Glasses - what to buy?

[MitziK]

Oh God, I am so sorry for the wittering I'm about to do!

I've FINALLY managed to get an eye test tomorrow because I desperately, desperately need new glasses (probably varifocals for the first time - I've always been quite shortsighted, but now I can't see close up either).

My current glasses are bog standard, trendy around 2000, vaguely rectangular things in a wide(!) selection of Black, Brown or Tortoiseshell. Which obviously will not do anymore - and probably haven't for about 15 years - if nothing else because with masks, I have next to no peripheral vison and have to look down before stepping onto the bus without faceplanting into the pavement.

I don't want to look like a 'Zany Middleaged Woman'. I'd like to look calm, classic and maybe even (ha!) a little bit - elegant. My work clothes are generally boring wide trousers in dark blue, grey, black or dark green with a vaguely fitted blouse or jumper in ivory, oatmeal, light blue, plus a couple of sort of fawn/brown ochre things. I am very definitely not a ditzy print and bows person. I'm also in the process of braving the growout of hairdye to transition to having white stripes gradually take over.

Cat's Eyes look AWFUL. Round look HORRENDOUS. Square look HIDEOUS. The only style that has ever suited me (large forehead, relatively small nose and ears, high cheekbones and now middleaged fat bird sag around what I used to be told was a cat like face) would be Wayfarers.

I kind of like the idea of rimless glasses, but I really have no idea how to not look ridiculous.

What on earth do I look for?

Because it's my eyesight, money is (sort of) no object. And I am considering also getting fancy contacts, but need glasses for the 5am starts for work (there is no way on earth I'm fannying around with contacts when I can hardly open my eyes at stoopid o'clock). I'm not a fan of designer for the sake of it.

I just want to be able to see AND not see I look unhinged/about 90 at the same time.

Can S&B help me?

I changed my glasses this year. I found it really difficult. I'm 46. The young staff who helped me kept trying to get me to try brightly coloured frames even though I told them I like dark frames, usually tortoise shell or dark brown.
I have dark hair and brown eyes. The rimless ones looked awful on me.
One thing that I noticed is that a lot of the frames are bigger than I have worn for years.
I chose 2 in the end. Dark brown smallish ones and slightly larger ones that are a dark tortoise shell.
Specsavers have a feature where you can try on frames virtually. It's quite good.

Tortoise and gold metal frames are classic and gold frames trendy. Have them thinned out to the max.

I would get advice from the optometrist if they do at yours
I did and would never had picked my pair.
I also had those rectangle glasses and now with my new glasses the view is less obstructed so much nicer and comfortable.
Love my optometrists style and help I choose the pair they picked out instantly but was such a change I was not to sure.
Make sure your optometrists selection is good as I found spec savers to limited so stuck to my usual optometrists and the personal service makes a big difference.
Go try them on and don't be to set in your likes more your look once your trying them on.

Depending on how short sighted you are, your choice might be limited by the prescription. I also think varifocals need a bigger lens than normal glasses, so I would let the optician tell you what you need before you look, then try lots on and take photos (front and side!), of any you like before deciding.

It’s so tricky buying glasses, especially as you can’t see yourself ! Take photos as then you can get a better idea. If you can’t take someone with you, send the pic to a trusted stylish friend. I bought these ones last year, very different to my usual rectangle ones, but they feel much more current.

www.boots.com/jasper-conran-jcf032-womens-glasses-black-10242329

I had intended to go for transparent frames in a similar shape, as they seem quite current, but I looked totally washed out.

I think often it’s just getting used to something new on your face which takes time.

Go to a proper optometrist who will guide you. If you're test is at a chain, just get them to give you your prescription.

Choose somewhere with a large range and a display of stuff you like in the window. That's stuff you like not necessarily think you suit. Even preCovid, my place gives you hour long glasses tryon appointments with a member of staff, which is properly useful. If you're in the West Midlands I'd happily recommend. I love my glasses and get loads of compliments, even though they aren't at all zany or out there.

Can I ask where you go LooseM? I need new glasses and just couldn’t pick any in the short time I was in a crowded Specsavers shop.
Thanks

I've got varifocals.
I went to Vision Express at Tesco, the lady was very helpful & there was lots of choice of frames & it wasn't to busy.
I'm quite pale & blonde with small features so didn't look right in the coloured plastic frames I initially wanted.
I ended up with black metal frames from Lipsy that really actually suit me.

Ps the frames are classic but with a bit of black glitter at the sides.
I choose quite expensive varifocal lenses & have got on with them really well.

Those are really lovely frames @Terralee.

I really struggled with mine, I posted photos on here for opinions! I've got thin gold metal Ted baker ones. I LOVE them. I think the gold metal and the shape is classic but cool. I've had a lot of compliments on them.

These are my high-index varifocals. I have a big forehead too, and rectangular-ish frames are the only shape which suits me. They're a little bit unusual but not so much that anyone really notices. Bought from our usual independent optician - the brand is Vanni.

The only tip I can give you is to take photos and go back another day after you have had time to consider your choices, and perhaps asked friends and family for their opinion on which suit you.
Your prescription may dictate whether you need plastic frames(for thicker lenses) or can choose metal frames(thinner lenses)

You can also get thicker lenses thinned.

Ask for advice from the staff. And do consider going to a different optician - I've used specsavers for years but their frame choice when I got my current glasses was really poor. My sister (younger / trendier) suggested Cubitts who have a virtual try on thing on their website. And will sell glasses mail order.

www.cubitts.com/glasses

I have prideaux frames in blue matt and love them.
They are also the cheapest glasses I have owned in years.
Customer service was really good as there was a mistake in my prescription (not theirs) and they offered to sort it out free.

I've also had rimless glasses. I got mine years ago - they were silhouette - and got to choose the sides/ bridge and lens shape so you should be able to get something really suitable. I recently got mine relensed as a second pair of glasses to ring the changes.

www.silhouette.com/gb/en/optical-eyewear/women

I'm back from Specsavers with, thankfully, a clean bill of eye health (family history of nasty things) and a recommendation for Varifocals - they said if I opted for the thinnest lenses (which I was already thinking of), I can have whatever I want in terms of frames, but they'd recommend a wider shape to increase my field of vision.

I couldn't face doing the stumbling blindly around with my nose almost pressing on a mirror trying on frames today, so I'll keep on thinking about it over the next few days. I'll book a contact lens fitting at a later date.

I am still kind of leaning towards the thinner profile opinion of rimless glasses or metal glasses. Are they more elegant/classy/less clunky in your opinion?

I had plastic for years and am loving having gone back to metal this time. Much more comfortable, light, better fitting, don't slide on my nose.

I always buy my glasses online from SelectSpecs.

What I often do is order a pair of reading glasses (£6 plus delivery) in whichever frame I fancy, then I can try them at home. If I like the frames, then I order my varifocal prescription in the same style. I think they do some kind of free trial, but I could be wrong.

They have far more expensive frames, obviously, but I've been wearing these varifocals for two whole years, every day, without them scratching, breaking etc. For £75 I think they're amazing. Certainly worth getting yourself a spare pair from there if nothing else. They take about 2-3 weeks to arrive though.

I've just ordered some that are very similar to the Jaspar Conran ones mentioned above.

I had my eyes tested last week and the dispenser brought me some bladders she thought would suit me. I ended up with a pair that are purple over the bridge and gradually darken to black at the edges. I'd never have tried them if I had to choose. Look on the website if you want to see what they sell.

Bladders, God knows how autocorrect got that from frames

There’s no substitute for trying on loads of styles tbh. And take photos so you can get a second opinion from someone you trust to be honest!

Do you have good enough eyesight to be able to see yourself in the “dummy lenses” frames in the shop?

I don’t, so I need to wear contact lenses to try on frames, otherwise I can’t see how I look. If you are the same, I would recommend getting the contact lenses first...

Have you considered continuous wear contacts?

I know it's not what you're asking, but, you put them in, and take them out 2 weeks-30 days later (depending on brand/how they feel).

I've been wearing them for about 15 years, and I can't imagine life without them. I keep a stash of dailies, and a pair of glasses for just in case, but they are revolutionary. I've even converted my partner now that you can get them for astigmatism, and he is so sold he barely wears his glasses now.

@TreestumpsAndTrampolines that's what I do too (I've been wearing them for 19 years).

But every time I go to the optician I get a big lecture so I suspect they never tell anyone that they actually exist voluntarily.

I'm actually wearing my glasses this weekend as I do like to give my eyes a break between pairs.

However, if you have reached varifocal territory I'm not sure if they are suitable? There was mutterings about me potentially needing some reading glass (I'm starting to lean back a little when reading to improve my vision).

Good point - I tried them once.

It took just 3 days & nights to develop a corneal ulcer and then an entire Christmas and New Year looking like a pirate!

I tend towards dry eyes, so dailies are my preferred contacts - but I still need glasses, having found out from ^ that not having a spare pair (and being unable to get some two days before Xmas) is really, really inconvenient.

I do know that my optometrist where I used to live does Silhouette glasses, though. I think I might see when they are open next (very, very part time practice) and try to get some advice there, as well.

People like rimless frames because they’re very comfortable - lighter, because there’s no pesky frame, with more adjustable nose pads, bridge and arms - but they are really not flattering unless you have the lenses tinted into a definite colour so they look more like prescription sunglasses. Lenses for myopia make your eyes look smaller, and the absence of defining frame then means there’s no correction in the proportions. So from a couple of feet away (which is where most people stood before social distancing) you just appear to have absurdly small eyes. You may hope to look like a Danish architect, but to the rest of us you’ll just look prematurely aged.

Look for frames with a snug fit across the bridge of your nose, and a close fit to your temples.

Then choose your colour. Don’t choose a metal frame if you like wearing earrings or necklaces.

Then choose your shape - contrast works best. If you have a long face, cat’s eyes. A square jaw needs oval or round. A round face needs angular glasses.

Wearing glasses that are slightly too large on the face (but crucially, not too wide across the forehead) is a confident look. It’s why people often feel happier in their sunglasses than in their specs.