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?
The Naima proportions are perfect on your face- not to mention the color- a bold frame without the color/pattern overwhelming you. Wow. It is so hard to get proportions to align and this one does it- not too round, not sitting too high or low- I could go on and on. For me recently, finding the right frame has been similar to my search for clothing, and really paying attention to colors, shapes, and yes, proportions, to find the right one. Anyhow, that one wins by a landslide, in my humble opinion- but lots of lovely contenders!
What a fun post! Some glasses have an Iris Apfel vibe, some a quiet librarian vibe. IMO, you have such a beautiful face I would not cover it up with the bolder frames. But….you do you!
You look great in the Fara!
I like the Fara and the Franny because you have fair skin and delicate features and they don’t overwhelm your face.
I like the first pair, Franny and Naima. Although the Eyebobs (last one looks good too but maybe because you have the same color top on. I hate buying glasses because I can never tell on me what I like. It was easier when I was young because my hair was very dark and black always looked good. Now, my hair is barely blond and I my face rosacea has gotten worse so I can figure out what looks best. Good luck.
No to the big heavy frames, or even the large ones with clear-ish frames. Yes to Ezra frame in silver, Yes to Fara frame in iris crystal, yes to Fanny frame in toffee tortoise. Readers: big yes to Eyebobs! I’m going to be looking at frames myself soon so this was a great lesson.
i like the second pair from the bottom. Where you are sitting at the computer. And next, i like the rosewater acetate. I know it’s traumatic to pick out new frames. Especially in my case since I can hardly see how I look in them with my eyes. GOOD LUCK
Love the Naima on you….and all the peepers.
The Fara
I think the Franny is unique and beautiful on you. Also, the Fara is lovely – classy but not boring. Fun post!
Hi Jennifer,
First, I am a huge fan and love looking forward to your emails everyday. Secondly, I have purchased some of your suggested style ideas, fashion, makeup, skin care, hair care. I trust your instincts on women our age to look put together with a bit of style and confidence.
I don’t usually offer suggestions or ask for advice, but since I have to wear glasses, I was compelled to help a friend with glasses. The Fara Frame in Iris Crystal looked so polished yet pretty on your face. They don’t take over who you are. For a second pair, if you’re like me, if I cannot find my first pair, I know I have a second, I liked the Torrez Terrazzo Tortoise style, because it has a bit of pinache that looks fresh and cool, like you!
The Farra frames looked lovely on you. Not too heavy, and a gorgeous colour.
Hi
I like the Wright frame – rosemary crystal.
The Fara and Frany.
Some were a little too chunky for your face. (my opinion).
A very nice assortment of frames.
The Fara is by far my favourite on you! The Ezra is also okay. In my opinion, most of the others are too big and heavy looking. They overwhelm your face.
I love the smaller tortoise frame #1 and #2 on you the best. So flattering. If you want a larger frame consider using a frame you already have and just get new lenses if your script has changed. I’m loving the smaller frames on you this go around. Just my never to be humble opinion.❤️
I like the Marisol frames. Hate the first one. Rocco second choice. Don’t like the wire frames at all, they drag your face down.
I love the Franny and Fara. Both look stunning!
Have you considered Readers frames with prescription lens? My daughters have tried this successfully.
I love Peepers. I only need reading glasses. So I have several pairs. Because I take them on and off multiple times a day they all break down in a few months. I like to have fun with shapes and colors. Peepers are reasonable $ so I can have fun. I liked the red ones and clear ones on you.
The Franny looks like the perfect frame for your lovely face.