“Frame Friday” Roundup: Stay Classy with Glasses

Those of us who need corrective eye wear have at least two choices: glasses and contacts. Convenience play a big role in how much of us make the selection, sometimes along with practical concerns like the ability of hard contacts to slow the progress of some types of vision problems. However, there’s one other easy way to make the decision, a desire to stay classy. So you have to ask yourself one question. “Plastic or metal?”

The frames above an below represent some of the main entrants from the plastic side. They’re here to convince of the merits of hip, on-trend style. Plastic and acetate frames tend to be thicker and have a more substantial aesthetic. They are also available in a wider range of colors more often, and do a good job embracing the updated retro style that is popular. Choose frames along these lines if you plan to stay classy by demonstrating your contemporary fashion sense.

On the other hand, stainless steel and titanium offer entirely different advantages, including durability, sophisticated lines, and a more reserved aesthetic, as exemplified by the two frames below. They may be heavier, and tend to come in more muted colors with simpler palettes and fewer patterns. These are the glasses of powerful professionals and the self-possessed. They are perfect for those who want their vision-correcting eyewear to project an air of classy, cool calmness.

Don’t get me wrong. Contacts have their place. But we’ve given up far too much class in the way we dress and present ourselves. If you decide to take it upon yourself to show the world just how easy it is to make panache a daily habit, give these glasses serious consideration.