Let's have a vote... - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Let's have a vote...

Maya

Veteran

As I mentioned in my other thread, looking for glasses could not have been a bigger failure. Everything was too wide. Three stores and I did not find a single thing that fit, let alone met my color and shape preferences.

These are my current glasses:

http://eyeglasses.go-optic.com.....sp?id=7808 (mine are tortoise but you can't see them)

As you can see, the eye size is 47. Almost everything I found was 50-53. Huge. I found a few things in 48 and 49, but it's amazing what a difference a few millimeters makes, especially when the shape is different. I asked for other sizes, but they were still to big, or didn't come in a smaller size.

These are the two I'm considering from my mom's office;

http://eyeglasses.go-optic.com.....p?id=29439 in burgundy

and these

https://www.coolframes.com/get.....&alt=

Those come in either berry (pink) or the color shown, Toffee.

Both fit well. I was hoping for purple or white, but today was a serious reality check for me. With my size issues and budget, I am not going to get everything I want, and I have to admit, I find the YLF standard very difficult to live up to.

Is it worth it to get either of them or should I just wait and keep wearing my boring glasses? I have contacts so I can just wear those most of the time, but it would be nice to feel as confident WITH glasses as I do without them...which is not the case right now.

I can't take any pictures until I go in for my checkup later this month but I'm asking anyway for some preliminary opinions...

General

30 replies

Latest reply was from Melody

Kathleen

I vote for the second pair. I like the shape, and color.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Maya, do you love either of those pairs of glasses that you posted? It doesn't sound like you really do. I remember you going through this last year with your current pair. I'll be honest--if you don't like either of those frames that well, then you're not going to feel any more confident in them than you do your current pair. You'll just have spent money on another pair you're not that happy with. I think you should wait until your situation changes and you can afford a pair you really like. I vote that you keep the glasses you've got.

Maya

Veteran

That's the thing Ana. I actually really liked both glasses, but whenever I post something the response here seems to be very underwhelming and "you can do better"-ish, which is why I'm finding it so difficult to live up to the YLF standard for glasses. I'm not sure that I *can* do better. These are pretty great to me. But if no one else likes them, it makes me feel less confident with my choices.

I absolutely LOVED San's Face a Face glasses and I saw them today (they are gorgeous in person) but when I saw the price I almost dropped. Budget truly does open up a lot of options and expensive glasses are naturally going to have more unique details and options.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hmm...in that case then, can I reserve my vote until I see a photo of you in each of the glasses? A lot of times, things just look "okay on hanger" (so to speak), but on the right person they become spectacular. This might be why people are giving you kind of a lukewarm response, as well. It's really hard to tell whether a pair of glasses is flattering if you don't have them on (because there are so many variables, and they are personal to each person). This is why I can't buy sunglasses online unless I've tried them on previously.

You said your appointment is later this month? Would you be willing to post some photos then?

Anonymous

I agree with Ana, looking at the glasses without a person, or you, in them is very lukewarm. It's hard to get the picture. It is more fun to see a picture of you in your old glasses. They look good to me, I like them.
Remember too that you have youth on your side. You look good in almost anything.

Maya

Veteran

I guess I was just wondering because I noticed a lot of the "killer" frames have inner rim colors, temple embellishments, and other goodies. These are pretty plain. The burgundy color is pretty but it's dark, and I was told to stay away from dark colors. There are some crystals on the temples (I found them tasteful and cute, not gaudy), but that's it.

I'll post pictures when I have my appointment.

devin

(website)

I agree with Ana. It is hard to judge without seeing them on you. We will be better able to judge once you try them on and post pics. Don't worry Maya, you will find a fab pair of glasses that will fit you perfectly. It may just take a little more time.

Chris

I kind of feel the same way about my current glasses. They do have a purple frame but otherwise semi-boring.
However, I wear contacts 9o% of the time and have a current prescription on my glasses.
I would love new glasses but it does not seem like a worthwhile investment to go all out on glasses on a whim.

Do the glasses feel like "you"? And if the new frame isn't different enough from your current frame then I don't see switching unless your old ones are damaged.

I once had a killer $50 frame from the house line of an optical shop (of course I lost that pair!) so keep looking.....

Anonymous

Hey Maya,

I'm a total lurker, but it was driving me nuts seeing this question and NOT being able to reply, so well, I joined. But, especially since you have a good sense of your measurements, I'd suggest looking online for glasses. Personally, I've only used http://www.zennioptical.com - my husband and I just got 4 pairs of glasses, lenses and all, for under $80. And the selection is quite incredible, even if the website is quite annoying to maneuver. Other options are http://www.eyebuydirect.com/ and http://www.39dollarglasses.com/ and http://www.goggles4u.com/. http://glassyeyes.blogspot.com/ has reviews of these and other companies. It is annoying not to be able to try things on, but since you seem to have a good sense of what you want, you can probably find them.

I hope this helps!

Oneirix

(website)

Hey Maya, I have to agree and say that it's really hard to tell what would be "killer" on you without actually seeing them on you! And furthermore, if you love them and feel like you look great in them, it really shouldn't matter what anyone else thinks! Absolutely no disrespect to the lovely people here at YLF, but this is for YOU. If you feel fabulous in them it will show.

starry

i have a good feeling about the toffee ones, i bet they would look both cute and elegant.
second vote, for the same ones in pink...

a photo of them in action would help... but i think the shape looks quite flattering.

cciele

Veteran

I like both the frames but would love to see pics of them on you. How badly do you need new glasses, and how long are you willing to wait if you were to save up for a really nice pair?

Maya

Veteran

Hey CC! Glad to see you back. Angie told me you got some killer frames and told me to ask you for a picture of them (you don't have to take one of them on your face if you don't want to, but it would definitely help). I'm dying to see them

I'm in a confusing situation now because I used to wear contacts pretty much every day, but I haven't really been wearing them since I lost my job. I don't want to waste them if I'm just going to be hanging out at home or running errands (mine are monthly), so I just wear my glasses. If I open a new pair of contacts, I can only keep them for a month regardless of how often I wear them, so it seems wasteful to open a new pair only to use them a few times each month.

My glasses would be fine for now if I was only wearing them occasionally, but they do not fit well at all. They slide down my nose constantly so I'm not looking through the center (the top of the frames cut across the top of my eye--it looks pretty bad). The hinges also pull my hair out occasionally, which is both painful and bad for my hair. The color and style aren't great either.

I would wear them to work sometimes when I got up late and didn't have time to pop in my contacts, but I find that I never feel as happy or confident in them. I would like to be in a place where I still wear contacts most of the time, but if I can't for whatever reason, I'll still feel at ease.

Anyway, I guess I was just wondering if these were the sort of frames you might pick out yourself if you were glasses shopping (and had my size and budget issues). If I had the money I would seriously fly out to Seattle and go glasses shopping with Angie. I know she would have me sorted.

Maya

Veteran

OK now for everyone else: Jay, I'm tickled that you came out of hiding just for me Thanks for the recs! I think I'm too uneasy to order online. I like to try a bunch of things on and have at least a dozen objective opinions before I choose. I'm just paranoid about choosing the wrong frames (which I did last time).

I know I have to take pictures of them on my face so I'll give it a try. I have four pairs in mind: these two, a purple pair, and a "heliotrope" pair of cat-eyes. None of them have the kind of detailing I'm seeing on everyone's "killer" specs, but I'm hoping they will at least be flattering and fit well.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Hear hear for the trying on and taking pics Maya!

I wouldn't be discouraged by lack of embellishments; as long as the frames are flattering you have scored. I really like the shape of the dark purple pair I have, which is why I have kept them so long despite them being bashed about over the years. Apart from the colour, they are plain as punch, but they continue to work for me!!

cciele

Veteran

Hey Maya! I am still on vacation but will post pics of me and the frames when I get back in a few days. Meanwhile, here's a link to them:
http://www.bevelspecs.com/images/frames/mid/429/

It was really helpful going frame shopping with Angie. As you know, she's got a great eye for what works. But the optician at the shop was excellent too, and I think I would have gotten great results with her if Angie hadn't been there.

I see what you mean about the contacts and your situation. It's hard, because you don't want to spend a lot of money on glasses that you might end up wearing occasionally (and then needing to replace them in a year or two!).

Have you considered frames with nosepads? Those are the only kinds I can wear, because everything else slips off my bridge.

I will write more, but I gotta go now!

Maya

Veteran

omg, CC, thanks for that link! They have PETITE FRAMES! And they are cute! But I know they're going to be too expensive for me, so I'm trying not to get too attached

I too prefer nosepads but I can't seem to find a lot of plastic frames that have them. I wear my glasses pretty regularly...usually once a week at least...so it's not like they don't get any wear. Now I'm wearing them every day since I don't really go anywhere :p. I might have even considered retiring my contacts, but I keep them around because otherwise I can't wear the kind of oversized sunglasses I like (they do not work with my prescription).

Angie is a whiz indeed. Shopping at the YLF convention was the most enjoyable and successful shopping trip I think I have ever been on.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Maya, it’s all about the best that you can do at the time. As with everything. You know that, sweet pea!

I’m sorry that you’re discouraged at the moment. But it sounds like Cathy and Jay have given you sites to check out. Have you been on those sites yet? We’ll help you out.

Also, remember that when you wear specs, you can’t wear your sunglasses without prescription (at least I can’t which is why my new Wayfarers are having prescriptive lenses put in at the moment). And I know how you LOVE to wear sunnies. So that’s something else to think about. Also, you might decide to wear contacts as soon as you start working again. I know you love your eyes – I do too, so contacts are the way to go if you want people to see your beautiful eyes!

I DO NOT want you to end up in the situation you did last year, cause that will be equally frustrating. So I too am reserving my vote till I see the frames on. It’s very, very tricky fitting specs. To Cathy’s point, a good sales rep is invaluable as is a person with a good eye for what works best. It really is the luck of the draw, though. I have been to several swanky eye places where they have offered poor, poor suggestions.

So my darling Maya, chin up and let’s find you affordable specs that you REALLY love. You know we don’t leave a retail stone unturned at YLF.

Maya

Veteran

Thanks for the encouragement Angie. I LOVE the specs Cathy found and pretty much all the specs on that site...and they have petite frames too! But when I looked a few of them up online they were in the $400 range. Boo. I am definitely going to keep them in mind for the future though. There was not a single pair I saw that I did not love. They are sold at a few places here, including at the ultra swanky high end Short Hills Mall (I have always wanted to take you there Angie, you would love it). I'll probably check them out this weekend. I don't have any expectations of finding anything, but as you say, leave no stone unturned. Maybe there will be a sale.

Does Nordies have an optical department by chance? If so, would any of it go on sale for NAS?

I have prescription sunnies but I don't love them. It isn't possible for me to have big sunglasses with my prescription (the lenses curve/bend too much), which is a significant part of the reason I wear contacts. I wear glasses pretty frequently though, even when I'm not out of a job. Once a week usually. My eyes are sensitive so I like to take a break every now and then. I just want to feel as good WITH glasses as I do without. I feel like the days when I wear glasses are my "sclumpy" days where I just feel sloppy and boring. Glasses make me feel nerdy rather than funky. I would like to change that.

My appt. is this Friday so I'll post pictures of the few contenders I have. Unfortunately most of the people who shop at my mom's office boutique are not the most fashion conscious people, and the sales reps aren't much help in that regard. That is why I need YLF to help me figure this out.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That’s the spirit, Maya. Now we’re talking. Did you check out the sites Jay suggested too? Cathy’s specs would look KILLER on you. I just *know* it. Everything about them seems right. They look KILLER on Cathy too. Hope Cathy posts her pictures. That is the type of shape we need to target for you.

I think I wear petite specs as well. Did you try my specs in NYC? I can’t remember. I have a very small face and head. Hopefully, that doesn’t mean I have no brains.

Nordies has a sunnies dept, not sure about the optical dept. I don’t think so.

Maya

Veteran

I checked Jay's websites but I'm afraid I am just not comfortable with ordering online. It's not like shoes and clothes where I have a very solid idea of what works and what doesn't. Also, while I am on a budget, I want to get the absolute *best* quality I can because I normally keep my glasses for a long time. Not even my own mother, who usually encourages frugality, wants me to be too stingy with my frames.

I did not try your specs in NY Angie, but I can imagine you are probably petite-faced too. Are yours specifically petite, or did you just find a pair with a small enough size? Juicy Couture makes small specs but I haven't found any that I like (i.e, without logos emblazoned on the temples). Coach does too, which is why I keep going back to them. I know they exist, but fit is just part of it. Shape, color, and detail are important too.

Believe me, I would *love* to copy Cathy's specs. LOVE. I'm sure I'm going to love them even more once I see them on her. They are gorgeous. All of the Bevel Specs blew me away.

I think my maximum price is around $350 (including lenses). Bevel costs more than that just for the frames Oh well, as you said, I'll do the best with what I have. I'm going to bring pics of some YLFabbers with me as a reference!

Kari

Veteran

Maya, how much $$ do you need to reserve for lenses vs. frames? Maybe that would give us a better idea of a price point to look for in frames.

I also noticed when I tried frames on at Lenscrafters and Pearlevision that the frames alone were often much cheaper through other retailers online. If you find a pair of frames that works well for you but is too expensive, maybe you can write down the model # and see if it would be cheaper to order the frames separately online (since you already know that they will fit & work on you) and then get the lenses at your mom's workplace. Just another option that might make things easier for your budget.

What we *really* need is a Zappos-like eyewear site where you can order the frames (sans lenses, of course) and return them risk-free, no questions asked!

Maya

Veteran

Totally agree Kari. The glasses sites I'm finding are horrible. It's so difficult to search them properly. I can't search by color or by size, only brand.

Actually, I went to LensCrafters and PearleVision both, and found nothing at either store, without even looking at the price tags My strategy is to just try on everything I possibly can, then check the price tag and rule out all the ones I can't afford. But there wasn't even anything to rule out. I also went to Costco, which had a lot of AMAZING specs for so cheap, but they were still too big

How much the cost will be is going to depend where I get them. If I get them at mom's office boutique, I can spend more liberally. If I get them from outside, I have to be a lot more frugal. I'm actually not sure exactly what my lenses cost with the discount. I'll have to ask when I go on Friday.

cciele

Veteran

Hi ladies,
Sorry I have been MIA (trying to unpack and do too many loads of laundry)!

Maya, sorry to hear that you are having such a hard time finding petite frames. I sympathize with you! I'd also be hesitant ordering online, if I hadn't tried the frames on before.

I've come to realize that glasses are a significant accessory, and it is worth spending as much as you can on a good pair. Even if you'll be wearing them once a week, you want to feel good wearing them. So I think you should take your time looking for a frame at your price point that works for you, since you don't want to end up with a "make-do" pair, and you can still wear your contacts or old frames.

So, finally, here are some photos of me and two of the frames I liked best. Both pricey (the Paul Smith ones are even more than the Bevels), but I have an untouched flex spending account I can tap into :). Both Angie and the optician (who was such a sweetheart) liked the Bevels the best.

Oh, excuse the sweaty face and hair -- it was over 80 deg in Seattle that day, and I was pretty hot from all the shopping and walking we had been doing!

Entire album (password: youlookfab):
http://s617.photobucket.com/al.....yeglasses/

Bevel, front view:
http://i617.photobucket.com/al.....010018.jpg

Bevel, three-quarters view:
http://s617.photobucket.com/al.....010019.jpg

Close-up of the frames (you can see they are red on the inside. The outside is a taupey brown, darker than it looks in the photos because of the flash):
http://s617.photobucket.com/al.....010023.jpg
http://s617.photobucket.com/al.....010024.jpg

Paul Smith frames, front view:
http://i617.photobucket.com/al.....010025.jpg

Oh, for reference, my current frames; you can see how lovely, cool, and collected Angie looks!
http://i617.photobucket.com/al.....010030.jpg

Maya

Veteran

OOOO Cathy, I knew I would love these frames even more on your face! You look SENSATIONAL in them. Everything about them is perfect on you...the lines, the colors, the weight, the shape...everything. And Angie is wearing one of my favorite tunics/dresses

The more I see everyone's fab specs, the more I'm leaning towards just holding off and wearing my crummy pair because I just don't think I can be happy until my budget opens up. Normally my budget wouldn't be so restrictive (Kari's glasses are fab but still inexpensive), but my fit issues eliminate 80% of my options, so something else has got to give. It's either style or budget. If I sacrifice style, then there isn't much point spending any money on glasses, since they'll just end up being like the ones I have now. So it has to be budget, which I really can't control at the moment. I guess we'll find out Friday!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Welcome back, Cathy! These pics take me back to the fabulous day we spent shopping together. Such fun! Nice to see your pretty face on the forum too :0)

The bevels are even better than I remember, and it was the first pair you tried on. Absolutely KILLER. Good grief they look good! I can barely stand it. The orange temples are genius and will work perfectly with the blues and purples that you like to wear. What a win !

This shape will look killer on you too, Maya. Just enough refinement with all the edge.

Ariadne

Veteran

Cathy, you HAVE to get the Bevels. Hands down, no question. Go for it!

Maya, I'm rooting for you. If nothing you find in your budget works, I strongly vote for waiting 'til you find a job and then getting the perfect pair.

Anonymous

Cathy and Angie, you did a great job choosing those Bevel's. I adore them on you Cathy!

cciele

Veteran

Thanks Maya, Brianna, and san! I really like the Bevels. Now I just need to get my act together and visit the optometrist to get an updated prescription!

12