My own journey in glasses began in the ’70s, when I sort of failed my eye test (the one with the bottom row of letters that is tough to read even if you have twenty-twenty vision). The doctor told me that I had the choice to get glasses or not. I immediately said yes to glasses. I had just seen Sissy Spacek host Saturday Night Live wearing the cutest round, wire specs, and I couldn’t wait to get my own pair. Later, I switched to a pair of classic New England–prep tortoiseshell-rimmed glasses—perfect for my college days in Boston. I liked those glasses so much that I wore them in the photograph for our roomies’ holiday card. When my mother received the card and saw the picture, she called laughing to ask if I was wearing those joke-shop nose-and-glasses. (Thanks, Mom.)
I wore glasses on and off for most of my early adult years—mostly when I was reading. Then right on cue, just before I hit forty, my eyesight changed and I needed glasses for distance and close-up. Not that it was necessarily bad news. Different lenses meant I got to play with different frames. After I had my third baby, I read an article about a new procedure called Lasik. The surgery took all of five minutes and I could be glasses-free (mostly). I chose to adjust my eyesight so that I could easily see my baby while he was in my arms. Once again, I’d only wear glasses for reading. That was until I saw Tina Fey, the epitome of the confident smart girl, rocking those black Superman frames. I headed straight to the store to get my own pair. The moment I tried on those black, heavy rims, I loved the vibe. I wanted to wear them all the time. I haven’t taken my pair off yet.
Spectacles—two framed round clear magnifiers bolted together with a rivet—arrive on the scene in Italy in 1289. Early frames are made of wood, iron, brass, leather, animal horn, bone, or tortoiseshell.
In 1740, European spectacle makers add temples—side arms that hook on to your ears— turning spectacles into glasses.
Trendsetters in the 1780s love lorgnettes, spectacles held with one long, decorative handle. This becomes a popular look for the opera.
The oval or round metal frames popular in the 1700s become fancier as a status symbol: In Europe, the wealthy wear ivory, gold, or jewel-encrusted frames; in China, tortoise is favored for luck and longevity.
Colored lenses in smoke-gray, green, blue, and pink are trendy in Europe and China in the early 1800s.
In the mid-1800s, monocles are popular with politicians, professors, and anyone hoping to look intellectual.
In 1929, Sam Foster of Foster Grant sells sunglasses on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. Once Hollywood starlets like Greta Garbo start wearing them a few years later, they become the hot accessory.
World War II aviator glasses are invented in 1941 to help fight the glare of the sun while flying at high altitudes.
Thanks to the rise of plastic frames in the 1950s, glasses become cheaper, allowing people to own several different pairs. Plastic square-rimmed glasses become popular for men, thanks to James Dean, Clark Kent, and Buddy Holly.
For women in the 1950s, Marilyn Monroe and other stars inspire the cat-eye glasses trend in both sunglasses and regular frames.
In the 1960s, Jackie O’s big black round sunglasses become her trademark, starting a trend.
Graphic black-and-white frames inspired by 1960s Pop Art blur the line between glasses and art.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the fashion world recognizes the huge market potential for glasses, and brands such as Christian Dior and Pucci launch their own lines.
Fun and offbeat style rules the 1980s, with punk, asymmetrical, neon, and mismatched frames becoming popular.
Thanks to Tom Cruise and Risky Business, Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses are everywhere in the early ’80s. Three hundred sixty thousand pairs are sold in 1983 alone!
In the 1990s, slim round or oval metal frames are the look, worn by Julia Roberts and other American movie stars.
Downtown geek chic is epitomized with hipster glasses in the mid-2000s. Oversize pairs with thick plastic frames are seen on men and women alike.
In 2014, Bobbi Brown is the first makeup artist to launch her own eyewear line.
Glasses make an instant statement. To change up your look, you only have to change your frames. I’ve seen women look that much hipper, younger, and more confident just by putting on a new pair.
The secret to finding perfect glasses is to buy the ones you love. Glasses can be pricey, so take your time and try on a bunch of styles. If you’re not sure which pair is for you, get another opinion. My son posted his frame choices on Facebook and his “friends” voted—a cool way to do it.
Finding the right glasses is not unlike choosing the best haircut for your face. First decide what style you like: simple, quirky, cool—there are endless options. Tear pictures from magazines or collect images on Pinterest. It helps to find frames you love on a face with a shape and coloring similar to yours. If you’re not sure of your face shape, take a look in the mirror with your hair pulled back. Is your face oval, heartshaped, round, or square? Then check out my guidelines for finding frames that flatter your face.
After finding the right style and shape, think about color. It is a little like playing with makeup. When you add color to your face, it enhances your look. Black and tortoiseshell traditionally look good on everyone, but don’t stop there. Bold color can brighten up your skin. Hues that are complementary to your eye color will bring out your eyes. And I love nude, either on the inside of a classic black frame, as a surprise, or on the whole frame. Nude is both modern and classic and works on nearly everyone.
With so many great choices out there, here are some general tips and guidelines to simplify the process.
You have a long and thin face with a chin slightly narrower than your forehead. Think Jennifer Aniston, Eva Mendes, Jada Pinkett Smith, and me.
Narrow frames that will make your face appear longer, or way oversize frames that overpower your face.
You have an oval face that narrows at the chin, just like Jennifer Love Hewitt and Reese Witherspoon.
Glasses that are weightier on top and put too much attention on the top of your face.
You have a fuller face, with a similar width and length. Think Mila Kunis and Cameron Diaz.
Circular frames, especially smaller ones.
You have a strong jawline and a broad forehead, just like Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock, and Oprah.
Thick dark frames with boxy, angular corners.
1. When you find a frame shape that works, get it in a variety of colors and styles.
2. These unisex frames have a classic retro look that makes everyone look that much cooler.
3. It’s a fun surprise when the inside of your frames is a different pattern or color than the outside.
4. Unique patterns, unusual colors . . . glasses should be as original as you are.
5. Neutral doesn’t necessarily mean the standard tortoise or black—clear and metal frames go with everything, but are a little bit unexpected.
6. Why choose just one color? This fun style has that funky ombre effect from caramel to dusty rose.
7. Think of glasses as an accessory—you should be armed with a few distinctive looks to suit your mood.
8. Tortoiseshell frames are universally flattering.
9. Aviators are that perfect combination of sporty and sexy.
10. There is a playfulness to cat-eye frames that always lightens up your look.
11. Gradient lenses have a total ’70s vibe.
12. Cool sunnies in tortoiseshell and black frames are wardrobe staples.
13. Oversize round glasses exude classic glamour.
14. With sunglasses, lens color is a way to make a statement, too.
Glasses definitely make a style statement, but your eyes can get lost beneath your frames unless you adjust your makeup. Here are my favorite ways to make your eyes pop from behind your lenses.
CRISTINA RENEE
An eye shadow color that is lighter and brighter than your frames will stand out, instead of competing with your glasses. A fun lavender shadow complements Cristina Renee’s blue eyes and contrasts beautifully with her frames.
SABORNÉE
When you have a mix of confident colors on your hair, lips, and frames, keep your eye makeup simple and clean with only a little liner and mascara. Sabornée rocks burgundy hair, a super-bright pink lip, and thin navy top frames, so eye shadow isn’t necessary.
DANIELLE
White frames highlight both your eye and makeup colors, making them a great choice to pair with statement eye makeup. On Danielle, I did a modern take on screen siren Sophia Loren’s iconic winged eyes, replacing the black liner with cobalt blue. Navy waterproof mascara completes the look.
SARMISHTA
Bold liner, with minimal shadow, looks amazing with thick, oversize frames. Sarmishta wears strong, sexy winged liner in intense black, which makes her eyes pop beneath her glasses.
Use glasses to enhance your best features. On Emma, navy frames make her blue eyes stand out even more. Sleek, wide frames highlight her cheekbones. Tortoiseshell sunglasses look gorgeous with red hair. Aviator-style sunglasses paired with a red lip and a sleek ponytail show off a striking profile.
When you find a style that you love, get it in several colors. These strong frames look amazing on Janicia in every hue. White brightens her face, tortoiseshell is classic, navy pops beautifully, while pink is soft and pretty, enhancing the natural color in her cheeks.
A bold red lip with a black jacket always works. To add a little more edge, throw on a pair of bold white glasses.
Preppy glasses look so cool with glamorous drop earrings and nude lips.
Oversize tortoiseshell frames with angular lines paired with subtle makeup and sleek hair looks polished, yet totally modern.
Sheer pink winged glasses are subtle yet stylish. They look great with a fun high ponytail.
Tia’s angular, wide frames flatter her face shape. The soft brown color looks perfect on her skin.
Refinery29 cofounder Christene Barberich has innate style. For a similar standout look, reach for bright frames and bold lips.
Lena’s delicate coloring is enhanced with baby-pink sheer frames, pale pink lips, and pink pearls.
Lena is rocking the iconic aviators. I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t look great in them.
These bronzy pink oversize frames look adorable on Liz. Pink tones look great on a freckled face.
“Pop star” is what I think when I look at Sabornée. These stylish frames are very now.
Retro sunglasses are cool and look fabulous on Alissa’s face. The nude pink color is very flattering.
Rimless wrap frames exude an edgy and sophisticated vibe.
Nadia looks very chic in these shades. Simple and not overpowering, they work with every face shape.
These pink frames are adorable with Ella’s red hair and freckles.
