First time glasses wearer!

[MelGrange]

I’ve just had an eye test and have found out that I will need to wear glasses for driving, watching tv, cinema. I’m short sighted.

I’ve never bought glasses before but would like something quite funky but isn’t going to break the bank. Plus I won’t need to wear them all the time.

Any suggestions?

First try some on in a shop for size

Glasses have 3 numbers in the arms - longest is the arm length the smallest is the bridge of your nose - the other is the diagonal on the lens.

Glasses come in around 7 shapes - so work out which suit you best - I prefer the square ones so I can look over them when watching TV/reading

Then go in line and look up direct sites for glasses, so designers ones are £80 V £300 in the shops

I get mine from Cubitts in London they are around £125. Staff are helpful and friendly.

Try on various ones in the big stores. Take notes and photos. Then get them on line. Huge savings. You will get designer brands much cheaper if you shop like this. Send your prescription to the on line retailer.

Glasses are the one thing you wear every day - even if taking on and off. I always spend the most I can afford because they need to be robust, flattering and make you feel good and last several years!

If everyone used shops to try them on but then ordered cheaper online, then there soon won't be any high street opticians left!

I wear my glasses all the time so I prefer to buy them from a shop where they can properly fit them to my face and check the prescription is accurate. I've been going to the same optician for 20 years.

Try lots on and take photos of yourself on them so that you can compare. Take someone you trust with you too, to give honest opinions.

Thanks everyone! I need to put aside some time to spend in a glasses shop.

I like the idea of square frames so that I can look over the top of them!

Specsavers have a 'virtual try on' on their website - you upload your photo and can then try on any frames you like. It's not a substitute for trying them on in real life, but it might be a starting point to help you narrow down what you like.

I buy my glasses online from select specs, and the quality and choice are very good. I've got several different pairs, as they're only around £15 each. I have some clear but coloured perspex framed ones in light pink and light blue and they're really different and flattering.

I shop around but always find specsavers have a great range of interesting glasses.occasionally I see my glasses on someone else however.

I prefer all the glasses I’ve bought in an actual opticians shop

Glasses Direct are good, but I prefer to have at least one 'main' pair that have been personally fitted, and just use the online retailers for extra pairs to wear occasionally.