Choosing Glasses Should Feel Exciting Not Overwhelming

If you've searched online for advice about choosing glasses, you've probably seen the same suggestions over and over again.

"Round face? Wear square glasses."
"Square face? Wear round ones."

While face shape can play a small role, it's only one piece of the puzzle.At LuxNorth, we believe the best glasses aren't chosen by following a chart. They're chosen by understanding how you live, what you wear and how you want to feel every time you put them on.Whether you're buying your very first pair, replacing an old favourite or building an eyewear wardrobe, this guide will help you choose glasses you'll genuinely enjoy wearing every day.

On This Page

• Start with your lifestyle
• Match your glasses to your wardrobe
• Build an eyewear wardrobe
• Understanding frame sizes
• Choosing colours that work for you
• Professional styling tips
• Does face shape matter?
• Buying glasses online

Start with your lifestyle

The first question we ask isn't, "What shape suits me?"

It's much simpler than that.

Where will you actually wear these glasses and what do they need to do?

The answer influences almost every decision that follows.

Your varifocal glasses have very different demands to a pair you'll only wear for reading, driving or weekends.

By thinking about how they'll fit into your life first, you're far more likely to choose a pair that still feels right years from now.

Think about the moments you'll wear them

The best glasses aren't chosen in front of a mirror. They're chosen by imagining the life you'll live in them.

From the first coffee of the morning to the last chapter of a book before bed, your glasses become part of countless everyday moments. The more those moments suit the frame you've chosen, the more you'll love wearing them.

So before you think about colours, shapes or brands, picture where your glasses will come with you.

Morning routines - Walking the dog. Catching the train. Dropping the children at school. Grabbing a coffee before work.

These are the moments where comfortable, effortless glasses make all the difference.

At work - Whether you're leading meetings, working on a laptop, creating designs or spending the day on your feet, your glasses should feel as professional, comfortable and reliable as you do.

Evenings and weekends - Dinner with friends. A trip to the cinema. Browsing your favourite bookshop. A long walk by the coast.

The right glasses can transform how you feel. They should lift your confidence, elevate your style and become one of the first things people compliment you on.

Special occasions - A wedding. A holiday. A birthday celebration. A theatre trip.

These are often the moments people wish they'd chosen glasses they felt more confident wearing.

If your glasses make you smile every time you catch your reflection, you've chosen well.

Everyday life - The little things matter too - Reading a recipe while cooking. Watching your favourite series. Shopping with friends. Looking at old photographs. Helping with homework. Looking out of the window on a rainy afternoon.


Once you've thought about the life your glasses will become part of, choosing the right pair becomes much simpler. Instead of starting with face shape or trends, you can begin to think about what feels right for you — and that's where great eyewear starts.

Optician's Tip

Instead of asking "Do these suit me?" try asking:

"Can I imagine wearing these on an ordinary Tuesday?"

If the answer is yes, there's a good chance you'll still love them years from now.

Match your glasses to your wardrobe.

For many people, glasses are the accessory they wear more than anything else.

  • More than a favourite handbag.
  • More than a watch.
  • More than a pair of shoes.

They're there every day, framing your face from morning until night.

That's why choosing glasses shouldn't be any different from choosing a great jacket or a favourite pair of trainers—they should work with your personal style and make you feel like the best version of yourself.

Think about what you already love to wear

Open your wardrobe.

What do you notice?

Are most of your clothes neutral and timeless?

Do you naturally reach for colour?

Do you prefer clean, minimal outfits or bold prints and interesting textures?

The right glasses don't have to match everything perfectly, but they should feel like they belong alongside the clothes you already love wearing.

Smart & Timeless

If you naturally reach for blazers, knitwear, tailored pieces, and neutral colours, you'll often feel most at home in understated, elegant frames.

Think:

• Fine metal frames

• Slim acetates

• Soft tortoiseshell

• Warm browns

• Navy

• Black

• Olive Greens

A subtle pop of colour on the side of the frame or around the temples can add personality without overpowering your look.

Relaxed & Casual

If comfort comes first and your wardrobe is full of relaxed fits, cosy jumpers, trainers and everyday staples, look for frames that feel effortless.

Think:

• Soft rounded shapes

• Light acetates

• Transparent finishes

• Warm earthy tones

• Soft colours

• Matte textures

The aim is for your glasses to feel easy to wear — comfortable enough that you forget you're wearing them.

Colourful & Creative

If your wardrobe already includes bright colours, interesting fabrics and statement accessories, your glasses can become another way to express your personality.

Think:

• Chunkier acetates

• Layered colours

• Bold geometric shapes

• Transparent finishes

• Unexpected colour combinations

• Sculptural silhouettes

Your glasses don't have to disappear, make them your favourite accessory.

Minimalist

If your wardrobe is clean, simple and uncluttered, your glasses can follow the same philosophy.

Think:

• Thin titanium

• Delicate metals

• Crystal clear

• Clean geometric shapes

• Monochrome

• Brighter colours but in a fine material

Simple doesn't mean boring — it often creates the most timeless look.

Smart & Timeless

Relaxed & Casual

Colourful & Creative

Minimalist

Stylist's Tip

Think about your jewellery too.

Gold jewellery naturally pairs beautifully with warm tortoiseshells, honey tones and gold metals.

Silver jewellery often complements cooler greys, blacks, blues and brushed silver finishes.

You don't have to match everything — but when your glasses and accessories feel harmonious, your whole look often feels more polished.

Build an eyewear wardrobe

We rarely expect one pair of shoes to work for every occasion.

Or one coat. One handbag. One watch.

Some days call for something practical. Others call for something a little more polished, relaxed or expressive.

Your glasses are no different.

Because they're one of the first things people notice, having more than one pair gives you the freedom to dress for the day, not just your prescription.

Whether you're heading to work, spending the weekend with friends or relaxing in the sunshine, the right pair can feel just as natural as choosing the right shoes before you leave the house.

Where to Start

You don't need a collection of ten pairs.

For most people, an eyewear wardrobe starts with just three or four carefully chosen styles that each serve a different purpose.

Your Everyday Pair

This is the pair you'll reach for most often.

Comfortable, versatile and easy to wear with almost everything in your wardrobe. Think timeless tortoiseshells, soft neutrals or fine metals that feel at home whether you're wearing jeans or dressing up.

Your Personality Pair

This is the pair you choose because it makes you smile.

Maybe it's a brighter colour, a bolder shape or something a little more unexpected. It's perfect for weekends, dinners, holidays or simply the days when you feel like expressing a different side of your personality.

Your Purpose Pair

Sometimes your lifestyle asks for something specific.

Perhaps you spend long hours in front of a screen, enjoy painting, photography or crafting, need something particularly lightweight for work, or want a frame that feels a little smarter for important meetings.

Having a pair chosen for the way you live can make a surprising difference.

Sunglasses

If we could recommend one additional pair to everyone, it would always be sunglasses.

Not just because they complete an outfit, but because they protect your eyes from UV light and reduce glare, making driving, holidays, walks and everyday life far more comfortable.

Polarised lenses can make an especially noticeable difference around water, snow and bright roads.

Remember...

An eyewear wardrobe isn't about owning more glasses.

It's about owning the right glasses for the moments that matter most.

Just like your favourite shoes, coat or bag, each pair has a job to do—and when you've chosen them well, getting dressed each morning becomes that little bit easier.

Understanding frame sizes

Choosing the right frame size isn't about finding the "correct" number.

It's about finding a pair that feels comfortable, looks balanced and suits the way you like to wear your glasses.

Whether you prefer something oversized and expressive or smaller and more understated, a well-fitting frame should feel secure enough to stay in place without feeling tight.

Start with a pair that fits well

The easiest place to begin is with a pair of glasses that already fits comfortably.

If you've owned a pair that hasn't slipped down your nose, hasn't pinched behind your ears and hasn't left pressure marks after a long day, that's a great starting point when comparing frame sizes.

Don't worry if you're ready for a completely different style — that's exactly what we're here to help with. You're simply using the measurements as a guide to help find another frame that feels just as comfortable.

How Should Glasses Fit?

A good-fitting pair should:

✔ Sit comfortably on your nose without slipping.

✔ Rest gently behind your ears without creating pressure.

✔ Allow your eyes to sit naturally near the centre of each lens.

✔ Feel balanced across your face.

You shouldn't spend all day pushing them back up your nose — or counting down the minutes until you can take them off.

It's Okay to Go Bigger

Oversized glasses have become increasingly popular, and when chosen well they can look incredibly stylish.

The key isn't avoiding large frames — it's making sure they stay balanced.

A larger frame can still feel elegant if the bridge fits well and your eyes remain comfortably positioned within the lenses.

Think of it as the difference between an oversized blazer that's intentionally tailored and one that's simply too big.

What do the numbers mean?

Once you've found a style you like, the numbers on the side can help you compare similar frames.

Eye Size

This is the width of each lens and has a big influence on how large or compact the frame looks.

If you're choosing a larger eye size, it's worth remembering that higher prescriptions will usually result in thicker, heavier lenses. For smaller faces or stronger prescriptions, a slightly smaller eye size can often create a lighter, more comfortable pair of glasses with a neater cosmetic finish.

That sounds much more like advice you'd give a client in practice rather than a generic definition.

Bridge Width

This is the gap between the lenses that sits over your nose.

Getting the bridge right is one of the biggest factors in how comfortable your glasses feel. If the bridge is too wide your glasses may slide down your nose, while one that's too narrow can create pressure and discomfort.

Side Length

This is the length of the side that sits over your ears.

The correct side length helps your glasses stay comfortably in place without digging in behind your ears or slipping forwards throughout the day.

Common Fit Problems

My glasses keep slipping down

If you're constantly pushing your glasses back into place, it's usually a sign that they need a simple adjustment or that the bridge isn't the best match for your nose.

It can also happen if the frame is too wide, the lenses are particularly heavy, or the sides aren't sitting securely behind your ears.

On the other hand, glasses that feel tight at your temples or around the sides of your head can actually be too small. When this happens, the pressure can cause the frame to gradually push forwards, making it feel like they're constantly slipping down your nose.

In many cases, the sides can be adjusted to improve the fit, although this depends on the material and design of the frame. If the frame is simply too small for your head, the best long-term solution is usually to choose a slightly larger size.

My glasses feel too tight behind my ears

Your glasses should feel secure, but they shouldn't leave you desperate to take them off at the end of the day.

If the sides press into the back of your ears or create pressure around your temples, they may simply need adjusting. Occasionally, it can also mean the frame isn't the right size or shape for your head.

A properly fitted pair should stay comfortably in place without digging in.

My glasses leave marks on my nose

A small mark that disappears shortly after removing your glasses is completely normal.

Deep, sore or long-lasting marks usually mean your glasses are putting too much pressure on your nose or aren't distributing their weight evenly.

An adjustment can often make a surprising difference. If your glasses have adjustable nose pads, these can often be repositioned to spread the weight more evenly. It may also be possible to replace them with larger or softer nose pads for improved comfort. In some cases, a different bridge design may simply be a better match for your face.

My eyelashes touch the lenses

This usually means your glasses are sitting too close to your eyes.

It isn't always a problem, but if your lashes constantly brush the lenses it can leave marks, become uncomfortable and make your glasses feel frustrating to wear.

A simple adjustment can often increase the distance between your eyes and the lenses. If you naturally have particularly long eyelashes, choosing a metal frame with adjustable nose pads often provides the greatest flexibility, allowing the frame to sit slightly further away from your face while maintaining a secure fit.

My glasses move when I smile

This is a surprisingly common complaint.

Smiling changes the shape of your cheeks and nose slightly, and if your glasses already have a loose fit they'll often move at the same time.

If you wear a deeper frame, you may also notice the bottom of the frame touching your cheeks as you smile. This is perfectly normal, but if it becomes annoying, a frame with adjustable nose pads can often be lifted slightly higher on your face to create more clearance. Metal frames tend to offer the greatest flexibility for this type of adjustment.

My glasses feel loose

Glasses shouldn't wobble when you move your head, smile or bend down.

If they feel loose, the sides may need adjusting, or the frame itself could simply be a little too wide for your face.

In many cases, a small adjustment to the curve of the sides where they sit behind your ears is all that's needed to help your glasses stay comfortably in place. If your frame has adjustable nose pads, these can also be repositioned to improve stability and stop the glasses slipping forwards.

A well-fitting pair should stay comfortably in place without you having to think about them.

My glasses sit crooked

If one side sits higher than the other, don't panic—it doesn't necessarily mean your face is uneven!

Glasses can become slightly twisted through everyday wear, being taken on and off one-handed, or simply being knocked.

A quick adjustment is usually all that's needed to get them sitting level again.

My glasses are giving me headaches

If you've recently started wearing a new pair of glasses, it's quite normal to experience a short adjustment period, particularly if your prescription has changed.

However, if headaches continue beyond a few days, it may be due to pressure from the frame, an incorrect adjustment, inaccurate measurements, or simply a prescription that isn't quite right. If the discomfort persists, it's worth returning to your optician to have everything checked.

If you've been happily wearing your glasses for months or years and have only recently started experiencing headaches, that's a different situation. Changes in your vision can happen gradually, and headaches may be a sign that your prescription has changed or that it's time for another eye examination. While headaches can have many causes, if they seem to be linked to wearing your glasses, arranging an eye test is a sensible place to start.

Choosing colours that work for you

Colour has the power to completely change the personality of a pair of glasses.

The same frame can feel understated in crystal, timeless in tortoiseshell, sophisticated in black or playful in bright cobalt.

While your wardrobe, jewellery and personal style all play a part (as we've already explored), there are a few other things worth considering before choosing a colour you'll love wearing every day.

1. Your Hair Colour

Rather than matching your hair exactly, think about whether you'd like your glasses to blend in or create contrast.

Dark hair often works beautifully with rich colours such as black, tortoiseshell and deep greens, while lighter hair can look stunning with softer tones, crystal acetates or warm champagne colours.

If you have silver or white hair, you've got one of the most versatile colour palettes of all—everything from subtle greys to bold reds and electric blues can look fantastic.

2. Your Eye Colour

Your glasses don't have to match your eyes, but the right colour can make them appear brighter.

Rather than trying to find an exact match, look for colours that complement them.

  • Blue eyes often look striking with warm tortoiseshells, navy and soft greys but pop with blue.
  • Green eyes can be enhanced by olive, teal, burgundy and warm browns.
  • Brown eyes suit almost every colour, from classic neutrals to bold statement shades.

3. Your Skin Tone

This is often the first thing people read about online, but we actually think it should come much later in the process.

By this stage you've already considered your lifestyle, your personal style and the colours you naturally gravitate towards.

Skin tone is simply another piece of the puzzle.

Generally speaking:

  • Warm skin tones often suit honey, amber, olive, gold and warm tortoiseshells.
  • Cool skin tones often suit black, navy, grey, crystal and silver.
  • Neutral skin tones can usually wear almost anything.

The best colour is usually the one that makes your skin appear brighter, healthier and more vibrant.

4. How Bold Do You Want to Be?

This, more than anything else, often determines whether someone falls in love with a pair of glasses.

Ask yourself one simple question:

Do you want your glasses to whisper... or make an entrance?

Subtle colours like crystal, soft browns and fine metals blend effortlessly into your look.

Bold colours, layered acetates and vibrant combinations become part of your personality and often attract compliments.

Neither is better than the other—it simply depends on how you want to express yourself.

Professional Styling Tips

By now, you've thought about how your glasses fit your lifestyle, your wardrobe, the colours you love and how they should fit. Those decisions will take you a long way.

But when we're styling someone in practice, there are a few extra things we always keep in mind. These aren't hard-and-fast rules—they're the small details that often make the difference between a pair you simply like and a pair you genuinely love wearing.

Give the frame time

One of the biggest mistakes people make is deciding too quickly.

Your brain needs a little time to adjust to seeing something new on your face, especially if you've worn a similar style for years. A frame that feels unfamiliar in the first thirty seconds can quickly become the one you can't stop thinking about.

Like a fine wine, good glasses often need a moment to settle.

Interestingly, the very first frame someone tries on is often the one they eventually choose. Not because it was first, but because it often captures something they were naturally drawn to before overthinking began.

Compare, don't judge

Rather than asking,

"Do I like these?"

try asking,

"Do I prefer these to the last pair?"

Comparing frames side by side makes subtle differences much easier to spot and often helps narrow down your favourites much more quickly.

Step away from the mirror

After a while, it's easy to become hyper-focused on tiny details that nobody else will ever notice.

Walk around the room. Have a conversation. Catch your reflection naturally as you move.

That's much closer to how everyone else will see you every day.

Think about the compliments

Rather than asking whether a pair "suits" you, think about how you'd love people to describe you when you're wearing them.

Would you love to hear...

  • "You look so sophisticated."
  • "Those glasses are so much fun."
  • "Wow, they really light up your face."
  • "You look incredibly stylish."
  • "Those are so you."
  • "You look very handsome."
  • "You look so confident."

Knowing how you want your glasses to make you feel often makes choosing between two great pairs much easier.

Trust your instinct

People often apologise for choosing the pair they were first drawn to.

Don't.

Sometimes your instinct spots something before your logical brain has caught up.

If you keep finding yourself picking up the same frame, trying it on "just one more time" or comparing everything else back to it, there's usually a reason.

An editorial guide exploring how different glasses can work with individual facial features

Does Face Shape REALLY Matter?

Search online and you'll quickly find hundreds of articles telling you which glasses suit a round face, a square face or a heart-shaped face.

The truth? Not nearly as much as you've probably been led to believe.

While face shape can be a useful starting point, it's only one small part of the picture. In reality, we rarely choose frames based on face shape alone.

Instead of asking, “What shape is my face?”, we like to ask, “How would you like your glasses to make you look and feel?”

Sometimes it's about looking more sophisticated. Sometimes it's about appearing more approachable, adding definition, softening strong features or drawing attention to your eyes. These are the subtle styling decisions that transform a pair of glasses from simply fitting your face to genuinely enhancing it.

Soften strong features

If you have a more angular jawline or pronounced cheekbones, softer curves can create a beautiful sense of balance. Rounded or gently oval frames often soften strong lines without taking away your character.

Add definition

If your features are naturally soft or rounded, a frame with more structure or a gentle cat-eye can introduce definition and lift, helping create a little more contrast around your face.

Draw attention to your eyes

One of the easiest ways to make your eyes the focal point is through your glasses. A carefully chosen colour, a stronger brow line or subtle detailing around the upper part of the frame naturally encourages people to look towards your eyes first.

Create a stronger brow line

For people with very fair eyebrows, sparse brows or brows that have naturally become lighter over time, the right frame can create definition where there isn't much naturally. It's one of those styling tricks that often makes someone look instantly more polished without them being able to explain why.

Change the appearance of your nose

The position and shape of the bridge can subtly influence how your nose appears. A higher bridge may create the illusion of a shorter nose, while a lower bridge can sometimes help balance other facial proportions. These are tiny adjustments, but they can have a surprisingly noticeable effect.

Balance your proportions

Sometimes the goal isn't to suit a particular face shape at all. It might be adding a little width where it's needed, creating balance between your forehead and chin or simply choosing a frame that feels in proportion with your features.

There are no rules

Perhaps the biggest secret of all is that two people with exactly the same face shape can suit completely different glasses.

That's because your colouring, your features, your personality and your lifestyle all influence what feels right.

We've lost count of the number of people who've arrived convinced they “can't wear round glasses” or “should only wear rectangular frames” because that's what they read online, only to fall in love with something completely unexpected.

Sometimes the best pair is the one you almost didn't try on.

Buying Glasses Online

Buying glasses online has never been easier, but it's also one of those purchases where a little preparation goes a long way. The more you know about what suits you and how your current glasses fit, the more confident you'll feel choosing your next pair from home.

Here's how to give yourself the very best chance of finding glasses you'll genuinely love wearing.

Shopping for glasses online using the LuxNorth website

Start with a pair you already love

If you already own a pair of glasses that feels comfortable and gets lots of compliments, use them as your starting point.

Take a look at the frame size, the overall shape and the colours you've enjoyed wearing. Ask yourself whether you'd like your next pair to be a little bolder, a little lighter or perhaps just slightly larger or smaller.

You don't need to buy the same style again, but your favourite pair can be an incredibly useful reference point.

Trust what you've learnt

Choosing glasses isn't about ticking boxes or following a formula. It's about understanding what feels comfortable, reflects your personality and fits naturally into your everyday life.

If you've taken the time to think about your style, the colours you're drawn to and the way different frames make you feel, you're already in a great position to choose confidently.

Don't be afraid to ask

One of the biggest advantages of buying from an independent optician is that you're never completely on your own.

If you're torn between two frames, unsure about sizing or simply want a second opinion, we'd always encourage you to get in touch.

A quick conversation can often give you the confidence to make the right decision.

A final thought

Buying glasses online shouldn't feel like a gamble.

With a little preparation — and the advice throughout this guide — you can choose a pair that feels comfortable, suits your style and becomes part of your everyday life.

And if you'd like a second opinion before you decide, we're always happy to help.

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