While choosing the right eyeglass frame color is a matter of preference, there are some general guidelines worth knowing. The goal is to match the frame color to your skin tone and choose a color that draws attention to your eyes and face.
When in doubt, the best glasses to wear with gray hair are tortoiseshell frames — they offer a wide range of options from subtle to bold and coordinate with all shades of gray.
While many men and women choose to dye their hair as they get older, there are plenty of good reasons to embrace gray. Gray hair can actually soften your facial features and give you a more youthful appearance — if you wear the right frames.
Tip 1: Stay Away from Rimless Frames
It can be intimidating to find the right pair of glasses, and many people default to rimless frames because they seem safe. Unfortunately, this bare-bones style isn’t particularly flattering — especially on seniors.
Rimless frames don’t do anything to enhance your appearance, and they can actually make you look older than you are. Look instead for thicker frames with some color.
Tip 2: Take a Look at Your Skin Undertones
No matter what color your frames are, you’ll want a shade that flatters your skin tone. Start by figuring out whether your skin has cool, warm, or neutral undertones.
The easiest method: look at the veins on your wrist. Blue or purple veins = cool undertones. Mostly green = warm undertones. A mix of both = neutral.
Gold tends to flatter warm skin tones. Silver looks great on cool skin tones. Muted shades like mauve and champagne work well for neutral undertones. Matching your frames to your undertones is also one of the best ways to avoid looking washed out with gray hair.
Tip 3: Be Willing to Try Bold Colors
In many ways, gray hair is freeing. No need to worry about color treatments clashing with your hair. Now is actually a great time to experiment with bold-colored frames that make a real statement.
If you wear a lot of black and white, bright red frames can bring your outfits to life. If you tend toward browns, try emerald green. There’s no reason to be afraid of color — gray hair is the perfect neutral backdrop for it.
Tip 4: Choose Frames That Complement Your Eyes
If you wear eye makeup, keep your favorite eyeshadow shades in mind when selecting frames. The same colors that make your eyes sparkle will likely work well as frame colors too.
Shades of green and gold look great with brown eyes. Blues make blue eyes pop, but neutral browns work well too. Hazel and green eyes look striking against shades of violet. Instead of changing your eyeshadow, try switching up your frame color.
Related Reading: What Are the Best Colors to Wear With Gray Hair?
Tip 5: Try Quirky Blue Frames or Frames With Specks of Red
Bright red glasses aren’t for everyone. But if you love how a bold color looks, consider frames that feature specks of that color rather than a solid statement.
Specks of color can make an otherwise understated pair of frames feel more vibrant. People may not notice them at first glance, but they add real visual interest up close.
Tip 6: Neutral Navy Is Always a Safe Choice
Navy is considered a neutral, and it’s a color most people wear regularly. If you love how blue looks on you and want a frame that reads as neutral, navy is a strong option.
You can find navy frames that look almost black at first glance — which gives you the versatility of a dark frame with a little more personality. Or go brighter if you want your glasses to stand out.
Tip 7: Tortoiseshell Frames Work With Every Shade of Gray
If bold colors aren’t your thing but you want something beyond a plain neutral, tortoiseshell is the answer. While black can be harsh on some skin tones, tortoiseshell is softer and tends to flatter almost everyone.
The flecks of color in tortoiseshell frames bring out the color of your eyes while still reading as a neutral. They’ve been in style for decades and aren’t going anywhere — a reliable investment.
Related Reading: Best Reading Glasses for Seniors & Elderly
Tip 8: Don’t Limit Yourself to One Pair
Bold or colorful frames might not go with every outfit. The good news: there’s no reason to stick to just one pair. Prescription glasses are more affordable than ever, and non-prescription frames are a small investment for a big style change.
Try round frames one day, cat-eye the next. Wearing a range of frames lets you match your glasses to your outfit and your mood — which is exactly the kind of small, confidence-building detail that matters as you embrace your gray.
Finding the Right Frames for Gray Hair
The right pair of glasses doesn’t just correct your vision — it pulls your whole look together. With gray hair as your backdrop, you have more flexibility than you might think. Stick to frames that complement your skin tone and eyes, don’t shy away from color, and consider keeping a couple of pairs on rotation.
Tortoiseshell remains the safest all-around recommendation, but the tips above will help you find whatever works best for your face and personal style.
I have bags under my eyes, so I need narrow frames to hide these pesky problems.I would like to try a different color.My eyes are brown, and I do wear eye makeup
I really think what youre saying is bogus. Glasses ARE NOT MEANT to be a fashion statement they are meant to give you better vision. So tired of seeing people wearing colored frames kids wearing frames way to large for them etc etc. Been wearing glasses since the 3rd grade. People wake up they are trying to make you think they are a fashion statement they are not. Don’t listen to the bs. Pick something that fits good and something you feel when you try them on makes you smile not any of this bs that this article says.
That’s a strong opinion. There is nothing wrong with looking good while having better vision. Unfortunately, judgmental people are the reason that others feel self-confident wearing corrective lenses in the first place. That’s the beauty of a free society – everyone has a right to their own options and choices.
Wow! You sound resentful. Glasses are both for fashion and to correct your vision. Let people be who they want to be and chill, will you.
I totally agree! Lots of people order glasses without any RX just for a fashion statement! I have tons of cute glasses from Zenni and have never paid more than $20! I would just steer away from buying glasses from the doctor’s office or a retail place cause the markup is horrendous!
Wow! Just…..wow!
Scott Grant – Amen
All this is matter of choice. Yes first and foremost glasses are for seeing they are a necessity! But the colour, shape,size is all a matter of choice. Only the person wearing them can make that. The suggestions are good advice. Don’t ask anyone which is better,you will probably end up disliking their choice!.
Have had so much fun and positive comments since wearing more colourful and funky glasses! There is no ‘right way’ for everyone….if you don’t want to wear colour….then Don,t! But stop the dis-sing of others making differ3nt…oft3n braver decisions….no harm in having both form and function!
I’ve been wearing glasses since 3rd grade as well. I always hated that I had to wear them. So I’m very happy they have now become a fashion statement. I enjoy picking out new frames that brighten up my face.
How about orange frames ? My eyes are blue
How about orange frames. my hair is salt & pepper on top & white on the sides. How about orange frames, I wear lots of oranges. My eyes are blue
Wear what makes you feel good, comfortable, and happy. I have more than 30 pair since 1973, then in 1988 I began buying 2 pair a year, I enjoy wearing different ones with my clothing choices. I donated my old pairs after choosing to change with the styles. From 2013 I went
into bold color frames. Love it! Boring with one style and color. ????????????????????Wear whatever makes you feel alive and happy.
Yikes- a couple of really rude comments. Really, who cares what someone else wears as long as the person wearing the glasses feels good about them. No need for judgement-
I agree with you! I am 84 years old and have been wearing glasses since a sophomore in high school. I personally like wearing my glasses!
The article was interesting. It gives the person looking for frames, some starting points. If the suggestions don’t suit you, you don’t have to follow them. I also want to point out that negative comments are not necessarily a reason for rebuke. Can’t we express any alternate opinions these days without someone wanting to fight back? Maybe that opinion will lead to improvement in the original advice. Having said that, while the article was good, the video was not. At least match the photos to the shapes and colors being discussed. Find a photo of a woman, not a man, when suggesting you wear the same color frames as your eyeshawdow. Scott, you wrote: “Unfortunately, judgmental people are the reason that others feel self-confident wearing corrective lenses in the first place.” Did you mean, “less confident?” I thank you for publishing this article. It was helpful to me.
I just this year staeted experimsnf wirgcolored frames i have a pair of red frames and they pop & fet lots of good comments about. Them as well as my lavendar pair
Thanks for this article
I buy one new pair every two years because of my insurance. The cheapy store says 2 for $67.00, but by the time I add transitional and tinted lenses, the cost goes up to $600 which is the same as my eye doctor. Who are those people who have several pair. Lucky them.
Been wearing glasses since first grade and I always make sure they fit and I can see BUT I also pick something I like! Would you wear a shirt you hated because it fit? Glasses are fashion too! Relax! Learn to enjoy things!
People who have gray hair likely are in progressive lenses, which are exorbitantly expensive. Upwards of $500 per pair, even with discounts. I don’t think many seniors can afford to have multiple pairs to match their mood or outfit.