Choosing the Most Flattering GLasses
Jordan Strauss/Getty Images We've come a long way from wire-rimmed glasses that evoke memories of Steve Urkel.В However, it's still amazing how a pair of eyeglasses can make or break your look. Put a bad frame on someone gorgeous, and they're able to play a frumpy librarian on TV. Put a stylish frame on someone who otherwise doesn't care about fashion, and they'll be instantly transformed into someone ultra-chic.
Choosing the perfect frame for yourself, however, can be totally overwhelming. There are plenty of things to consider, including your personality type and your personal style. Your face shape, hair color and your typical wardrobe are all contributing factors to whether glasses will work for you.
Why This Style Works
Daveigh, the woman pictured here, has a square face shape, so the round frames work to soften her hard jaw lines. The warm color of the framesВ is lovely because it complements her auburn hair. These frames are warm, which are often nicer than cold metal frames.
Ruby Rose's Super Cool Frames
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Ruby Rose has a heart-shaped face, and these oversize frames look adorable on her. They're statement frames, which means you likely would want to wear them on special occasions instead of daily.
If choosing oversize frames for yourself, keep in mind the top rule for eyeglasses: Pick a frame that works in proportion to your face. Oversize frames such as these are stylish, but they should never be so high up you can see the brow. They should hit at the brow or below, according to eyeglass connoisseur ​Robert Marc in Charla Krupp's bestselling book, "How Not to Look Old."
Why This Style Works
What is lovelyВ about signature frames are that they are statement pieces. Wear a pair of strong, artistic frames and you need no jewelry. Wear a full load of jewelry and these glasses, and you'll look pleasantly "extra."
Tortoise Shell Frames are Universally Flattering
Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images Another important factor to consider when choosing glasses is your hair color. The picturedВ tortoiseshell frames look great with Tamara Falco's brown hair color. According to Marc, tortoiseshell frames are universally flattering on almost all hair colors because the tonalities in the frames match the tonalities in many hair colors.
Tamara has a long face shape, andВ these round glasses look great on her.
Why This Style Works
This preppy look is stylish, and it works with her preppy outfit here. The pop of color within these frames adds to her look.
How to Counterbalance Your Face Shape With Your Frames
Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images When it comes to choosing frames for your face shape, Marc suggests the counterbalancing method. That means choosing a frame that is the opposite to your face shape. For example, if you have a round face shape as Kara (pictured here)В does, try a pair of rectangular frames with sharp edges. These square glasses flatter Kara's face shape, whereas fat, rounded frames would only highlight the roundness of her face.
Why This Style Works
Kara hasВ a totally feminine look going on here if you take off the glasses. She's wearing pretty makeup and a pretty dress, with her hair pulled back in a casual bun. Then she adds the glasses, adding a bit of edge and masculine feel. Note how simple she keeps her hair and makeup, as well as the absence of jewelry here. Strong glasses can be all you need.
Why Red Frames Are More Youthful Than Gray Frames
Andy Kropa/Getty Images Sally Jesse Raphael has been wearing signature red frames for decades now. These are extra-thick, and work well with her hair and lipstick. According to Marc, red frames (and oranges, browns and burgundies,) are more youthful than blue, gray and steel frames, which can make you look older than you are.В
Why This Style Works
It's admirable that Raphael has embraced what she loves, and stuck with a signature look for all these years.
06 of 12Black Frames Look Chic On Everyone
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images Black frames can look sophisticated on everyone, including actress Kathleen Robertson. She has a strong jawline, and the frames actually mimic the lines of her face, showing off her jaw. Rounded frames might lessen the angularity of her face, but Robertson has chosen to show off her strong jaw.
Why This Style Works
Black frames paired with red lipstickВ are a greatВ contrast of colors. The earrings work here as well, and she was smart not to include a necklace. Earrings or a strong bracelet work best with glasses.
07 of 12It's Important to Find a Match Your Frames to Your Personality
Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images These glasses are thick, and you really have to have a strong personality to get away with such a statement piece. Woodward is an English fashion stylist and television presenter, who manages to totally pull off these frames.
Why This Style Works
It takes a brazen woman to pull off such frames, which scream, "Look at me! Go ahead and quietly judge me! I'm confident in my own skin."В
Do You Need 3 Pairs of Glasses?
Kevin Winter/Getty Images Simple black, slightly masculine frames are sophisticated and classy, and look good on everyone. If you wear glasses all the time, consider buying three pairs: One for work, one for weekends, and one for evenings out.
Why This Style Works
Rashida Jones is absolutely gorgeous. Here, she appears understated and classy at the same time.
09 of 12The Importance of Skin Color and Hair Color
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images Blythe Danner's coloring is very fair, and these glasses complement her skin tone. This is an important rule in choosing frames: you want ones that flatter both your face shapeВ andВ your coloring as well.
Why This Style Works
Blythe is a classic beauty, but she's stylish and these glasses are, too. Dated glasses can age a person.
10 of 12Why Glasses are Worth the Splurge if You Wear Them Every Day
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images Your glasses are absolutely a product worth splurging on. If you wear glasses daily, you should put out the cash for it. Consider how many hours a day you wear glasses. Multiply that by 365 days a year and divide it by the cost of your glasses, and you'll see you're only spending pennies to be stylish. Keep in mind, too, that you can get designer frames for $200 and under.
Why This Style Works
These frames are huge and demand attention; the color is understated, as are the materials used.
11 of 12Sometimes a Pair of Glasses Should Disappear, Not Stand Out
John Shearer/Getty Images While you've seen some excellent examples in this gallery of glasses that scream, "I'm wearing glasses!", there are many frames on the market that seem to disappear on the face, like these on actress Annette Bening.
Why This Style Works
For women who wear glasses but don't want them to be obvious, these are a great frame choice. Her facial features stand out better with these frames than on more obvious frames. It's as if she's not wearing glasses at all.
12 of 12How to Know if It's Time for a New Pair of Glasses
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images If you've been hanging on to the same pair of glasses for a few years, it is time for a new pair.В
Why This Style Works
Geek chic glasses such as these are so fun. They're somewhat clownish, but scream, "I'm a smarty-pants or an artist." Again, the right frames fit your personality, and you get a sense of this woman's personality having never met her. Khromchenko is the former editor-in-chief of L'Officiel Russia, and she's known for her love of Miu Miu glasses and Lanvin dresses.
