Anyone in Boston area want to go frames shopping with me? - YouLookFab Forum

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Anyone in Boston area want to go frames shopping with me?

shiny

Veteran

Went to the eye doctor today and, long story short, it is time for me to embrace eyeglasses with all my heart & soul -- to wear them most of the time --- including out of the house!! -- rather than my contacts. Because I *desperately* need progressives.

I have put this off as long as possible, because I've always hated wearing glasses for a variety of reasons, and *vastly* prefer contacts. My reasons are not limited to, but surely include, that I just don't think I look that great in glasses. I wish I did. I don't. I wish I could look trendy and fashionable and as if I'm making a statement, like so many YLFer's here do. But I've just never met a pair of glasses that suited me in that way.

Armed with brand new prescription (yes, my eyes have changed YET again, in past 7 months- improved, again!), I tried a bunch of frames on today but as much as I love my eye doctor and think my eyes are in good hands with him -- his choices of fashionable frames is way too limited, more catered towards an... ahem... older, conservative crowd.

I have been trying to find time to shop for frames elsewhere at higher end shops that are all around our city, and also online too, but I'm just so nutty busy lately, it never gets done. And DH has zero patience for helping me out here. But I need to get this DONE. Soon. Because I'm barely managing now with the contacts. When they are in, I can barely read text on my computer, much less a book, airplane ticket, restaurant menu. I have computer-only glasses that are awesome but for inside/home use only - cannot drive legally with them but for last 7 months I could get by around the house. However now I can't - as soon as I step away from computer, I am bumping into things and if I look down, my my shoes are just a huge blur. So yes. I need progressives. It's time.

But, I don't trust my own opinion and want someone to come with me to the store....

Every pair I put on, I am transported back to age 15 when I was told I was blind as a bat and needed glasses if I wanted a driver's license. I can't get past that in my head/heart/soul. I put the glasses on, and either I curl up and feel like an awkward teenager all over again, OR I see someone who's older than I feel.... and I'm not ready for that...

I don't trust taking an iPhone photo to post here, because all I've taken, look absolutely, horrendously, horrible. Is it the frames or I'm just REALLY that unphotogenic? Ha! Possibly both!

I think a real-life set of second, discerning, tasteful, honest eyes would be all around more helpful.

Are there any takers? Anyone else in the greater Boston area who wants to make a date to shop for frames together?

Shopping

21 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

shiny

Veteran

To sweeten the deal - I think I'm pretty good at helping to pick out frames for *others*! I just can't do it for myself. I have the basic principles down, from following YLF & related forum threads. I just can't apply it to my own self -- beyond quickly rejecting 80% that's on the shelf because I know already it's not going to work for me. It's the 20% that I need help with. Because I just can't see my own self objectively, not when it comes to eye glasses.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I would!! I used to wear glasses until I got Lasik a few years ago. I also help my husband pick out his glasses. I don't know which stores are good, though. My best frames came from an eye doctor at the Burlington Mall years ago. I think it was 2001. My husband has been wearing those frames for his everyday glasses ever since I got Lasik in 2004. He also has prescription sunglasses and reading glasses. PM me!!

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Hi Shiny - I'm not quite ready to shop for new frames yet, as I need to get to my eye doctor for an exam first. I can, however, recommend the shop where I go for frames. It's called Eye Look, and it's in Lexington. I don't know if that's too far for you. The woman who manages the store is excellent at assessing your style and then recommending frames. Some people might find that off-putting, but I found it extremely helpful. I love my frames, which you can see in my profile pic. Why don't you message me about meeting up? Maybe a couple of us can get together to help you out. Isabel, Diana, maybe Tanya, I'm thinking of you. Anyone else?

ETA: Here's Eye Look's website: http://www.eyelookoptical.net

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Ah, yes, pastrygirl! I wasn't sure if her schedule would allow! Coolness.

shiny

Veteran

Oh wow, Beth, that place looks great! And Lexington &/or Burlington is not too far.

Pastry, my doc says I am the worst candidate for Lasik. I wish! How much easier would that be??

From previous experience, some of these higher end places will spend oodles of time with you but their expectation is that they're going to not just sell you the frames, but also do the fitting and lenses. But my plan right now is to pick out frames, buy them-- and then take them back to my eye doctor to do the rest -- because he spent 2 *very* meticulous hours with me on the eye exam.

Maybe I am overthinking or misunderstanding the optical business model, but the way I understand it is that high end boutiques + mail order contact places have totally eaten into profits. So I want to ensure he gets my business for the lenses & fittings - I just don't like his frame choices!

He is on vacation for several weeks, so I have some time here to pick out the ideal frames.

Actually I have all the time in the world to get this just right-- but I may injure myself bumping into things, if I procrastinate for a few more months... so I'm trying to set a goal to pick out frames by end of summer.

I spent about 15 minutes after the 2 hour meticulous exam going through his stock, there were two or three frames that were "okay" - in general fashion direction but I know I can probably do better.

BethL

(website)

Veteran

I don't know about the profits, Shiny, but I understand your concern. My opthalmologist's practice doesn't do glasses, and she sent me to Eye Look purposely for my progressive lenses. They're known for being exacting, and because I have severe migraines, my lenses had to be perfect. The store deals with one of the top lens makers in Germany and then hand finishes them in the store. That does make them very expensive. I do have to say that I adjusted to my progressives in a matter of minutes and was able to drive 40 minutes home on a rainy day.

They would probably expect to do your lenses. But maybe they would sell you the frames to take back to your doc. It might be worth a phone call.

Just let me/us know what you want to do. Pastrygirl and I have met IRL, so I'm going to venture a guess this is something we can do together wherever you'd like if schedules permit.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Warby Parker recently opened a physical location on Newbury Street.
You can't fill anything but a basic rx with them, but the frames are mostly only $100 and you can take to your local optical. My husband did this with a couple pairs.

And I recently realized he has the same grass green color frames as Angie...not sure if the same style or not (he has a small face for a guy)

shiny

Veteran

Ummilla, I have had 4 Warby Parker frames in my virtual cart for a weeks. I can't find a 5th worth trying, then I keep telling myself, just get down to Newbury and go to the store. I would not mind doing that - I am just thinking if the store is exact same as online, I am pretty sure there's only 2 frames that might be remotely contenders, and 4 tops.

My face is petite like the rest of me, so I need "narrow" frames, which limits me right out of the starting gate. And frames that are too dark just look all wrong. I need a lighter color. I am even toying with some metal frames -- a soft brushed metal may work better than plastic colored frame. I did try on a frame today that was wireless but the arms were trendy--- I really liked those a lot, but the frames were too short for progressives, which is yet another factor.

Beth - the more you talk about this place in Lexington, the more it sounds like just the ticket! I am going to treat this purchase as an investment -- price is not the object. I can apply costs towards health FSA which we have plenty to spend down. But ideally I get a pair that I *want* to wear and feel fabulous wearing -- so I can get over my dislike/discomfort and start wearing them, without feeling frumpy, or 15, and awkward, and cut off from the world (if you know what I mean - wearing glasses have always felt like there's this wall between me and the world, and I hate that perception, unless it's dark sunglasses).

Isabel

Veteran

I cannot make any guarantees, but if you and Pastry Girl make a date, I may be able to join you. I can totally do Lexington or Burlington. PM me. : ) I would love a day with you ladies. I would also love a new pair of frames !

PS : Shiny, yours was the first WIW that I ever saw here. You were wearing a blazer, a really cool graphic t, and sneakers. And I was hooked ! LOL

shiny

Veteran

Isabel and Pastry - PM me your email addresses so we can coordinate off-line!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

And also, wrt to Warby Parker, my husband also did the at home try on. It's great: they send you a box full to check out, no shipping charges, and immediate return credit. He actually did that first, bought one pair as a test, and then when we happened to pass the store, he picked up the others he liked.

I bought a pair, too. I wear contacts mostly. I think I have a couple years before I'm desperate for progressives. The glasses are just for the nasty New England winter when my eyes are dehydrated by 7 pm and I have to get the lenses out. Mine are kind of funky cat eyes, but in a blond-ish color.

I like them but don't love myself in anything but sunglasses. I totally feel your pain there. I have to say my ophthalmologist told me that if I really am not into glasses, I should just get some reading glasses from walgreens or whatever to wear as needed along with the contacts. (He thinks I am vain, I can tell!)

shiny

Veteran

Unmilla, do you have a pic of your blondish cat eye frames? Because that sounds right down my alley!

About 10 years ago my eye doctor said same thing, just get reading glasses from Walgreen's. I did that for awhile, and it helped, for menus and reading but not for computer use. Computer use was always kind of a compromise situation.

Then my eyes did this weird thing -- they started improving. On their own. Having nothing to do with Rx tweaks, the doc insists. He says it's too complicated to explain why, but it does happen for a small subset of people as they age.

Basically my contacts RX, which was getting progressively stronger from age 16 to around 40, peaked out around -4.75 and then started steadily reversing. I am now back at -2.75. 7 months ago I was at -3.25, to give you an idea of the pace. If the present trend keeps up, I could be back to my age 16 Rx in a year or two - which just boggles my mind. It's also frustrating because it means every 6 months I need a new Rx.

For last year or two, I can once again read in bed *without contacts or glasses* or having to hold the book up to my nose. That's huge!! It's just when I have contacts in that menus and books are barely legible. Walgreen's glasses do help with that part, but not with computer (mid-range) use, so it gets complicated fast. I am really tired with dealing with all the extra glasses for this or that.

I can also now watch the t.v. across the room without contacts or glasses --- it's still blurry but not so bad that I'm getting a headache or just see talking moving blobs. But I cannot legally drive, nor would I attempt illegal driving either.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I'll do a pic of the frames tomorrow.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

They are the Warby Parker Holcomb 3290. Let me know if it helps to see a picture on me. I have kind of a large, square face so may not be relevant for you.

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shiny

Veteran

Unmilla, is it these same frames?? https://www.warbyparker.com/ey.....-sandstone

That's one I was looking at! The frame size sounds about right for me. I *love* these! I suspect the "marbled sandstone" would work great with my coloring and preferences. I tried a pair of glasses on recently that had a similar cat eye shape and it could work.

I have everyone's email addresses. I will reach out from my gmail this weekend, or once I check schedules over here. I have a business trip next week so I am thinking something at end of month/early August. There is time if anyone else wants to join the hunt - PM me.

Linda

One very quick tip, Shiny, Progressives require a certain amount of room for them to work properly. If you tend to like smallish frames, it's best to get a professional opinion on whether progressive lenses will work with them.

Sylvie

Veteran

Not in Boston but just wanted to add that I can relate to the adolescent phase of feeling icky in glasses. I wore the ugliest glasses (mom was trying to be cost efficient) from about 8-11. Then I wore contacts until I got an eye infection in high school. Wore "ok but not great" glasses all through college.

As soon as I graduated and got my own health insurance, I bought myself an awesome, flamboyant and expensive pair of cat eye shaped frameless glasses. Today I wear a pair of bright red jeweled Lafont frames that are a showpiece on my face and the first thing you notice. I now own my glasses wearing proudly.

Your statement frames, or classy understated frames (if you must) are out there waiting for you. Good luck finding them! Also, highly recommend LaFont for statement frames.

Diana

Veteran

I'm crazypants busy this summer but would love to go on a specs shopping expedition if I am around/free. I'm not really in the market but it's always good to keep up with the new styles. Don't change your plans bc of me though as I've got a lot of prior weekend commitments in the next couple of months. But let me know just in case?
Oh, I don't drive so I'd need a ride if we are going to the burbs.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Shiny, those are the exact same glasses I have. Even if you all do a shopping expedition, you should still try them out.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

FWIW: http://www.whowhatwear.com/sty.....14?ps=home

This has a lot of very nice glasses recommendations

shiny

Veteran

Thanks Ummilla! And thanks for bumping this thread... I am desperate for new glasses but the way work + personal schedule is going, I am not sure when I'm going to be able to schedule a shopping trip.