There are so many options and a lot of conflicting advice out there about eyewear. Sometimes we pick out a style just because it’s trending that season.
It’s easy to make these common eyewear mistakes when choosing glasses, but thanks to Dressing Your Truth, you know there’s a better way! Every piece of your outfit can be chosen to work with your natural movement and enhance your Type of Beauty.
This even applies to your glasses, which are an important part of your look since they sit right on your face!
Dressing Your Truth teaches the Five Elements of style:
- Design Line
- Color
- Texture
- Pattern
- Fabrication
You can apply the Five Elements of Style to your glasses so you can feel certain they match your regal and reflective personality.
For eyewear, Design Line is going to be expressed in the shape of the frame.
The fashion world tells you to find glasses the opposite shape of your face: “If you have rounder features, you want more angular glasses. And if you have more angular features, you want to soften them with more curved shapes.”
Instead, what you’ll want to do is choose your frame shape that works WITH your features.
Type 4 shapes include:
- Elongated oval with straight lines
- Elongated rectangles
- Parallel lines
This can apply to both sunglasses and regular glasses. The shape and size of the frame can vary based on your personal preference.
For examples of shapes that work for you, see the Eyewear Gallery.
We’ve combined 3 elements into this tip. Color, Texture, and Pattern will be expressed in the design you choose for your frame. You can go with one solid color, or a combination of colors to create boldness. You could even go frameless. All of these choices will increase or decrease the amount of movement in the overall design.
It’s up to you if you want your glasses to be more of a statement accessory piece, or simply a matching component to your outfit.
As a Type 4, black is the go-to color for most women.
Fabrication
The Fabrication element will express a little differently than in a garment of clothing. When referring to fabrication of eyewear, it means the overall comfort of the glasses. How it feels on your face.
Every Type wants comfort, and when it comes to eyewear it’s no exception.
While you’re trying on glasses, walk around the store, move around naturally as you would at home or in the office. If the glasses feel uncomfortable anywhere or are too tight or too loose, look for another pair instead.
The following photos are Type 4 women featuring their bold & striking Type 4 eyewear. You’ll be inspired by all the stunning, classic, and regal options.
Personal Tips from your Type’s Expert:
Kalista, Type 4/1
“I like a little variety in my frames. For reading glasses, I like medium-sized rectangles with either bold frames, or frameless. For sunglasses, I like large, oversized frames, old-school glam style.
“I know exactly what to look for when it comes to comfort. I have a wide nose bridge, so the nose pieces need to be wide-set so they don’t pinch or make red marks on my nose. I like to push my glasses up onto my head, so I prefer that the nose pieces are molded and not the little pads on wire because those get stuck in my hair.
“For color, I prefer black and/or silver frames. I like the versatility, and I like the classic way they look.”
Liz, Type 4/2
“I feel most comfortable with typical Type 4 straight lines in the shape of my glasses, so rectangles or elongated ovals are my go to’s. The straight lines really compliment my Type 4 features.
“For regular glasses, I like a medium to small size. But for sunglasses, I tend to go bolder and bigger and get sunglasses that cover most of my eyebrows.
“I like my eyewear to be simple, so I tend to stick with black as my basic color in glasses. I like this because I don’t have to think about it and it already matches my wardrobe. I don’t love a lot of pattern, however, a subtle pattern is ok but I love a nice sleek look.
“I like a lighter fit when it comes to the weight of glasses. I don’t like the look you get on the sides of your nose after wearing glasses, so I try to find lightweight ones that won’t leave the imprints on the side of my nose. I also look for glasses that don’t have the little plastic nose piece. I tend to put my glasses up on my head like a headband when I’m not using them and if the glasses have the nose pieces, it tangles in my hair and makes a mess.”
Deborah, Type 4/3
“I prefer larger frames in rectangular or square shapes. Even better if the tops of the frame angle up on the outside corners. I just feel this kind of shape lifts and complements my face shape better.
“I love when glasses have a little silver accent on them. It goes with everything I wear.
“I wear prescription glasses (tri-focals), and it’s important for me to have a frame design that doesn’t slide down my nose so my vision stays clear.”
As you can see, your secondary energy plays a big role in creating a personal style! We give you lots of resources and tips to add your secondary to your style and overall look!
Ready to pick out your own pair of glasses?
To make it easy for you, our Type 4 Experts have selected some of their favorite glasses and sunglasses from the site, Warby-Parker.
When you shop eyewear at Warby-Parker you can select 5 different frames and try them on in the comfort of your home to get a feel for what you like. Then, just send back the ones you decided not to keep.
Be sure to check out Kalista’s video How to Polish Up Your Casual, Summer Look for extra tips on sunglasses.
