6 Tips for Choosing Eyewear for Formal Occasions

Accessories are an essential part of any outfit, especially for formal occasions. These small add-ons allow us to personalize what we wear to our taste and personality. Glasses are one of the most popular accessories for style and function. Not only do they help us see better, but they also add a touch of sophistication to our overall look.

Choosing the right eyewear for formal occasions can elevate your overall appearance and confidence. This guide provides essential tips for choosing eyewear for formal occasions.

Consider Colors

The color of your eyewear should harmonize with your formal attire. As such, the color wheel can be your secret weapon for accessorizing with confidence. Colors next to each other on the wheel are considered analogous, offering a harmonious and unified look. For a bolder statement, choose complementary colors – those directly opposite each other on the wheel. So, while green sits beside blue on the spectrum, creating a calming effect, orange sits directly opposite, offering a vibrant contrast.

Evaluate Styles

Different eyeglass styles can evoke different feelings, and your eyeglasses should complement your preferred fashion.

Vintage

If your style leans towards vintage, opt for frames with intricate details and classic shapes, such as round, keyhole, or cat-eye. These frames can enhance the timeless appeal of your clothing.

Classic

For a classic style, rectangular or square frames with minimalistic designs can add a touch of sophistication. Choose black, silver, or tortoiseshell to maintain a traditional look.

Modern

If you prefer a more modern look, consider frames with unique shapes or details, such as geometric or colorful frames. These can add a contemporary twist to your formal attire and showcase your fashion-forward personality.

Note Frame Material

Apart from style, another tip for choosing eyewear for formal occasions is to select the material that compliments your style. The ideal material for the occasion depends on what you consider the most formal. Some popular options include:

• Metal
• Acetate
• Vegan wood

Typically, metal frames, such as titanium or stainless steel, are lightweight and durable. Acetate frames come in numerous colors and patterns, making them versatile for any type of formal outfit. Vegan wood frames offer a luxurious and sophisticated look.

Shopping Tip

Some acetate frames may come in options such as crystal-encrusted, which adds a bit of dazzle to your formal apparel. Vint and York sell several options for beautiful frames with Swarovski Crystals to add shimmer to your outfit.

Understand Your Face Shape

Understanding your face shape can help you select frames that enhance your features, ensuring you see clearly and look stylish. Learn the characteristics of each face shape to determine which one you have:

Oval Faces

An oval face has balanced facial proportions. Oval faces have semi-wide cheekbones with gentle narrowing at the forehead and jawline. This face shape looks amazing in any frame style since it is balanced and symmetrical. Try on a range of glasses and decide which shape, color, and material you feel most confident in.

Round Faces

Round faces have full cheeks, soft, curved lines, and similar width and length. Wear frames that create angles and add definition, such as rectangular or square glasses. Likewise, bold, thick frames can add structure, making your features stand out. Most fashion experts advise against round frames, as they can make the face appear even rounder.

Heart-Shaped Faces

Individuals with a heart-shaped face have a broad forehead, defined cheekbones, and a narrow chin; this creates the illusion of a heart. To balance this face shape, buy frames that are wider at the bottom, such as aviators or rimless styles. These frames draw attention downward, creating harmony with your features.

Pro Tip

Light-colored frames or those with thin temples can also soften the width of the forehead.

Square Faces

Square faces have a strong jawline, broad forehead, and wide cheekbones. The objective here is to soften the angularity. Round or oval frames add curves and help balance the face’s sharpness. Cat-eye frames also look fantastic on square faces, adding an element of elegance and sophistication.

Diamond Faces

Diamond-shaped faces feature narrow foreheads and jawlines with broad cheekbones. This rare face shape benefits from frames highlighting the eyes and softening the cheekbones.

Oval and cat-eye frames are excellent choices, adding width to the forehead and balancing the overall look. Rimless frames can also be flattering, emphasizing the eyes without overwhelming the face.

Compare Face and Frame Sizes

Properly fitting frames should align with the width of your face, ensuring both comfort and style. Options for frame size include:

Narrow

Individuals with petite faces should wear narrow frames as this eyewear won’t overwhelm their features. Small, round, or oval frames can add a touch of sophistication while drawing attention to the eyes.

Average

Average-sized faces are the most versatile for frame size since they can wear smaller, medium, and larger frames. Try on different sizes to find the best fit and style for your face.

Wide

Choose frames with wider temples and larger lenses to complement a wider face shape. It’s best to avoid small, narrow frames as they can create the illusion that you have a larger face.

Wear What You Love

The most important tip for choosing eyewear for formal occasions is to wear what you love. Your glasses should enhance your appearance and make you feel confident and comfortable. Try on different styles, colors, and materials until you find the perfect pair that makes you feel your best.

Consider the Type of Eyewear

The type of eyewear you need may vary depending on whether it’s an indoor or outdoor event as well as your needs. If you have a prescription, you may need to consider whether you need single-vision glasses, progressive lenses, or bifocals for optimal vision. Make sure to discuss this with your optician before purchasing new eyewear.

Additionally, if you attend an outdoor event, consider polarized sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and reduce glare. For indoor events, anti-reflective coating on your lenses can prevent distracting reflections and enhance your overall look.

Shop at Vint and York

Vint and York offer a wide selection of high-quality designer glasses frames for women, with options ranging from classic to modern. You can find the perfect pair that complements your style and facial features. Plus, with our virtual try-on feature, you can see exactly how each frame looks on you before making a purchase. Shop for eyewear to make you look and feel incredible at your next formal event!