Making A Spectacle

SALT eyewear
My new glasses from a company called SALT.

I’ve been meaning to do a post about eyewear for some time now. But it’s tough…eyewear is such a personal thing. I happen to love bold eyewear, “nerd” or “geek” glasses as some refer to them. I’ve worn glasses since my early 20’s…first for nearsightedness that increased over the years, and then in the last few years for farsightedness too, so now I have progressive lenses. I’ve never considered contacts (mostly due to squeamishness, but also due to dry eyes), so I figure as long as I’m going to wear glasses, I’ll consider them a fashion accessory and enjoy them.

A lot goes into choosing eyewear that will be most flattering and suit your style. If you wear your glasses pretty much every waking moment like I do, you want to take care with selecting styles and colors. I’m not a stylist or image consultant so don’t feel qualified to give advice about what frames to choose for your face shape, (Imogen covers that thoroughly and brilliantly in her ebook “The Finishing Touch”) but I will say to keep in mind your face width as well as shape when choosing frames. As someone with a small and narrow face, I find a lot of frame styles are too wide and make me look cross-eyed!

It’s also important to consider how your eyewear will work with your clothing choices. Lisa Pippus of Style Is A Language made an interesting point in a post last week about the popularity of “nerd” glasses and how they balance more graphic prints and fashions on women with lower contrast coloring, and draw attention back up to the face. Think about your wardrobe and the colors that you generally wear…if you are usually in softer colors or prints, a darker, bolder frame may overpower. If your style is more classic and traditional, a vintage-inspired cat-eye style may clash. If you wear a variety of styles, you may want to have more than one pair in circulation.

One of the things I’ve noticed about les femmes d’un certain âge in Paris and other European cities I’ve visited is that they aren’t afraid to wear more of-the-moment frames. They tend to stay away from anything demure, or delicate or “artsy/craftsy” and go for bold, architectural styles. “Yes, I’m wearing glasses, what of it?”

I keep one pair with transition lenses (the kind that darken in bright light) for travel and when I know I’ll be going frequently between indoors and outdoors during the day. The upside to these is that you don’t have to switch between your “regular” glasses and sunglasses; the downside is that they will be slightly tinted even indoors, and can cast shadows on the face. Sunglasses are a good idea in bright outdoor light, not only for comfort but also because they protect your eyes from UV damage. Even for non-tinted lenses, adding the UV protective coating will cut back on some of those damaging rays. Yes, your eyes can get sunburned, and sustain sun damage too.

Eyewear trends seem to run anywhere between 2-5 years; after that your frames may look dated. If you’re still wearing those rimless or half-rim glasses, it’s time to think about updating! I don’t think there’s any age limit on any particular style of eyewear; as with clothing it’s really about personality, and choosing what works for your face shape. If you haven’t purchased eyewear in a while, or if you  keep choosing frames that you don’t like after a few weeks, get yourself to a good optical shop and let them suggest different styles for you to try. Take your time and compare. You don’t need to commit but do get a sense of different brands, materials and shapes, how they fit your face and what attributes most appeal. And above all, don’t ignore comfort. If your frames aren’t comfortable, you aren’t going to wear them. You may find that some brands tend to be more comfortable for you than others. (I’m quite partial to Barton Perreira, which seem to sit at just the right place on my nose.) A good optician will also adjust your new frames for a custom fit. Your glasses should not slide down your nose, leave red marks, pinch or give you headaches. You should be able to forget you’re wearing them.

There are a lot of new companies like Warby Parker and Firmoo that sell frames and prescription lenses online. I haven’t tried either of these, though I’ve been tempted. (Karen has a pair from Warby Parker that are really cute.) You can almost always get prescription lenses made for over-the-counter sunglasses too. You don’t need to spend a fortune on frames, but they should feel solid and well-constructed. Hinges that are loose or wobbly will compromise fit.

Never clean your lenses with rough fabrics or paper towels!  For daily dust-offs, those microfiber cleaning cloths are the best thing since sliced bread. If my glasses get a bit greasy or have dried water spots, a little warm water and just a drop of dish soap, rinsed well and then dried with a soft dishtowel does the trick. Don’t use window or glass cleaner or ammonia on your lenses, as it may damage UV or anti-glare coating.

nerd glasses, geek glasses
Here’s how they look on.
Favorite sunglasses from Barton Perreira

 

Do you wear glasses? Any favorite shapes or brands? Tips for selecting frames?

 

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42 Comments

  1. Love your blog – yes, I wear glasses, lose glasses, buy more glasses! (Have about 3 pair now) I like Kate spade, similar to your black ones……my fun pair are all crystals/sparkly – found at the airport gift shop in Vegas!

  2. I highly recommend Zenni Optical, I’ve ordered more than a dozen pair of glasses from them and have loved every single pair.

  3. I have problems with a rectangular face in that I need arms that are slightly lower than the top bar of the frame so finding that is like a gold mine. Very few frames suit my face, I have a pair that looks like Nana Mouskouris that suit me. I also wouldn’t give up on contacts, once you have the experience of seeing without a border it’s really hard to go back. I am so squeemish that it took me one hour to get my first pair in, my hands were shaking that badly that the optometrist gave up and walked out on me.

    I also wear daily disposable multifocal contacts, you can wear them with dry eyes. They really don’t try to encourage any older people to wear contacts, we are supposed to be satisfied with what I call the Holly Petraeus look, the metal framed granny Silhouettes. I am actually the only person at my optometrist office to wear these daily multifocals, everybody else just doesn’t bother.

    For cleaning glasses the BEST way is just use a touch of the plain foaming hand cleanser, it cleans them perfectly, all grease, all spots, gone.

  4. Your new glasses are great and I wear a similar style in blue. Yes SALT makes some great frames. We have ordered from Warby Parker and purchased from them also.

    blue hue wonderland

    1. Kathy, I did not know that but it doesn’t surprise me. The design aesthetic is really similar. Oliver Peoples used to be my go-to frame a few years back.

  5. I only wear readers at this point. A friend of mine has SALT sunglasses and they look so good on her. I have wanted to try a pair of them, also a pair of Warby Parker. I love your sunglasses, that’s such a great frame for you. I have the same problem with sunglasses, my face is very narrow and the first test I do is put the glasses on and look down to see if they slide off. It makes me crazy because most of them do. I like a bold frame but I wish a designer out there would do a line for is a bit scaled down for all of us with small narrow faces. Right? Great post.

  6. I wear Walter Wisser from Germany. My glasses are shades of orange, rust and brown and they are quite distinctive. Since we are wearing glasses, they might as well make a statement. I like yours and the transitions are a good idea for in and out.

  7. I’d love to change up my frames more often but my last pair of glasses cost me more than several cars I’ve owned! (my prescription is quite heavy-duty so requires more expensive lenses and still is only suitable for a more limited range of frames — and it’s progressive as well — the lenses are expensive!)
    Still, I try to change mine every 4 or 5 years — in between I get variety by switching my contact lens days and my glasses days. . . . I’m beginning to get twitchy for a new pair of glasses, although I still love my Chrome Hearts . . . Because mine have an aspect of jewelry (some beautiful gold decoration on the arms, I have to be careful what earrings I wear with them — I’d love to see you or Duchesse post a bit on combining earrings with glasses.
    As for the bold, architectural frames — I love them, but my prescription only works for a certain size — after that, the lens is not only too heavy but getting the centre of focus right gets tougher. (curious to know what you mean by “artsy” as opposed to “architectural” vis-a-vis the Parisiennes. . . those two adjectives seem aligned to me. . . )

    1. Frances, I think by “artsy” I’m thinking of glasses with a lot of different colors in the frame (like those from a few years back that looked as if they’d been splashed with paint), or that have a lot of filigree or detailing. When I see European women wearing bold colored eyewear, it’s usually a single color and the frame itself is simpler in design.

      1. Ah, I see what you mean — and when I think of my one European pair (Anne et Valentin) they fit that description. My good friend who lived in Paris for 8 years introduced me to her favourite “visagiste” — trained to fit frames (which his wife made . . . her metier) according to face shape, colouring, prescription, hair, etc. A German friend has a similar resource in Munich — if there is currently no suitable frame for your face, they can make one. Such a different approach! Every year, I’m tempted to get fitted, but haven’t coordinated it so far. . .

  8. You make those glasses look great! I have been collecting readers and I love the pairs of glasses you have highlighted. So, I will be on the lookout for similar styled reading glasses. Thanks for the inspiration.

  9. I especially love your sunglasses: I’ve noticed them in a few of your outfit photos in the past and yearned for them. 🙂

    I wear glasses everyday, too. I like to change up my frames and own several pairs. Since I live in the middle of nowhere (i.e., very few brick-and-mortar optical shops near), I’ve ordered frames from several websites with decent results. My face is quite narrow and somewhat long, so many frames available at online shops are far too wide for me. Most Warby Parker frames don’t fit me well as a result, although I did buy one pair from them (don’t love it–but love that buying the glasses meant WB donated a pair of glasses to someone in need). I’ve tried frames from Rivet & Sway, Fetch (they donate some (or all? can’t remember) of their profits to animal rescue), and Eye Fly. However, the online site that has worked best for me is glasses.com. Whether they’ll appeal to you or anyone else depends on what you like in a frame. I’ve been extremely happy with the 2 frames I’ve bought from them–they’re well made yet affordable. I hope to buy another soon. 🙂 They often have very good sales, too.

  10. I am still in denial about needing glasses all the time. I pretend I just need readers. The time will come, like, next month, when I’m going to have to get progressives. And then I have to get taller lenses, and then I will have to really face up to all this.

    I do find that my dark-framed readers look not so good on me any more, what with the gray hair. I’m thinking of moving to a pale tortoise. We shall see.

    I too love your sunglasses, by the way:).

  11. On a recent trip to New York City I had the chance to visit the Warby Parker showroom in Soho and I bought a pair of sunglasses (their “Tenley” frames in tortoise, in case you are wondering) to replace a dated pair I had worn for 10 years. Why did I wait so long? If you have the chance, do visit in person (they have showrooms in several cities including L.A.). Not only did I enjoy getting tons of attention from the adorable twenty-something hipsters on staff, but it was great to be able to touch and try on as many frames as I liked and walk around in them for a few moments before choosing. This inexpensive ($95) purchase has had the effect of instantly updating all of my looks–I may be wearing the same Chico’s and Eileen Fisher basics, but I feel more current, more stylish, and of the moment. I tweeted at the time that it was “better than Botox.” P.S. I love this blog and appreciate the thoughtful comments from readers!

  12. Most of the time I wear contacts – I started wearing them when I was a teenager and was highly motivated not to be wearing both braces and glasses – and nowadays I wear “monovision” contacts, meaning that my left eye is corrected for reading and my right (dominant) eye for distance. It works well almost all the time. If you at all think about contacts, you might try them – many doctors will give you a set of trial lenses, so it’s free to experiment. Between my progressive lenses and astigmatism my glasses run about $1000 per pair, so I don’t buy new ones too often. I have found the transition lenses great for those times I’m going to the beach or exercising outside before I’ve put my contacts in for the day.

  13. HaHa. Lisa just cracked me up. I’m in denial too. Glasses all the time !??! Bah. So I struggle with 3 pair in my purse… uh huh… so sensible.
    Your frames are fantastic. I too love the nerdy (with le artsy spin) They are perfection on your lovely mug 😉

  14. Great topic! I’ve just spent the last half-hour happily looking at the websites of some of the glasses you all like. Love the glasses.com website; wish they had more models wearing the glasses. (They do, for some frames.) I’ve not ordered online before, but I might just take the plunge.
    And, again, thank you une femme for your blog, and thank you to all your readers who provide such interesting comments.

  15. I don’t wear glasses all the time, but certainly could with good reason. My prescription sunglasses need to be updated. My clear glasses are ancient, but I only wear them at night while driving. I have a round face and no strong features. I think a zippy pair of glasses would perk me up. I have a blond friend whose black frames make her look quite noticeable–in a good way. I’m thinking black frames may not work for me.

  16. I’ve been wearing glasses since I was nine. I wore contacts for about ten years, but my eyes dried out too much. And my eyes are so small, I think I look better with glasses. I’m tempted to try Firmoo for a second pair so I have a little variety. They’re so affordable that way!

    1. I, too, have been wearing glasses since the age of nine, and I still remember vividly how close my feet suddenly were! My prescription would be the old Coke-bottle-bottom thickness if it weren’t for the high-tech lenses. Every year they get worse, but I too feel my eyes benefit from the glasses. They are very close set, and frames allow me balance that out. I try to stay away from statement frames, though, and look for ones that fade into the background, because I have incredibly wild curly hair. Too much boldness and I start to look like a gypsy, which is not my style goal. 🙂

  17. Great post, I agree, glasses should not have to be demure, they to can make a statement about your style, and with such a variety, there is one for every look or style. I require reading glasses only and find it very useful to be able to buy over the counter reading glasses in numerous colours and styles adjusting them to my outfit or mood. Some are funky, some are serious, but they ad instant fun to any look. I quite like your glasses, the square shaped ones are a little more edgy. Great colour to!

  18. I love these, very flattering on you. I too wear glasses most days and found that once I switched from wire/metal to the newer funkier thicker ones that I got tons of compliments and feel that they are much more suited to my face. Great post, thanks!

  19. My eyeglasses have all been by Alain Mikli. No need to go searching for anything else.
    Maybe it is time to get a new pair next spring, after I go for a check-up.
    I wear contacts on special occasions.

  20. i wear glasses all the time, also, and love to change the look with new frames every couple of years. right now i have 2 pairs of bifocals and 2 pairs of sunglasses. i think of my specs as an accessory as much as my jewelry or shoes and like a bold pair rather than a pair that sort of disappears on my face. can’t wear contacts because my eyes are frequently hot and itchy due to hay fever type allergies.

    may i use this opportunity to give a shout out to NEW EYES FOR THE NEEDY? this is an organization that recycles used prescription eyeglasses in 3rd world countries. last year i sent them 13 pairs of eyeglasses, representing decades of different styles and prescriptions. used eyeglasses can’t be prescribed in the u.s. but these are sent overseas and given a new life.

    susan

  21. About Firmoo! now is your chance to try – I’m having a Giveaway – Firmoo is offering my readers a free pair of glasses – If you need progressive lens – it will cost you only $42 – I’ m real happy with my glasses –

  22. Um, I hope that the femmes “in denial” are not driving around on the same streets as I am! There are always contact lenses for those who don’t enjoy the “nerdy girl” look like we do. 🙂

  23. Architect glasses! Really like how they show your eyes, do not cover them. And the sunglasses- beautiful with your colouring. But star of the show is your haircolour, which is movie-star dreamy.

  24. The SALT glasses look great on you Susan and I’ve always admired your sunnies. The SALT glasses are similar in shape to my classic Ray Ban sunnies. I really love the shape, and as Duchesse noted, they show your eyes. I don’t like glasses that frame the eyes too closely.

  25. So you know – Warby Parker and some of the other on-line glasses sites (Rivet and Sway?) will not fill prescriptions for progressive lenses. You can buy the frames, but would have to go to an optician or lab for the lenses.

  26. Question: do you wear these under your ski goggles? And, if so, which goggles do you have? I’ve been having a heck of a time finding good goggles (that aren’t HUGE) to fit over my glasses

      1. Elle, because we only ski once a year, it’s never seemed worth the expense to me. I suppose if I did ski frequently I’d probably do it.

    1. Hi Melanie, I’m not sure if this particular pair will fit under my goggles. I generally use a Transitions pair (lenses that darken automatically) under goggles so I don’t have to mess with a separate pair of sunglasses and those are slightly smaller in frame size. But yeah I have to get goggles big and deep enough to fit over. So far hasn’t been a problem.