With so many options for frames, lenses, and styles today, shopping for a new pair of women’s glasses can feel daunting. How do you choose the right pair from the array of sizes, shapes, materials and features now available? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the key considerations for finding women’s glasses tailored to your needs, style, and budget.
Determining Your Frame Size and Shape
One of the most important steps when shopping for women’s glasses is selecting frames sized and shaped optimally for your face. An optician can measure your face and take into account factors like cheekbone and brow prominence to recommend flattering frame proportions. As a starting point, here are common frame shapes and the face types they complement:
Round Faces – To add definition, angular frames like cat eyes or square styles balance round faces best.
Oval Faces – Rounded, aviator or wayframe glasses add softness for oval visages.
Square Faces – Soften the angles with oval, round or cat eye frames, which flatter square faces.
Heart Shaped Faces – Rimless, rectangular or wayframe glasses offset heart shapes nicely.
The goal is choosing women’s glasses where the frame outlines the widest part of your face without extending past the edges. This showcases your best features. An optician can help you try different sizes and shapes to find the most flattering fit.
Selecting Frame Materials
Women’s glasses frames today come in a wide range of materials from sleek metals to light plastic:
Metal – Stainless steel, titanium, aluminum and metal alloys offer lightweight durability in silver, gold and rose-hued metals for sophisticated style.
Plastic – Budget-friendly acetate or propionate plastic frames come in vivid colors and patterns. They’re lightweight but less durable over time.
Combination – Some frames cleverly combine metal and plastic together, like metal temples with plastic rims for added comfort.
Consider your lifestyle and opt for durable metals if you’re active, or go bold with colorful patterned plastics if you change glasses often. The choices in women’s frame materials are better than ever.
Finding Your Ideal Lens Material
The materials used for your lenses also impact the look, weight, clarity, durability, and cost of your women’s glasses:
Polycarbonate – This ultra lightweight and impact-resistant plastic material works well for stronger prescriptions and kids’ glasses.
Trivex – Similar to polycarbonate, this sturdy nylon-based material provides very clear vision and is thinner than regular plastic.
Mid-Index Plastic – CR-39 plastic is thinner and lighter than standard plastic lenses and offers quality optics on a budget.
High-Index Plastic – MR-7, MR-8, and MR-10 plastics are some of the highest quality, thinnest plastics available, with crisp visuals.
Glass – No longer just big and heavy, newer glass lenses provide excellent clarity and scratch resistance in lightweight versions like 1.6 and 1.67 index.
Discuss your needs with your optometrist and optician to select the ideal material for lens durability, weight, thickness and clarity based on your prescription requirements.
Lens Options: Coatings and Tints
Today’s lenses can be further enhanced with coatings and tints to maximize both vision and style:
Anti-Reflective Coating – This multi-layer coating reduces distracting glare and eye fatigue from light reflecting off lens surfaces.
UV Protection – Blocks 100% of harmful ultraviolet light that can contribute to eye damage.
Scratch-Resistant Coating – Protects lenses from surface scratches and pits than can impair vision.
Tints – Gradient tints transition from dark to light for fashionable sunglass-like effects. Or opt for standard gray, brown or green tints.
Mirror Coating – A reflective lens coating popular for its distinctive mirrored appearance.
With an array of lens options now available, you can tailor both the look and visual performance of your bespoke women’s glasses.
Finding Your Frame Style
With so many on-trend styles of women’s glasses, you can find frames to match your personal fashion sense. Whether sleek, bold, romantic or preppy, today’s top styles include:
Cat Eye – This retro yet modern angular shape accentuates feminine faces with its signature upturned corners.
Round – Circular wire-framed lenses provide an erudite, “nerd chic” look.
Aviators – Oversized teardrop-shaped frames with a double bridge give casual glamour.
Wayframe – Thin wired rims with dramatic angular tops evoke high fashion.
Browline – Retro two-part frames featuring a prominent upper border are making a strong comeback.
Oversized – For standout allure, choose substantial frames that make a statement.
Colorful – Make a unique style statement by selecting vibrantly colored or patterned frames.
There are endless frame possibilities. The key is first identifying your personal fashion sensibilities, from classic to trendy, then try on various styles until you find “the one” that speaks to you.
Choosing Your Ideal Color
Whether metals, acetates or combination, women’s glasses frames today are available in a rainbow of hues. When selecting colors, consider:
Skin Tone – Opt for frames that contrast and thus flatter your complexion. Warm tones suit darker coloring while cool hues complement fairer skin.
Hair Color – Lighter hair looks lovely with darker frames, and darker hair with lighter glasses for contrast. Match your frame and hair color for blending.
Eye Color – Frame colors that accent your eye color make them stand out. Brown, amber and peach tones enhance blue eyes. Gray, turquoise and purple frames brighten brown eyes.
Fashion Sense – Seek out frames in your favorite colors or palettes that vibe with your personal style. The options are boundless.
Trying on various frame colors and asking a few trusted friends helps ensure you end up with the perfect shades to show off your fabulous face.
Choosing Extra Features
Special features can also customize your glasses for added comfort and convenience:
Adjustable Nose Pads – Cushioned pads that can be tweaked to get the ideal fit for bridge comfort.
Spring Hinges – Flex hinges at the temples provide a snug yet gently adjustable fit behind the ears.
Blue Light Blocking – Special lens coatings that filter out harmful blue light from digital screens to reduce eye strain.
Tailoring extras like pads, specialized lenses and adjustable temples results in women’s glasses crafted for all-day wearability.
With some expert guidance and attentiveness to your facial features, style preferences, vision needs and coloring, finding the ideal frames, lenses, and colors for your next pair of women’s glasses can be enjoyable, easy and fun. Don’t be overwhelmed by the options. Embrace the chance to select exciting new glasses uniquely yours. A few key considerations transform glasses shopping from chore to an opportunity to showcase your personal flair.