So I am officially old

[EarlyInTheMorning]

as I need reading glasses
How do I soften the blow to myself? Is there any way to make myself look cool wearing them or will I look old regardless? Which glasses should I get?

That means you're long sighted, right? So the lenses will make your eyes look bigger! That's a plus.

Oh and I need glasses sometimes too (short sighted), but I never hear anything but compliments!

I don't know what I am (apart from old). Only know that I can't read the small print anymore. I should get my eyes tested shouldn't I?

You're not old. I got my first pair of reading glasses at age 24. I also wear glasses all the time because I'm also short sighted. If you're old, then I was totally old before my time!

I've had glasses since I was three, if that's any consolation.

I've always been old.

This may be of little consolation, but I've often admired women who have reading glasses. Something about the way they look over the top of them confers a certain gravitas. (Or maybe I have been bored in too many academic conferences....)
Whatever the reason, I've been thinking of reading glasses as one of the positives of getting older (and wiser).

Don't do what I did and buy a pair from pound land. Work wel but not too attractive.

I need reading glasses because I'm old. Google said it: "If you're over 40, you've probably noticed your eyes have changed. Most notably, presbyopia ? the normal, age-related loss of near focusing ability ? usually develops at this time."

So what are the most chic reading glasses I could go for so that my DH thinks I'm wearing the 'on purpose'?

Eyeliner and mascara are now your friends.

Try on loads of styles of specs on your own first, then when you have some idea of the style / colour of frames you think might suit you, bring an honest friend to the opticians with you. If you read a lot in work, you will likely be putting them on and taking them off all day. Think about whether you want to wear them on a chain or string round your neck; or maybe you would be better off having 2 pairs, one for home and one to leave in the workplace. I prefer to put them on top of my head when not needed - so I need a fairly strong pair with a bit of spring in the join between frames and arms - so nothing too delicate.

I always get the best quality lenses I can afford, light, thin, anti-glare tint etc. - if I have to wear glasses I'll bloody well have the best! Also, if you go for coloured frames, you might feel limited in what colour clothes you wear (or is that just me?) - if this is you, then you'd be better going for either gold or silver frames, they'll co-ordinate with most items. Happy shopping.

I like chunky frames myself, I always feel like they are a bit more trendy than thin metal frames which I associate with librarians for some reason. My reading glasses look ugly no matter what style they are as I have to have a prism on one of the lenses because I get double vision close up as well. I have two pairs so I can leave one on my desk at home and carry one in my handbag for use out and about. My normal, everyday pair for distance are also chunky. Black plastic frames in the right shape for my face and they go with everything. Get the best you can afford and try on as many pairs as you can.

Thank you ladies. I am quite a monochrome dresser so I could go for some colour on the specs I guess. I actually really like these:
www.anthropologie.eu/en/uk/eyewear/imelde-readers/invt/7158412864216/&colour=Green