One of the least expensive ways to give yourself a whole new look is to change the frame on your prescription glasses and/or sunglasses. Glasses have come a long way in the last 20 years, and the styles change every few months. If you want to look cool, then you had better know what look is hot, and what look is stone cold. Keep reading and learn what look is right for you and your face, and those baby blues.
Tips
Like any fashion accessory, you want to accentuate your strengths, and diminish your weaknesses. For example, if you have green eyes, wearing a frame that has a green tint will bring out the eye color even more. You can also make your face look thinner or fuller, just by choosing the type of frame that will create the illusion you are seeking.
Here are a few general rules for the purchase of all types of frames:
Round Face
- For those of you with the classic round face, your best bet is to wear glasses that don't accentuate the roundness. Thinner square frames will help to reduce the size of your face, leading to a better overall balance in appearance.
Square
- A square face can look too chiseled, so you may want to soften up those hard edges by adding a round or oblong frame. Wraparound glasses are another alternative here, since they will add a sporty element to your look.
Oblong
- An oblong face can have the tendency to look too long, so once again you want to steer away from glasses that will heighten the length of the face. Round or square glasses are your best bet, which will have the effect of drawing the eye away from the perceived length of your face.
Heart Shaped
- A heart shaped face tends to have features that narrow as the chin tapers off. This shape looks best with frames that are rectangular and longer, instead larger lenses which may increase the angular nature of the face.
Distinctive Features
- If you have a very distinctive feature you are trying to diminish, then you may want to look for frames that completely overpower that feature. A large forehead can be downsized with larger length or heavier frames. Conversely, a smaller featured face might be best served by wireless rim and lighter lenses, which will have the effect of heightening the smaller features, not overpowering them with size.
Lens Color
Dark Tint
Good for eyes that...
- Wander whenever a good looking woman walks by.
- Are sensitive to light.
- Have something to hide.
- Are needed for outdoor sports like golf.
- Are indistinctive colors (usually darker).
- Are always at the beach.
Medium Tint
Good for eyes that...
- Are needed for driving on partly sunny days.
- Want to be seen out in public.
- Need a lighter lens in order to see properly.
- Are using contacts.
- Want more light to get in, than to be blocked out.
- Trying to block out UVA & UVB rays.
lear/Light Tint
Good for eyes that...
- Are more concerned with fashion, than they are with blocking out the light.
- Are such a cool color, that covering them up would be a mistake.
- Are headed to the beach bar.
- Like to be covered up at night.
- Belong to someone who likes fashion accessories.
- More likely to be worn by men than women.
Popular Brands
Oakley www.oakley.com
- They made their name using a cool slogan (Thermonuclear Protection). They were one of the first to combine practical eyewear, with a racy sports edge.
Bolle www.bolle.com
- Aside from the hot name, Bolle offers a truly amazing line-up of shades. They tend to be less flashy than the some of the sportier brands, but they are very distinctive.
Tommy Bahama www.tommybahama.com
- Any company that uses 'purveyor' in their slogan has to be fun, right? The Tommy Bahama brand is quickly becoming a player in the sunglass world, with a classier, 'money' look to them.
Spy www.spyoptic.com
- Spys are very cool looking, and some come with some nifty gimmicks - like interchangeable lenses and tin cases. If there look doesn't appeal to you, maybe the fact that Paris Hilton wears them will.
Serengeti www.serengeti-eyewear.com
- Another classic, named after a place where people really need sunglasses. Serengeti combines simple designs with outstanding features.
Black Flys www.flys.com
- These may be a little to goth for some, but we think they are pretty cool. You can even order models that have handmade frames, in about 600 shades of black.
Diesel www.diesel.com
- Diesel sticks there name on nearly everything, and it's a good thing they do since it all looks great. They tend to offer more for the fashion conscious, so you may not want to do your technical shopping here.
Ocean Waves www.oceanwaves.com
- Dubbed as the "world's best sunglasses", Ocean Waves are the brainchild of Kevin Carlson. They are designed for the serious sportsmen in mind, and use only state of the art technology, lenses and frames.
Ray Ban www.rayban.com
- Everyone has heard of these babies, and for good reasons - they have staying power and classic looks. They have been around for a long time, and cover more eyes than most other companies combined.
Von Zipper www.vonzipper.com
- By far the most interesting website. Who can resist a rubber chicken flying around a logo? The site exudes street cool, and the styles are hot.
Killer Loop www.killerloopeyewear.com
- Another hot new company, which is focused on the fashion frames market. This website is so much fun that you may want to leave it on just to listen to the music, but the hip frames are another great reason to check it out.
Revo www.revo.com
- A sleek looking site that offers up some sleek looking frames. They utilize Nasa technology, combined with a unique European flair. The technology behind these sunglasses was good enough for satellite portholes, so it should be good enough for your eyes.
Although shopping for glasses online may be the quickest way to get the information you need while browsing large selections in one sitting, you'll definately want to head to your local optician to try some of these puppies on. Buying glasses is not like buying a t-shirt. Everyone's face is distinctly different and some frames will work better than others. Remember those huge glasses people wore in the 80's? Also, stay away from style or brand favoritism. Simply buying Oakleys because you like name or the pictures you see online isn't going to cut it. Take a friend with you for a second opinion, try a lot of different styles and brands on, and look cool doing it.
