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Ask Angie: More specs frames; thoughts?

Anonymous

Hi Angie (and others)!

I took your advice and struck out again in search of more frames that center my eye a bit better. I learned that the problem is my "petite bridge" that makes most frames sit lower on my nose. Since I find nose pads uncomfortable I didn't want to go the route of wire frames. Here are the best of the acetate ones. I really like the trendier large frames, but hopefully I've found some more refined, delicate ones.

Pic 1 and 2 David Yurman same style in different colors
1 black on the top half of the frame, tortoise on the lower half. Temples have a matte braid design.
2 in navy, with bling on the temples which I'm not crazy about

Pic 3 and 4 Lafont Reedition.
3 black cateye
4 black angular

Pic 5 and 6 Tom Ford same style in different colors
5 brown on top half of frame, pinky-purple on lower half (not my best colors)
6 black

Sorry, camera problems and these were all the photos I could get.

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27 replies

Latest reply was from Carla

Emily

Veteran

#4 is my fave

Astrid

Veteran

I second Emily.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I find nose pads uncomfy too, so high five!

These are all better Claire, but still not perfect. Still too big for your delicate features and small face. They are all too long below your eye, causing them to wear you. By all means go "Geek Chic" but you need a much smaller pair of frames.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These models eyes are centred in their specs. That is how these frames should fit. They have much larger faces and heads than you do, which is why their eyes are centering:

http://www.shopbop.com/valenci.....orId=11233

http://www.shopbop.com/kester-.....orId=11233

http://www.shopbop.com/spring-.....orId=43578

You are doing a great job following your brow line though. That's half the battle won! I hope this makes sense.

It's been hard for my small framed clients with little faces to find geek chic frames. Very hard for me too. But we all got there in the end. Patience!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think my eye needs to adjust to the larger size frames. Or maybe it is my head. My own RX is so high that even with extra thin lenses, frames this deep would give me a massive headache after an hour. Actually, even my own glasses do that. I also have the problem with the bridge of my nose not fitting most glasses, which is part of the problem as well...they always slide down. No matter what. AND pinch. Ugh.

Back to you! I might still be aiming for something a bit narrower vs. deep. But if this is the look you are aiming for, then I prefer #1 and #4 of these!

How much will you be wearing them and for what, Claire? This is relevant for picking the shape and size as well.

Anonymous

Thanks Angie! I really didn't like the way the small frames closed my face in. Also they looked very ordinary to me. But onwards! I will study your pictures and try again.

Suz, that's interesting what you say about your prescription and how larger lenses affect it. This is my first pair of prescription glasses, I've been using readers. Maybe I should try an inexpensive pair of frames first before I break the bank (these are all in the four to five hundred dollar range).

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ok, so I know nothing about glasses, but these sort of feel like they are wearing you. I think maybe it is because they "dip" down so far on the bottom... I have this problem with aviator style glasses, where they make my eyes look droopy. Is this what Angie means by centering the eye? Not just side to side but also up and down? Maybe try a shape that is not so tall?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Will they be reading glasses, Claire, or for distance? Or both?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Then those frames were too small, Claire! You need frames that are the same width across the face as these, but not as deep in vertical length down the face.

Suz, perhaps you can re-post your photo of you in your new specs. They are geek chic but not overwhelming. And your eyes are centered. PERFECT!

Diana

Veteran

Oh, hey, you were right - those first ones really do look like mine!

So I love geek chic frames, as you might imagine... but I do have a huge head and wide face so I actually need the big frames to balance out my face. I do have the same problem as you, though, where the frames slip down my (very flat) nose bridge, and I also really dislike the feeling of nose pads. What I found was that I need the top of the specs to be angled upward, or for the legs to be slightly lower in relation to the lenses.

I think I like #1 and #4 out of this batch. Do they come in lighter colors? I wonder if what you need is just lower contrast?

Also, I think I sent this to you the other day when you asked about my glasses, but I think you might look great in this pair (in green or tortoise). I love them, it made me so sad that the measurements were way small for me.
http://rivetandsway.com/womens.....#Crocodile

giddyup

I just went thru this myself. I have a very small narrow face. I ended up with kids geek chic glasses from Lafont. My bridge measurement is in the 13-15 range and temple no bigger than 48. It was extremely difficult to find anything in the geek chic style that works on a small face. I even tried warby parker but their smallest frame still overwhelmed me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have a Lafont frame and it's fab! I second the brand for your face shape, Claire.

deb

Veteran

Clare, Try these sites,
http://www.warbyparker.com/
http://www.bonlook.com/women

you can order several pair and try them on. They also give the sizes and once you find the size that fits your face, It is much easier to shop online. These sites have frame and lens for $99 or so.

Anonymous

Thank you so much all! I will have to come back to this; much drama going on at the house today. DD has had a roaring sore throat, fever and chills for 3 days and I just got her an appointment to be tested for strep. DH's airline just announced a merger so there's a lot of excitement and questions surrounding that.

@'Giddyup, this afternoon I go back up to my eye doctor to pick up DD's glasses, which are in. Should I ask them to take certain measurements for me while I'm there? I noticed you listed very specific bridge and temple measurements and I only left with "Dist PD 26" written down on my Rx. I don't even know what that is, my pupil distance?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't know what that RX stands for, Claire. Seems an odd notation. But on the RX they don't give you your glasses frame size. That's a completely different thing.

In my experience you have to try on a LOT.

Frames vary in width and in bridge size. For example, this is the company that makes my specs -- look at all the different sizes you can get: http://www.bevelspecs.com/catalog/by_size

Mine are "medium" size. I have a large head for my body size. ETA mine are the Match: http://www.bevelspecs.com/cata.....ch-3596/BI

The optician here felt they were a bit big for me. I think, technically, he is right - the width is part of the reason they slide down a bit...as is the bridge size. But visually, these centred my eyes the best, he agreed. I guess I am probably "between" sizes.

I liked the way they balanced my angular face, giving it some width at the temples. I felt like my eyes were smiling, like my whole face was smiling, when I put them on. Even when I wasn't smiling, I mean. It is that very slight cat's eye tilt that does it, but also the width being and depth being in the right proportions for my particular face, if you know what I mean. My cheeks don't bump when I smile. They are GEEK for sure, but I am wearing them, not the other way around.

A few people here felt that maybe they were too dark (they are black with white interiors) or too overwhelming, but IRL only one person has had anything negative to say, and she was not a person whose judgement I trusted a lot.

In future, I'm going to be looking at specs made for Asian faces. This is a new development in the specs world. They may work better for me because the bridge of my nose is quite small and flat.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

PS - I hope your DD is okay!!

lyn67

Veteran

Claire, hope your DD is feeling better and the merger at DH's company will affect his job in the most possible positive way!
These are much better, and kind of almost like 4 and 6, but still too deep, so not there yet, but I know you can do better!

giddyup

Claire, the measurements I listed are frame measurements. The numbers on your Rx are the pupil distance and are used to make the lenses. I have learned from trial and error what my glass frame size is more or less. Find a pair that fit your face and look on the inside of frame on the left temple piece. There will be 3 sets of numbers. For example mine are 45 15 130.The 45 represents the overall width from temple to temple I believe. The middle number 15 in my case is the bridge width, the last number 130 is the length of the temple part the piece that goes over the ear. I find that I can wear frames that are in the 47 -48 width range but the bridge has to be very small like 13. I cannot wear any glasses with a bridge wider than 15 though and they have to be very narrow everywhere else. It is extremely hard to find glasses with narrow bridge measurements I found. Lots of women do end up in kids glasses which is frustrating for sure. I have another previous pair by Lafont as well. I really like that brand. Perhaps ask the sales person to look what might be available to order. That is what I had to do and a good optics shop should be happy to do this for you with no commitment on your part. THese are the ones I have Lafont Lea 586

http://eyeglasses.go-optic.com.....p?id=70679

jlyns

I also have a small face and have struggled to find frames I like. I finally stopped looking for frames and started looking for a store.

I only went to small frame shops and would ask the sales folks for recommendations for frames for small faces like mine. Sometimes they started randomly pulling frames off the walls and there was nothing I liked. I left those stores. Other times they would pull one or two frames and say, "You know, we don't really have a lot that will work well for your shape face." Jackpot! I would then ask, "Where do you think I should go?" Pretty soon I was getting a really consistent answer.

I walked into that store and every pair they pulled off the wall for me was great! Some appealed more than others, but everything they handed me fit my face. They both stocked for small faces *and* the sales folks knew their stock and didn't give me frames that weren't right for me.

So, that's my recommendation. They aren't cheap (no 2 pair for $69.99), but I also keep them for several years and wear them constantly, so for me it is worth it. My last two pairs have both been Dutz.

Both have been wire frames, so they may only make that kind, but great super-lightweight frames in styles that constantly get me compliments. I also thought I didn't like wire frames until I got my first pair of these. They are so lightweight that I don't care about the nose pads any more.

Good luck with the search!

tarzy

Veteran

Small faces unite! I'm so glad you started this discussion - I have the same problem as giddyup.

I have a really narrow face and almost every frame overwhelms me. The frames I have now are "48" - the ONLY pair I could find that was halfway decent on me - but they are perhaps not the best shape for me and a bit dark (they are dark brown tortoise with some green.) I go nuts each year looking for frames, and go back to the same store that carries these because they've been the only ones I can find. This year I'm determined to find something different.

Last year I tried on a nice pair, shapewise, but I felt they were way too wide (and they didn't make them in a smaller size.) I notice that giddyup bought a kid's frame, which is a good idea.

This year I'm looking for a frame that curves up a bit instead of this rectangular look I have now. I feel this, along with finding a better haircut, is one of the most important pieces of my whole "style" thing!

#1 - my current frames - good size but perhaps too narrow and dark?
#2 - tried on last year - good shape but too wide

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like the shape of #1 on you, but agree they still seem too big. #4 is nice too. How are you feeling about the dark colors?

Another member of the small face club here. I find it so challenging -- my head and face are small, but my eyes and nose are relatively large, so it's really a weird balancing act to find glasses that are a flattering size for me. It feels like my face is easily overwhelmed by many glasses.

I think shopping for glasses is one of the hardest style tasks. I like all my currently worn eyeglasses, but I'm not sure I love any of them -- except for my sunglasses, which are Oliver Peoples aviators and I LOVE them! At least with prescription sunglasses, eye-centering is not so important since you can't really see the eyes -- that makes it so much easier.

I like jlyns' advice. I've had much better experience with smaller stores with very good reputations for quality and service.

So funny how many of you prefer glasses that rest on your nose! They drive me crazy (and make my face break out). I have a very hard time with glasses without nosepads. My face is apparently built so that the glasses that sit directly on the nose sit too close to my face and bump into my cheeks when I smile (and my eyelashes too). So that really restricts my eyeglass choices. But I swear I do believe that nosepads can be comfortable if they are adjusted properly!

My most-frequently worn glasses are in this photo. I wear them the most because they're the most neutral in color (I have two others: black with white insides and purple, which I don't wear that frequently because I don't wear much purple anymore, but I like the shape on me). I think these are almost too wide on my face.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Claire may or may not have a small face - we don't know what width these frames she is trying are...and they are the correct width but too DEEP for her face. What she does have (she knows) is a narrow bridge to her nose - a different issue.

Janet, I LOVE your glasses. Yes, maybe they are a tiny bit on the wide side, but it works.

Anonymous

You guys are the best! DD and I are back from the doctor, who is treating her for strep. Oh well, at least it will start to get better now. : /

I'm so sorry I ignored some of your earlier questions.

Suz, these will be progressives, so I technically could wear them all day. I doubt I will at first, since I'm used to just using readers. I have had an Rx for contacts for a year or so, but I stopped wearing them for discomfort reasons. I tried a new brand last week and still, I just don't like having something in my eye. My prescription (even for distance) is not that strong. I imagine I will wear my specs for a few hours at a time to start out, but who knows?

Angie, brilliant idea. Thanks for asking Suz to post her pics. Thank you for be patient *with* me! I keep telling people in the shops that I have to send pics to my "fashion stylist" friend and they tell me how lucky I am. I say, "I know, right?" Also I understand what you're saying about the amount of lens/frame that goes beneath my eye. This is where the above glasses (my pics) are too large. The first link to the cat eye specs gave me a really good example of the size I need to look for. Thanks again!

Diana, thanks you so much for sending me your info. After I saw that your frames were for a wide face, I ruled them out. I will check out your recommendation as soon as I hit submit....I think I might loose my comment if I look now. Can't remember how that works.

Deb, excellent idea. I've shied away from glasses I haven't tried on in a store because the measurements were Greek to me. But now that I understand where the measurements are on the temples (thanks, giddyup! I aim to figure this out.

Suz, thanks for the great pictures! I saw on one specs website that you could filter by face shape and something they called an "Asian bridge" I thought that might mean flat, and I didn't think mine was flat, but maybe it is! I have so much to learn.

lyn67, thank you so much. DD is going to make it!

giddyup, thank you for that information on the measurements! That is going to be very valuable to me as I move forward on me search and look at frames on line. I asked my Doctor to be sure and put my measurements on my Rx (I had remembered talk of that on YLF) and he said okay and only gave me the pupil distance measurement. I guess I'm on my own figuring out what size frames I wear?!

So here's what I'm going to do. I have to go up to his office to pick up DD's specs in a few minutes (one bright spot in her day has been looking forward to her new glasses). While I'm there I'm going to try on frames for SIZE more than style, to see if I can determine what size I need. The office has already agreed to order in pairs for me to try, but how can we do that if we don't know the size? So that should be a start. I'll take some more pictures and see what you all think about the frame size.

ETA: Ooops! I forgot to refresh my page before responding. More to read and answer...just a minute.

Anonymous

jlyns, Thank you! Great advice. After trying on the frames in my optometrist's office and Target I decided to look for some small fancy frames boutiques. The first 4 frames were from a shop called Paris Optique (and the sales staff had French accents). The man who helped me there really knew what he was doing. He's the one who diagnosed my "petite bridge" and tried to get me into some titanium frames. They just felt so floppy and insecure on my face. My favorite ones were almost $500, so I know what you mean about not getting 2 pairs for $69! I'm prepared to pay if I can get some that get Angie/forum approval and that I really love. I will check out Dutz and start asking where I should go with my narrow face, thank you!

Tarzy, you have such beautiful, delicate features. Your narrow face probably makes it extra hard to find frames, although you've doing pretty well I think. My face must be small *and* narrow. I usually need a small in hats. And, in case you noticed but were too polite to mention it, I too am growing out my hair a bit in search of a new style or shape. I was worried about straight across bangs + eyeglasses covering up too much of my face, so I'm *trying* to sweep them off to the side. *sigh*

Janet, your frames are amazing on you! The acetate frames I'd tried don't touch my nose and face any more than ones with nose pads do, they are just less "pointy" feeling on my nose. As for the dark colors, well, I don't want to "match" my hair, so that leads me in the direction of darker (or white!). My very favorite color is a natural horn, which is super dark matte brown, without the orange tones you get in a tortoise frame. I've only seen it lately in costume jewelry, though.

Suz, yes I have a pinhead, which looks even smaller next to my broad shoulders, lol! And I classify my face as "peanut" shaped. All right! I must be off to the optometrist!

Freckles

Veteran

Glasses can be so complicated can't they Claire!

Good to hear that your dd is on the road to recovery now. Hope it's not too hard on her and the parents both.

Good luck with both of these situations.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Looking forward to what you discover about the correct size. It will be super helpful. I never actually did that....just went by luck and feel.

You might find yourself wanting to wear these more often after you get used to them, even if your RX is low. Once you get used to the world in all its crispness it can be hard to take it any other way. But then, I am almost blind without my glasses or contacts, so what do I know?

Carla

Veteran

Following this thread for sure. Due for new glasses in May, and like Tarzy, getting some hair-style is high on the priority list for 2013.

Claire, have you tried any colours besides the dark frames? I think Angie posted two marbled grey frames Don't know if it was for shape alone, or shape and colour. What about a graphite grey, or a grey blue? Not a light colour, but not as dark as the black, and toned to the darker colours in your hair?

Addendum: Smoke was the colour of the two frames in Angie's pics.