How To Buy The Right Eyeglasses Based On Your Face Shape | A Man’s Guide To Wearing Glasses

The Vision Council of America estimates that about 75% of the country uses some form of vision correction.

That means more men than not have at least faced the possibility of wearing glasses — and that's not counting people who've considered “vanity” frames with non-corrective lenses.

This infrequently discussed topic is relevant to most of us.

Even if your goal is to minimize the effect of your glasses entirely and select the most unobtrusive frames possible, you're going to need to think about what kinds of shapes blend in with your face and features and what kinds stand out.

And for the man who uses his glasses as an active piece of the fashion ensemble — which we recommend — there's even more to think about.

Should A Man's Glasses Be Noticeable?

There's a traditional school of thought that says glasses should be unobtrusive. The thinnest wire frames possible try to make the glasses vanish into your face and remove them from the visual impression altogether.

The problem is that that's not really possible — you just become a man in thin glasses. That may not be the best look for every man's face.

On some, it may even take a strong profile and make it look less striking. More modern fashions have embraced the idea of glasses as an expression of style the same as a necktie or a pocket square.

Shape and even color of frames can become a part of your visual identity. And for most men that's going to be the right choice — though like any accessory, it's important to keep the glasses in their place.

They should complement your style, not define it. A pair of glasses that's the most memorable thing about it risks becoming a novelty rather than a stylish accent. So exercise some restraint.