Men's Eyeglasses 101

January 12, 2011, By Steve Thompson 0 comments

I find the process to be frustrating. Staring, with blurry eyes, at rows upon rows of choices. This isn't my first pair either. Eyeglasses. Hundreds of styles to choose - different frames, different shapes, different colors. How do I know if my selection today will still be my "look" six months from now? If shopping for eyeglasses gets your blood pressure up, like mine, here are a few tips to keep it simple.

Price

Choosing the cheapest eyeglasses at your optometrist's office is not always the best solution. While you'll spend less up front (sometimes less than $75, depending on insurance coverage), cheap frames are more likely to break before your next appointment. A middle-of-the-road pair is a better choice for the budget-conscious guy.

Flexible frames

Although more popular with children, flexible frames are an excellent option for men who are hard on their glasses. If you swipe them from your face and toss them on the coffee table after work, or if flexible frames are more comfortable, consider eyeglasses by EasyTwist or Flexon.

Plastic frames

Another option for durable glasses are plastic frames. These are stiffer than metal or rimless frames, but they are much less expensive. Manufacturers such as Ray-Ban, Gucci and Versace all offer plastic frames, which means you don't have to sacrifice style for price.

Metal and wire frames

If you tend to wear dark colors, metal and wire frames are great choices because they reflect color and add a metallic finish. You can find them in plain silver or you can go with a more vibrant color, depending on your wardrobe choices and your personal style. Wire frames are much more understated, while metal frames come in a variety of thicknesses and shapes.

Semi-rimless frames

These eyeglasses are a growing trend among men and women alike because they don't detract from facial features like other types of frames. Semi-rimless eyeglasses feature an understated rim around the top half of the lenses as well as along the sides, but the rims don't extend to the bottom half of the lenses. Burberry produces a line of retro-rimless eyeglasses, while D&G offers several options with a more classic flair. If you go with rimless or semi-rimless, you might want to spring for polycarbonate lenses. These are shatter-resistant but not shatter-proof, so don't take your buddy's dare and drop them off the top floor of your office building.

Frame shape

There are plenty of theories about how men should choose their eyeglasses based on their face shape, but most men don't want to analyze 200 frames to find the perfect pair. A good rule to remember is that, if you have a round face, go with rectangular frames to add angular interest; if you have a narrow or angular face, go with round frames to soften your features. Other than that, your best bet is to find frames that don't make you cringe when you look in a mirror.

Sunglasses

Some men prefer to purchase a separate pair of sunglasses, others go with clip-on sunglasses, which significantly reduce your expense. If you go the second route, make sure to try on the clip-ons so you know how they feel and how they alter your vision.

Going for comfort

The most important thing to remember when shopping for eyeglasses is that the frames you choose will be with you a long time. They must be comfortable if you want to be able to focus on work, family and entertainment, so make sure you try on each pair and consider their weight and size.

Don't send your wife to shop for eyeglasses for you or swipe the first pair off the rack at the store. Instead, take time to look, even with blurry vision, for the perfect eyeglasses.