Glasses.

[Legion]

So, I went to the optometrist today for a check-up, and he tells me my eyes are suffering from wearing contacts every day, and for so long each day. (He is going to fit me for a different brand which breath better, but that is another subject.)

Anyhoo, it looks like I need to get myself fitted for some new glasses, and now I am thinking about which frames to get. I've always had thin frames, and my last pair were rimless, but they fell to bits in rapid time, so I don't want to go down that path again.

Looking around, it seems like the fashion at the moment it broader plastic or acetate frames. Almost Buddy Holly style. I'm not so sure about that, but I am open to suggestions.

Do you guys have any brands or styles you like? I'm just after some pictures to give me ideas at this point. Obviously once I narrow it down I'll have to try some on.

 

[Dentwist]

Well, I would still go rimless, or look at the half rims available

 

[MixedMotives]

Oakley frames

 

[KindestCutofAll]

I prefer rimless or half rim also.

I had the Buddy Holly type when I was a kid. I still bear the psychological scars.

If you can pull off the heavy rims and like it, then go for it.

 

[JazzyJ]

I got these a few months ago, and I get compliments on them at least a few times a week. They're Armani frames, but I got them discounted because the model was discontinued. My last few frames had been thicker and more rectangular, so I thought I should change it up a bit. I like that they're still black plastic, but it's a little more understated, and not too thick.

I've found the best way to find frames is to just go try a bunch on. It's important that they flow with and compliment the shape of your face and your features. It sometimes helps to bring a wife/female friend/anyone willing to give an honest opinion along too.

 

[Dngolden]

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Looking around, it seems like the fashion at the moment it broader plastic or acetate frames. Almost Buddy Holly style. I'm not so sure about that, but I am open to suggestions.
.

Your observations about what's in are dead on. Rayban has put out a line that's been so popular that their almost out. I have a pair of Seraphin's that are in the same vein but a bit different. jan2010_garfield_72.jpg The slightly more 80's take on the rimmed frame is also in.

Rimless is not in, but if your used to contacts that might be the least change visually. A lot will do with how high your prescription is. Too high and it could rule out some of frames.

But the absolutely biggest factor is how they look on you. This sounds obvious, but I can't tell you how many pairs look awesome on the shelf and ridiculous on me. One quick test is to see where you eye falls in the frame - the closest to the center the better. If your eyes falls in the corners, particularly near the nose, move on. Note JazzyJ's picture. His eyes fall almost right in the center of the frame - nicely done!

And don't feel like your stuck with what your DR. sells. Looks around. You can often find what you like on-line and have your Doc do the lenses.

Oh and be prepared to take out your checkbook particularly if you have a high presciption and want thinner lenses (you do).

 

[Legion]

I've found the best way to find frames is to just go try a bunch on. It's important that they flow with and compliment the shape of your face and your features. It sometimes helps to bring a wife/female friend/anyone willing to give an honest opinion along too.

You're right about that. I've actually found an Australian internet based shop that looks promising. They do their own range of frames, acetate ones that look pretty high quality. They will actually post you five sets for free, and you can try them on to see how they look, then post them back. If you like any of them you can give them your prescription, and they will build the glasses for you. Good prices, as well.

I've ordered the trial frames. Seems like there is nothing to lose giving them a go, and I can ask my housemate what she thinks when they show up. She never withholds an opinion.

Oh, and they do the high index (thin) lenses for only $50 more, so that is a pretty good deal. (I am about a -3.25, so the thin lenses are a bonus)

Keep the ideas coming, gents.

 

[cb91710]

Depends on your age. The large round-ish frames in Jazzyj's post look great on his face. They would be completely out of place on my 50 y/o bald mug.

I'm in a similar boat. Should have been wearing glasses for years, but was only mildly nearsighted, and my distance vision was only noticeably impaired at night (but still fine to drive).
But in the last 3 years I've noted a significant deterioration in my near-field. Holding items away I can focus, but then I can't read the fine print on product labels and such. 10 years ago I could focus on the tip of my nose.

So I just picked up a pair of blended/progressive bifocals. The frame style I picked was basically the same as my Spy optics sunglasses:



Tortoise upper frame, wire lower frame. A nice balance between the "Buddy Holly" look and the full wire frame look.... Grandpa wore this style, a timeless design.

 

[cb91710]

Here they are... sorry for the lousy cellphone pic.

 

[rickboone1]

Zennioptical.com. Great prices. Virtual "try on". Even if you don't order there you can get an idea of what you like by "trying them on"

 

[MrMurphy]

Never gave a damn what anyone else thought was fashionable. Many glasses do not fit my face, and I've always gone with thin rims when I still wore glasses.

 

[Legion]

Depends on your age. The large round-ish frames in Jazzyj's post look great on his face. They would be completely out of place on my 50 y/o bald mug.

I'm in a similar boat. Should have been wearing glasses for years, but was only mildly nearsighted, and my distance vision was only noticeably impaired at night (but still fine to drive).
But in the last 3 years I've noted a significant deterioration in my near-field. Holding items away I can focus, but then I can't read the fine print on product labels and such. 10 years ago I could focus on the tip of my nose.

So I just picked up a pair of blended/progressive bifocals. The frame style I picked was basically the same as my Spy optics sunglasses:


Tortoise upper frame, wire lower frame. A nice balance between the "Buddy Holly" look and the full wire frame look.... Grandpa wore this style, a timeless design.

I'm in my 30's. Only need the glasses for long distance, so bifocals are not an issue (yet). I like your glasses. They look good for shades, but I am not sure about them for all day wear (for me, anyway)

I have a pair of folding Persol 714's that I love, but for office work indoors I'm thinking less is more. At the moment, thanks to virtual try-on, these are in pole position.



This is the websites model guy (who has a few years on me, by the look of him) wearing a tortoise version, but I'm thinking black.

 

[cb91710]

I don't care for the narrow lenses (just had that conversation with SWMBO). To me, that's more of a "reading glass" style, but I'm a bit "old school" and I do see that style a lot.
Less is definitely more... which is why I prefer the half-frame over the "Buddy Holly" style (or my generation, "Brains" from Thunderbirds)

 

[Legion]

There! Brains! That is the look I want!!

I think the reading glasses thing depends on how you wear them. Low on the nose, reading. Higher, not so much. But I could be wrong.

 

[JazzyJ]

You're right about that. I've actually found an Australian internet based shop that looks promising. They do their own range of frames, acetate ones that look pretty high quality. They will actually post you five sets for free, and you can try them on to see how they look, then post them back. If you like any of them you can give them your prescription, and they will build the glasses for you. Good prices, as well.

I've ordered the trial frames. Seems like there is nothing to lose giving them a go, and I can ask my housemate what she thinks when they show up. She never withholds an opinion.

Oh, and they do the high index (thin) lenses for only $50 more, so that is a pretty good deal. (I am about a -3.25, so the thin lenses are a bonus)

Keep the ideas coming, gents.

That's awesome! I dated an Aussie girl a few years back, and she used that service too. Definitely a cool idea.

 

[EvilGobi]

Zennioptical.com. Great prices. Virtual "try on". Even if you don't order there you can get an idea of what you like by "trying them on"

I've also had good luck with Zenni. I've found that for their prices if you don't end up liking what you buy you aren't really out much money.

 

[ackvil]

I'm in my 30's. Only need the glasses for long distance, so bifocals are not an issue (yet). I like your glasses. They look good for shades, but I am not sure about them for all day wear (for me, anyway)

I have a pair of folding Persol 714's that I love, but for office work indoors I'm thinking less is more. At the moment, thanks to virtual try-on, these are in pole position.



This is the websites model guy (who has a few years on me, by the look of him) wearing a tortoise version, but I'm thinking black.

I just bought a pair similar to those pictured. Mine are Michael Kors frames. I previously had metal rim glasses in which the lenses constantly fell out. Plus, the nose guard was not comfortable for me. I picked these up and have had them for two weeks and they are the most comfortable glasses I have ever owned.

 

[Kazeryu]

Just my 2 cents:
Buying "fashionable" glasses is a surefire way to look really dated in a couple of years. There's also a high chance that 50% of people will think you look fashionable while the other 50% will think you have no taste.

I'd recommend buying something classic with a shape that suits your face and a colour that matches your complexion. Having a female friend (one with classic good taste) along for an opinion helps. My personal opinion is that I'd rather wear glasses than have them wear me - when people look at my face, I think that I should be the "main attraction".

In my case it's thin metal frames with a quasi-rectangular shape and either antique copper or (rarely) gunmetal finishes. But it might be very different for you!

 

[Tim_McD]

I have been wearing glasses since 3rd grade and my advice is to be prepared to spend on a decent pair of frames and the polycarbonate lenses. The matching of frames to face is very personal, but there are reasons the classic shapes prevail - they just look good on a variety of shapes.

I heartily recommend Prodesign frames (http://www.prodesigndenmark.com) because of the styles and materials used. I have found titanium frames best for me; very lightweight, impervious to saltwater / sweat and with the rounded arms - super comfortable. I have been wearing Model 7344 in black for going on three years and they look the same as the day I bought them. I have never worn a pair of glasses that have held up as well.

Over the past two years, I have gone into progressive lenses (what can I say, I am old) and last perscription change I added in the transition lenses so they darken outdoors. I still have RX sunglasses for driving (as the UV light required to darken the lenses is filtered by the auto glass) and those are more "fashionable" - if you can consider my tortoise Wayfarers and Maui Jim sunglasses anything but classic "mature man"

 

[Catalin]

I always buy frames that go with the shape of my face. I get a trusted friend to go with me frame-shopping and we hit a dozen of so stores and pick the right frames. I don't worry about what's fashiopnable at the time, as I keep my glasses for 2 years +.

This year I ended up with Nomad frames: