Tips For Buying New Frames

By Matthew Stefanson
[Men's Fashion]
How many places should you visit when buying new glasses?  Matthew Stefanson has expert tips for purchasing glasses.
Glasses aren't just a sign of intellectual stamina anymore.  Nowadays, in addition to being a universal symbol of nerdery, they are a bold and effective fashion statement.  To the chagrin of everyone who grew up wearing them for utilitarian purposes, they're becoming more of a fashion decision that a functional one.  But for those of you who weren't shackled to a pair of spectacles during your formative years, buying a pair of frames can be difficult.  Over a couple decades of buying frames, losing them, getting your parents to buy you new ones and then deciding that they're ugly and wanting new ones, you pick up a few skills.

Like anything else, there's a good way and a bad way to shop for frames.  What follows are a few easy tips to make your shopping experience easier.

Ignore The Name

Glasses, even if you're just buying frames without prescription lenses in them, can be really expensive.  A designer pair will easily cost you $300 and could go as high as $700 without being too extraordinary.  Luckily, it doesn't matter who made them, as long as they look good.  Usually the off-brand pair is the better option.  They won't have any stupid logos on them, they're much cheaper and you don't have to be a walking billboard for Dolce & Gabbana.  Also, designer glasses tend to look a bit like designer glasses.  They're like anything else in the fashion industry in that they're made to respond to trends and trends tend to disappear without warning.  An off brand pair of glasses can cost you as little as $70 before the cost of lenses, though for a stylish pair you're probably looking at between $150 and $250.

Do The Legwork

You're going to find amazing deals if you take the time to actually look.  Most malls have more than one store that sells frames and every optometrist’s office keeps a stock.  If you're looking just for the cheapest price, your best bet is to go to one of the bigger stores, where the selection is greater and the prices are lower.  They do more volume in sales so they're able to give you better prices.

The important thing is to never buy the first pair you like.  If you like them, you can come back for them later, after you've looked for better or cheaper options.

Also, the more places you go, the better chance you have of stumbling across a massive sale or discount.  Ask the clerk or the receptionist and they might fill you in on a good deal.
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