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?
Hello – I love both the ROCCO FRAME IN COASTLINE CRYSTAL FADE and the
NAIMA FRAME IN ROSEWATER ACETATE on you. And maybe on me too!
BTW, just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy reading your blog. I enjoy your style of writing & wit! It always makes for an interesting and amusing read.
Have a beautiful day!
The Rocco for sure! Or your fun peepers turned into daily wear glasses
The blue tortoise shell “peepers” are gorgeous! They match your hair and your skin tone. Those are the best look for you!
Hands down the Fara Iris Crystal is the most flattering and would work with all your outfits. Are you rotating frames or do you only wear one? I have 3 and would love to have more! I’m intrigued with the Rocco – the blue fade and heavy arms makes a modern statement but isn’t too overpowering with your delicate coloring. That pair would be for high confidence days and outfits that are more fashion forward. I think it would even be nice with your neutral outfits. But I don’t think I’d want to wear that pair everyday. Just my opinions here! The tortoise shell is too warm for you. The black pair is too heavy, BUT with the right outfit and attitude, they could be really cool! Depends on what is authentic for you. I could go on and on about each frame – you’ve hit a passion of mine as a wearer of glasses for decades who finally has the means to have different pairs depending on my mood and outfit!
You look great in them all but my favorites are the Farra or Franny frames.
I really like how the Franny looks on you. Very flattering but still fun!
I like the Fara on you the best. Good color as well. I had the dark tortoise frames the last time, and I just bought light grey this time around. Good luck, you do look good in the multi color tortoise frames for the distinctive look.
The Fara Frame looks the best
The Franny #1, Ezra #2 some of the others are too much
I like the Naima frames best on you. I liked the low contrast and the shape. I also liked the Rocco if you want bolder. The Torrez has very nice variation of colors in the frames, but I don’t care for metal temples.
I chose new frames recently and it is very difficult. I wear my glasses all the time and can only afford one pair, so I feel like it is a huge decision. I ended up with blue tortoise frames, but now I think they are too dark. But I will make them work. Good luck!
Definitely the Fara! They look great on you. I, too, must wear glasses just to see where I’m putting my feet, so they are not an option. I would love to have the means to purchase 2-3 versions at once, but thanks to my prescription, buying a new set of frames and lenses is like buying a small car! (And that doesn’t include updating the sunglasses each time!) Ouch! So buy a pair you love!
There are lots of good choices. I like the lighter frames on you. They seem to suit how I see you, light and cheery. The chunkier frames change your look -you look more serious. that said, I like that look also maybe as an alternative look. My favorite frames are the FARA FRAME IN IRIS CRYSTAL WITH RIESLING. My favorite chunky one is NAIMA FRAME IN ROSEWATER ACETATE. I can’t wait to see which ones you choose!
You look good in most of the glasses. My favorite is the Fara frame in Iris. I also like the peepers frame for reading. I’m in the middle of cataract surgery. One eye is done and I’m waiting to do the other eye. Once complete, I shouldn’t need distance lenses, but I will need reading. I’ve been looking at peepers frames. They have a lot of nice options. At a good price so maybe I can get several pair to match different outfits!
Great topic! I love my glasses and have a dozen pairs. On you…I don’t like the round lens. I think a bit of an arch looks better. The tortoise frames are especially attractive. I like the Franny and the Fara. Also the tortoise frames at the end with the blue accents
Love the Fara frame. Great color on you.
I really like the softer frames on you.
I know well the difficulty of picking out frames. But now I get the fun of picking them for someone else. Thanks for including us! You can’t go wrong as they all look good, but I especially like the Fara frame in iris. The color is fun while the shape is classic. The bold frames may get tiresome
I like the Franny and the Fara best. I’m a retired Optician so depending on your mood any would work for you. Also the Torrez is fun. With boldly colored frames I always felt limited to clothing options, but that’s me.
The Fara and the first blue light frames. You’re complexion and light hair make heavier frames just too overwhelming. The Fara has personality as do the light cheaters.
I’ve had purple frames and they surprisingly went with everything, even red lipstick!
I always admire your style!
I am also looking for frames!
It’s so difficult to narrow them down!
I don’t have a favorite, I like each of them for different reasons!
My favorite eye glass frames in you!
The Torres
The Marisol
The 1st pair of peepers
The bold peepers
They all looked fabulous with your face and hair color!!!
Can’t wait to see which ones you go with!!