I now need two different glasses prescriptions – one for reading and one for driving. Plus I’ll need a sunglasses version of the driving prescription and ideally a sunglasses version of the reading prescription too – for when I read outdoors (which probably happens like 5 times a year). Most people would probably see this a pain. I see it as a shopping opportunity.

So as with most shopping opportunities, I started with some research and found out that there are rules about what will suit you.

THE RULES – HOW TO WORK OUT WHICH GLASSES WILL SUIT YOU **

There are four main factors you need to take into consideration when picking glasses:

1. Face Shape
2. Eye Colour
3. Hair Colour
4. Skin Tone

** Obviously, all style rules should be challenged, but this can help as a starting point

1. Face Shape

Oval Face – An oval face is considered quite balanced, so most styles will suit you. To maintain balance, try styles that are a tad wider than the widest part of your face.

Round Face – Square or rectangular frames tend to suit round faces, making them appear longer.

Oblong Face – Wide or square frames, flatter longer faces by making it appear shorter and more balanced.

Square Face – Round or oval frames suit square faces, creating balance by softening sharper angles.

Hear Shaped Face – Cats-eye or wayfarer frames flatter this face shape, making your forehead appear narrower and your cheekbones more defined. Rimless frames will also do a similar job.

There are two options with eye and hair colour. Pick something that complements your eyes/hair colour for a classy girl look. Or go for a total contrast for something more statement and trendy. Please note this is a trickier option to get right, as you could end up looking like 80s Sue Pollard or Mike Read from his Saturday Superstore days.

2. Eyes

Grey Eyes – Any colour frame will work with grey, as it’s a neutral colour. Silver or gold being the classy, polished option.

Brown/Amber Eyes – All colours look great with brown or amber eyes. A bright green or blue would give a nice contrast.

Blue Eyes – Tortoiseshell and brown frames offer a neutral option. Whilst orange will really make a statement. Be very careful not to wander into 80s Sue Pollard territory with this one.

Green Eyes – Red, gold or purple provides a great contrast. Whereas brown or earthy tones are a little bit more understated.

Hazel Eyes – Green or brown will provide a sort of contrast as well as co-ordination. Amber frames are also flattering.

3. Hair Colour

Black Hair – Darker frames look very classy with black hair. On the other hand, brighter colours will bring a sharp contrast.

White/Grey Hair – White or grey hair provides the ultimate neutral pallet, so neutral frames will look chic, while bright colours will provide a statement look.

Red Hair – Red hair looks especially vibrant with bold frames. Jewel colours will look ace, while darker frames will give a more conventional look.

Brown / Auburn Hair – Tortoiseshell, amber and dark green frames all work really well with brown hair.

Blonde Hair – For a neutral look, choose tortoiseshell, beige, or dark brown. Platinum blonde hair look really striking with pastels and brights (again with the Sue Pollard alert).

4. Skin Tone

Depending on whether you have a particularly warm or cool skin tone, specific colours of frames may be more likely to complement your look.

Cool skin tone – Looks best with similar cool-toned frames with blue, silver, grey, green and clear all being complimentary. Black frames can be a bit harsh.

Neutral skin tone – Neutral skin types can wear just about anything.

Warm Skin Tone – Looks best with similarly warm frames like tortoiseshell, brown, red, orange, gold, and yellow shades. Black works well too.

As a round faced blonde with neutral/cool skin tone and brown eyes I should wear square frames that are any colour I please. I’ve done the cats eye thing and the bright colour thing too, so I fancied a change.

That’s when I saw this picture of Carrie Bradshaw. Oh yes. I thought.

Glas Wilma Rose glasses in metal £79

Glas Eyewear sell reading glasses, blue light glasses and sunglasses with various strengths. They are handmade and environmentally friendly. The frames are produced without chemicals or harmful additives and the material is biodegradable, and therefore entirely recyclable. Although, I would still probably take the frames to have my prescription added.

These are very similar (if not the exact) frames SJP wore.

Vision Express also do something similar.

Vision Express Marc Jacobs 370 DDB Glasses £159

And these from Glasses Direct. I’ve been impressed with Glasses Direct, you get a week to try the frames for free at home, which is well handy.

Glasses Direct Dalia Frames £49

Finally some sunnies. Ray Ban also do prescriptions.

Ray ban Square 1971 Washed Evolve £158 (Prescription available)

Etsy Skull Glasses Chain £7.99

High time these came back in fashion don’t you think? I’m gonna need a chain now that I have loads of different prescriptions too and will be needing to change my glasses all the time.

And finally…

Have a Look Shop Mood Reading Glasses in black €30

I’ve already bought these. The company sell reading glasses but had the lenses changed to my specific prescription.

And here I am wearing them.

Have a good week.

P.S. Was Mike Read in Swap Shop?

xxx