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?
I like the Wright the best, followed by Fara and Naima. Don’t like Torres, Rocco, Ezra. Curious what you chose!
Honestly, Jennifer you look great in all of the frames! I really like the Marisol. Fun, but not over the top.
Many of the choices look good, but I love the Franny fame on you!
I like Franny and Naima
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What fun! I just did this, myself, and was helped immeasurably by input from my husband and a very stylish European friend. For me, Naima is no. 1, by a long shot. A not so close second is Marisol, maybe in tortoise. The Fara, if you will forgive me, looks a little more mainstream-middle-aged-suburban-woman, if you know what I mean. But you manage to look pretty decent in all the frames.
I like the Franny and the Fara frames on you.
The Rocco or the Torrez are my picks for you
Loved this post. I have always struggled with picking out glasses. I vote for the granny frames. They look great on you.
I like the Marisol color and the shape of the naima. Maybe the Naima in tortoise. The first two of the reading glasses also look great on you.
I like the Franny frames in tortoise on you the best followed by the Fara frame in crystal iris. The Marisol in nordic blue would be a big no-no.
I like the Fara frame, that subtle pop of color. The shape is almost a cat eye, so the the lines of these glasses seem to lift your eyes, and, your eye color seems to come alive in these glasses. But, they are all cute and I can relate to the good picking out something you wear everyday!
I like the Fara and the Ezra on you! They look great with your coloring!
I like the Ezra and the Fara frames on you best. First – I am fairly conservative when it comes to glasses – I like frames that work with the colors I most often wear so the outfits look thought-out. The blue of the Fara would do that for your oft worn colors. The Ezra in silver would work with everything you wear. You don’t often wear gold jewelry – so the silver works with most of your choices.
Second – buy more than one pair! Think of them as accessories that compliment you and your outfit choices. You look good in many of the frame choices, but I think some are way too heavy for your size and face shape. Having said all of the above – buy what makes you feel good when wearing them. Although blue light blocking is a good thing to have, even for inside use (per my own eye doctor).
1. Marisol – youthful look on you!
2. Franny – everyday wear
3. Naima – everyday wear
I think you look best in the square shaped frames. Maybe even a cat eye but more square at the bottom. I don’t think the round frames are very flattering to your face shape. The difference is day & night.
Jennifer you have a delicate little face and the heavier styles seem to take over your face. However, you do look cute in both the clear and the bolder blue patterned blue light blocking pairs. That style looks good on you and gives you a good sized field of vision. The Ezra looks good in silver and doesn’t take over your face. Bottom line, what do you like? That is what is important.
I agree, all look great except not sure about the granny frame!
Franny in toffee frames your eyes beautifully and leave you still looking like you. They highlight rather than compete. All the others overwhelmed or commanded attention away from you.
love love love the franny tortoise frames on you-so pretty & fit your face/features beautifully 🩷🩷😍