Glasses advice

[OldJoseph]

Am going to the opticians later this week and will be choosing new specs. So since they will be on my face all day every day I want to make the right choice.

I've noticed that large plastic black frames seem to be fashionable. They'd be great as I'm going to have varifocals and the larger the lens the easier it will be to put the variation in (I think). However, they could well look daft since my face and features are quite small and half my face could be taken over by glasses.

My questions are how do you choose glasses, shape, colour and fashion? Is there a particular brand that's good? I want a fairly robust pair, the pair I have on now were damaged early on so arn't great.

I'll be with DD and DH but I'm not sure I can trust their opinions (think wanting to make a quick exit). Also when I try on glasses I can't really see what I look like because I don't have my prescription in them.

I'm not looking forward to it as I have yet to find a pair of glasses that enhances my looks (have tried contacts but they don't correct my eyes as well as glasses).

I have the same problem, narrow face and small features mean most frames look huge and ridiculous on me. I've got a pair of Joules glasses (I'm not a big fan of their clothes but they've got a nice range of glasses)
I look for glasses that are a neutral colour, that won't clash with the colours I wear, with no or very little visible branding. Also I note the measurements of a pair that fit me well and look for frames that are a similar size (the numbers on the frame eg. 14 135)
Finally, I take pictures of myself wearing them as I can't see myself in the mirror either!
Good luck!

When i go glasses shopping I always play about with the arms to see how robust they are... nothing worse than them 'stretching' as it were.

I also take selfies of me in the frames so i can have a look when i get home.

Specsavers website used to allow you to upload a photo and superimpose frames on to it - not too sure if you can still do this though

Don't be afraid of big frames. I am small of feature and braved it last time - had loads of very positive comments. See attached.

Make sure your glasses advisors (ie the shop assistant person) is experienced and not just a Saturday assistant. Mine at my local Alders is a glamorous, well turned out, older advisor who tells me if something doesn't suit - or if it not quite right/needs to be wider/lower nose placement etc. If you do not trust the advisors advice then think about going elsewhere.

Just try on shit loads of glasses - find out what suits. And if you can't find any in the shop you're looking in, take your prescription elsewhere - don't feel pressured into buying on the day.

I don't think there's a particular brand that's any better than the other - mine are firetrap, nothing to shout about but they suit me which is more important :)

Happy shopping!

Oh, and I read somewhere that you should try and balance your face if you have a particularly dominant shape - ie if particularly square face try to avoid square frames - if a particularly round face try and get some corners on the frames. I have no idea if this is true - have largely done what winterbaby says - try on loads. Put "no" one straight back, make a pile of maybes and work through those again. See if there is a pattern. Ask for advise from advisor. Walk away if not convinced by any of them.

Thanks for your advice, I am rather tempted by the large frame. The selfie is a good idea (have never done one before).

Not really sure about my face shape, my eyes are relatively big and heavy lidded.

I'm going to Specsavers, they keep advertising about some new software they've got, so perhaps that'll help.