Our obsession with youth is a big deal. In fact, Americans spend billions each year to look younger. There’s everything from fillers to new clothes, but what if I told you that your glasses also play a massive part in how old you look?
Glasses are often an afterthought. But they should be the main characters! They sit front and center on your face after all. So, discover the top tips for avoiding the wrong types of glasses frames.
Glasses Can Affect How People See You
The irony is that we wear glasses to see the world better, but our glasses also affect how the world sees us!
Like everything from shoes to jewelry, glasses can change your whole look. That’s why picking a pair that enhances you is a no-brainer.
Pick Types of Glasses Frames That Enhance Your Features
Decide what your favorite facial features are and then enhance them with glasses.
The glasses on the right below are a great example of how the right shape can flatter you. They also match her feminine style, and the contrasting lens and arms look modern.
But enhancing certain features can age you. For example, some purple frames can bring out dark under-eye circles, or thick black frames can melt into your black eyebrows. The result isn’t always great, but by enhancing your best features, you can potentially appear years younger.
Styling Tips:
- Pick glasses that work with your eye color. For example, if you love your deep blue eyes, choose glasses with frames that make your eyes pop.
- If you’re always complimented on your cheekbones, pick a shape that makes them stand out.
- If your features are delicate, pick a pair that emphasizes that, and you’ll see the years knocked off your face.
Choose Glasses That Complement Your Skin Tone
You might love the color purple, but what if it makes you look tired and dull? That’s the thing: different colors interact with our skin tone in various ways.
Milky skin tones are brought alive with gold frames, a pop of red, or a warm tone like orange. They’ll brighten your face, adding that youthful glow.
Warm skin tones pair perfectly with silver frames for added contrast, or bold greens, cozy browns, and vibrant blues. Adding some color will make your skin shine.
Styling Tips:
- Rose gold suits most skin tones, from warm to cool ones.
- While metal is a safe choice, don’t shy away from acetate frames; try on different colors to see what works.
- Havana frames suit a range of skin tones and have a classic appeal.
Pick Glasses That Work Well With Your Clothes
If you wear a lot of dark shades of black and gray, or if you love business chic looks like button-up shirts, avoid dowdy glasses. Certain boring glasses paired with formal outfits can age anyone, no matter how young they are!
Instead, opt for a pop of color to balance out your formal clothes. These bold Prada glasses will do the trick.
Styling Tips:
- If you’re often in formal work clothes, balance your look with fun glasses (color, print, or a cool shape).
- For casual outfits, you can experiment with different styles (besides classic rectangular frames), like cat-eye frames.
- Rounded or curved glasses are perfect for more summery, preppy, and hippie outfits, like a ‘60s flower child.
Make Sure to Think About Your Face Shape
I don’t believe there should be set rules for selecting glasses based on your face shape. It’s all about picking a pair that suits your unique face. Yes, you should consider proportions and pick a pair that’s not too big or small but looks great on YOU.
Consider what shape brings out your features, and you’ll knock years off. Sometimes styles that don’t suit us end up aging us. This rule applies to accessories and clothes. It’s really the power of fashion.
In the photos below, the woman on the left is wearing a fashionable outfit and cool round glasses, but they’re slightly too big. Look how far down her face they end up!
The woman on the right is wearing cat-eye glasses that far better suit her face shape.
Styling Tips:
- The glasses shouldn’t go too far up and cover your eyebrows, or too far down near the end of your nose.
- The edge of the frame looks best when it meets the edge of your face.
- The glasses should not distract from your face but enhance it.
Boring Glasses Can Age You
If you’ve chosen a boring pair of glasses, it might be time to change them up.
Bland, dated glasses can age your face by making you look old-fashioned. They have no spark, no sense of modern style. Nowadays, there are numerous pairs of statement glasses available. And there’s a brand and price point to suit everyone.
From funky printed frames to blingy logos, choose something that brings out your personality. These blingy Swarovski glasses are a good example of fun, eye-catching frames.
Styling Tips:
- Choose a pair of glasses with mixed materials, such as metal arms and an acetate frame.
- If you’re feeling bold, select a pair with diamonds, flowers, or other bling!
- Try different types of glasses frames in shapes that suit you, such as cat-eye or oval.
Add a Modern Twist to a Classic Style
Tortoiseshell glasses are timeless and suit all ages, but if you pick a classic style like this, add a modern twist. That will stop your glasses from aging you.
You could opt for cat-eye tortoiseshell glasses to make them cooler. Or instead of rectangular metal frames, you could try an aviator shape. Switching to a different shape is a simple solution if you don’t love bright, bold glasses.
If you want to stick to a classic shape, then choose a frame design like these Prada glasses that feature edgy, angular arms.
Styling Tips:
- Logos or details on the arms of your glasses can add a trendy feel.
- Choose glasses that have a cool design feature, such as mixed materials or slightly tinted lenses.
- Transparent frames with subtle tints can also help update classic shapes.
Avoid Rimless Glasses
If you want to take attention away from fine lines (no shame, they’re beautifully natural), then avoid rimless glasses. Why? Because they draw attention to the details of your face. While fine lines are a natural part of aging, there are other styles that shift the focus to your eye color, striking bone structure, or personal style instead.
Instead, you can select a pair with thin frames. If you pick a flattering pair, they’ll draw attention to your best features.
Styling Tips:
- This isn’t a hard-and-fast rule; if you find a flattering pair of rimless glasses, go for it.
- You could opt for a semi-rimless style that has the best of both worlds.
- Instead of a rimless style, silver frames can do wonders.
Pick a Pair of Chunky Rims
The opposite of rimless glasses is chunky frames. Thick frames can make your face look petite and draw attention to its femininity.
How? Well, chunky frames add contrast between your features and the glasses. Unlike invisible rimless frames, they are loud and proud, showing off your fun side.
You don’t have to go for bright and thick frames. You could opt for gray, brown, or even black.
Styling Tips:
- The key with thick frames is to make sure they enhance your face without overpowering it.
- Choose high-quality acetate frames so they look and feel premium.
- Chunky frames look especially great if you have a bold style and like being noticed.
Try Swapping Round Frames for Oval Ones
Round glasses don’t necessarily make you look older. In fact, the right pair can add a youthful energy to your face. However, most round frames have a retro feel, and sometimes that can mean they look a little dated. (John Lennon glasses are forever, but he was also quite young when they became a fad.)
So, if you’re planning on sticking with round frames, opt for a pair that has slightly thicker frames rather than thin ones. A bold color adds a contemporary feel, while black or brown frames have a timeless appeal.
If you’re ready to try something new, oval glasses are having a revival since ’90s nostalgia is very strong. They’re contemporary (dare I say more than round glasses). They also suit most face shapes, from heart to oval and square to diamond.
Styling Tips:
- A simple black or brown oval frame will do you wonders.
- Metal frames are an elegant everyday option.
- Ensure the glasses don’t widen your face if that’s an effect you don’t want.
Choose a Sophisticated Print
There are so many prints and patterns to choose from outside of classic tortoiseshell frames. While not exactly aging, tortoiseshell/Havana frames can look heavy on some faces, especially those with delicate features.
If you’re finding that the same Havana-style glasses don’t quite flatter you as they did 20 years ago, it may be time for a new print. Some are more abstract, while others are structured, such as striped styles.
The key is to pick a print and colorway that complements you (including your hair and eyes) rather than clashes with your features. As we age, complementary colors become even more crucial, as a harmonious appearance can make you look younger.
Styling Tips:
- Choose a print that complements your clothes; e.g., if you wear a lot of black, add a colored print.
- The right pattern can help bring out your eye color and make your eyes pop (think of how picture frames work).
- Avoid super-busy, overwhelming prints, as they might give you an eccentric appearance (which is fine if that’s what you’re after).
Fit Is Everything
The right fit can make or break the way your glasses look. While well-fitting specs are important at any age, an ill-fitting pair that slides down your nose or looks too big can add years to your face.
There are ‘hot professor’ glasses that look serious and sharp, and then there are the dowdy librarian glasses that prematurely age you.
If you’re not sure about your size, you can have your glasses professionally fitted at your optician’s. Then it’ll be easier to shop online for different styles.
Styling Tips:
- Try on glasses (virtually or in-store) to see what shape and fit suits you best.
- If your glasses slide down your nose, they might just need the screws tightened.
- Choose the right nose pads to enhance the comfort of your glasses.
Don’t Let Your Glasses Disappear Into Your Face
As we age, our glasses should be more prominent to add contrast to our faces rather than melting into them. That contrast in turn adds balance, showing you enjoy fashion rather than fear it.
For example, the woman below on the left has her own personal style, but her glasses are just kind of ‘there.’ They’re not bad, but they don’t add anything to her face.
The woman on the right has a pair that enhances her face and adds a little color, giving her a fun-loving energy.
Styling Tips:
- As I mentioned before, this is why rimless frames don’t make any impact; they just exist on your face.
- Metal frames sometimes disappear, so swap them for a pair of acetate frames.
- If you’re not sure if your glasses are flattering, get a second opinion!
TL;DR
Now you’ve seen how glasses can make all the difference. Follow these simple tips, and you’ll stop your glasses from aging you.
- Choose a pair that adds a pop of color.
- Pick a pair that flatters your features and face shape.
- Avoid those boring old-fashioned glasses and rimless styles.
- Select glasses that complement your personal style, like printed frames, bling, and fun colors.
- Try oval frames rather than round. Oval frames are trendy and suit a variety of face shapes.
There, you have it, go forth and find a type of glasses frame that looks great!
