How to Choose Men’s Eyeglasses Frames

Start with the measurements

Almost every frame is described by three numbers in millimetres: lens width, bridge width and temple length. Together they tell you how wide the frame sits on your face, how it rests on your nose and how far the arms reach to your ears. If you already own a pair that fits well, its numbers are the best starting point; they are usually printed on the inside of a temple arm. Our guide to frame measurements explains how to read them. (How to read frame measurements)

Two frames with the same lens width can fit very differently if the bridge or temple differs, so compare all three, not just the one that looks closest.

Frame materials and what they mean in use

Listings usually name the material of the front and sometimes of the arms. The names below are common, and the points are general observations rather than test results.

• Acetate and other plastics come in many colours and finishes and are usually fixed in shape, so the fit you see is the fit you get.
• Metal frames, including titanium and stainless steel, are usually thinner and often have adjustable nose pads, which allows small fit changes by an optician.
• Mixed frames combine a plastic front with metal arms or the reverse. Check which parts are metal if you have a known sensitivity to a metal.
• Flexible plastics and spring hinges are sold as more forgiving of bending; the listing should state which hinge type is used.

Nose pads, hinges and the parts that wear

Frames with adjustable nose pads can be tuned for a better fit and the pads replaced when they wear. Frames without pads rely on the shaped bridge, so the bridge number matters more. Hinges are where frames loosen over time; screws and spring hinges can usually be tightened or replaced by an optician, but it is worth knowing the type before you buy.

Shape is a style choice, not a rule

Round, rectangular, square, browline, aviator and other shapes are descriptions of style. Advice that pairs a shape with a face shape is a guide, not a rule, and the best test is how a frame looks and feels on you. Many sellers offer virtual try-on or a home try-on; if you can see the frame on your face, do.

Prescription compatibility and the order

Check whether the seller can fit your prescription in the frame you choose. Strong prescriptions and certain lens types can limit which frames work, and a very small or very large lens may need thicker or larger lens blanks. If you wear progressive lenses, the frame must be tall enough for the lens design. Ask the seller or your optician before you order, and take your current prescription with you.

Delivery times depend on the seller and on the lens options you select, so look for the timing stated in the order process rather than assuming a standard period.

Returns and what to keep

Look for the return window, whether prescription lenses are covered by the return, and who pays for postage. Keep the packaging until you are sure the frames suit you. Retailer product details can change, so confirm the exact frame, colour and measurements on the seller’s current page; PowderedPurple profiles show retailer-recorded details and are not an independent check.

Where to look next

Browse the matching category: men’s eyeglasses.

• How to read frame measurements
• How to choose women’s eyeglasses frames
• Glasses frames