Trying On Eyeglass Frames: Bold or Soft?
I usually try on clothes for the blog, but this week I switched gears and went looking for new eyeglass frames, which turned out to be its own special kind of identity crisis.
Choosing frames is oddly personal. They sit right in the middle of your face, announce themselves before you’ve said a word, and somehow manage to make you look either polished and interesting or like you made one unfortunate decision under fluorescent lighting.
So today, I’m sharing the contenders.
Try not to let my expression sway you. I did my best to keep my face consistent, but people kept coming into the store, I started chatting, and lost track of what I was doing. There’s also quite a bit of glare on the lenses, so you’ll need to look past that and focus on the frames themselves.
I found several fun options, and I’d love your help narrowing them down.
The Franny has an oval shape with a slight cat-eye tilt that gives it some lift without going too far into “retired drama teacher.” The toffee tortoise feels warm and classic, and the shape is soft enough to be easy to wear every day. It also comes in Jet Black, but I think the tortoise has more personality.
The Marisol has a soft, round shape with a more noticeable bridge and bolder temples, so it makes a bit more of a statement without feeling heavy. The Nordic blue is unexpected, which I liked immediately. It’s not loud, but it’s definitely not apologizing for itself either. It also comes in Toffee Tortoise if you prefer a safer choice, but where’s the fun in that?
The Fara is a classic cat-eye with a lighter, more refined feel than some of the chunkier versions out there. The mix of crystal acetate and metal keeps it from looking too sweet or too severe. It has enough shape to be interesting, but not so much that it starts wearing you instead of the other way around.
The Ezra is a softly rounded metal frame made in Japan from lightweight titanium, with delicate detailing along the eyewire and nose bridge. This one feels a little more intellectual, a little more understated. It also comes in polished gold, but the silver feels cleaner and more modern to me.
The Rocco has a strong brow line and a softly squared bottom, which gives it a more architectural feel. The wide temples and gradient colorway make it a little bolder than some of the others, so this one definitely has presence. It’s the kind of frame that says you notice details and aren’t afraid to make a statement.
The Naima is an oversized acetate frame in a soft rosewater color. It has a playful, slightly glamorous feel without tipping into anything too flashy. Oversized frames can be tricky because they either look chic or like you borrowed your aunt’s readers from 1989, but this one manages to stay on the right side of that line.
The Wright has round lenses and a keyhole bridge, and it comes in several colors as well as a low-bridge fit option. That’s especially helpful if frames tend to slide down your face or sit awkwardly on your cheeks, which is enough to make even a beautiful frame irritating by lunchtime. The rosemary crystal color is subtle and interesting, which I always appreciate.
The Torrez is described as square, but to my eye it reads more softly rounded, which is probably why I liked it. The combination of tortoise fronts and metal temples gives it a nice balance of structure and lightness, and the adjustable nose pads are always worth mentioning because fit matters more than most of us want to admit. A frame can be gorgeous, but if it pinches or slides, it’s not the one.
I like several of these for completely different reasons, which isn’t especially helpful when the goal is to narrow them down.
And finally, if you’re fortunate enough to only need cheaters, I envy you. They’re much more affordable, so you can play with lots of pairs.
So I’m curious what you think. Do you prefer the bolder frames or the softer ones?
As someone who has worn glasses since the age of 6, I do have strong opinions on frames. I like the Franny & Fara…I’ve dabbled with contacts, but now I just need glasses for distance…..you really look great in all of your choices…..
They all look good. The two best are the Franny and the Marisol, which enhance your features and look especially nice on your face.
I vote for the Fara Frame with iris crystal. Also love the Bold Peepers. Must say you look good in all…trust your gut and pick the pair that makes you smile. Good luck!
Definitely the bolder colors. I like the first pair and the last pair.
Such a decision as glasses are so expensive.
I love the first frame! Makes your eyes “pop”!
For those of us who wear glasses all the time, there is always pressure to “get it right”. Like you, I have begun to take selfies with all possible contenders and glance at them throughout the evening to make a decision. However, I frequently return to the store the next day and completely change my mind.😂. IMHO, the Ezra adds 10 years, the two white spots on the left side with none on the right side of the Torrez would drive me bonkers, and others are quite bold and heavy looking. I personally like the shape and low contrast of the Fara.
I really thought the Fara frames were very flattering on you. That’s my choice.
Go with Franny frames. Very attractive on you.
I like the purple Fara and the Ezra frames on you. I love that you did this. Whenever I look at frames, I try getting lots of opinions in the store from other shoppers. It’s a big decision!
You look great in the square, bolder frames, but do you see yourself being in overwhelming frames every day for the next year or two.
None of the others felt unique. Can you find a lighter, square frame?
I like the softer frames. The bold one detract from your features and would clash with your clothing. My favorites are the first pair, the oval tortoise shell. They are bold enough to say something, and soft enough to flatter your face.
I always struggle with selecting new glasses and ask everyone in the store for their opinion.
That was a fun post! You looked great in so many frames. I prefer bold frames … and my top pick is Marisol. 😊
I’ll look forward to seeing which one you chose.
I prefer Ezra but a colorful frame appears to be the current style. Ezra would not distract from a warm smile or a welcoming expression.
My first pick is the Franny Frame in tortoise. That shape suits you well. My second choice would be the Fara. The colour is bright enough but not in your face bold. It will, however, only go with certain outfits, whereas the Franny frames will go with all.
Picking frames is such a difficult process. I need to go myself but have delayed it about six months. Thank you for the reminder.
I concur with this. These both add a nice bit of color without overwhelming your face and hair. The heavier frames are just too much, but these two both look very feminine without being “precious”
Frannie, Fara, then Naima, in that order. That said I love almost all of them on you! I go through so much angst when I buy frames and need way more than readers. Currently looking at a DKNY frame that is in merlot. I really like how they look on me, but since I wear corals, sometimes, and normally only have one frame with a current prescription, I’m not sure that’s the way to go, either. I hope you share your final choice with us!
I would vote for the Franny number one and the Naima number two. Some of the frames are too big for your face and just a bit too bold. MHO.
I would have never thought I would like tortoise frames on you, but I love the Franny frames. They make your eyes pop and don’t hide your eyebrows. My second favorite frames is the Fara. IMHO, both of these frames lift your face, pop your eyes, and expose your eyebrows. I believe the metal frames and some of the heavier frames pull down your face.
I’ve worn glasses for almost 70 years. For my walking around glasses, I always went with the flattering frame, regardless of current style. I’d wear more modern or out-there styles as my computer glasses. To my eye, some of the bolder heavier frames wear you instead of flattering you.
I’m with Sylvia, both the Franny and the Naima flatter your face. I like glasses that blend rather that those that draw attention to the glasses.
When my hair was still red I wore tortoise color frames, now my hair is gray I’ve gone to a soft rose color. Get a lot of compliments on the new color.
Thanks for sharing so many options! There are so many and they are so different, it’s hard to pick one. I need new frames and you’ve shown a lot of modern options to consider. Good luck!
I like you in all of the frames, but my favorites are the Franny and the Ezra. The others are bolder, as you say, but to me, they become the show, taking the emphasis off your beautiful eyes.
I like the naima for the coloring. It looks nice with you hair and skin. The fara is nice too a bolder option. Some days you just don’t want that bold look . I struggle picking glasses, it’s so hard to pick in just one visit.
I love the Fara on you. It definitely brightens your face. My second choice is the Ezra. Please let us know which one you choose.