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 vote for Fara!
We are attending the Kentucky Derby- a bucket list trip for us. Any ideas for an outfit that joins the party without looking like a costume? I need help!
I think they all look OK, Jennifer but my vote goes to the Franny and the Rocco. However I do like strong frame so please bear that in mind.
I can never choose my own glasses, I just think of all the time I wear them and it frightens me. I always seek a second opinion.
Just me but I really liked the light lavender one. If uplifted your face and youthful character.
I vote for Fara.
Any ideas for a Kentucky Derby outfit? It’s a bucket list trip for us and I want to join the party without looking like I’m in a costume. Can you help?
Fara ones – typed a longer email but my iPad had problems.
Frankie Frame in toffee is my favorite. I see you , instead of the glasses. Too many of these frames seem to be distracting from the wearer.
The Franny suits you beautifully in size and colour – warm and flattering. The Fara is very uplifting and a bit fun – it looks great on you. But you have a very delicate fine-featured face and the others are all way too heavy and clunky for you (or prissy as in the wire ones) – my opinion only for what it’s worth!
Hi there look at you having fun with the glasses. To me You would have to decide whether or not you want to stand out or just have your glasses to be part of you. If you wanted to be bold, I liked you in the Marisol. The other frame I really liked was the Fara frame. I thought it really brought out the colour of your eyes. The Ezra was nice because it really allows us to see your features. I thought the wright glasses were too similar to what you’ve had in the past. I also liked the Torrez. Good luck with that and post what you end up getting.
The Ezra and the blue. Thank you for this post. You look good in many of the styles. I really like you in blue.
love the softer frames or Franny
#1 Purple Frara – brightens your face. #2 Frannie tortoise shell. Thicker frames are too heavy for your more delicate features.
I love the Franny. You look elegant and brilliant. This is a timely post for me because I just had cataract surgery and unfortunately due to macular degeneration, cheaters aren’t enough for me. You actually look great in all of them.
Hi Jennifer
#1. Far and above the others I chose the Fara Frame. The size opens up your beautiful blue eyes and the blue frame color intensifies them. The are modern; bold enough to be a statement but soft enough to let you shine through. In short they pop!
#2 is much softer and dressier it too lets you shine through and emphasizes your big blues.
#3 Fanny Frame is its own statement if that what you want. A new shape for you.
But it’s about the frame, not about you.
#4 The Naima frame is the last one I could see on you-maybe. More boring tho.
NONE of the others.
😎
Thank you for this! So helpful.
My vote, in order of preference:
1. Rocco
2. Peepers
3. Fara
4. Eyebobs
Frannies!
This is a tough decision because I think they all look really nice. I like the Fara, Ezra, Naima and Franny. I don’t know how you’re going to decide, lol. Any of them would look beautiful on you. 🌸
When I saw the oval frames on you I said aloud, “wow!” They are very flattering on you. Fun to see all these frames.
Trying on glasses is such a challenge as we age. My choices for you are in this order…..#1 Fara (flattering and a good everyday choice that would go with a lot of different outfits). #2 Naima (at first I wasn’t sure because it blends with your coloring and hair but love the way it complements your eye color). #3 Franny (fun and youthful). I didn’t like any of the heavier, darker frames as I feel your facial features are too delicate and the are overpowering. I know a lot of older women like them but to me it seems they work best for ladies with stronger facial features who are outgoing with a flair for the dramatic. Best of luck choosing!
Definitely, The Franny. As you said, warm and classic.
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. Pretty face, don’t hide it! Go soft.
The Franny frames give you a bold enough yet feminine look in classic tortoise.
Our frames tell our story-
Classic, not the school teacher boring
Bold, not too bold or yelling
Says you are aware of your fashion sense, but not super trendy