The best eyeglasses for men to channel your inner Clark Kent

Four eyes have never been so on-trend. No longer considered a corrective measure integral to basic daily functioning, eyeglasses are now looked upon as a finishing touch with the ability to instantly smarten up your appearance. Regardless of your own optics, specs are just as much about how you’re seen as how you actually see, giving rise to a wealth of trendy new boutique opticians and countless options from the biggest names in fashion.

But sourcing the perfect pair of eyeglasses is no easy task. Though the bulk of new frames are inspired by timeless silhouettes, as with men's sunglasses the line between kitsch and chic is one that’s often blurred. Thankfully, we’ve squinted through the latest pairs to find the very best for any discerning gent. But first, a test.

What are GQ's best eyeglasses for men?

You'll find all the eyeglasses worth your consideration in the gallery below, but first, here's what our editors are oogling this season:

• Best eyeglasses for soft features: Retrosuperfuture, £195, ssense.com
• Best eyeglasses for oval faces: Ace & Tate, £125, aceandtate.com
• Best universally-flattering eyeglasses: Curry & Paxton, £199, curryandpaxton.com

Where are the best places to buy eyeglasses online?

While nothing really compares to going into an optician and trying a pair of eyeglasses on for size (and shape), online glasses shopping has come on leaps and bounds with virtual try-ons and free frame trials.

For the most part, glasses shopping destinations remain the same online as they do on the high street. From boutique opticians like David Clulow and Cubitts, which offer a seamless prescription lens service, to designer merchants such as Mr Porter and Ssense, here are all of our favourite eyeglasses destinations:

• David Clulow
• Vision Express
• Specsavers
• Cubitts
• Ace & Tate
• Curry & Paxton
• Moscot
• Oliver Peoples
• Mr Porter
• Ssense

Going into a store vs shopping online does of course have its merits, with shops such as David Clulow offering a welcome second opinion on your frame choice as well as expert advice on the frames best suited to your prescription.

What should I consider when having prescription lenses fitted?

If you need a prescription lens to see you through a day of 20/20 vision, or just for your time spent in front of a computer screen, you'd be best off factoring in regular visits to an optician. “Depending on the age group and if there is an existing condition, routine eye tests should be every 2 years,” says David Clulow optometrist Vina Lakhani. Modern eye tests at their Wigmore Street outpost involve an in-depth retinal scan known as an OCT (ocular coherence topography), as well as a phoropter head check to find your prescription, among the usual eye health and letter tests.

“Someone with a high prescription needs thinner lenses and should choose their frame shape accordingly,” adds Lakhani. “Clear lens options can come with anti-reflection coating and anti-blue light coating for screen use, and it usually takes around one week from frame selection before they're ready to pick up and be put to the test.”

Are wire or acetate eyeglasses best?

While tortoiseshell and semi-translucent acetate frames have certainly been the more popular of the two in recent years, each has merit. Small and circular wire frames (see Harry Potter) can provide a smarter, less in-your-face solution for people who don’t want their specs to make a big statement. On the more statement end of the wire spectrum are aviators, a brash nod to the 1980s best done in silver-tone metal. Acetate, meanwhile, tends to offer maximum versatility in design, with plenty of elements that brands can add a bolder mark. They’re also the glasses of choice for that classic Clark Kent appeal, and according to Lakhani, can be a more durable choice for lenses with higher prescriptions.

How much should you pay for eyeglasses?

Considering they’re an accessory you could be wearing an awful lot, eyeglasses are really something that shouldn’t be done on the cheap. Find a pair you love and don’t settle for the cheaper alternative. If that pair happens to cost less than £100, well, lucky you. Generally speaking, though, quality peepers will set you back anywhere between £125 and £500. When it comes to getting your prescription fitted, we recommend treating yourself to the added extras. Your eyeglasses will look all the better if they’re not prone to screen glare and/or magnifying your eyes.

Which frames suit which face shapes?

Like facial hair, the best eyeglasses for you are the ones that contour your face in a way that make the most of your features. If you have an oblong face and are a little long in the chin, for example, try and add width with your choice. If you have the opposite problem and your heart-shaped face tapers at the bottom like Ryan Gosling, choose a pair that minimises the top of the face to widen the chin. While these rules will work for some, it’s also advisable to think about your facial features. Sharp lines can be softened by rounded lenses while rounder faces with softer features can benefit from angular lines. See our picks of the best eyeglasses for different faces below.

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