Shop for your shape
Legendary eyewear expert and spectacle designer to the stars Tom Davies shares his ultimate rules everyone should know when shopping for new glasses. With more than 25 years of designing frames to his name, he can help you pick the perfect pair
Do your glasses feel uncomfortable? Slip down your nose? Do they highlight facial features you’re self-conscious about? Do they spend more time in your bag or on top of your head than on your nose? Do you dislike driving at night because you can’t see properly, even in your glasses? If you’re frantically nodding to any of these questions, chances are you’re wearing the wrong specs. Don’t underestimate your eyewear. When we communicate, we do it through our eyes and face, so it’s important to get your glasses right. That’s why I want to share my top tips to help you find your perfect pair, because I know that wearing great eyewear will instantly change your life.
SHOP AROUND
We don’t invest enough time in shopping for great eyewear. Seven minutes is the average time people spend trying on frames, which is crazy, as you’re going to wear them on your face every day, for at least three years – people spend longer picking a new pair of shoes or jeans! My advice is not to buy straight away. Browse, take your time, try on different pairs, take pictures on your phone, then go home and think about it. Pop into different opticians, not just the place where you got your eyes tested – like fashion shops, optical stores get new styles in all the time. But do not rush your decision; you’ll make a better choice if you take your time.
NEVER SHOP ALONE
We’ve all been in this situation: you’re blinking away the darkness as you exit the eye-test room while the optician is telling you what you need. You’re then greeted by the shop assistant, who is also telling you what you need. You’re then faced with thousands of frames and you don’t really know what looks good on you. So, I’d always recommend taking a friend, partner or relative you trust, who knows your style and personality, so you won’t feel intimidated into buying a pair you don’t love. Get them to help you find some frames that really suit who you are.
BUILD A WARDROBE
We all have different clothes for various occasions, so why not have different pairs of glasses? Everyone should have the safe ‘neutral’ frame that goes with everything, but what about a pair of glasses that feels glamorous for nights out or something more serious for work? Not sure which styles to go for? Think abou
