Choosing Eyeglasses That Suit Your Personality And Lifestyle


Whether you want to appear sophisticated, fun-loving, youthful, conservative or style-conscious, the right eyewear can help you shape how you are perceived. And if you choose to wear only one pair of eyeglasses for everything you do, that says something about you, too!

What Do Your Eyeglasses Say About You?

Eyeglasses can help people see the real you, or they can help create the image you want. The key is to find the right eyeglass frames to match your personality and lifestyle.
The first step, according to eyewear styling experts, is to consider the different aspects of your life. "What do you really want your eyewear for?" asks Robert Marc, eyewear designer and president of Robert Marc Opticians, a chain of upscale optical stores in New York City. "What are the different activities you participate in? What type of work do you do?"
For different looks to suit the occasion, most people can benefit from more than one pair of eyeglasses, just as they need more than one pair of shoes.
"The same pair of shoes won't take you from a cocktail party to the volleyball court to the beach to the office," says Marc.
Are you a fast-paced businessperson, an active outdoor enthusiast, a busy mom, a retired senior or a student? Are you a creative person, such as an artist or writer?
Or, like most people, do you have a lifestyle that encompasses a number of different activities, interests and personality traits?
To narrow down your choices, consider what eyewear experts suggest in terms of styling, color, material and size for various lifestyles.

Eyeglasses For Serious Business

To help instill trust and confidence among a wide variety of your business clients and colleagues, it's usually best to stay with conservative frame shapes and colors. Consider these choices to enhance your professional image:
Gold-toned metal frame with simple, rounded eye shape and thin temples with textured pattern. By Dunhill.

This men's frame is by Dunhill. To see slideshows of more business-ready frame styles, 
  • Classic shapes such as ovals, rectangles and almonds.
  • Traditional colors of gold, silver, brown, gray and black.
  • In plastic frames, no bright colors or unusual shapes.
"Titanium and stainless steel are also good choices, as are rimless and three-piece mountings," says Richard Morgenthal, owner of New York City eyewear boutique Morgenthal-Frederics.
Silver, gunmetal, brown and black are recommended for men because these are easy, conservative tones to wear and match with business suits. Brown, golden tones, silver, burgundy, black and espresso are good selections for women.
Classic tortoise patterns also work well with business attire. For examples of business-oriented frames, 

Eyeglasses That Showcase Your Creativity And Fashion Savvy

One way to show your creative, fashionista side is with modern shapes, such as geometric designs in thicker and larger plastic frames. Many modern metal frames also can be creative in appearance.
Cat-eye frame in black acetate with abstract patterned laminate accents in pink tones. By Emilio Pucci.

This women's frame is by Emilio Pucci. To see slideshows of more high-fashion frame styles, 
Today's more fashionable, larger-sized eyeglasses also are an option, as are more unusual colors — such as blue, green and purple.
Multi-colored laminates are another possibility, as are flower patterns and animal prints.
Morgenthal also recommends laser-cut details and finishes for this style of frame because these touches are unusual and very modern.
Another big fashion trend lately is retro or vintage styling. Look for exaggerated takes on frame styles from the '70s and '80s — such as oversized cat-eye and aviator shapes, as well as mod looks from the '60s. For examples of frames that appeal to creative or fashion-minded people, 
Just because you're eligible for an AARP card doesn't mean you have to wear stodgy, old-fashioned glasses. And men: get rid of those giant metal frames that dominate your face!
Almond eye-shaped frame in red patterned acetate by Alain Mikli.

This women's frame is by Alain Mikli. To see slideshows of more frames for mature people, 
"Everyone wants to look young and modern," says Marc. He recommends frame shapes that are uplifting for the face, such as upswept rectangles for men and soft cat-eye shapes for women.
Certain colors also can make you look younger. Marc suggests gunmetal, deep browns and burgundy for men and lighter, shinier hues for women.
"Shine adds life to the face for women," he says. He also suggests avoiding silver, black and dark, dull colors, just as hairstylists recommend lighter hair coloring for mature women. For examples of frames that flatter mature sophisticates

Eyeglasses For Students

Whether you're studying engineering or art, business or French literature, college is a time to develop your own identity — and show off your style.
Squared-off modified aviator plastic frame with gray camouflage pattern on the front and temples, with blue temple tips. By Woow.

This men's frame is by Woow. To see slideshows of more frames for young people, 
Without the constraints of a conservative office environment, you have a lot more leeway in terms of eyewear styling, including eye-catching colors and shapes.
Unusual shapes, bright colors, larger sizes and interesting details such as color laminations, all are readily available in a variety of prices and brand names.
Maybe you're interested in a geeky, retro look? A modern frame with lots of color? A sober, intellectual style?