Are you ready to take the leap into buying your glasses online?

For me, that was a resounding YES!

But, it has not always been that way…It’s hard for me to believe that it was only 2013 when I discovered buying glasses online. (specifically for me that means from Zenni Optical.)

I have no affiliation to them and do not get paid for these statements. They are only one of many affordable online options for ordering glasses. They were the first one I used and I have stuck with them.

No more $300 doctors office glasses and minimal selection!

Having access glasses that don’t cost hundreds of dollars (mine average $30/pair Prescription lenses included) makes it possible for me to use glasses as a fashion accessory, and not be stuck with the same pair for years. And, as you may have gathered from my previous posts, I am a HUGE fan of accessories!

I do still go to the eye doctor for my eye exams. I just don’t buy my glasses there.

I have worn glasses since 8th grade, so for years I have struggled to pick a pair that I could love and wear every day without feeling like it took away from my overall look. I often went with a light-colored or clear frame, with minimal detail.

Through most of my high school years, I chose contacts because I felt too stuck with one pair of glasses. After my son was born I went back to glasses because I was too busy for the hassle of contacts. And I do love the look of glasses just not the lack of variety I had!

These (above and below) are my most recent pairs of “doctors office” glasses (before 2013) and they both looked nearly the same. A clear-ish frame with a small amount of color that would “go with everything” I couldn’t pick the bold frames I wanted because I knew I would be stuck with them for years. 

These shapes and colors worked pretty well for me since at the time I was a blonde. This brings me to the next point…

Choosing a glasses color that suits your look based on your hair color:

• Grey hair: Adding more color like red or turquoise brightens up your face and looks great as a contrast to the grey.
• Blond hair: Go for lighter softer colors like white, or translucent. Colors should be less bold, and more pastel/soft.
• Red hair: Warm and dark browns, dark green, or tortoise shells are a good option. Be more careful with yellow and gold tones.
• Brown hair: Dark brown, dark red/maroon, or tortoise shell are all good options.
• Black hair: Black will look great on you, or go for a bright color like cobalt blue or bright red.
• Bold colored hair: If you color your hair a bright primary color, stick with black and darker colors for your glasses. Similar as to what works for black hair…Avoid colors that clash with your hair.
• If you dye your hair a lighter pastel color: browns and neutral colors work well. Similar to the blonde choices.
• Bald/shaved head: You can go as bold as you want! Just keep face shape and skin tone suggestions in mind. Dark colors and fun patterns are a great choice!
  
  
• Your skin tone/coloring (warm or cool) will also come into play. Especially with metal frames/accents. Silver works better for cool tones, and gold is more flattering for warm toned skin. Face shape guide in later photo…
  
  It takes some time to find the right glasses…I was so excited to be able to have so much variety, I may have made some questionable choices at first…Thankfully these frames below were all under $20/pair.

For some reason, at that time I was very drawn to the rectangular shape. Although, Since my face is oval-shaped, that wasn’t my best style (see below)

I was also drawn to darker colors, as I was transitioning back to my natural brunette hair. That was a good choice 👍

Through trial and error, and with the help of online face shape tools, and Zennis virtual try-on tool on their website. I have finally honed in my style…

Cat-eye is my favorite shape and style, while it used to feel intimidating, it has won me over. These are some current favorites!

*Featured Glasses including item numbers from the Zenni website are shown below the photo gallery*

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I have approx 30 pairs of glasses now, in two different prescriptions (thankfully they aren’t that different). I don’t wear them all regularly. Some are from my “rectangle phase” LOL!

I have an eye appointment soon and I am hoping for no big changes! That’s the scariest part of having so many pairs. The worry about needing to replace them all!

Of course, They have not all been winners.

There is some risk in buying glasses you haven’t tried on…

I have only had a few pairs that were unwearable either due to style or fit. I do measure and use the virtual try on, but it’s not always an exact science.

Using your coloring and face shape to help choose the best look for you does work well…unfortunately, I don’t always follow my own advice.
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For example, I think I have worn these pink glasses twice. They are too large for my face shape, and the color is not good for me. But they were a breast cancer awareness month purchase, and at least a portion of the proceeds went to cancer research.

The pair below, while they are the right shape, the color is not great for me. They are too light for my skin tone and hair color. (And they are too matched to my blazer) what was I thinking 🤔.

Aside from face shape, It is best to choose glasses colors to compliment your hair color, and skin tone rather than eye color or outfits. But, again, I am a bit of a glasses rebel…and tend to match to my outfits, and it can sometimes go awry.


I do still wear these yellow glasses occasionally, but they are also too light for my coloring, and tend to leave me looking washed out. If they were my only pair I’d be very sad.

The yellow glasses above came with a magnetic stick on sunglasses option but of course I lost it…I am very prone to losing sunglasses, So, I guess it’s good that I do not wear sunglasses often. I do like have at least a few pairs, because, Florida ☀️

*pictures with item numbers for glasses from Zenni website below gallery (*not all are currently available and the tint costs extra*

I usually wear hats for sun shade as opposed to sunglasses but I do double up on occasion. (See my previous post about hats)

I hope this post helped to give you some motivation to take the leap into online glasses shopping! Depending on your prescription and eyewear needs it may be a little more expensive than $30/pair, but it will almost surely be cheaper than doctors office glasses! Let me know your experiences (good and bad) with online glasses purchasing in the comments!