How Your Eyeglasses Reflect Your Personality

They're not only a vision aid, but also a stylish accessory. Glasses allow you to express your individuality and emphasize your style. But what does a pair of glasses say about someone’s personality? We wanted to explore this question in depth since this is an important assessment for both eye care professionals and consumers when it comes to finding the perfect eyeglasses.

The shape of the face plays a major role in selecting the right glasses,  but there are also other factors to consider. An experienced eye care professional will quickly recognize what type of eyeglass frames are right for their patient's personality and face shape. This is because professionals know the two basic types: first, the type of person who wants "invisible" – eyeglass frames that blend as harmoniously as possible into the face and are largely inconspicuous. The second type of glasses wearer is more motivated by fashion and accordingly sees their eyeglasses as a fashion accessory. But are these really the only two "categories"? We looked into the matter in detail and found some exciting results. There are basically three distinct groups of eyeglasses wearers.

The Style Star
Fashion is fun – it lets you express your style. People in this target group often have more than one pair of glasses. For this type, one can never be too extravagant or too trendy. Always wearing the latest model, and preferably with tinted lenses: anything matches, as long as you like it and it goes with the mood and/or the outfit. Creative, extroverted types see their glasses as an ornament and a complement to their personal look. All eye care professionals have to do is to put the most original model on the table – these style-confident embodiments of the zeitgeist will make the choice on their own. After all, they're experts when it comes to fashion.

The Label Lover
This type values brands and their designs, which is how they choose their clothing, too. This eyeglass wearer’s approach to selection is primarily influenced by labels. Only eyeglass frames from the most prominent designers in the world will ever grace their noses. Of course, the glasses also have to be in tune with the rest of their style – the coordination with their outfit should be seamless. Fans of designer glasses also rely on good eyeglass lenses. Ultimately, they know that quality has its price, but that price is justified.

The Expert Imposter
For this type, eyeglass frames are a fashionable accessory, even if they don't need vision correction. Eyeglasses with no corrective function are now being sold in fashion stores, just as an ornament for the face. Nerd glasses, XXL 70s-style glasses, and John Lennonesque glasses are all statements by hip fashion freaks that don't actually need a vision aid but still want the accessory as part of their look. Expertise is required when choosing eyeglass lenses. However, large frames only really look good with thin plastic lenses. This also makes them much more comfortable to wear. Eye care professionals are also good advisors when it comes to lens colors.

The Solution-Orientated Type
This type first has to get used to wearing glasses. The eye examination reveals that they need a vision aid – and nothing else is expected from the glasses. The person affected just wants one thing: to be able to see again. The eye care professional is then asked what frames and lenses are right for the specific lens type and vision problem. For first-time eyeglass wearers, it can be helpful when the frames and lenses are as light as possible and easy to clean, as this helps the person get used to them.

The Reserved Type
“I need glasses to see – but not everyone has to see them.” This seems to be this eyeglass wearer's motto. They want their vision aid to be as frameless as possible, so that it is hardly noticeable. Strong examples of this type tolerate no less than rimless glasses. Highly refractive eyeglass lenses can be used to conceal the strength of the prescription since this type of lens is thinner than standard lenses of the same strength. So even with severe refractive error, your glasses won't look like the proverbial "coke bottle" lenses from the side. Examples of this type often stay with the same glasses for years – until they replace them with new ones that look strikingly similar to the old ones.

The Connoisseur
”Only the best for my eyes.” This is at the forefront of this person's mind when they visit their eye care professional. They understand how important optimal correction is for visual acuity. They are familiar with terms like bifocals, progressive lenses and anti-reflective coatings. When choosing eyeglass lenses, consumers led by quality pay less attention to the price and focus more on how the new pair of glasses will perform given their special needs. The frames should also meet their quality standards and can be timeless as well as functional.

The Collector
This type treats glassses as precious objects to be shown off proudly. They collect them passionately and would change models every day if they could. These eyeglass hunters aren't all that concerned with making sure the glasses go with every look and on every occasion.

They focus more on their personal look rather than the latest fashion trend. This type doesn't toss their glasses after one season; they are truly enamoured with them. From horn-rimmed to metal and multi-colored frames, every style is represented. Since it's very likely that they already have a "basic collection" of classic models, their eye care professional can always feel free to show them what's new in the collections. This type is also interested in tints that match the eyeglass frames or even in curved lenses.

The All-Purpose Type
One for all: this type always likes to be prepared for every situation. So they need glasses they can always rely on. As far as frames are concerned, this means attractive, but not flashy; light, but strong; and of course, a perfect fit. Fashionable trifles are generally not what's wanted. The lenses must be able to do everything. This means these wearers like to hear about multi-strength glasses and self-tinting lenses, since this means they don’t have to change their glasses – whether they're looking in the distance or up close, and whether the sun is shining or not. Sporty types additionally equip their glasses with strong sport temples. Conclusion? The vision aid adapts to this type's active life.

The Everyday Hero
These people radiate liveliness and action. They're always moving and spend a lot of time looking for their glasses. And here, we mean that in the plural, since this type needs one model for reading and another one for distance vision. But two pairs of glasses aren't enough! These loveable whirlwinds need to have a solution in the kitchen for cooking; in the bathroom for doing their makeup; in the living room for watching TV; and in bed for reading. They also like to see clearly at the office and in their cars. Either they have glasses made for each and every place, or they get a chain to secure the two necessary models around their neck so they can't lose them. For hectic people, robust spectacle frames and lenses are a must, since their spectacles can easily find their way under a stack of folders, get knocked off the table, or fall in the car from time to time.