Selecting Stylish Eyewear on Corporette

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Selecting Stylish Eyewear on Corporette

— by Angie

on August 30, 2011

It was with great pleasure that I wrote a post for Corporette on how to select stylish eyewear. Visuals often speak louder than words, so I asked our fabulous forum members to model their eyewear for the article. They look amazing. I cover both how to tackle shopping for the perfect pair of specs, and the things to think about as you make your decision.

Big thanks to our forum members for modeling their killer specs, and to Kat of Corporette for giving me the opportunity to write about a topic that is obviously close to my heart. Also, big congratulations to Kat who had a baby a couple of weeks ago. We hope that you, hubby and your cherub are doing well.

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25 comments · Add a comment

Kafe

Active Member

You’ve posted a nice list on how to choose stylish eye-wear. I wear contacts all the time because I don’t feel comfortable in glasses, though I do wear glasses in the evening before bed. I have really bad eyesight (-9 and -10 in corrections) and don’t think any frames with that prescription in them can look stylish. But I’m curious as to if you really do think it’s possible or if it’s best to stick to contacts. I have no problems with a contact vote.

August 30, 2011 at 1:22 pm

Queen Mum

Veteran

great article Angie! great models as well hehe

August 30, 2011 at 2:01 pm

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Fab! I don’t wear glasses, but I did buy sunglasses for the first time properly last year and following some of these guidelines made a big difference (I didn’t know them all) Especially about trying on – I was so uncertain when I started and so overwhelmed I thought I’d never know what to buy.

I’ll return to this when I next need sunglasses.

What fabulous models! QueenMum so glad you agree…

August 30, 2011 at 2:35 pm

Atlantia

Veteran

I will always have a special place in my heart for Kat, because without Corporette I never would have found my way to YLF.

August 30, 2011 at 5:01 pm

sarah

Veteran

I love these tips, Angie. I wonder how my specs would measure up! I bought them pretty recently, and I really like them (I only wear them in the morning and evening). I find it hard to find specs that work well with my very fair complexion, and am always amazed at how good you look in black frames. I don’t wear any make-up, and I think frames that dark would look horrible on me.

Kudos to all the lovely ladies who modeled their glasses!

August 30, 2011 at 5:10 pm

taylor

Veteran

OH!! Very FAB…The ladies look wonderful

I am never photographed , but I wear specs about 70/80 % of the time and should wear them more. I wish I had paid attention to these guidelines before I got my new glasses…I just feel ~so not~ me in any frame

Great article Angie!!

August 30, 2011 at 6:10 pm

Elly

Veteran

My glasses are Turquoise and Red and follow all the guidelines ( or so I think). I really only like one shape of glasses on me (a modified angular cat eye). However, I love the black pair you wear often.

August 30, 2011 at 6:27 pm

Lisa

Veteran

I wish I had these guidelines when I wore glasses. I never knew to model the frames after your eyebrow shape, what a great idea!

August 30, 2011 at 6:27 pm

Aida

Veteran

This is such a great article, Angie! The extra width was especially surprising to me, but totally makes sense. Adding the photos perfectly highlights how paying attention to those devilish details really pays off (nicely modeled, ladies!). I’m saving this article for the (probably nearer than I’m willing to admit) future!

August 30, 2011 at 7:02 pm

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great article and FAB models! Thanks, Angie!

@ Kafe, my prescription is the same as yours. And I also (now) need progressive lenses.

AND I have a small face/small frame.

Picking glasses is very difficult.

I have never, ever found a pair of eyeglasses that I can comfortably wear all day. They give me a headache eventually, no matter how carefully they are adjusted. Even with extra-thin lenses the lenses are thick and that does affect the look (as well as the feel).

However, I believe it IS possible to get stylish glasses and to have them look stylish, even with a high prescription. It does take extra care and at times one has to rule out certain frames that those with a lower prescription could successfully wear. So the rule is patience!

I alternate between glasses and contacts; it is the only way I can manage to maintain reasonable comfort levels with either.

August 30, 2011 at 8:08 pm

Sparky

Veteran

How timely! I have been thinking of updating my 10-year-old pair of glasses ( I mainly wear contacts) and these guidelines are uber helpful. Thanks, Angie!

August 30, 2011 at 9:07 pm

Kari

Veteran

Great article, Angie – and yes *winking at Kim* the models are lovely.

If I could add a tip too based on my most recent experience: be willing to try out new shapes/colors/materials, even if they didn’t necessarily work for you in the past. I used to find metal frames heavy and thought that nose pads were pinching and uncomfortable, so I’ve eschewed them for years.

However, recently I tried out a titanium frame with nose pads, and was so surprised. These babies are light as a feather, even though I only sprung for the medium-weight lens, and the technician who assisted me made sure those nose pads were adjusted perfectly – even though one of my ears is much higher than the rest of my face and makes alignment/fit tricky!

It just goes to show that I should *never* say that I will “only wear plastic frames”, because I’m bound to find myself surprised.

August 30, 2011 at 9:32 pm

Kari

Veteran

Kafe, maybe this article would be helpful? Apologies if this is repeating info that you already know: http://www.ehow.com/facts_7582.....enses.html

One of the reasons I prefer glasses that are lighter weight (plastic or titanium) and small (wide enough to fit me properly, but not very vertically high) is because my prescription, which is -4.25/-3.75 in each eye, has gotten heavier over the years. I now spring for the thinner lenses and if the edges stick out much beyond the frames, I usually opt to get them rolled and polished so that they are less visible.

I recall that a few years ago, Maya had similar concerns as she needed to have a narrow/small frame due to her prescription, and she was able to find a totally awesome pair of Bevel frames. I know it’s pricey, but I’d recommend popping into a specialty eyewear store if you have one nearby just to try out some frames, see what might work with your prescription, and generally just get an idea of what’s out there. I switch between glasses and contacts, too – these days, since I’m on the computer a lot and have eye irritation due to allergies, I’m finding glasses more comfortable because my eyes can sting so badly at the end of the day (and I’m also liking the chance to show off my “face jewelry.”) If it’s raining heavily or if I’m working out, I prefer contacts. I love being able to switch it up!

August 30, 2011 at 10:14 pm

Sihaya

Veteran

Great article and models – nice reminder as I have to get my prescription renewed soon.

August 30, 2011 at 11:14 pm

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Oh my goodness! LOVE the spec models! Great article Angie! I love your glasses and how you wear them all the time, just like me. I rarely wear contacts because I have daily disposables and I save those for special occasions, like if I’m wearing a fancy dress. I even have prescription sunglasses and a prescription scuba mask. I currently have two pairs of specs, a red one from Prodesign Denmark (love their line) and brown one from Vogue, both from the Kaiser optical store (I was surprised, but they have a bunch of designer frames). I have a pretty strong prescription though so I have to spring for the high-density lenses which makes it more expensive. I agree about shopping with a friend…I always have to bring my husband for picking frames…he has a good eye for what works on my face.

August 31, 2011 at 12:16 am

Deborah

Veteran

This is a great article and so informative … and yes what lovely models.

Kari I have a pair very similar to yours but different colors. I was aware when I chose my glasses that they needed to “lift” my face and I think I have achieved that. I have four pairs, all different, 3 plastic and 1 metal. I might have to post them at some point and see what you think. I wear them at work and sometimes in the evenings but have only been wearing them for 12 months so am still getting used to them.

Angie I love the way yours just look like they are part of you (so to speak), ie. they work so perfectly that you almost don’t notice them.

Thanks for this info.

August 31, 2011 at 2:04 am

Inge

Such gorgeous models!! Each pair of specs really works perfectly for the specific facial features and style preferences of these fab ladies, I love that! Thank you for explaining all this so clearly too, Angie (and Kat too, of course)!

This reminds me that I have a question about large sunglasses. Will start a forum thread on this.

August 31, 2011 at 4:23 am

Kafe

Active Member

Suz, I’m not happy you have eyesight like mine, but I’m happy I am not alone. I also *should* have progressive lenses, but I have said “not yet” to my eye doctor the last several years. I wonder how I would like progressive contacts or can’t get over the idea of reading glasses over my contacts. And, I too have a small face. The glasses I have are fairly stylish, I think, but I have never felt stylish in glasses at all. Thank you for leaving a comment for me. : )

Kari, thank you for the link!

August 31, 2011 at 5:19 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for reading the guest post over at Corporette ladies, and for sharing your valuable insights here.

Kafe, it’s a completely personal thing. Stick to contacts if that’s what works for you. My Papa had a -8 and a -9 correction in both eyes for most if his life. His eyesight got so bad that he had artificial lenses put in his eyes about 11 years ago. He now wears a much less strong prescription.

Goldie, Greg and I have sunglasses with prescription lenses too. I didn’t know that you could get a scuba mask with prescriptive lenses!

Sarah, my darker eyebrows work with the black frames, which are still soft actually. They have colourful inners, or are rimmed with white. Also, they are quite refined. Those details make all the difference.

Thanks, Deborah

August 31, 2011 at 7:01 am

Beth

Veteran

Wonderful advice. Where DO you find such lovely models?

I have to admit that wearing glasses takes me back to my exceptionally awkward middle-school years. Nothing makes me feel less fab than wearing glasses; unfortunately as I get older my eyes are tolerating contacts less and less.

My last pair of glasses was purchased prior to YLF and I don’t know that they’d pass muster now. I’ll definitely solicit input for the next pair and hopefully I’ll look (and feel) as fab as you ladies do!

August 31, 2011 at 10:13 am

esme noir

(website)

Active Member

thanks angie! i lucked out when i bought my glasses–a couple of strangers came into the shop and were so enthusiastic about my frames that i just had to buy them (“the kindness of strangers…”)

August 31, 2011 at 11:53 am

bj1111

Veteran

thanks for a great article on corporette. love the models!!!

August 31, 2011 at 3:38 pm

Debora

Veteran

Great article and how nice to see the lovely YLF ladies over on Corporette!

August 31, 2011 at 6:26 pm

Astrid

Veteran

Can’t believe I missed this post!

Great article, I hope it helps many people find some KILLER specs! I’m so glad I had the YLF guideline and your help when I was searching for my new specs. And yes, the models are all lovely. It’s nice to see examples on real people, I think it helps you to better visualize.

September 1, 2011 at 2:13 am

renee

(website)

Member

I am now ready to add to my “buffet of bifocals” from your great ideas… thanks ladies!

April 30, 2013 at 10:16 am

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