Ask Angie: New glasses

Shari

Hi Angie! My glasses unexpectly broke today so it's time to use that flex money for a new pair. You have stated that glasses are the most important fashion item if you wear them and I agree.

I want an idea of what would be stylish for a heart shaped face (I know cat eyes). It also has to be "tall" enough to accomodate a bifocal. I'd love some specfic suggestions esp. something available at Lenscrafters or somewhere simiarly available.

I am 42, a mom and a lawyer. The glasses also need to be sturdy!

Thanks,

Shari

17 years ago

Body Type

12 replies

Latest reply was from Shari

Shari

Active Member

p.s. I don't know how to attach a photo but here is a link:

http://img.makeupalley.com/9/5/5/5/1028324.JPG

Shari

17 years ago

nancy

Active Member

I posted this once before but it worked so well for me that I will repeat myself in case you didn't see it and think it might help you out with your frame choice. I had a friend go along and take pictures of me in the various frames. I could then go home, download and see what I liked best. Also don't let anyone tell you that you have to get much larger frames to accommodate bi-focals. Initially an eye doctor told me the same thing but I discovered that it can cost a bit more but I was able to get glasses that aren't really small but aren't extra big either. I agree with Angie that when you wear your glasses everyday, its imp. that you feel good in them. I splurged on the frames but have never regretted it and 2 yrs. later still have women ask me who made them, etc. Sorry for the long post, hope it helps with your choice.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great tigeratty! We are on the same page and super pic. Great advice from Nancy.

Get yourself to a reputable specs distributor. Specialty stores are key. In my experience, you get what you pay for when it comes to specs. I have not been impressed with Lenscrafters yet. Perhaps they stock different items in different branches and you’ve had better luck than I have in the past?

Once you find a great place, you are in their capable hands. It’s much like finding a good hair stylist. They do a much better job of suggesting great specs than I do. Take along a style savvy friend. Ana started an informative thread on specs and I can’t find it.

Yoohooo Ana, can you find you specs thread?

You might like to move away from brown specs and try something new. How do you feel about that?

17 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Sure, here you go:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....?replies=6

Tigeratty, I'm not sure how funky you want to go with specs, but I found a brand I really like, called "Face a Face." A local optometrist stocks it and I've been researching the brand. It's not cheap, but they make some cool specs, very unique.

17 years ago

christie

Active Member

Tigeratty, I just recently had to purchase my first pair of glasses. I knew that these would be an investment I would have for a long time, so I went to a local specialty store, too. I would recommend finding one in your area.

The one I went to was great. The ladies who helped me were absolutely stylish and gave me great feedback (it wasn't just--oh those look so good on you). Plus, once I narrowed the selection down to 4, they have this handy-dandy machine that takes your photos with each pair and then puts them altogether on a screen so you can see what they all look like side-by-side. That was a great way to decide.

This particular store had several brands, but the ones I was most impressed with because of their funkiness were OG (oliver goldsmith) http://www.olivergoldsmith.co.uk/
and Lafont: http://www.lafont-paris.com/Home.aspx
I ended up purchasing a pair of Lafont.

I am an attorney, too, but on most days I can get by with funky, smart casual. I needed a pair of glasses that would look just as good with my funky downtime clothes as with a suit. I don't think you need to get something just conservative; buy something with enough funk that you feel stylish in them. The suit will "dress down" the glasses.

Good Luck!

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

I've often wondered where you funky ladies get your funky glasses. I usually buy mine at my eye doctor's, but I find his selection to be on the boring side. He has a lot to pick from, but he only offers a few funky choices.

So, when you guys say "specialty" store, do you mean the place you buy glasses is separate from your eye doctor? Do you have eyes examined one place, take your Rx to another and have your glasses made there?

The last time I got glasses, I was so disappointed. I ended up with a pair that I don't like--not only the frame, but the lense as well. So I only wear my contacts during the day, and my old glasses at night. I paid $300 for these glasses and don't like them. What a waste!

17 years ago

christie

Active Member

Nicole, in my case the answer is yes, I go to two different places. I had to go to a specialist doctor (not an optometrist but an ophthalmologist) and getting glasses is part of the treatment. We have an eye glass boutique here in town. They do have optometrists that work there, but I think it is better known as an upscale glasses (and sunglasses) shop.

I just did a quick search for eyeglass shops in Boston, and this is one that I turned up: http://www.seeeyewear.com/

17 years ago

christie

Active Member

here's another: http://www.harvardsquareeyecar.....lasses.htm

17 years ago

Shari

Active Member

Guys, thanks for the input. My last few specs have been black. I have had colors before and they looked good. However, as I have aged a bit my skin is not quite as fair as it used to be yet also somewhat duller. The black is no longer doing me any favors. For the next glasses I would love a dark burgundy, dark reddish brown or dark tortoise.

Even though I work in a conservative place, I don't necessarily need to have conservative glasses. I just want something that looks good, and the heavy rectangle/butterfly glasses with the chunky wing just aren't flattering on me.

We have a few specialty shops in my town so I will check them out. With my thick prescription and a no line bifocal, we are talking $$$ even at the mall store so I'll have to see.

17 years ago

Becky

Veteran

Don't reject your optometrist right away, though. I just got my new specs there and the woman who helped me choose has been doing it for a lot of years and is absolutely fabulous. I told her I was looking for a bolder, funkier look, and she very helpful. She even offered to order in more frames if I didn't like what they had. The ones I got are Juicy Couture. Do you know the people at your optometrist's office or have you worked with them before?

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Thanks Christie...I'll have to keep that in the mind the next time I'm planning on getting glasses. I don't like the way I look in glasses though--I don't have the kind of features that look striking in glasses.

17 years ago

Shari

Active Member

I am going to check with my optometrist, too. IIRC they had some decent frames and I would be assured the glasses are made correctly. Doc say in the current pair they aimed the bifocal a bit too low which is why I can't tell I have a bifocal.

Went to one specialty shop and the best choices were two Lafonts, but for the price I didn't think they looked that great or that different from my current pair. They did have a photo machine which helped. I'll take my camera on future trips.

The search continues!

17 years ago

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