Ageing with attitude: How to choose the perfect statement spectacles
WEARING glasses to read the paper or your digital device?
Just because you have reached a âcertain ageâ doesnât mean you have to prop any old spectacles on your nose, hanging from a chain around your neck.
Or, if you are short-sighted that you stick to the same old pair you bought a decade ago.
Glasses are such a fashion statement now that some people wear prescription-free ones just for effect.
But the type of glasses you wear can say as much about you â and how you feel about your age â as the clothes and accessories you don each day.
Cork woman Eleanor McCarthy, who will be 66 next month, has obviously got her style down to a tee.
A mother of five and grandmother of four, she has just been announced as the Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year in the over-60 category.
âI have two pairs of glasses and couldnât do a thing without them. But aside from the practical aspect, I realise they do make a statement â the frames are very important.
"Iâve tried them all down through the years. At the moment I have black square frames and brown round ones.â
It was wearing the black ones that nabbed her the prize. But when choosing glasses, aside from our individual style, we should consider our face shape and hair colour, taking into consideration how we physically change as we age, says Claire Morrin, ophthalmic store partner at the Opera Lane outlet.
âBecause skin becomes thin and loses elasticity as we age, for instance, frames need to be comfortable on the bridge of the nose,â she says.
So who does she think are good examples among older celebrities?
âJane Fonda, who is 78, always looks glam. Meryl Streep, 67, has a real range in all her films. I like 70-year-old Diane Keatonâs bold styles. And Susan Sarandon really brings a youthful look for someone almost 70.â
British model Twiggy is leading the way at age 66 with her own Aurora range for Specsavers which feature crystals, adding glamour as well as practicality.
She speaks about âbeing on trendâ in her YouTube promotional videos, if a hint was needed for any of us, still clinging on to our first pair.
Next week, in response to feedback from customers all aged over 60, a new range is being introduced by Specsavers called the ComFit.
Bearing in mind that our skin does thin as we age, they include a discreet silicone lining on the bridge of the frame and extra soft arm tips, so that glasses donât irritate the delicate skin behind the ears.
FACE SHAPE
Rectangular faces generally have a deeper forehead, longer nose, or square jaw. We recommend a frame with a strong brow line to make your face appear wider. Avoid shallow frames that lengthen your appearance.
Round faces tend to be fairly short with a wider forehead, full cheeks and a rounded chin. If thatâs you, consider angular styles as they draw attention to the top half of the face. Avoid oval or round-shaped frames.
If your face width and length are proportionate and youâve got a broad forehead and a strong jaw, youâre probably in this category. Consider oval or round frames as they soften the jawline. Avoid angular frames as these will emphasise your angular facial features.
HAIR COLOUR
Try a rich deep colour frame like cherry red or sea blue â theyâll complement your natural hair tone. .
Bright-coloured frames in metal or plastic really suit people with dark grey hair. Avoid frames that are too heavy or dark.
If you are blonde with honey and bronze tones, try lightweight styles in tortoiseshell and amber to mimic your natural colouring. If you have cool, platinum undertones then experiment with pastel colours that complement your hair without overwhelming your face.
Bronze and other warm-coloured metals will complement any red tones in your hair while light tortoiseshell will bring out any ash highlights.
Go for light-coloured metal frames like silver or gunmetal, as well as black or dark tortoiseshell.
Youâll look great in any dark colour, from black to gunmetal and dark green, especially in frames that have a simple shape. Avoid pale colours as they may appear washed out against your dark colour.
Try to reflect the warmth with reddish browns, golds, coppers, or tortoise-shell colours. Avoid yellow tones that will have a dulling effect on your red hair.
If you were a fan of the hugely popular The Artistâs Way written over a quarter of a century ago and still a big seller then you will welcome author Julia Cameronâs new take on focussing on our creative selves as we age.
Now aged 65, Cameron is in a good position to guide people through what she believes is the most creatively fulfilling stage of life yet.
The age theme is honoured by inspiring stories of retirees who discovered new artistic pursuits and passions, but it still includes the 12-week step-by-step programme, including the âmorning pagesâ, stream-of-consciousness daily writing and the artist dates, which made the original book such a bestseller.
So you may just want to dig out your old copy.
Are you fed up with the opinion that older people have nothing left to offer?
If so, you can do something about it, by contributing towards Positive Ageing Week now in its 14th year.
Organised by Age Action, it takes place from September 26 to October 2.
A constantly updated list of events is available on www.ageaction.ie/positiveageingweek and organisers can also register their own event.
Driving home the message at the launch of Positive Ageing Week recently was positive ager himself, celebrity hotelier, Francis Brennan, who hosted a âSenior Safariâ in Dublin Zoo.
âI am not a product of my circumstances, I am a product of my decisions"
The 85-year-old supermodel Carmen DellâOrefice on true beauty http://bit.ly/2b9ZZ6m
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