Eyewear for Men

Historically dominated by women, the fashion industry is seeing an explosion in men's eyewear. For several years, men didn't have much of a choice when it came to eyeglass frames and styles. But times are changing, along with men's attitudes toward personal style and appearance.

Eyewear offers a man a fun way to display a bit of style. Since men don’t usually wear makeup or change hairstyles often, eyeglass frames can be used as a way to enhance their facial features. The following is a list of current men's eyeglass styles that seem to be turning heads.

Classic and Elegant: Perhaps the most popular men's style, classic and elegant frames feature soft rectangular shapes and understated details. This style works great with a pair of khakis, a polo shirt and leather loafers. This is a very traditional style, but still very popular among many men.

Young Urban Male: This edgy frame style projects a modern, urban vibe. Styles include traditional shapes with thicker materials and vibrant colors, but they still maintain a masculine look. These frames are perfect for the young professional clad in a Euro-styled suit and argyle vest.

Retro or Geek Chic: This style borrows frame styles from the 1940's, 50's and 60's. This look is youthful but can work just as well for the baby boomer who wants to display a touch of trendy.

Edgy or Eclectic: These artsy styles could mirror an edgy artwork gallery. You may see varied colors and patterns mixed with asymmetric shapes.

Sports Inspired: Sports inspired eyeglass frames are often found on the faces of younger males, no matter what they do—from working at the gym to working at the office. For this category, think Nike, Oakley or Ray-Ban.

Metal Is Hot

The materials and colors used to make men's frames are expanding exponentially. Metals are the mainstay, reflecting a certain amount of masculinity. Fine, super-thin titanium is lightweight and reflects sophistication. Other metals are laser-cut into sculptured shapes with fancy temple detail. While the main metal colors of gun and brown are still very common, the industry also offers a full spectrum of colors.

More and more men are also choosing plastic frames, regardless of their age. Although you can find plastic materials in the conservative and traditional category, zylonite, a common type of eyewear plastic, is more commonly found in the "sleek to chunky" or "elegant to funky" categories. Frame designers are no longer afraid to push the limits and experiment with plastics in men's frame designs.

Go for Bold

Don’t be afraid to ask your eyecare provider or optician for frames that step it up a bit. Try on a few bolder colors or patterns. Vibrant colors in plastic materials is one of the fastest growing fashion trends. Rimless frames, once called the "no glasses" look, is another style choice if you don’t want to appear to be wearing too much. Rimless frames can also be purchased with temples that vary in thickness and color.

If you can't decide on just one look, go ahead and buy a couple of different styles. Maybe you'd enjoy a sophisticated look for work, and a more laid-back look for dinner in the evening. You may also appreciate having a sturdy pair of glasses for working on projects, and another pair of high-quality polarized sunglasses for wearing outdoors. The options are endless!

_Source:

_{Armstrong, Roxanne. The changing face of men’s eyewear. Vision Care Product News, September 2012.}