How to Look Cool in Glasses

Co-authored by Kalee Hewlett

Last Updated: December 4, 2022 References Approved

Glasses are great fashion accessories, and can really change your look.^{[1]
X
Research source} People even wear eyeglass frames with nonprescription lenses – or no lenses at all – just for the sake of fashion!^{[2]
X
Research source} Whether you already have glasses, or need to get them soon, some things to consider are frame color and shape, and how to style your look to compliment your frames. Choosing the right type of glasses, accompanying hairstyle, and accessories can help you to feel ultra-cool in your specs and rock the style with confidence!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Selecting Glasses

1
Choose frames that sit well. The line at the top of your frames should be in line with your eyebrows as much as possible. If you’re wearing sunglasses, they should cover your brows. But if you’re wearing regular glasses, your eyebrows should show above the frames, without a lot of extra space in between.^{[3]
X
Research source} Your eyes should be at the center of the frame.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Whatever style you choose, make sure they don’t overwhelm your face.
2
Choose a neutral frame color. If you’re getting glasses for vision correction and you’ll only have a pair or two, you may want to avoid bold looks like very thick frames, busy patterns, or bright colors.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Kalee Hewlett
Fashion Stylist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.} Keep in mind that you will probably wear them a lot, and you want them to be easy to pair with your outfit. Also, some days you may feel like standing out and other days you may not. You may want to consider getting a pair of glasses that shows off your fun side, and one or more frames for everyday.^{[6]
X
Research source} Go with a color that compliments your face and skin tone.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Kalee Hewlett
Fashion Stylist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}
- Try to select frames that mirror one of your best features. For example, if you have striking blue eyes, you may want to choose blue frames.
- Your skin tone is the main element that will determine the best color for you. If you have a cool complexion (olive, blue or pink undertones) look for frames that also have a cool color scheme, such as black, blue-gray, silver, or purple. If you have a warm complexion (yellow or peach), look for frame colors in those tones – for example, gold, orange, tortoise, or khaki.
- If your face is long, widen its appearance with frames that have color or decoration on the temples which differ from the front of the glasses. This will visually break up and widen your face.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
3
Select a frame shape. Choose a frame style that complements your face shape. If you have an angular face shape, you can balance that out with rounded frames. To the contrary, if your face is round, you can visually lengthen its appearance with angular frames. For a square face, keep frames slim and avoid rectangular lenses. If you have an oval face, you can wear many different styles as long as they aren’t extreme. However, avoid frames that are very thin, which can make your face appear longer than it is. Heart shaped faces look good with thick-bottomed frames.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- If you have a large forehead and a small chin, try frame styles without rims, butterfly frames, and oval-shaped frames. If you select butterfly frames – where the outside edges are wider than the edges near your nose – make sure the corners are square instead of round.
- If your forehead is wide but you also have a prominent jawline, you can soften those features with oval or round frames.
4
Pick a frame material. Metal is the most popular type of frame material, and there are many metals to choose from. Titanium is hypoallergenic and lightweight. Stainless steel is also lightweight, as well as strong and flexible. Aluminum is often used in high-end eyewear. Plastic frames are lightweight, available in many colors, and less expensive than other alternatives. Nylon is a great choice for sporty glasses. Compare materials and choose the one(s) you feel will benefit you the most.
- Factors to consider are hypo-allergenic, strong, light-weight, flexible, corrosion resistant, and the variety of patterns, colors and textures available.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
5
Test new glasses. If your glasses are new, you should test them by moving around in them. Make sure that they don’t slide down your nose, leave indents on the sides of your nose, or cause an ache behind your ears. Any of these problems require a professional adjustment so that your frames aren’t too tight but won’t slide off.^{[11]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Wearing Glasses with Confidence

1
Take selfies. Before wearing your glasses out in public, take video or photos of yourself in them with different facial expressions. Review the video or photos to help you become accustomed to the way they look on you. Think of your glasses as an extension of your personality! It’s important to use positive thinking about your glasses.^{[12]
X
Research source}
2
Find inspiration. Be confident when you’re wearing your glasses by finding inspiration in other people who know that wearing glasses is cool. Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Drake, Lebron James, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston and Alicia Keys are just handful of public figures who wear glasses.
3
Acknowledge the benefits of glasses. If your glasses have corrective lenses, you will look much better with a clear-eyed look than if you’re squinting to see close-up or far-away objects.^{[13]
X
Research source} Eye strain simply isn’t cool: it can further damage your vision and cause other symptoms like dry eyes and headaches.^{[14]
X
Research source}
4
Ignore critics. Be cool in the face of criticism, if you encounter any. Any negative stereotype that exists about glasses can be outweighed by considering the real and positive statistics about eyeglass wearers. If someone is immature enough to call you a label like “four eyes,” there are many reasons not to let it bother you!
- In general, people who were glasses are actually perceived as more trustworthy than those who don’t wear glasses.^{[15]
  X
  Research source}
- Job candidates who wear glasses are more likely to get hired.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}
- Approximately 75% of people in the US wear something on their eyes to better their vision. That statistic doesn’t include those who wear eyeglass frames without corrective lenses, either!^{[17]
  X
  Research source}
5
Keep your glasses in good condition. Clean your glasses. You’ll look trendier if your glasses aren’t cloudy or full of cracks. Be careful not to drop them, and don’t set them aside with the lenses down to avoid scratching them. When you aren’t wearing your glasses, keep them in a sturdy eyeglasses case. Never set your glasses down somewhere you can sit on and break them.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Styling Your Look

1
Use glasses as a complement to your style. Your glasses shouldn’t be the main focus of your look; they should add to your look. Otherwise your glasses can look costumey instead of fashionable. Your eyeglasses shouldn’t look like an afterthought, though; they are a purposeful accessory that should add interest to your appearance.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- Try choosing your glasses in steps. Start out with frames that aren’t overly dramatic. As you become accustomed to wearing your frames with confidence, you can slowly move up to bolder styles that still feel complimentary to your personality and style.^{[19]
  X
  Research source}
2
Choose jewelry to compliment your frames. Small, dainty earrings will add polish to your look. Avoid long, bulky, and dangly earrings. Your glasses are a fashion accessory and you don’t want your earrings to compete with them. Consider the color of your frames when selecting your jewelry.^{[20]
X
Expert Source

Kalee Hewlett
Fashion Stylist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}
- For example, try round or square stud earrings that give off a nice sparkle.
- Eyeglasses with black frames can go with any color of jewelry. If your frames are tortoise or brown, consider wearing gold jewelry, If your frames are clear, silver, or a cool tone like blue or green, opt for silver metals and jewelry with stones.
3
Style your hair to go with your frames. Consider taking your glasses with you when you visit your hair stylist for a cut or style, so that you can make sure it will compliment your frames. As a rule of thumb, think in opposites: if you have soft frames, go with a bold hairstyle, and vice versa. If you have wide frames, avoid hairstyles with a lot of volume on the sides – go for height on top instead. If your frames are large, avoid long, low-volume hairstyles. Try layered styles with volume on the sides. For small frames, don’t wear your hair in a style that will box in your facial features.^{[21]
X
Research source}
- If you have bangs that touch the top of your frames, make sure to maintain the right length of your bangs by getting them trimmed every three weeks.
- Avoid wearing large, floppy, overwhelming hats with glasses, unless you’re wearing sunglasses and going to the beach.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Wearing Makeup with Glasses

1
Keep your eyebrows groomed. Glasses can draw attention to unkempt eyebrows. If you shape your eyebrows, you may want to stay on top of that if you wear glasses. You can also arch or fill in your eyebrows.
2
Apply concealer to flaws. Use concealer on any flaws that can be seen through your lenses. For example, if you have dark circles under your eyes, wrinkles around your eyes, or blemishes near your eyes, use a liquid concealer that is close to your skin tone. You can top it with face powder.
3
Consider mascara and an eyelash curler. You can use volumizing mascara to give your eyelashes oomph behind your lenses. Avoid lengthening mascara, though, as it can get your glasses dirty if your lashes are rubbing up against your glasses.
- Apply the first coat of mascara normally, and the second coat at the roots of your eyelashes only. Putting more pigment closest to your eyes will frame them.^{[22]
  X
  Research source}
4
Wear colored eyeliner and light shadow. Avoid black eyeliner, wingtip styles, and heavy eyeshadow. You can add more definition to your eyes behind spectacles with a colored eyeliner like navy blue. Choose a subtle eyeshadow, like neutrals with just a hint of metallic or sparkle.^{[23]
X
Research source}
- As a rule of thumb, choose eyeliner one shade darker than your natural eye color.^{[24]
  X
  Research source}
5
Wear lipstick and blush. Consider warming up your face with blush. You can compliment thick frames with a strong lip color.^{[25]
X
Research source} If your frames are colorful and busy, or if you just want a more natural look, consider using bronzer and a neutral lipstick hue instead.