Choosing the right spectacles

1. Some spectacle frames make me look ridiculous. I have a squarish face and am wondering what frame shape will suit me?

Sunglasses are a favoured fashion accessory among many people. However, many people commit a giant fashion faux-pas and choose sunglasses that are not shaped well for their face. If you have a square face, choose frames that are round or oval in shape. These shapes help soften angular features that most people with a square face often have.

Similarly, with a round face, choose sunglasses that have rectangular or square shaped frames. These frames help to minimize the fullness of the face and help add definition.

People with heart shaped face, who often have high, broad foreheads and a very narrow jaw line, will need to choose frames that are thin, such as wire frames or aviator frames, to help draw attention away from the forehead and jaw area.

If you have an oval shaped face you are in luck! Almost any style frame works well with an oval face, so it's a matter of experimenting and determining which style frame you enjoy the most.

2. Do I need to take into consideration the colour of my skin tone when choosing frames?

Choose frames in a colour that enhance your skin tone. Warm-toned faces often look good framed in warm colours, such as gold or brown. Cool skin tones can benefit from frames of a cool colour, like blue. Be sure to match the frame colour to your face and not your clothes.

3. My friends are all wearing glasses and it is an "in thing" now to them. I feel left out from all my friends just because I do not know how to choose the right glasses. Whenever I choose one it makes me look nerdy. Any tips?

Most companies that make stylish clothes also make glasses, so look in department stores and eyeglass boutiques for chic frames. Pick glasses that fit your sense of style. If you are a rocker, go with dark, edgy frames. If you are into soft music, go with the classic thick-framed tortoise-shell or dark wood frames. Flaunt your frames with outfits that don't look traditional or nerdy. Throw your glasses on with a pair of designer jeans or even a dress! Stretching your fashion boundaries will make you look confident and hot!

4. I am an outdoor person. I'd like to get something to protect my eyes and at the same time look fashionable, can you give me some advice?

Get a pair of stylish sunglasses. Make sure your lenses protect against UVA and UVB rays. Avoid wearing clip-on sunglasses and transition frames. Another option to consider would be wraparound lenses.

Wraparound lenses offer the best protection, because they block light on the sides and provide extra protection from dust and dirt.

5. Other than lenses and colour, what are the other elements I should be concerned with when choosing spectacles or sunshades?

The material of the frame is also very important. Frames are made from different materials. Metal frames are easy to adjust and are not likely to interfere with your vision, but they are usually more expensive and less durable than frames made from other materials.

Nylon frames are inexpensive, lightweight and durable, but are not likely to be adjustable. Acetate frames are often found on stylish glasses and come in a great variety of colours. Whatever frames you choose, make sure your glasses rest evenly on your face.

Crooked frames look dorky, and people will definitely notice. Keep your frames and lenses polished and clean. If either of them breaks, take them back to the optometrist and get them repaired. Don't walk around for weeks wearing spectacles held together by masking tape.