Tyrone has a question for us today, so I’ll answer it for him.
“Peter, I recently scratched my favorite pair of sunglasses and realized I had no idea where to go for a new pair to replace them with.” What should I look for in a pair of eyeglasses and lenses, and what should I avoid? Is the form of my face important?
First of all, I’d want to offer my deepest sympathies to your beloved eyewear.
As a lifetime eyeglass user and professional “shopper,” I’ve got a lot to say about this subject.
Today, I’m going to dispel a common misconception about sunglasses buying and help you pick the right pair.
When looking for sunglasses, your facial shape does not matter.
Yes, that’s what I meant to say.
The diagrams you’ve seen regarding square, round, and heart-shaped faces aren’t just a waste of time. Not the ones that say they can match your face shape to the right sunglasses.
I’m calling b.s. on that bunch of a-holes!
Yes, that’s what I’m saying.
According to the principle underlying these instructions, your facial form necessitates a specific sort of frame design.
You should not wear circular frames if your facial shape is oval or round. The effect on your face will be a rounder one.”
The form of the frame is less about “balancing your face shape” and more about the look and feel you want to achieve.
I’ve always considered myself to be an artist. For the past five years, I’ve also worked as a personal stylist and a menswear designer.
In my opinion, I have a good “visual eye.”
I’m not convinced by the face shape combination recommendations that I’ve read.
Having a round face with square glasses appears like having a round face.
To put it another way, it’s like saying “round meal” on a “round dish.”
It’s. Incomprehensible.
You may see it here:
So, which of the above depictions do you prefer?
What do you think about your response?
All these men are wearing the improper shape of eyeglasses for their faces, according to the face shape recommendations.
See! It’s a load of trash, I tell you.
I apologize for playing a prank on you! I’m trying to show that your facial shape has no bearing on how well your glasses fit.
I’ve come up with a better technique to aid my private clients with their eyeglasses.
More important than the contour of your face is the size of your skull.
The shape of a person’s face is not the same as the size of their head. We’re just concerned with the size and height of your head, not with the shape of your face.
The size of your lenses is determined by the size of your head. In the case of prescription lenses, the size of the lens is just as significant as the distance from the lens to your eyes!
Everything that surrounds the lenses (i.e. the form of the frames) is of minor importance.
Using this information, you may find the right sunglasses.
The “Eyewear Sweet Spot” should be covered by the lenses you choose.
For the sake of clarity, I depicted these using spectacles, but the principle applies equally to sunglasses.)
Approximately the same width as your face.
The distance between the middle of your brows and the tip of your nose, measured in centimeters, is your height.
In terms of solar protection and field of view, this is the “sweet spot” (if you need prescription lenses.)
With lenses at this sweet zone, you can be sure the frame is right for you.
The most flattering frames are those that fall into your own sweet spot.
I like how they aren’t too huge or too little.
Sun protection and field of view are reduced by frames that are excessively thin. On top of that, they’re teeny-tiny! When frames are overly large, they might appear ridiculously out of proportion. If you’re looking for a look that’s both attractive and practical, don’t go too far from the center.
2. Begin by creating a rounded frame.
This is the most aesthetically pleasing form for men’s eyeglasses, thanks to its location in the “sweet spot.”
The bottom of rounded frames is somewhat rounded, thus they should not be mistaken with circle frames (such as the ones found on Harry Potter’s spectacles). The top of the frame is normally curved, but it might be straight.
There are several celebrities who have worn this type of frame, which is my go-to style for most of my eyeglasses.
When it comes to clothing colors, black and dark brown/tortoise are excellent options all year round.
A light-colored frame is ideal for spring and summer. Yellow is my go-to for a pop of brightness. Another well-liked option is crystal clear.
Be sure to use a set of solid black, grey, or green lenses.
These are a few of my personal favorites for this look:
Models Downing and Percy by Warby Parker (both start at $95 each)
Frame: Round or D-Frame, Cubitts Herbrand ($165)
Round-frame Moscott Arthur ($300)
If you have a larger or smaller head, you may want to experiment with other frame styles.
The safest bet is to stick with rounded corners, but don’t let that stop you from experimenting! If you have a large head, you may want to experiment with different hairstyles.
Lenses for bigger heads may be needed since their characteristics are more spread out. This means that square frames may be a better choice because the lenses are bigger.
If you like the look of a square frame, you can choose one. Any alternative design, such as aviators or shields, has the same problem.
For the ideal facial proportions, you need to pick one that suits your sweet spot.’
In conclusion,
Let go of arbitrary face-shape guidelines and enjoy yourself. They don’t stand up in practice and appear to be made up.
Identify your “Eyewear Sweet Spot” and shop for sunglasses that suit it. If you are looking for a pair of sunglasses that are both stylish and functional, this is the best way to go.
A nice place to start is with round frames. This look appeals to the majority of males, at least based on my personal experience and observations while shopping for customers. Tortoiseshell is a classic look that may be worn all year round. For Spring/Summer, choose for a lighter shade, such as a pale yellow or clear.
What matters most is how the frame looks and how it fits. Look like you’re Top Gunning with aviators. The design of the shield harkens back to the 1970s. The retro appeal of wayfarers is unmistakable. For the most appealing proportions, make sure your eyeglasses are in your “Eyewear Sweet Spot.”