Half-Rim Glasses: Fresh Styles to Try Now

When you hear “half-rim glasses,” you might picture a mid-century office worker straight out of Mad Men. But these frames have never really gone out of style. And there are plenty of great modern options available.

Let’s get into the history of these glasses and some of my top picks, including one that literally turns the style on its head!

At a Glance

• Half-rim glasses are most closely associated with mid-century fashion, but there are many modern styles as well.
• Choose a style that works well for your face shape. For instance, square frames complement rounder faces. Round or oval frames work best with angular faces.
• While half-rim glasses have wide appeal, they’re not the best choice for people with strong prescriptions, children, people with very active lifestyles, or anyone who needs high durability.
• There are a wide variety of half-rim glasses available on EZContacts. If you want something less traditional, try the Chloé CH0069O, which flips the style around completely.

A Modern Take on Half-Rim Glasses

Half-rim glasses date back to the 1940s, with the introduction of the “Numont design.” This was an early semi-rim model with the lenses screwed into a metal browbar. The glasses remained popular throughout the mid-century.

Although their popularity has declined in recent years, they’ve always maintained a loyal following. As with other styles in eyewear, half-rims have undergone modern updates to mesh with current trends.

Today’s half-rim glasses have new features to check out:

• Different finishes. You may have mostly seen the top rim in basic gold or silver colors. But with modern designs, you can choose from options like rose gold or gunmetal. There are even some acetate half-rim designs in different shades, although metal frames are still more common.
• Contrast. Some styles pair a darker color or pattern along the browline with a rimless bottom, creating contrast.
• New proportions. Some of the older styles had a tendency to look too thin, but modern versions focus on substantial browlines to draw attention upward.

Are Half-Rim Glasses a Good Option for Everyone?

While half-rim glasses could work for many buyers, some would benefit from considering a different style:

• People with strong prescriptions. If you need thicker lenses, full rims may provide more support.
• Children. Let’s face it, kids can be a little accident-prone. Full rims provide more protection and reduce the risk of hearing, “I think my glasses broke…again.”
• Those with active lifestyles or heavy labor jobs. If you’re very athletic or have a physical or manual labor job, you may want to rethink half-rim glasses. They can be more vulnerable to damage, and full rims are more supportive.
• Anyone who needs extremely durable frames, for the same reasons listed above.

Choosing Half-Rim Frames for Your Face Shape

Half-rim glasses come in numerous styles. You’ll find everything from round to square lenses. Because of that, they can work with a variety of faces. Here are a few tips for the most common face shapes.

Oval faces

Because they attract attention upwards, half-rim glasses often work well on oval faces. But if you’d rather not elongate your face, you might want to consider a different look.

Round faces

Do you avoid rimless or small frames because they can emphasize your face’s roundness? Some half-rim styles may provide enough size and definition to balance this effect. If you have a round face, I recommend looking for square or rectangular shapes with prominent browlines.

Square faces

Half-rim glasses can complement square face shapes, especially pairs with round or oval lens shapes.

Heart-shaped faces

Sometimes, styles that draw attention to the forehead don’t pair well with heart-shaped faces. However, half-rims may still be a good option if you find a pair with a less dominant browline or a cat-eye shape.

Diamond-shaped faces

Diamond faces do well with frames that don’t emphasize the cheekbones, so half-rims are often a good choice. Strong browlines or thicker upper rims can help balance the face, and cat-eye shapes can work well, too.

Top Picks for Half-Rim Glasses

Here are some standout styles spanning classic to unexpected. There’s something for every face shape, budget, and personal style.

Versace VE1175B

The Versace VE1175B frames are a popular style! They feature the bling that Versace is known for, with a gold browline that matches the front part of the temple arms. They also prominently feature the Versace logo.

I also like the rectangular lens shape, which would work especially well for people with round or oval faces.

On EZContacts, the glasses have a 4.7 out of 5-star rating from 188 reviews. Reviewer Alanna T. loved the quiet luxury of this style:

Very Flattering
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“LOVE! These glasses are perfect, simple with just enough flare. Its giving luxury but not too loud.”

Kate Spade Adalina

If you like a subtle cat-eye shape, I recommend looking at the Kate Spade Adalina. I really enjoy the fun floral patterning on the temples. The Adalina style would be ideal for heart-shaped, diamond-shaped, or square faces.

Coach HC5168

If you want half-rim glasses that feel boardroom-appropriate, the Coach HC5168 is my pick. It comes in Shiny Light Gold and Shiny Rose Gold, which are both understated enough to wear every day. They’re best suited to oval or diamond-shaped faces.

Oakley OX8061 PLAZLINK

For a half-rim with some attitude, the Oakley OX8061 PLAZLINK is worth a look. The browline leads into high temple arms, and the lenses curve away from the nose for comfort. I’d point round or oval faces toward this one.

Flexon H6030

The Flexon H6030 frame offers a simple, minimalist look, which is perfect if you prefer smaller frames. They also come in two lens sizes (50 and 52 mm) with a high, wide nose bridge. The oval lenses are ideal for square and oval faces.

Chloé CH0069O

The Chloé CH0069O glasses flip the half-rim style around by putting the rims on the bottom instead of the top!

The dangling charms on the temples also add a whimsical touch. Unlike most semi-rims, this style will draw the eye downward instead of upward. That makes it less ideal if you want to emphasize your upper face. But the bottom-heavy style might be a good choice for people with heart-shaped or oval faces.

FAQs

I keep finding dirt or grease at the bottom of my semi-rim lenses. How can I clean them?

Unfortunately, the lack of a bottom rim means that semi-rim lenses often attract oils, makeup, or residue from the skin. You can try wiping them gently with a microfiber cloth.

You can also try rinsing them in lukewarm water, and then apply a drop of lotion-free dish soap. Rub the soap on carefully. After that, rinse again, and then dry the glasses with a microfiber cloth.

Do half-rim glasses look professional?

Yes, many half-rim glasses look very professional. They often have a sleek and polished appearance that could work well in the office.

Ready to try out half-rim glasses? Check out all the half-rim eyewear available on EZContacts!