Shopping for specs-part 1 - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

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

Shopping for specs-part 1

Runcarla

Veteran

Specs shopping is a nightmare, and to add insult to injury, I need progressives (tri-focals.) My prescription lenses cost $450-500 so with frames ranging from $200-400 I’m looking at $650-900 for a new pair. Plus, I want to get my new prescription put in my (2 year) old glasses frames for back-up, and because I LOVE them. I got REALLY lucky 2 years ago when I found my silvery-mauve and lime green frames at my opticians. This year their selection wasn’t so good. I’ve been to 4 different (reputable) shops in a neighbouring town and tried on glasses until I was worn out.

I have a bias for cats-eye and round frames and I need a big enough shape to take the progressives. Any candidates in this lot? DH just says he likes my current pair and volunteers no opinion. I do have a first and second place pick, but I want a cooling off period. (Eye check-up and new prescription was today.)

#1 my current pair from 2017
2-9 what I tried on (and like Janet posted in her thread - selfies make glasses seem larger than they really are, it seems!)

Edited to add #10 my 4 year old Kate Spade glasses from 2015

Thanks for looking.

This post has 10 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Shopping

40 replies

Latest reply was from Staysfit

JAileen

Veteran

I love the color of #8. They match your eyes. Second choice #6. They seem invisible. This is with regard to color, rather than shape or size.

Style Fan

Veteran

My favourite is #8. They seem to fit your face the best and the colour is flattering. I am certainly not an expert when it comes to fit.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I like 4 and 8. They both look somewhat lighter and more interesting, with the color and shapes fitting your face well, IMO.

The Cat

Veteran

My favourites are #5 (the golden part of the frame is lovely with your hair) and #8 (the green frame makes your eyes look gorgeously green).

Your curls are amazing and charming.

By the way, I want to express my sympathy with you, Carla. I really don't think you deserved the harsh comments you recently received from another person on this forum when you had asked questions that I guess several others had wondered about, too. I am glad to see that the unpleasant experience hasn't discouraged you from continuing to participate here.

notsaf

Veteran

I agree entirely: 6 and 8!

slim cat

Veteran

I liked #1 for being light in color and smaller in shape ( subtle, light, summery ),#2 - for interesting color combination, #8 -for making your eyes greener/brighter and #9 - as a bit more special/"sparkly". You have lovely current pair #1 - would you want something a bit more standing out or something in the similar way?

nemosmom

Veteran

Glasses shopping is almost as much fun as bra shopping...

I like 8 and 2, in that order!

Kari

Veteran

I am a bit of a spanner, I guess: I prefer #1 because they are best scaled to your face and your eyes are more centered. I also adore the color and shape on you.

Many of the other frames seem to hit you a little low. I’m wondering if low-bridge styles might be best for you so that the frames are better centered.

Edited: I apparently missed that #1 is your CURRENT pair, sorry. I would keep looking, if you can. Your current pair blows the others away in the scale with your face and the centering of your eyes. It gives pretty high standards to aim for, and I know that’s hard when considering a second pair.

Kari

Veteran

And I love glasses shopping when window-shopping, but OH, it’s hard to find the right pair when you’re dropping so much $ and wearing them so often! I really get it. Slow-shopping and rotating between your current and new/future specs seems wise. I alternate between a few pairs myself (my prescription has been stable, knock wood.)

NancyW

Veteran

Can your optician’s office check catalog or salesperson from the company that makes your current pair? Perhaps they they have a shape/color way in this year’s line that would work for you. I love #8: color and shape are great and they let your face shine through.

SarahD8

Veteran

Adore #8 and how green your eyes look!

I like #2 as well.

But I think your existing pair plus #8 would make a great team.

deb

Veteran

Carla, what is the size listed on your current pair? I have found that the process is less stressful by ruling out those that are not the width that suits your face. For instance, 52 to 54 fits me best. I think #8 fits your face the best but I am not sure about the color.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Carla, I love your current pair and definitely think you should put the new lenses into those, particularly if you still love them!

I also really like #8. It's different enough from the others that you'd feel as if you are getting a real change. But as Deb said, do check the size of the older ones and compare to all the ones you have tried. Often they can order in the correct size for you to try if you are tempted by a frame but it is not in store in the right size.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Number 9 with number 5 next.The colour of #8 is amazing with your eye colour but I am not keen on the shape.

Kathie

Veteran

I like the shape of 3, but the colors of 2, 7, and 8. So, probably not much help, in making a decision.

rachylou

Veteran

I love the two greens and the Tiffany...

Anonymous

I like 5, 6 and 8 for you.

L'Abeille

Veteran

I like 5 above all the other new to you frames. The cat's eye shape flatters more than the round I think, and I like the way the top part is strongly visible while the rest doesn't compete with your face.

I surprised myself by preferring this, because for my own self I abhor a cat's eye and I need strong contrast all the way around the frame. But these look like you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

ETA I also really like #5. If they will work for your lenses. Thin wire frames can be a problem if your RX is strong.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

None as good a shape as your current pair!

#5 - good shape, but not great in gold.

#8 - good colour, but not the best shape.

Gigi

Veteran

I much prefer your current glasses. I really like the color of 8, but I feel that the size of the lenses is a little overwhelming.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I love your current pair. I’m afraid the others pale in comparison. 8 and 9 come closest.

Joy

Veteran

I like your old frames #1’ best of all.

Liesbeth

Veteran

Huh, I really like 9. But then afain, it's my experience that the best frames are the oned you instantly 'click' with so perhaps keep looking...

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I like 6 & 9, because they are visually less heavy, but I am terrible at glasses and hats.

Bijou

Veteran

I like cats eye frames on you best too - #1 is the best to me, followed by #5. I cannot believe it is 2 years since you last bought those frames.

I feel your pain with the cost of new glasses. I have an odd prescription and so my glasses are unfortunately expensive simply because of the lenses. Luckily my eyes like contact lenses and so my times of wearing glasses is pretty limited and don't need to be updated very often.

Runcarla

Veteran

@Liesbeth - you are so right about that feeling of ’rightness’ when you’ve got a winner! The heavens open and the angels sing!

@NancyW - when Angie duplicated a frame in another colour, I researched that option. Unfortunately the colours available aren’t a great option for me.

@Angie - you’ve summed up the consensus.

Thank you everyone, who’s advanced an opinion or provided an idea. It has all helped. I plan to keep looking. I would love to source frames in a green like the Staag pair, in a cats eye shape like my ‘old’ ones. Stay tuned!

PS: my favourites of the lot are the Staag ‘moss’ green round frames, and second place goes to the Versace gold and black cats eyes.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Neelie

Veteran

5, then 4, then 8. Great options!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

You know, I was musing yesterday about how impossible I would find it to get a tattoo. I have no desire for one, but even if I did, how would I pick one that I would always want to have in that spot, in every situation? Glasses aren’t quite that extreme—you can obviously take them off or get new pairs. But in terms of what percentage of your life an item has to be suited for, glasses are way, way up there.

12