The definitive guide to glasses

Some people say that shoes are the first things someone notices about you. Not true. We tend to look at people from top to bottom, and the first thing people notice is someone’s face.

The idea of glasses as an unstylish accessory is long gone. Even people with perfect eyesight are turning towards spectacles to add a new dimension to their personal style.

Glasses are a standalone accessory, which means that you do not have to match them to your outfit the same way you match your shoes to your belt. This gives them a lot of potential to be a signature part of your look.

On top of being optical aids, glasses can also frame your face. For example, an angular face with a sharp jawline can be softened with circular glasses. The rule of thumb is: If you have an angular face, get round glasses and vice versa.

Here are some types of glasses you can consider.

Circular glasses

Also known as “hipster spectacles”, these were the glasses everyone was wearing in 2012. When worn on the right face, they can be extremely flattering.

Their oversized nature helps to make long oval faces look more proportionate, and their circular shape helps to soften an angular face.

Wayfarers

Pioneered by American company Ray Ban, Wayfarers have established themselves as a classic spectacle frame. They have been a signature look of many, with James Dean and Muhammad Ali as examples.

Their rectangular frame sharpens round faces and gives them a more defined shape. This explains why wayfarers are so popular in Asian countries.

Clubmasters

The clubmaster is another silhouette that has become extremely popular as of late. In recent years, retro or “throwback” fashion has been all the craze. So, it is no surprise that clubmasters, arguably the glasses of the 50s and 60s, are seeing a resurgence.

Sporting an interesting half frame design, these glasses will add character to your look.

Basic

Small with rectangular frames, these are the glasses we all wore in primary school. Back then, it seemed like this was the only model available.

We may have forgotten about theses ‘old school’ glasses but they do have their merits. In contrary to oversized spectacles, these rather small frames can help a short face appear longer and its angular construction suits rounder face shapes.

As the demand for stylish spectacles is rising, so is the supply. Many stores such as Owndays and Visual Mass are opening all around Singapore, producing great looking glasses at affordable prices.

With so many different frames, colours and materials to choose from, do yourself a favour and try on a pair.