Choosing the right glasses
— by Alyson Walsh
Stars such as Linda Rodin, Caryn Franklin, Bill Nighy and Jeff Goldblum have all established their specs style. I’m still working on mine… A long-overdue trip to the optician’s – as well as finding it difficult to read the train times unless I’m standing right underneath the departure board at the station – tells me I need glasses for distance. Yep, I’m short-sighted; my left eye is good, my right eye has an astigmatism and needs help.
Glasses enhance the vision but they express personality, too. As Tom Broughton, CEO of British brand Cubitts says, ‘A pair of spectacles can completely change how someone looks, and how they are perceived. When we communicate we do it with the eyes and the face. And with a carefully chosen pair of spectacles, you can accentuate certain characteristics, and divert attention from others.’
As I’ll mostly be wearing glasses on my bicycle at the end of the working day when my eyes are tired, I decided to go big while I’m going home. There’s something to be said about following your instinct, but obviously it’s worth asking for expert advice when finding the right frames. Fit is important, in all senses of the word. Glasses should suit the face, as well as a person’s image and personality, but no one wants a pair of wonky frames. ‘I would argue that fit is the most important thing,’ asserts Broughton, ‘Get a frame that fits across the bridge, temples and to the ears, and then you can start thinking about style, material and colour.’ While Marie Wilkinson, design director at Cutler and Gross suggests choosing a style which follows a natural line on your face ‘It could be a fringe, your eyebrows, jawline or cheekbones. There is something to celebrate on everyones face. If it’s the eyebrows, ensure the frame follows the brow line, and runs just underneath the brow line to follow it’s sweep.’
New York stylist and entrepreneur Linda Rodin’s guidance on buying the right glasses is, ‘I only buy what I think suits me. It’s never to match an outfit or follow a trend. I keep in mind my silver hair and my signature strong lipstick.’
Take Marie Wilkinson’s excellent advice and look in a full-length mirror to check that the shape works with overall appearance, as well as the face. Other considerations include cost per wear and confidence. If spectacles make you feel self-conscious, then, what’s the point? Get it wrong and it’s a false economy; get it right and both confidence and style status will soar. After trying on lots of different styles and taking note of the optical assistant’s suggestions, I bought my specs from Cubitts (this style is Judd in ‘slate’). The sharp lines, chunky acetate frame and oversized fit appealed to me, and the grey colour works with my natural, Scandi-vibe and grey-ish hair.
Generally speaking, glasses-wearers are often ‘eye make-up minimalists’ who prefer to use lipstick as the focus. I haven’t upgraded my ‘that really is no-make-up, make-up’ as yet, but you could take a leaf out of Linda Rodin’s style book and choose frames that complement a signature lip colour or give a subtle mismatch.
This feature is based on an extract from Know Your Style and a feature written for Saga magazine, read the full piece HERE.
Please note affiliate links in this post may generate commission.
Discussion (46 Comments)
- Karen Cook says:
I loved your ‘meandering’!! You sound like a thoughtful….& glamorous woman!!!
- Elsa says:
I wish I’d not taken the assistants advice! Totally wrong, although they do suit me; they touch my cheeks and irritate! Yours look great though. ❤️
- Kathryn says:
When one is far sighted, one cannot put on eye makeup with glasses off!
- Flora says:
Have worn glasses for 60 years and last year got some on line from Hong Kong less the £40 including myopic prescription and it’s the first time I’ve ever had comfortable specs (Jacob from Polette). I just can’t understand why you can get glasses to read for 5 quid that are perfect but have to pay hundreds for designer specs.
- JulietC says:
Yay glasses!!! You look fabulous in yours, I have dark frames as otherwise with my curly white hair and pale rosy complexion I look like a dandelion clock, they define me. Love hearing about styling glasses – can you do something on how to wear glasses and earrings sometime? I’d be so grateful
- Joyce Morris says:
Have had this very discussion today Juliet. Love ear rings, but hair is now short, plus specs. so really not sure.
- Nicola says:
I got my first pair of National Health specs aged 14 ( nearly 40 years ago) and it was a crushing blow to my self esteem. I was gawky, Uncoordinated and had braces on my teeth- puberty is soooo cruel! If I’m honest I still feel a bit self conscious in glasses, even though they are now designer frames. I envy you Alyson, for becoming short sighted at a time of your life when you’re psyche can take it. You look great btw – very arty and smart.
I now wear contacts most of the time, but also need reading glasses. I would agree with the advice to get a good fit – my most recent pair were purchased in a rush and I got it wrong. They have those nose clips on wires which not only get caught in my hair when I push them back but mark my nose too. So the other advice is don’t buy something when you are short of time!
I also think investing in a couple of pairs of glasses is worth it. I have some tortoiseshell multi vocals that look amazing in winter with dark colours but not so much in the summer months with my lighter clothes ( I live in Australia where dark clothing is a no no in summer as it absorbs the heat). Maybe hot pink for summer?
- Nicola says:
‘Your psyche’ not ‘you’re’! I can spell but my spellchecker always thinks it knows better.
- Kim Sofo says:
I feel your pain Nicola, my first pair were National Health as well. I still cant see a baby pink or blue frames without shuddering. What a relief there are so many good styles available now. I’m in Australia as well, I’ve fantastic bright red prescription sunglasses for summer. Hot pink sound fabulous for a summer frame with our climate and light. Go for it.
- Wendy in York says:
Those dramatic specs look great on you especially with your dramatic outfit . I wore contacts for over ten years but it became such a faff & I went back to glasses . They feel right for me anyway , like flat shoes & trousers . These days they help disguise dark shadows under my eyes too but I do prefer some make up to emphasise my eyes . Big dangly earrings can look a little odd with them though . It’s nice to see specs being featured as the fashion accessory I think they are .
- Mrs Tonia says:
Square chunky frames look good on you here Alyson and you can see. Next up prescription sunglasses which are very useful in sunnier months.
I used to wear contacts most of the time but cannot read with them on. So of limited use now. I can go out and see across the room but need to carry off the peg reading glasses too. As a consequence I got myself something similar to the ones you are wearing in a dark tortoiseshell. Varifocals. Expensive frames and lenses. But I can’t read well in them or for computer use. They have been relegated for distance and I am back to single use reading glasses repurposed in old frames I like, intermediate distance glasses in a lighter metal frame which suits my face structure better I think. Also various pairs of prescription sunglasses so I can read outside. My problem is strong myopia which calls for thick lenses. This rules out the bigger shapes. I now pay for the really nice thin lenses but have to chose the smaller shape of frames so the whole thing looks reasonable.
As many write here, it takes time to get this right and one needs an optician who offers sound advice. Be prepared to spend money to get it right.- Deborah Wexler says:
I was just going to write about the challenge of a strong lens prescription. Although i love the bigger frames, my prescription would make the lens look like coke bottles. It makes it hard when the fashion is for larger frames to find a fashionable smaller frame. I’m in the market for new frames as I’ve just gone gray (I’m loving it and my shorter hair) and my coloring just doesn’t look right with all my old tortoise shell frames I always bought. So i’ll be adding more colorful ones and maybe some lighter shades, too. My hair stylist thinks the new crystal pink will look good on me. But frames and high RX lens are so expensive!!
- SFord says:
I agree. Options for frames become limited with a very strong prescription as Mrs Tonia mentions. I also have the issue of having (apparently) a petite head which means that many adult frames are just simply too wide for me and don’t fit over my ears so I have to shop mainly in the ‘teen’ section. Most of the time this is fine but I do avoid the frames plastered in huge, noticeable logos.
- Linda Pennell says:
Specs! So important- often the first thing people notice about you. I have been through the lot, black frame Raybans, huge cobalt blue ones, bright red. And now have my perfect pair from Bromptons opticians in Brighton. French, by Michel Henau, called Borono. I have had them 18 months and EVERY week, at least one persons comments on them and asks where they are from. They channel my Danish architect aspirations!
PS l agree about dangly earrings. Also most hats! - Anna K. says:
My life is dominated by glasses – my eyes are healthy but extremely long-sighted, so I have varifocals for normal life, reading glasses for close work and prescription sunglasses for, well, sunshine.
I get excellent help from my local optician regarding frames – Jacqui O. big frames for the sunglasses and authoritative tortoiseshell for the readers; but the best tip was to have a tinted lens in my ‘normal’ glasses – just a hint of blue which a) disguises droopy eyelids and b) adds a hint of exotic mystery. I have had no end of compliments and heartily recommend a hint of a tint.
- Harriet Forde says:
I love your specs… I had fun in Cubitts too. The problem for me is that I have a really expensive prescription and so I can’t justify changing them very often, however much I love the on-trend looks that suit me.
- Sue says:
Is there a way to to wear specs AND a hat please? If so, I need to know.
- Maisie says:
A very good post ! I like your glasses, Alyson, you’ll be able to have fun with different styles, with small features like yours it should be easy to find shapes to suit. I have a longish face and I find it really difficult to find flattering shapes, so I’m envious! I started wearing glasses in my fifties for reading and over time got to need them for distance too. I really don’t like wearing them except in the house ,which means peering short-sightedly at people to see if they are who I think they are. I will have to get over it and wear those glasses all the time !Btw, the post you promised on the subject of underwear please make it soon. It’s almost strapless bra time and maybe you’ll track down a few that are actually comfortable !
- Andrea Russell says:
I have worn glasses for 30+ years (I’m 54) and now have varifocals inc my sunglasses. However, I am still stunned how expensive frames are? £300+ just for frames? Why? I can see the lenses have to be crafted but the frames are just frames…. I spend £500+ every 2 years. My 12 year old also need glasses…
- Lynne Robinson says:
Thankfully, i just need 1,50 readers, but still picky about frames – Wayfarers suit me and so I stick with them, in black and tortoise.
Love those frames on you – they really suit your face and style. Great post as always! - Pandi says:
Specs – after 60 years of wearing them, I have discovered that cheap just doesn’t work for me! I had contacts but they were never comfortable whilst I was on the pill – affects the tear ducts apparently! Then I had varifocals for years but later I found I couldn’t read properly with them – thank goodness there is now a technological change in the new style lens and reading plus distance really works! Not cheap, especially when coupled with the ultra thin lens (quite a strong prescription which is heavy on my nose). Built-in sunglasses replaces the much earlier tint I used to have so I find hats easier now, as my specs are so often sunglasses when I am outdoors – why do dark lens make such a difference when it comes to wearing hats? I go to Singapore every year and always buy my specs there – with 90% of the population wearing them, there are hundreds of opticians with thousands of frames of the latest styles. Currently wearing thin blue matte enamel lightweight frames, with gorgeous red ‘plastic’ heavier frames for the days when I really want to stand up and be counted!!!
- Alysen Beacon says:
Good reading, and lending my support to all the posters who subscribe to wearing interesting frames. Plus a nomination for any readers near Banbury: Peepers have an excellent range of frames and are brilliant at helping their customers choose something flattering. Mine have been admired regularly, which given the cost of varifocal lenses, transitions tint and non-scratch coating, plus frame, explains the importance of choosing carefully. As it’s a biennial or triennial event, I aim to buy the most fashion-forward rather than the safe option. But it does change one’s relationships with earrings and hats.
- Alysen says:
Good reading, and lending my support to all the posters who subscribe to wearing interesting frames. Plus a nomination for any readers near Banbury: Peepers have an excellent range of frames and are brilliant at helping their customers choose something flattering. Mine have been admired regularly, which given the cost of varifocal lenses, transitions tint and non-scratch coating, plus frame, explains the importance of choosing carefully. As it’s a biennial or triennial event, I aim to buy the most fashion-forward rather than the safe option. But it does change one’s relationships with earrings and hats.
- Valleycat1 says:
Go to a good optician for fitting. They look for good proportions side to side as well as top to bottom. Your eye when looking straight ahead should be basically in the center of the lens. I have a small face and many standard size frames are huge on me. Also, if you get progressive lenses (no lines for those who need bi or tri focal), the lens has a minimum height requirement to accommodate.
- corinne clemson says:
Great to see so much interest in specs. I have worn them for 50 years and always feel that if you need them make the most of it and get some fantastic interesting frames. No point in pretending they aren’t there. I am petite and have a small face and it can be quite difficult to get glasses which don’t overwhelm, I have had my last two pairs from Visioncare Optometry near York (and Castelford), they have a fantastic range and lots of smaller frames plus great advice. Also, please take your old frames to Ruth there as she runs a brilliant charity which takes glasses to Africa so that others can benefit from our discards, more info on their website if you are interested http://visioncareoptometry.co.uk/blog/
On the subject of cost, yes they are expensive but on a cost per wear basis then it doesn’t seem much for something that one wears everyday. - Sally says:
I’m writing from the US – where you (in my experience) seem to get either hugely expensive frames (prices that seem absurd for molded plastic, the profit margin must be huge) or cheapos – and since I’ve worn glasses all the time basically, for 30 years now, I don’t like to pay the high prices. So I end up with a basic (only slightly stylish) frame that “goes with everything” and am left with the feeling that somebody out there is making an awful lot of money on frames. Wish it were possible to be stylish, or change with mood and fashion a bit!
- Martine Large says:
This post couldn’t be more timely, as I am about to get new specs, sadly replacing my beloved Rayban varifocals. The tip about following a line of the face is really useful. I tend to go for minimal eye make-up/very red lips and have white hair. I love statement earrings and have never considered that they might be a problem with specs, but now I’m a little bit worried.
- Alyson Walsh says:
Don’t be worried, Martine. I think you can wear them (post coming soon!)
- Sara says:
Love that whole look, Alyson, just so put together but looks so natural – perhaps you don’t have to try to get it so right?
In terms of specs, I now need varifocals so my days of a wardrobe of different frames are gone as each pair is upwards of £200-250 . A nuisance and I cannot ear contacts as I have dry eyes; these are the bits of getting older that seem to be a big secret until you find out the hard way. However, in terms of all the possible bodily and mental dysfunctions, really not too bad.
Again, just really loving that stylish and striking look. - Boadicea says:
As a real oldie – 79, but whisper it low – with a wonky face (oh yes I have!) and long straight-as-pump-water hair (fulfilling a childhood dream) and a ‘speccy’ for years, I think I may have cracked the hat/earrings problem. Earrings are just two pairs: pearly/round/large for when my hair is up or back, and pearly/round/small-er for when my hair is loose. It works for me and with no big decisions to make. Does that cut the faff enough for you, Alyson?!
Hats need wide brims and have enough substance to them to sit low (a touch of glam) and square, or with a slight tilt (second touch of glam). Add a bright lippy – I’m checking out Maudie’s suggestion pronto – and I’m good to go.
My problem is that I was brought up under the umbrella philosophy of ‘nice girls don’t draw attention to themselves’ and I have to put put a steel rod down my back and make myself stand tall before I can leave the house, because I still a nice girl! I hope. So I repeat my personal mantra of “Oh, sod it, I’m as good as the next person!” and out I go.
PS: Years ago I heard of a hat-hire shop near a famous racecourse whose owner refused to lend hats to specs wearers. If true, Grrrr! - Fran says:
Find that with age (52), comes more confidence. Enjoy wearing glasses now especially tortoise shell frames. Wear multi focal contacts when not wearing glasses but often prefer glasses. Agree that they hide dark circles!
- Joy says:
Great to see something on specs. I have to wear varifocals and as has already been mentioned they are so expensive that whatever specs are chosen have to last quite a long time so if you get it wrong……….:-( I have no problem wearing eye make up with my specs – though I have to use a very magnified mirror to apply! It’s still important too to make sure you enhance your eyebrows – it’s easy to forget them when you have frames around your eyes but it really does make a difference.
- Rebecca says:
I’m confused by all the posts regarding glasses, earrings and hats. What’s the problem? I wear earrings (often very large) and glasses every day and hats in summer. Glasses and sunglasses look awesome with earrings and hats (see: Audrey Hepburn). They’re sculptural propositions for your head!
- Isobel says:
I love my glasses… they’re not the slightest bit showy or “look at me!”, because that’s not who I am, but I put a lot of effort and thought into getting them right. The choice of frames seemed overwhelming at first, but in the end it came down to the comfort and fit on the bridge of my nose (the most important thing), not feeling them constantly on my cheeks (in fact only when I laugh!) but being deep enough for multi-focal lenses, having the lightest but strongest materials possible, and knowing that I wanted a very dark blue to go with everything! I ended up with a brand called Stepper, with polyamide frames in Sapphire Mist (that fade ever so slightly towards the bottom), and titanium ‘arms’. They’re so light I can hardly feel they’re on. It took months to adapt to the lenses, and it will never be the same as having perfect vision (the middle range can be quite annoying), but I feel I got lucky ‘cos it all worked out and they feel like me!!
- Isobel says:
Alyson, you look wonderful in your specs and outfit… cool and edgy! Great photos!
- Mrs Tonia says:
I’m interested to read the range of opinions regarding hats and glasses, and earrings and glasses and eye make up and glasses. I do wear hats with glasses without a problem. In the winter knitted hats close to head and in the summer various shapes of straw sun hats. There’s no problem wearing sunglasses with brimmed hats. I used to be more of an earring wearer than I am now. I prefer necklaces. So for me, no earrings with glasses but necklaces fine as they aren’t adjacent to frames of glasses.
As for eye makeup I wear a lot and find I need more with glasses so eyes stand out, not less. Defined brows certainly an improvement and I use liner under eye, a green pencil, and black eye liner. And under eye concealer on top of eye cream. This is a lot, but it gives me more confidence. I also wear eye makeup to gym and for swimming.
With regards cost of nice frames, they are expensive and ever more so. And when you add the price of thin lenses a big investment. So it’s now the purchase of the glasses over the purchase of snazzy new shoes for me. I have also recycled frames I like once the prescription needs altering. Reusing flattering frames but updating the lenses. I’ve found opticians who are happy to do this as well as put prescription sunglass lenses in smart sunglass frames I’ve bought for the purpose. As long as it works optically to do so. - Nicola de Burlet says:
I have worn glasses since I was 11 and had the nhs frames!! Contact lenses were a game changer for me but now with advancing age I wear readers over the top!! Just got the “wilmington” from Cubitts and they are fab! Great post!!
- Alex JL says:
Your entire look in this post is uber-cool Alyson!
I am a varifocal & reading glasses wearer and have a preference for large, statement-y glasses without straying into Su Pollard or Dame Edna Everage territory hopefully.
I’m constantly losing my readers, so like to have a few pairs dotted around the house and in my handbags. That has led me to buying various high street/dept store off-the-peg types that generally look quite cheap, don’t fit properly and have reading strengths are never quite right for me.
However I have finally discovered, quite by accident, a make that looks as good as expensive optical frames with excellent reading strengths which I’d be happy to wear outdoors (as opposed to the multiple pairs of cheapo ones that I’ve accrued).
I was browsing on the Hush website last week and came upon the Thorburg range. I thought I’d give them a try as the frames looked like a good shape for me (the Ysra style) and have now ordered a second pair. They’re really solidly made for the relatively low price point, the design is great, so much so that I’m actually thinking of getting a pair of varifocal lenses put into one of the pairs. Well worth checking out I reckon.
My other go-to frames are by Claire Goldsmith (grandaughter of Oliver) which are fabulous, but very pricey.
Just as a sidebar issue…Alyson’s coat. I have been utterly desperate to get my hands on one since I first saw Alyson wearing it (i know that must sound a bit ‘single white female’ but clearly I’m not the only person on here who has coveted it!).
After goodness knows how long of checking all the various resale sites, I finally found one on Vestiaire (it’s called an Apponia coat – by Malene Birger).
I took a chance on a size smaller than I would usually take as that was all that was available and it fits absolutely fine, except for the upper arms being a bit on the snug side. I’m quite happy to suffer potential loss of blood supply for fashion : ) , but Alyson, do you think a clever tailor might be able to let out the arms a tad or would that ruin the whole look? Any advice would be much appreciated!
Anyway, back to glasses chat..
- Alex JL says:
Off topic sorry, but just a quick coda to the above. Who knew dry cleaners could stretch sleeves without major unpicking.My Holy Grail coat now fits perfectly! Hurrah! Ps.There’s another one on Vestiare at the moment for anybody desperate to own one.
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At last a post on specs! I mentioned before that I discovered Bailey Nelson (Covent Garden and Spitalfields) and have left my comfort zone of Specsavers (!?!) and bought two pairs from BN. Best move ever! Now sporting a pair of ‘Tristan’ in a fab brown and cream tortoiseshell and a pale tinted pair of ‘Joyce’ in caramel (a 1940s sort of yellow). It took a bit of getting used to wearing trendier specs but the upshot is that they have reinvented my wardrobe choices. Can’t wear modern specs with blah clothes, can I? I agree with Cubitts – a change of specs really does change people’s perception of who you are. Urghh – more bagfuls have to hit the charity shop now! Alyson, I think your glasses look amazing. Real Scandi thing going on there and look great with your hair. Love your coat – different print each side! Playing around with Bourjois Velvet the Pencil in RED (amuse rouge – HOW French!) – this lovely, lovely young assistant in Boots suggested I wear it and said that “I should put my tiara back on” – thank you lovely, beautiful and encouraging young woman in Boots, Bromley! To be truthful I wore it yesterday and felt great but today I chickened out as I did not have the stamina for it. I will try again tomorrow. Sorry my meanderings have gone on for so long.