From: plumtreeblossom	Date: January 23rd, 2007 12:15 pm (UTC)		(Link)

You'll enjoy having them. You can give yourself a new look instantly. Even better if you get two pairs that look different from one another.

	From: bbbsg	Date: January 23rd, 2007 12:21 pm (UTC)		(Link)

i am fantastic at picking out glasses for other people. the process involves a lot of shaking my head at what the person thinks they might like though... if that wouldn't annoy the piss out of you, sure, i'd love to go with!

	From: laughingwoman	Date: January 23rd, 2007 12:31 pm (UTC)		(Link)

my philosophy in spectacles is that you're going to have them on your face and so you should buy a pair of frames that you really, really like and prepare to spend on them. the last pair of frames i had were from l.a. eyeworks, and i really liked them. i paid over $400 for them at the time, and they lasted 11 years. this year i had to get a new pair and knew it before the calendar year started, so i set aside a hefty amount for them in my flex-spending account. i opted for a pair of lafonts, and i am very happy with them. i also paid a little bit extra for this "no glare" coating on the lenses which really do make a difference in driving at night, looking at reflective surfaces, etc.

oh, and it really did help to go with someone who had a sense of me and what looked good on me. i don't know that i would have picked up the frames i ended up with if r. hadn't been with me.

good luck and happy shopping!

	From: canonfire	Date: January 23rd, 2007 01:07 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Yes. It's within walking distance of our flat.

I'm sure cinemama can tell you a good place for frames.

	From: cook_ting	Date: January 23rd, 2007 01:08 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Glasses are the best. You'll be wearing them every day, so spend some money on good frames and make sure they fit properly. My brother dropped for some Gucci frames to replace his old wire frames and the difference is amazing. A good pair of specs can make you look like a million bucks and the ladies will go wild for your sharpness. Bring at least two interested and fashionable people with you when picking out frames.

	From: tenillypo	Date: January 23rd, 2007 01:10 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Ass other have said, glasses, like mattresses, are worth spending good money on. My best advice is to take your time and don't be afraid to try on pairs that don't look like something you might like. Sometimes they end up looking very different on your face.

	From: khep	Date: January 23rd, 2007 01:13 pm (UTC)		(Link)

I used to be an optician *^__^*

Frames: Find something you like but try not to get frames that are too small. They look cute, but some frames are so small that when wearing them you see your Rx through the lense, and then the space around it is a difference focus, and it can get irritating once the lenses have your Rx in them.

Lenses: Your prescription is probably so mild that plastic lenses would be okay (not too thick, etc.), but if you'd like to go a little fancier, Polycarbonate lenses are thin, shatter-'safe', and come with UV coating and scratch-proof-coating.

Things to look out for:

+ Polycarbonate lenses COME WITH UV coating and scratch-proof coating. Don't let a shop make you pay for these as extras. Polycarbonate lenses can't be made without them.
+ Anti-Reflective Coating cuts down on glare (this is used in movies even), but it attracts dirt to the lenses in a way unlike lenses that don't have it. You'll have to clean them more often. Don't listen if they say the manufacturer has 'fixed' that- they're wrong.

Good luck!

	From: watchamacallit	Date: January 23rd, 2007 02:33 pm (UTC)		(Link)

1. bring a friend who you trust and know to be brutally honest and patient.
2. take your time. i can not stress this enough. plan to be in the store for at least an hour or two trying on pair after pair of frames.

	From: sassyinkpen	Date: January 23rd, 2007 04:16 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Well, clearly, I can't help you pick them out, and I certainly have no additional advice on specifications. But as a person who's worn glasses since she was in 6th grade I can say, who-hoo!!

Glasses are sex-ay, man! :)

	From: transcribe	Date: January 23rd, 2007 06:02 pm (UTC)		(Link)

i prefer plastic frames, but that's me. wire don't seem to last as long and since they are sooo expensive...

my system is, walk through the entire store/boutique gathering all the ones you *might* like, stopping now and then to try on and whittle out the no's. hold onto the maybe's and yes's... don't put them down until you are POSITIVE you don't want them because you'll never find them again. narrow the choices down as far as you can and then take a picture. go home and think about it for a day, about what you need them for, what you will be wearing them with, cost, etc. maybe it's just me, but i can't commit to a $500 dollar purchase without considering it for a while.

good luck!
post photos!