Men's eyeglasses: shapes, materials and sizing
Round, oval or square, in acetate or titanium: how to find your way among men's eyeglasses, starting from shape, material and sizing.
By OCCHIO
Journal · Guides
A prescription frame gets worn all day, so the choice comes down to three practical questions: which shape, which material, which size. The answers change from one face to the next.
Shape
Square and rectangular. Horizontal lines and defined corners add structure to the eyes. As a starting guideline, they work well on softer, rounder faces. Among men it's the most chosen family: in the OCCHIO selection, rectangular eyeglasses are the largest category.
Round and oval. Curves soften the features of an angular face and often carry a precise historical reference, from the 1930s panto to the round metal frame. Oval sits in between, less pronounced. For a comparison of the two shapes, read Round or oval glasses: proportions.
Aviator and browline. The double bridge or a pronounced upper profile draws attention upward and lengthens the line of the eyes. These are recognisable shapes, worth weighing against your eyebrow height too.
Material
Acetate. Allows thick fronts, solid colors, translucencies and sculpted work. It sits more present on the face and is a little heavier than metal.
Titanium. Light, durable and suited to anyone who wears glasses for long hours. Profiles are slim, with the detail concentrated on the bridge, hinges and nose pads. Many Japanese makers, such as KameManNen, work mainly in this material.
Combined. Acetate and metal in the same frame — the presence of acetate with the lightness of metal in the temples. Read more in Titanium or acetate glasses.
Sizing
The three numbers on the temple arm indicate lens width, bridge width and temple length, in millimetres. The frame's overall width should sit close to your face width at the temples: much narrower and the arms will press; much wider and your eyes won't sit centred in the lenses. The bridge should rest on the nose without gaps and without pinching. The most reliable reference is still a pair of glasses you already wear comfortably — the measurement guide explains how to compare them.
Where to start
Explore the men's eyeglasses in the OCCHIO selection and filter by shape, color and material. You can compare up to three models side by side, or try the frames in person at the Crema boutique, where we also fit the lenses.