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?
Franny! No question.
Like them all but the first 2 are my favorites
Wire frames or plastic? Cool colors or warm colors? Face shape and bone structure vs. bold statements. I’ll tell you what I don’t like: Franny (too warm for your complexion but the shape is nice), Marisol (too dark and too big for your bone structure), Wright (meh, and dark), Torrez (too dark). The Rocco would be good as sunglasses. Go bigger and bolder there!
I see delicate features and a light, summer complexion. But please, you do you! I’m currently wearing the glasses I could get the fastest when mine broke, don’t judge me, haha!
EZRA FRAME IN BURNISHED SILVER
NAIMA FRAME IN ROSEWATER ACETATE
These are my two favorites on you. I am surprised because I normally would look immediately at those with bold shapes and colors. Both of these frames seem to “let me see you” rather than someone wearing glasses. Looking for frames can be seriously daunting. Sometimes I find what I like immediately and other times I am truly paralyzed – and everyone around me have really different opinions. I wear contacts most of the time so I have opted for some bright options lately – one a black and white checker board pattern and one pair of bold red wire frames. I wonder if those are the choices I would make it I was wearing them all day?
Love both Franny and Fara on you! You have more delicate features and it seems the heavier/bulkier looking frames overpower your face.
I like Rosemary Crystal. Gives a little contrast to your face but not too delicate and not too bold. Good luck with your selection! I wore glasses from age 6 to age 66 when i had cataract surgery and then i didn’t need them anymore. A miracle!
Definitely the Franny! I don’t think a round shape suits your face as well as the more rectangular frames. I also like all 3 of the cheater frames…isn’t that always the way. I find the perfect frame in a cheater but then the optician won’t use that frame for my prescription.
Warby Parker does have a great selection but I’ve been buying most of my prescription glasses at Costco. They have great styles and their lense quality is as good or even better than some of the ones I’ve had from high end opticians.
I really like you in the first pair. You look very sophisticated and polished. I also like you in the Naima and ALL of the reading glasses. I’ll be interested in what you buy!
The bold peepers look fantastic on you! They have my vote for frames or similar for your regular glasses .
Personally, I prefer softer frames. On you, my favorites are the purple ones (fara) or the tortoise shell (torrez) They don’t overwhelm your pretty face and light hair color but they still have a pop of stylish fun.
Nice selections of frames. My top four for you, in this order, are: Marisol, Rocco, Naima, Ezra. Anxious to know your final pick!
Imo,
1. Fara
2. Franny
3. Naima
Imo, 1. Fara 2. Franny 3. Naima
As someone that wears glasses full time I appreciate your dilemma. I really like the Fara due to the color and shape compliment your face well. Also, the naima is attractive on you. Good luck.
I like the blue Fara frame the best on you. You always look great in blue and the shape of the frame gives a youthful uplift to your face. I hope you
The Naima in Rosewater Acetate gets my vote ! You look pretty in all of them !
The Fara hands down.
I like the Marisol best on you
I like the first three frames in your posting the best. You did a great job picking frames because all of them looked fine. I just happen to like the first three.
ROCCO! They’re fun and you’ll smile every time you put them on. Carpe diem!