Framing Your Face: Choosing Glasses For Video Calls

This time last year, who among us would have expected video calls on services like Zoom to be such a central part of the day? For both work and pleasure, for many of us, video calls have become the number one method to communicate with those outside our bubbles.

On video calls, spectacles more than any other accessory, have a huge effect on people’s professional appearance. After speaking to some of our patients in our practices, having the right kind of glasses for looking good on video calls is starting to factor more and more into their choices of new frames. And whilst classic styles and old favourites are still popular, there’s noticeably more interest in “statement” styles. It seems with so much time on video calls, more people are recognising eyewear as a key part of their identity.

So what should frames you be looking for?

Generally, for video calls, you should consider avoiding rimless glasses, which on a screen can look a little odd, and gives the wearer a slightly timid and underwhelming presence. Contrast this with darker and bolder frames, which can help give your face definition and presence.

As for specific styles – rounded frames in acetate or coloured wire are fairly popular at the moment. They help present you with a modern and refined gravitas. A word of caution though – only certain people can pull off the completely circular glasses though without looking like John Lennon or Harry Potter.

Somewhat surprisingly, more designers are taking inspiration from classic 70’s frames – updated for today with square, butterfly and hexagonal shapes, and drop arms that sit low down on the side of the frame. Brighter, bolder colour choices are also growing in popularity such as ruby red or holly green. If you’re feeling less adventurous, try traditional tortoiseshell frame flecked with a brighter shade. You may also want to opt for multiple pairs – always wise anyway in case you lose them or sit on them – but this will give you the flexibility of having an adventurous pair and a more stylistically safe pair.

Tiffany & Co. Frames

RayBan Frames

On top of this, plenty of the old ‘rules’ about frame size and shape for your face still apply of course, but so do other considerations – how they sit on your nose, align with your eyebrows, and your personality and tastes. You may have an idea about what you think suits you best, but we’d encourage you to try a wide range of styles, you might well be surprised at what can bring out your character.

Don’t forget Lenses

Whilst this article is particularly focused on style – it’s important not to forget the coating for your lenses. For video calls specifically, anti-reflective coatings provide a shield for natural or artificial light, so you won’t dazzle the other people on the call.

You may also want to opt for a protective blue-light blocking coating. We offer a range of Digital Lenses, specifically designed for screen use which even more important now with all of this screen time can lead to symptoms associated with digital eye strain such as tired eyes, headaches, blurred vision, or irritated eyes. 

Feeling lost? We’re here to help!

We will, of course, help you make this decision when you come into one of our practices – to guide you through the selection process with our experienced and helpful team members. . Take your time, you don’t want to pick a pair that you will regret buying after a few months.

We’re also offering 20% discount on all Tiffany frames this February (while stocks last), consider making an appointment to come in and take a look at our selection.