6 Australian creatives share how they found their signature pair of glasses
IMAGE VIA @joelymalcolm/INSTAGRAM
Words by Bronte Winnem
“My biggest tip is you have to try every style to know what works for you – online try-on generators are scams!”
When I was around 11, I begged my mum to get my eyes tested. Complaining my eyesight was ‘“All blurry”, she booked the appointment and begrudgingly escorted me to the optometrist.
I remember it like it was yesterday. Those little letters appeared on the screen in full clarity to me, and yet I squinted and squirmed, calling out a wrong, similar-looking letter on purpose with one singular goal – to obtain a pair of prescription glasses.
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My brother who was also in attendance still gives me shit to this day about the ordeal, particularly given the frames I chose were undoubtedly the most dorky and unflattering pair I could have selected, despite my intentions to look smart and sophisticated among my peers. I’m not sure how I actually fooled every party involved, but I was obviously ahead of my time.
In case you haven’t seen (sorry, genuinely no pun intended), prescription glasses or clear optical frames have been cropping up everywhere. From Miss Julia Fox to every second girl on Brunswick Street in Melbourne, it’s clear they’re really having a moment.
Finding the right pair of glasses that complement your face shape and your style is no easy feat. So, we’ve consulted six Australian creatives to give us the low down on how to source and style a signature set of specs, whether you’re looking to switch from contact lenses or just try your hand at sporting a non-prescription pair as an accessory.
Ashleigh Ohlsen, Content Creator and preloved seller
Eyeglasses are undoubtedly taking the girlies by storm lately. With no luck in finding a stylish pair at the op shop, I went straight to eBay. After experimenting with some different keyword searches, I found hundreds of vintage and pre-owned designer pairs that were both affordable and cute – some good ones to plug into the search bar are Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren and Ferragamo.
As you scroll, keep in mind the shape of your face. For example, people with oval-shaped faces like me suit most frame shapes, so you can get a little more adventurous with different styles and shapes. I opted for a slimmer, rounded pair and wear these glasses daily. They’re a nice, subtle touch to dress up an outfit while making me feel confident and sexy, especially when I’m not feeling my best.
Sophia Athas, Creative Director of Hatrik House
For a long time, I did what most glasses wearers do and switched between contacts and glasses day to day. I finally came to the conclusion that I needed to wear glasses full time, and came across Jacques Marie Mage whilst I was in LA and really fell in love with the quality and ethos behind the brand.
They really take their craft seriously and are handmade and limited edition. It really made them feel special and something I could get excited about wearing. From there they really became part of my whole look. Now when I don’t wear them I feel naked! I style them with every single outfit whether it’s for a work meeting, running to get coffee or a black tie event and I never leave the house without them.
Styling tips-wise, for glasses in general, invest in a pair you really love that you don’t feel like you need to change every season. Find a signature look and make it part of your identity. They are such an integral part of who you are and it’s something to take pride in!
Sulaiha Muljono, Talent Agent and Content Creator
For me, my glasses have always been the perfect final touch to an outfit. They can either complement the final outfit or be the star of the show, but it really is hard to know what type of frames work for you without trying options on.
I found my go-to pair after trying on what felt like a thousand pairs at Specsavers. Specsavers is great because it has a huge range that is cute and affordable. If you do have it in your budget though, I highly recommend the brand Gentle Monster. Its eyewear is designed to complement Asian features.
Simple clear frames will always go with everything but in my opinion, you can never go wrong with a chunky, block-coloured frame to give your entire look that extra ‘oomph’. My biggest tip is you have to try every style to know what works for you – online try-on generators are scams! Put your favourite fit on, get out and go to your nearest Bailey Nelson or Oscar Wylee and go crazy.
Cait Emma Burke, Fashion Journal’s Editor
I was recently told that I need to wear glasses every day, something I found a bit distressing because I’ve long struggled to find a versatile pair I feel comfy wearing regularly. I have an oversized, thicker gold aviator-style pair and large square grey ones, but I only like to wear them if they feel right with my chosen outfit.
So when Specsavers kindly gifted me a voucher for a pair of frames, I knew I needed something a bit smaller and subtler, but complementary to my sense of style (particularly my everyday jewellery – I’m a loyal gold wearer and hate to mix metals). After trying an absurd number of frames – an important part of the process! – I landed on these gold square frames from a brand called Tech Specs.
They’ve proven to be an extremely versatile shape and while I still don’t wear my glasses 24/7, I wear this pair most days, which is more than I can say for other frames I’ve owned. I’m keen to add a librarian-esque vintage Miu Miu or Prada pair to my collection sometime soon, but I have a feeling this gold pair will be my go-to for the foreseeable future.
Lori Taylor Davis, Smashbox’s Global Pro Lead Makeup Artist
Finding the right pair of glasses that complement your face shape and enhance your style can make a significant difference in your overall look and confidence. While I’m a true believer that if you find something that brings you joy then go for it, here are some little tips.
If you have a heart shape I’d look for frames that are wider at the bottom or rimless frames. If you have a square-shaped face, best to avoid frames that are boxy or angular. A rounder-shaped face can look to add definition to their face with a rectangular frame that gives the allusion of a longer and thinner face.
Once you’ve chosen your style, you can get adventurous with colour. If you find yourself getting bored of your frames, adjusting your makeup techniques (for example, thicker frames allow for a bolder eyeliner or shadow) is a fun way to switch things up.
As for me, in the past, I would purchase a new pair yearly to give my style a reboot. My very latest pair (not pictured above!) are Ray-Ban aviators that have black detailing around the lenses. They’re classic, durable, lightweight and versatile and go with everything.
Joely Malcolm, Content Creator and Lecturer at The Fashion Institute
I struggled to find a pair of eyeglasses for a while, as all the ones I found were quite small and didn’t work for my larger head. My thought process was genuinely ‘What would the pink ladies wear in the 2020s?’ and I found myself down a cat-eye glasses rabbit hole, and found this gorgeous pair! I wear them at least once a week, especially when I’m working as a teacher and am looking at screens for the majority of the day.
The good thing about having clear glasses is that they honestly work with anything and everything. As someone who loves as much detail in their outfits as possible, these are a simple touch that will elevate any outfit without being the central focus. My friends and I always joke that I can be in the grubbiest outfit and have unbrushed hair, but if I put on my eyeglasses I suddenly look so put together!
For advice on finding the right glasses for your face shape, head here.
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