Ask Angie & Others: Specs Shape

Hi Angie, and Fabbers,

I need new specs. I have been wearing glasses for the past 5 years, mostly for reading but it seems I am now in the situation where I need to leave them on most of the day, particularly if I am at work. The frames I have chosen in the past, and currently wear, are nice but I don't think I have nailed it yet.

I have read Angie's guidelines and the thing that I think may pose the biggest challenge is my eyebrows appear to be quite naturally high arched. One of the guidelines is that the top of the frames should follow the line of the brow and I also read to avoid having your eyebrows too much above, or below, the frames. My eyebrows always seem to be a little too high above my frames. Also I have a small face and many glasses are too big and my eyes are not centred.

I would really be grateful for any direction.

Shape and size, even thoughts on colour??

I am considering looking at some frames available for children.. don't laugh:)

Thank you
xxx

Would a 'cats eye' shape be the way to go? My last pair of sunglasses were this shape and I *think* they looked pretty fab.

11 years ago

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I have a small face and my eyes aren't centered either, but the people in the shop did a great job bending my new glasses to suit me. Hopefully you can get some great help wherever you buy the glasses.

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Hi Deborah, I am not good at all with determining which shape and size looks best when it comes to specs, so I'll leave that to the more knowledgeable Fabbers, but I just wanted to say that I'm excited about your new specs and will be following along with interest.

Caro in Oz

I don't know if it is practical for you to go to Melbourne but I used to go to here (they were in Yarraville then):

http://www.twofaces.com.au/Eyewear.html

It's a husband & wife team - he is the optometrist & she is a creative salesperson - lovely people.

It took hours to find glasses that worked for me - I have arched brows & a wide face. They were SO helpful & wouldn't let me settle They sell funky glasses too.

Anonymous

Glasses are tricky aren't they? I think a cats eye shape could work well by the sound of it.

You know I may soon be in the same boat as you. At the moment I wear glasses for close work and different ones for driving or watching TV, but I'm guessing I may need to wear some all the time soon. So far I haven't been to bothered about style as I'm not seen in public with them on. I wouldn't know where to begin. It sounds like you have a reasonable idea of what's needed though and I look forward to seeing your choices.

Deb

I love cats eye glasses and imagine they'd suit your face and style a lot......plus you know already that shape works. I'm guessing they'd have to be black?! One question Deborah.... would a child's glasses fit an adult head? I'm thinking not, and they'd look wrong.

crutcher

I can see you with a dramatic black frame perhaps cats eye shaped...You would absolutely rock the look...Please post with results...
(No idea where Melbourne is in relation to you but having a very caring person to help you who is not willing to settle is just perfect...With your strong sense of style you don't want some justanyselection glasses..smile..)

bj1111

Deborah, i think you could go one of two ways. conventionally flattering is always in style. or you could embrace your dress style which is very specific and go for something with a "look" that is jfe and very style specific.

Janet

I think eyeglasses are so challenging and individual that I really find it necessary to see frames on the face. I recently updated my frames and just tried on everything that looked interesting to me until I found some contenders. And then I had one of the assistants pick out some selections for me that I hadn't considered, just to get another perspective.

Oh, and it's not silly to consider children's frames for those of us who have small heads/faces. I can fit into "youth" size hats, FWIW. However, many eyeglass frame designers are now making their frames in sizes to accommodate smaller adult heads, so you don't need to compromise on sophisticated styling. I think it's easier to fit my small head with lots of options now than it was 20 years ago.

Go take a look at what's available, and try things on! Have fun and take your time deciding! Let us know what you find.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I have a similar challenge, Debs. Small face with big eyes, high cheeks and arched brows. I need small specs that are big enough to cover my eyes, sufficiently curved for my brows, and thick enough to carry my cheeks.

Make sure your frames LIFT at the cheek bone and don't go too narrow across the face. NO drooping. Don't go too deep lengthwise across the eye. I vote frames that aren't black either. Choose a heavier temple, and preferably plastic - no nose pads. Hope that makes sense.

Keep on trying on shapes. It's the only way to go. Show us along the way. xo

I was just wondering if you would consider frameless glasses? The Danish brand, Lindberg, may be worth consideration. Sometimes less obvious glasses work too. Just a thought.

Deborah

Thank you all for your advice.

Caro I would like to make time to get to your suggested store. Checked out the site and the little I could see looked truly fab. Budgetary constrains might mean I may have to stay with Spec Savers this time round but I will discuss with DH.

DEB I am willing to try frameless. Thanks for them suggestion.

I did pop into my optometrist today and quickly tried so up cats eye styles. I think they are definitely (possibly) the way to go, but so hard to get non black. I did like a pair by Collette Dinnigan that were navy, a pair by Alex Perry in Black and a more generic brand in red:).

My friends daughter works there and she said she would be happy to help me next time and had a few others that I didn't see.

Lynne

Oh, Deb, you need to hop on a plane to Perth so I can help you!!!
This minute!!!

I agree with Deb that Lindberg are lovely - I have 2 pairs - but rimless may not be edgy enough for you? And you won't get much change from $1000 for Lindberg if you choose good lenses. Which, of course, you will :).

I really like the collections that ProDesign (another Danish brand) and Face A Face have in Australia at the moment.....Face A Face have some great cats eyes but I suggest you look at ProDesign first - you'll need to go to an independent optometrist as they don't deal with the big chains like SpecSavers. They are supremely comfortable and are great design and colours.
I have unequal brows and so I always have one or both above my frames - it's tricky :).
For longevity, the newest shapes coming in at the moment are round eyes.....yes, round eyes! After being off the scene for so long they were back in all the recent optical trade shows in Europe.
Both shapes will give you longevity; cats eyes because they stand alone as a classic, and round because they're just appearing in Australia.
Please post pics!

Check out FaceAFace's Pinterest board here:
http://www.pinterest.com/faceaface/optical-frames/

and here's one for ProDesign:

http://www.pinterest.com/optie.....ses-and-f/

Have fun!!!

Yes they aren't cheap Deborah. Just a point though once you have the perfect frames you can get your next prescription put into them - I've had my two pairs of prescription sunnies for six plus years & never see any I like better

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