With so many different styles to choose from, finding a new pair of glasses can feel like a big task.
While you can of course pop into your local opticians to pick out some specs, did you know that if you have an up-to-date prescription you can also buy your glasses online? Most prescriptions are valid for two years (one year if you’re over 70), and you’ll find online prices are often cheaper, plus they’ll be delivered straight to your door.
Plus, lots of online opticians now offer handy advice to help and even virtual try-on technology.
When it comes to finding the right glasses to suit your face, there are a few things you need to think about. Your face shape is probably the most important thing to take into consideration when choosing your glasses. Whether you have an oval shape, square or round face, there's a pair of glasses for you.
If you're on the hunt for some new glasses to suit your face, here’s our guide to finding frames that fit and flatter.
Finding your perfect frames
Bianca Swan, frame stylist at Specsavers, shares her specs shopping golden rules…
The fit of your glasses is very important
“Fit is crucial. It affects not only how they look, but how comfortable your glasses feel too. If your frames are higher than the line of your eyebrows they don't fit properly. Likewise, the lower edge shouldn’t sit on your cheeks, even when you smile. Check the width, too narrow and they’ll make your eyes look close together. Whereas frames that are wider than the width of your face can distort your face shape – especially if you have a strong prescription.”
Consider the colour of your glasses
Darker skin? Try tortoiseshell and brightly coloured frames. Metallics and black frames can work with darker skin, lighter skin tones and those with a cool colouring. Paler skin tones look fabulous in soft muted brown tones, as well burgundy or pink frames. Blues, greens and purple hue frames can really highlight blue or green eyes. You'll also want to consider getting polarised sunglasses or lenses for when you're outside, although this may impact the colour of the lens.
What shape is your nose?
“The shape and size of your nose plays a big part in the look and feel of your specs,” says Bianca. “Long noses suit a lower bridge and a thicker frame. While shorter noses can be balanced with a higher bridge or a frame with a thicker brow line.”
What glasses suit my face shape?
Glasses for round faces
“Round face shapes can either be fairly short in length with a wider forehead, or more oval shaped with even proportions. Both face shapes look great in geometric styles, which flatter a curved face structure. If your face is more short and wide, steer clear of oval or round styles as they’ll make your face look even rounder. Oval face shapes, however, suit most frame shapes.”
Glasses for long faces
“A rectangular face has high cheekbones and a deep forehead,” Bianca explains. “This shape can be balanced by wide frames with a strong brow line. Avoid small or deep frames and opt for glasses in one even tone."
Glasses for triangular faces
“A triangular face can be wide at the forehead and eyeline but narrow at the jaw. It needs bold, strong shapes to add balance to the face. Avoid small, narrow frames," says Bianca.
Glasses for heart shaped faces
“Heart-shaped faces have a broad forehead that tapers to a small, neat mouth and chin so suits slender, rounded or square styles. Avoid frames that are oversized or wider at the top.”
Glasses for square shaped faces
“If your face is square, it’s defined by a broad, deep forehead, a wide jaw and a square chin. Oval or cat eye frames will balance out this face shape and help to compliment cheekbones and jawlines.”
