Advice for the First Time Glasses Wearer

You can imagine how I felt when the optometrist told me I needed glasses. I was thrilled. I’d secretly always wanted a pair. And now, instead of accessorizing with that non-prescription pair I kept in my top drawer of my dresser, I had a reason to wear glasses without feeling like a poseur.

This was the super sassy, new me. And I loved every purple bit of her.

Here’s my advice for anyone looking to buy their first pair of glasses.

1. Dress for Your Face

We all have different shaped faces. There are ovals, squares, rounds and even hearts. You need to find a pair that complements your shape. And this can be trickier than it sounds.

Square-shaped faces beware. You want round or oval eyeglasses in bold or dark colors. It’s best to stay away from geometric and square shapes as well as light-colored frames. You want eyeglasses that take the emphasis off your strong facial features.

Heart-shaped faces are a bit more challenging because of the broad forehead and small chin. Your best bet is glasses that help create balance. Oval and round shapes as well as light-colored frames are best as they help balance the widths of the face.

Round-shaped faces look good with wide lenses. Look for frames that draw attention to your cheekbones. It would be a pity not to show them off.
Perhaps the luckiest of them all, are the oval-shaped faces which can get away with almost anything. Stick with rectangular and square frames to be on the safe side though.

2. Dress for Comfort

Might seem like an obvious one, but it’s something I overlooked when I got glasses. Remember, these are going to be on your face for the long haul. Think long hours at the office. Dinners with family. And everything in between. Ask yourself: do these frames have what it takes to be there for me when I need them most?

Consider them carefully. How do the frames feel on your face? If you feel pinching or discomfort, you can always adjust the nose pads. But bottom line, if they aren’t built for comfort, the only place they’ll be is in their glasses case.

3. Dress for Every Occasion

When my boss first saw my bright purple glasses, he pulled a face. He was surprised. I’d been at the same company for two years without changing so much as my haircut. I played it safe: mauve blouses, elegant pants and the occasional scarf. These glasses were my attempt at changing all that. I wanted to reinvent myself and change how people saw me. Few of my colleagues had met the fun, outgoing side of me. And I thought these glasses would do the trick.

So did it work? I got my fair share of stares. People I’d passed countless times in the corridors or had seen in the lunch room, complimented me. Some even treated me differently. A colleague I’d said maybe 10 words to, loved my glasses so much that we started having regular lunches together. We’ve since become good friends. As for my boss, a man with an eye for colorful art, he soon took a liking to my glasses. And I’m happy to report that I now find him much more approachable. But colorful frames may not be suitable for your workplace.

I was lucky with my choice of glasses. Remember that your glasses need to look good in any situation they may find themselves in whether it’s a slinky black number or typing away at your daily 9 to 5.

Picking your first pair of glasses doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, I recommend having a little fun with it. Think of it as accessory shopping. After all, with Zenni Optical’s affordable prices you can easily purchase two, three, or even four pairs to suit any occasion.