The key to a comfortable pair of glasses is knowing which fit is right for your face. Here, we look at the most commonly available fits and explore which features they accommodate best.
STANDARD FIT
The vast majority of glasses and sunglasses are designed to a standard fit i.e. for an average-sized head, with a medium-to-high nose bridge and medium cheekbones/apples of cheeks.
You only have to look around you to see that heads come in a dazzling and beautiful array of shapes and sizes, so this one-fit-for-all approach that has dominated the eyewear industry for decades is entirely unfit for purpose.
This issue is particularly evident with acetate frames because the structure and material limit the number of adjustments that can be made to fit the wearer. If, like me, you have a low nose bridge and high cheekbones, wearing standard fit acetate frames will result in one or more of the below situations:
- Glasses constantly sliding down your nose
- Glasses resting on your cheeks, especially when smiling or talking
- Glasses sitting too close to your eyelashes
If you know, you know, and my goodness, it is irritating! So what are the alternatives?
ASIAN FIT, ALTERNATE FIT, AND LOW NOSE BRIDGE FIT
These three terms are used interchangeably to describe frames that are designed to fit people with a low nose bridge and high cheekbones. I will preface the following by saying that I am proudly half-Asian, however, I do feel that the term Asian Fit is a misnomer. It is plainly obvious that not every person in the entirety of Asia has a low nose bridge or high cheekbones. Moreover, these features are not exclusive to Asians.
I am also not a fan of the term Alternate Fit because it is ambiguous and means nothing to most people. I prefer to use the self-explanatory, more inclusive Low Nose Bridge Fit.
But what does Low Nose Bridge Fit actually look like?
In the above image, the nose pad is extended compared with a standard fit frame. This larger nose pad ensures that the frame sits securely on the correct part of the nose bridge and lifts the frame sufficiently to stop eyelashes from brushing the lenses and cheekbones from touching the frame. Other modifications that may also be included in Low Nose Bridge frames are:
- a flatter frame front
- a narrower nose bridge
- lenses that tilt away from the cheeks
INCLUSIVE FIT
Acetate frames that can be worn by a wide range of face shapes are called Inclusive Fit. This is achieved either through a slightly extended nose pad (but not to the same extent as a Low Nose Bridge Fit frame) or, more commonly, by the simple addition of adjustable nose pads. Not only can they be adjusted to fit most nose bridges, but nose pads also elevate the frame away from prominent cheeks. People who simply prefer the comfort and secure fit of adjustable nose pads, as well as those with long eyelashes, can also benefit from Inclusive Fit.
WHAT ABOUT METAL FRAMES?
Metal frames are more malleable than their acetate counterparts and almost always have adjustable nose pads. This structure means they are inherently accommodating to lots of different face shapes and are therefore classed as Inclusive Fit.
SIZE MATTERS
When buying eyewear, you must consider fit and size to find the right pair for your uniquely wonderful face (you can read our comprehensive size guide here). Think of it like buying a pair of jeans: once you have decided between bootcut, tapered, skinny, high rise, straight, etc., you must then choose the pair with your waist and length measurements. Like jeans, the size and fit of frames can vary slightly between different brands, designs, and materials. To find your perfect frame, nothing beats trying on a pair of glasses in real life, which is why we offer free UK delivery and fuss-free 14-day returns.
If you have any observations or questions about all things fit, please leave a comment below.