Many Factors Help Find Glasses Frames
One of the first things many patients do following a comprehensive eye exam is to start shopping for frames. With your newly written prescription in hand, you may be wondering what kind of frames will look best on you. Sure, you can simply settle on the first pair of glasses that catch your eye (no pun intended). However, these may not be the best for your face shape, eye color, or hair. You want your glasses to match your overall look and style. This makes it important to take your time when shopping for frames and finding a pair that doesn’t bore you.
Keep in mind this can be a challenging process at times because there are so many factors to consider. It may feel like you’ve tried on every pair of glasses under the sun before you find the perfect pair. With the help of some handy tips found below, you should be better prepared to shop for the right frames for your specific needs. While we share many characteristics with one another, such as hair color and skin tone, we are all unique beings. At First Eye Care DFW, we are dedicated to helping our patients find exactly what they are looking for. An estimated 75 percent of the population requires some type of vision correction, and nearly 183 million Americans wear contacts or glasses.
Here are a few additional statistics and facts about visual impairment in the United States:
- 3 million Americans over the age of 40 are legally blind
- 2 million Americans are visually impaired, meaning they have 20/40 vision or worse
- 2 million Americans have vision problems because of a refractive error
- Visual impairment and blindness cases are expected to double in the U.S. by 2050
- The number of people in the U.S. who are legally blind will increase by 21% each decade
- 8% of men and .5% of women are color blind in the U.S.
- 34 million Americans have myopia
Factors to Consider Before Buying Frames
If this is your first time buying eyeglasses, there’s a good chance you may be overwhelmed by the number of options out there. In 2018, the global eyewear market was valued at $131.32 billion, a number it is expected to surpass. This is because we are in the midst of an increase in the number of visual deficiencies. Before you decide on the perfect pair of eyeglasses for your needs, there are a handful of factors to consider:
- The shape of your face – Your face shape plays an instrumental role in determining the type of eyeglass frame style that looks best on you. There are approximately seven different face shapes, including oval, heart, square, narrow, diamond, round, and pear. Once you figure out what your face shape is, you will have a better idea of the frames that will suit you.
- Your lifestyle – Glasses are a great way for you to let your personality shine through, especially if you will be wearing them regularly. Many people use eyeglasses as a way to express themselves and give others a little insight into who they are. From quirky cat-eye frames to designer glasses or those with a splash of color, there are thousands of options to choose from.
- The color of your skin – Just like face shape, skin tone has a pretty major role when it comes to selecting eyeglasses. Different color frames will look better on you depending on the tone of your skin, so it is important you understand how the tone of your skin affects the glasses that will look good on you.
- The color of your eyes – You guessed it. Your eye color will also impact what color frames look best on you. The last thing you want is to pick out a pair of frames only to have them subdue your natural eye color or even clash. When shopping for frames, keep in mind if they will look good with your blue eyes, or if they would be better suited for a green-eyed beauty.
Why Skin Tone Matters
Most people consider skin to have either a warm, cool, or neutral tone. Let’s take a look at each skin tone to see how they can help you pick out your glasses:
- Warm skin tone – Individuals with a warm, or golden, skin tone typically have yellow, peachy, or green undertones. Warmer skin tones typically do better with frames that are shades of beige, brown, pink, orange, gold, yellow, or green.
- Cool skin tone – Cooler skin tones usually have blue or pink undertones. Frames that are cool in tone, like blue, silver, grey, green, or clear, will look best on these individuals.
- Neutral skin tone – Not all people have either a warm or cool skin tone. Some have both! Neutral skin types may have a mix of pink and golden undertones and can wear just about any frame color they wish. These individuals look great with bold black frames, a more neutral tortoiseshell, or even bright, bold colors like red.
Matching Your Frames to Your Eye Color
People often consider face shape and skin tone when buying frames, but what about your eye color? One of the best ways to make a statement with your frames is by choosing a color that complements your eyes. It seems easy enough, right? Here are a few suggestions of what color frames will look best with your eye color:
- Grey or hazel eyes – Look for frames that are bright and will contrast your neutral grey eyes.
- Brown eyes – You can pretty much choose any color if you have brown eyes, but we suggest going with frames that contrast the brown and amber undertones of your eyes if you want to make a bold statement.
- Blue eyes – Tortoiseshell and brown glasses are a great option, as are other natural tones that will highlight your brilliant blues.
- Green eyes – Red typically complements green eyes and will also provide a vibrant contrast. If you don’t want to make as big of a statement, consider glasses that are gold, brown, or earthy toned.
If you need help selecting the right frames for you, please don’t hesitate to contact First Eye Care DFW and schedule an appointment today. Often, people find they need more than one pair of glasses, which is something we are happy to help you with. To learn more about your options and why taking your time to pick out the perfect frames is a must, contact First Eye Care DFW today.