Sue Pollard than Sue Perkins, but generally I'd stay away from the small rectangular shapes in metal....very Older Lady, but be advised regarding your lenses, big frames can do horrible things to lenses If you are tiny in the face department then it can be well worth a look at the teen ranges, lots of stylish options there too.

Layers of colour can be effective to lighten a frame, so something with a brighter colour behind and a tortoiseshell over the top.

Think Morecombe and Wise....esp for sunglasses, it's a very good look

Cats eye shapes can also be amazing

Really try on as many as you can...

Good advice up thread to look at the gents range, only thing is some of those will be burlier and chunkier rims and can drown a daintier face.

[poocatcherchampion]

It was a disaster and I can remember why I didn't fill my prescription 2 years ago. I was determined to get some but couldn't find a single style that suits my flabby aged tired face.

I kept swaying between the expensive aisles thinking what an improvement a lovely pair of glasses would be, and the cheapos on the basis that there is no point spending money on ugly.
Eventually dh saved my bacon by calling me because the baby was screaming so I went home dejected.

I'm sure it will be more fun trying to choose some with 3 small children in tow.

[Glitteryfrog]

I find designer frames more interesting, boots do a good selection.
Try loads on and do it as a process of elimination.
Black frames - too dark, don't pick any more up
Square - leave them
Rimless - meh

Hold on to any you think are OK, don't put them back or you won't find them again.

You have to have a system ( and a price limit) or you'll get bamboozled by the 100s of pairs.

Also remember you'll be wearing them all the time so you have to like them at least mostly.

[Glitteryfrog]

Also, do you wear glasses at the moment.
I've worn glasses for 15+ years so I know what I look like with them on. I wear dark plastic frames and make a bit of a statement with them.
DP was horrorfied when he first needed glasses and had to pick a pair - the first pair he had were had light frames. He now has dark geeky ones as he's accepted how he looks in glasses.

You might think you don't look like you in glasses. But pick the right pair and you'll look ace.

[JackandDiane]

CLear - NHS type ones

[SignoraStronza]

I can only really have plastic frames as write a high prescription and the ultra thinning down would cost a fortune. Horrified by the selection in Specsavers when I reluctantly had to choose a new pair the other day (costs more to put new lenses in current frames).
All the designer ones at least were very Dame Edna ish. Big 'wingy' shapes - I had real trouble choosing as they didn't sutt me at all. In the end I opted for a plain black pair, only very slightly winged and Specsavers own brand. Still not keen bit they were the best of a bad bunch and a hell of a lot cheaper too!

[ILoveWoollyStuff]

Ah the challenge of shopping for glasses with dcs in tow. You have my sympathy.

I bought my last ones online from glasses direct. They have an online virtual try on thingy so you can reject the ones that don't suit you immediately. They also do a free try on at home service for your shortlist. I found it helpful to check colours and how heavy they feel etc.

They always have discount codes around too. Best of luck

[mrsvilliers]

I just got some new frames earlier this week and am very pleased with them (am a long term resister of wearing glasses.) Things that helped me were actually listening to what the lady helping me was saying and trying on what she suggested, rather than focusing on price. They had 30% off Cavalli and I was determined to buy the cheapest possible as I hate wearing glasses. In the end though I ended up with the most expensive as I reckoned I needed the pair that looked the best so they didn't get flung in a drawer. You should have a budget but be prepared to be flexible around it.
I'd also suggest an independent optician if possible. I went to one after some failed attempts with specsavers and was so impressed with the difference in customer service post eye test. Plus they got my prescription right . Good luck!

[mrsvilliers]

Whoops missed that you've been already! What did you end up with?

[Greengardenpixie]

I have tried but don't personally suit geeky heavy framed glasses. Mine are narrow metal ones with a diamante studded sides. I have been told they really suit me and I know they look ok because they suit my face shape.No matter what I try, I always come back to this style as it flatters my features. Its not what is fashionable but what suits you. I have had mine for 2 year nearly because my prescription hasn't changed.

[cabbagequeen]

I second the advice about going to an independent optician. I hate choosing glasses but went to my local optician who helped me choose a few frames that I liked and let me take them home for the weekend so I could take my time over the decision. So much better than trying to decide with three fractious children in tow. They were slightly more expensive than somewhere like specsavers but when you wear them every waking moment like I do I don't really care how much they cost if I like them. I chose some plastic tortoiseshell ones but they are fairly delicate as plastic ones go which is why I went for them. Good luck choosing OP.

[poocatcherchampion]

Some great advice here you have given me hope!

I've been mrsvilliers but no specs yet.

It was spec savers. I might try online next or maybe boots /another independent if I can find one

[ZaraW]

I've had Oliver People's Wacks frames for the last couple of years. Saw them on Jennifer Aniston. They are one of the few styles that look good on me.