Eyeglasses: To See and Be Seen

Question:
What does your choice in glasses say about you? Can glasses change how people perceive you? For those of us that have to wear them, and for someone that has been thinking about shaking up my look (always very conservative)… it is an important quandary!
-submitted by A.T.


Thanks for your question, A.T.

I’m a big believer in accessories and their ability to convey your mood or affect the way you look. Glasses, although they are a necessity for you, are the ultimate ‘accessory’ because you wear them every day and with everything.

So, what do glasses say about the wearer?

According to a survey by eyewear maker Essilor of America, 40 percent of those surveyed said that people who wear glasses are perceived as being “smarter.” Thirty-nine percent said people look “more sophisticated” wearing glasses.

Okay. Smart is good. Sophisticated is great. But do glasses diminish the wearer’s attractiveness?

According to the survey, 73 percent of the respondents said glasses have little to no impact on the wearer’s attractiveness. Sixty percent of men and 62 percent of women disagree with the adage of "boys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses?"

Singer Britney Spears topped the list of sexiest eyeglass-wearing celebrity among male voters (44 percent). Actor Richard Gere took the top celebrity spot among female voters, with 35 percent.

Although Britney’s and Richard’s spectacles say sexy, glasses say different things, largely depending on the wearer. When it comes to famous people in glasses, here’s how I see it…

“Smart” glasses: inventor Benjamin Franklin, billionaire Bill Gates, writer/actress Tina Fey.

“Cool” glasses: entertainer Whoopi Goldberg, singer-activist Bono, actors Johnny Depp and James Dean, activist Malcolm X.

“Creative” glasses: singer Elton John, architect IM Pei, fashion designers Yves St. Laurent and Christian Siriano.

A number of politicians, including former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin, are synonymous with their eyewear. And how would we ever recognize characters such as Harry Potter, Clark Kent and Charlie Brown's Marcie without their trademark eyeglasses?

So, how do you find eyeglasses that are right for you? A few tips…

1) Do not rush. You will be wearing your glasses every day, so take your time to find the right pair. If your optometrist does not have anything you like, take your prescription and shop around.

2) Combine function with beautiful form. The options are plentiful, so look for glasses that not only help you to see, but help others see you in a new light.

3) Consider the shape of your face. As a general rule, the shape of your glasses should contrast with the shape of your face. For example, if you have a round face, do not get round glasses; try glasses that are more rectangular in shape. If your face is angular, do not get glasses with sharp angles; try round or oval ones.

4) You can have more than one pair. Perhaps a ‘serious’ pair for work and a ‘fun’ pair (or two) for evenings and weekends.

5) Get the opinion of someone you trust. A friend of mine, who is in her 50s, says she always seeks the advice of someone younger so that her glasses look current and not like little-old-lady glasses.

6) Repeat these steps every two or three years. Eyeglasses go out of style, just like everything else. You cannot look 'current' if you've been wearing the same glasses for 10 years.

Now that you have some guidelines, which style of eyeglass frames ranked sexiest according to the survey? Rimless eyeglasses took the top spot by 49 percent of both wearers of eyeglasses and those who do not wear glasses. Metal frames came in second with 38 percent. And almost half (46 percent) of those surveyed would consider wearing eyeglasses as a fashion accessory – even if they didn’t need glasses.

Note to self: Schedule eye appointment; ask about rimless frames. Pronto!

Best of luck to you, A.T.!

What do your shoes say?

The shoes you wear to work every day may or may not reflect your personality – they’re just part of your work attire.

Construction workers wear steel-toed boots. Coaches wear athletic shoes. Businessmen wear wingtips. Nurses wear whatever is most comfortable!

But your casual shoes - the ones you choose to wear in your free time - tell a different story. That's because many shoes have a ‘brand’ and can associate certain characteristics with the wearer – whether accurate or not.

For example, someone wearing Birkenstocks (or a similar type of sandal) may be pegged as laid back, environmentally conscious, or at worst a ‘tree-hugger.’

Tevas say ‘sporty.’

White running shoes typically say 'American,' and when traveling abroad they say 'tourist.'

Five-inch stilettos say ... ahem, they say a lot!

Crocs say 'I'm cute.' But they only work for children. Wearing Crocs after age 10 says that you just don’t care. (That’s my very personal opinion!) Adults should not wear Crocs unless washing the car or planting shrubbery.

So, whether you're reaching for Doc Martens, slingbacks, flip-flops, or Chucks, take a minute to think about what your shoes are saying.

Is that the message you want to send?

Transition to fall clothes in 3 easy steps

Fall is here! It’s my favorite season because we get a break from the sweltering temperatures, the air is crisp, and we don’t need coats – yet.

Time to take out your fall clothes. But what if you really don’t have ‘fall’ clothes? Perhaps your closet is filled with ‘summer’ clothes and ‘winter’ clothes, but very little in between. How do you bridge the seasons?

No need to panic. Here are three steps that will make the transition easy – for both women and men.

First, put away any clothes that just yell summer: cotton shorts, linen slacks/skirts and sandals. If you have any doubt regarding whether an item is too ‘summery’ to wear into fall, ask yourself a couple of questions about the garment:

1. Is it white? I know, I know. The new fashion ‘rules’ dictate that you can wear white after Labor Day. I gave you a few weeks; it’s October now. Time to give up white pants. (White shirts and blouses - not made of linen - are fine year-round.)

2. When the temperature was in the upper 90s, did you wear this item because it helped keep you cool? If so, pack it away until next year.

Second, bring out the clothes that you packed away at the first sign of spring… sweaters, jackets/blazers, scarves and boots. Before you put these clothes into your closet and dresser drawers, ask yourself, “Did I wear this last winter?” If you did not wear it, why not? Is it because the item is out of style? Or have you simply grown tired of it?

If you did not wear it last year, how likely are you to wear it this year?

The item is just taking up space in your closet. If it is in good condition, donate it to charity. If it is not in good condition (i.e. torn or stained), toss it in the trash.

The third and final step is blending your summer wardrobe with fall items to add warmth. Go for a streamlined V-neck, crew neck or cardigan made of merino wool. (Do not raid your grandfather’s closet for one of his bulky cable-knit sweaters!) Or you can add a jacket made of heavy canvas or a lightweight blazer.

Finish the transition by switching to fall shoes, such as leather boots or a nice pair of suede chukka boots.

I think you’re ready for your close-up!