A guide to choosing frames
Understanding size and fit
Remarkably, most spectacles come in a single size, and a single fit. Of course, this makes absolutely no sense. There's no such thing as an average head, so there should be no such thing as an average pair of spectacles.
Here's what we mean when we talk about size and fit.
This refers to the dimensions of your spectacles, changeable according to the dimensions of your head.
Every Cubitts frame style comes in up to five sizes, from Extra Small to Extra Large, to suit heads from the Lilliputian to the colossal, the capacious to the svelte.
Then there's fit. Each of our heads comes with its own particularities. Noses in all shapes and sizes, with bridges narrow and wide, crests high and low.
So Cubitts makes frames in a range of different 'fits', to suit a range of facial vagaries.
Different silhouettes made to suit different widths of bridge, different heights of crest, different pupil distances. All the things that make us gloriously awkward.
Barnard's commodious 'w-bridge', made to fit the wider-nosed spectacle wearer.
Spectacle sizes from the Lilliputian to the colossal, the capacious to the svelte.
Your frame size is determined by the width of your head. The front measurement should sit between between the width of your temples, and the width of your head at its widest point.
If you have an existing pair of comfortable spectacles, it's easiest to measure the front from edge to edge with a ruler.
If you don't have a current frame, stand in front of a mirror and hold a ruler in line with your temples.
When we think of spectacles we think of our eyes. But the perfect fit is made up of a triumvirate: the eyes, the ears, and the nose.
Your eyes should sit in the top third of the lens. Your nose should have maximised contact with the frame without discomfort. And the spectacle temples (also known as 'arms' or 'legs') should bend around your ears.
Your spectacles should provide clear vision and a firm grip, without pinching or leaving a mark on the nose or ears.
Spectacle styling
The best way to find a spectacles style that suits you is to try them on. You can do this virtually with our virtual try on tool, The Speculator.
You can filter the options based on shape, colour, or material to find frames that match your style, taste, and personality.
A well chosen silhouette provides forms to complement your unique features, balancing the beautiful geometry of your head. A carefully chosen frame can draw attention to or soften the appearance of your distinctive facial features.
The first rule of choosing a spectacle style is: there are no rules.
Material and colour
Choosing the right material and colour for your spectacles is important as it affects both comfort and style. Lightweight materials like titanium are ideal for all-day wear, while acetate provides opportunity for a kaleidoscope of different colours.
