How to choose prescription glasses
The frame you want might be the one you nearly left on the tray. A moment at the mirror, from first impressions to “that’s me”.
“Beautiful. But can I see myself in these?”
It happens at the mirror. You pick up the frame you loved on the shelf, put it on and hesitate. Then you try the one you almost overlooked. You lean closer, smile, take another look. And put it on again. Choosing often starts right there.
Bring your old pair
Your glasses already know a little about you. Perhaps you love them but fancy a different colour. Or you push them back up your nose twenty times a day. Start with one detail you want to keep and one you would gladly leave behind.
Then allow yourself a detour. Always worn black rectangles? Try a curve or a pale acetate. You may confirm your taste. You may discover it had become a habit.
Two ways to frame your eyes
The cat-eye
Prairie · AHLEM
Prairie Burgundy lifts towards the temples: that small cat-eye gesture changes your expression. The burgundy brightens or deepens with the light. Try it with your usual shirt or jumper. That is where you find out whether this little change feels like you.
Discover Prairie Burgundy
The horizontal line
Argo · AKONI
Argo Black extends the shape towards the temples: acetate front, metal bridge, titanium arms. Put it beside Prairie. With the same outfit, burgundy gives way to bold black and the cat-eye to a more horizontal line. Which already feels like yours?
Discover Argo BlackLike the shape? Try another colour
Black draws a clear outline. Tortoiseshell breaks it up with amber and brown. Clear acetate lets your skin tone show through. On the very same model, the difference can surprise you.
Compare colours in the same light. You will discover whether you fell for the shape or for that particular burgundy.
Face shape matters, but it does not rule
A round face gains character from an angle or a barely-there cat-eye; a square face softens with a round or oval shape; a long face calls for a tall frame that fills it; a heart-shaped face, with a wide forehead and a narrow chin, suits a light line and a low bridge. High cheekbones can carry a front that sits higher up.
These are pointers, not rules: our guides to glasses for a round face, square face, long face and the general face-shape guide show the models for each. Then go back to the mirror: it has the final say.
Take a step back
Up close, you inspect the bridge. From a distance, you see yourself. Step away from the mirror, turn your head and see how the frame works with your clothes. You will spend very little of your day motionless, nose pressed towards the glass.
Online, switch between front and side views: thickness can change your first impression. Photographs are not to scale, so use the measurements for size. Save two or three favourites from the optical collection and start there.
Keep them on while you talk
Smile, look down and turn your head. If your cheeks lift the frame or you feel pressure at your temples, tell your optician. Some points of contact can be adjusted; others call for a different frame.
The right pair should feel good when you stop looking at it, too. A little irritation will matter rather more after a whole day.
Before you say yes, add the lenses
The frame in front of you has to become your finished pair of glasses. Prescription, lens positioning and frame dimensions need to be considered together with your optician. Your quote should include the lenses you need.
Bring your prescription and your old pair. If you are choosing online, our measurement guide helps you prepare. We can work through the rest together, starting with the frame that made you smile.