Can anyone tell me what glasses shape/ style would suit me?

[Laugs]

I am about to buy my first pair of glasses. I've tried loads on in the past, but I really don't feel like any of them suit me. Typing this, I've just realised I was first told to get glasses 5 years ago...

I have a square face, with quite a broad forehead and strong jawline. The main problem is I have very strong, dark eyebrows which, when you add glasses on top just seems to give eye overload!

I am 28, if that makes any difference.

Any help, please?

[MagicGlassesFairy]

Felt that I had to reply - given my name ....
if you go to a good optician they will advise you on what suits you. I use an independent one but I'm sure the high street ones do it too. There is also a site where you can buy glasses online - you can put in your photo and 'try on' the glasses - although for your first pair maybe best not to buy online. Can't remember its name but I'm sure you would find it by googling.

[Laugs]

Thank you!

I did go to an optician before, but they were so intent on selling me a pair of glasses, they didn't seem too bothered about which pair it was. I think that was specsaver. Or maybe I have such a weird face they didn't know what to do with me

I'll try to find that website, just to have a look

[fishie]

i find independent opticians much better and have a nicer range too. right, now for glasses....

your eyes will either slant up or down at the outside corner, your glasses should do likewise. consider the shape of your eyebrows and get glasses which compliment them, not cutting across.

i have high cheekbones and a deep bit at the top of my nose, so i have to have glasses with those little nose bits on, rather than plastic frames which just sit on face instead of nose. you will have your own fit issues. don't get any which are too wide or to narrow.

try on EVERYTHING and make a pile of possibles. hopefully they will start to look similar and you can work out what is good for you.

[Laugs]

All of the glasses I tried on seemed to cut across my eyebrows, or be too close to them at least. I think rimless ones might solve this?

[fishie]

yes i had them for a while, they're good but i have got small nose and eyes.

don't rule out heavy framed glasses, you might find they look really good, esp as you have strong features.

i am no expert btw, just a person who usually gets a new pair of glasses every year or so.

[MagicGlassesFairy]

A good optician will tell you before you even start which sort of frames will be good for you. For e.g. depending on your prescription you may or may not be able to have rimless/ semi-rimless. Some prescriptions work better with small frames etc. I have a v small head (!) so can choose children's frames aswell as adults.
They will also help you think about colour - for e.g. in very basic terms - if warm or cool - gold or silver etc. Maybe think about the colour/ tone of jewllery you wear and that suits you.
Again no expert - but have spend a long time over my lifetime choosing glasses.

[Laugs]

I think I may have to be cheeky and visit an independent optician before I go for my appointment at D&A (where I have a money off voucher)

I don't really like people looking at me too closely, but I'll have to get over that, won't I?

[RamblingRosa]

I've found Specsavers to be surprisingly good actually. They've got a really big range of specs and they've got a service where you can upload a pic on their website and "try on" different glasses. The staff in shops are pretty knowledgeable about what suits different face shapes too.

[Nyx]

Yes, I would go and visit an optician and try on lots of frames - probably more than one opticians, you may find a member of staff somewhere who is very helpful. I generally take my sister with me for her opinion. As someone else said, try on lots, then you will maybe see similarities in the ones you prefer, then you'll know more or less what you're looking for when you go to D&A.

Good luck! My problem when looking for new glasses is that my eyesight is really, really rubbish, so I put the new frames on and have to peer into a mirror from about 2 inches away. Oh, also try them when holding your hair up and putting it down etc. I got a pair of glasses once which were lovely with my hair down, but I hated when it was in a ponytail - just had to get used to it...!

[Laugs]

They probably are good RamblingRosa, but I had a hard-sale assistant who really put me off, so I won't be going back to my local one. Might try their website though!

[RamblingRosa]

Fair enough. Good luck

[RamblingRosa]

Oh BTW, once you've got an idea of what style frame suits you, it might be worth looking in TK Maxx. I know it sounds crazy but last time I was there they had a section with nice designer frames for super cheap prices (about £20). I'm guessing you could take the frame to a good optician and get them to put the correct lenses in.

[Laugs]

Thanks, I'll have a look.. Oh, I tried the Specsavers website as you suggested and it was REALLY useful. I scanned in my photo and 'tried on' loads of pairs. I feel like I have a much better idea of what suits my face shape. I feel a bit like Gok Wan!