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What Your Glasses Are Secretly Revealing About Your Personality

Your glasses are one of the first things people notice about you. Do they give the impression that you're wild? Or that you keep to yourself? Let's find out.

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glasses
Matthew Cohen/Rd.com

Colorful frames are for creative types

Glasses frames come in every imaginable color nowadays. While black and brown frames still exist, they are no longer the only options. Those who do dare to color their vision are typically very creative, says Lynn Green an optician at Pullen Eye Care in Jacksonville, Florida. “Artists love color,” she says. “They are very particular with what they like and they know what they like.” But artists aren’t the only ones who gravitate towards color frames. Both the extrovert and the introvert veer toward this kind of eye wear. “Usually bright, bold colors are somebody that’s fun and outgoing,” Green discerns, “but what’s nice about fun colors is somebody…who’s always been neutral and blends in, they’ve gotten to a point in their life where they’re like, ‘You know what, I need a change.'” While it is very natural for an outgoing person to pick up a pair of attention-grabbing glasses, shy people who are trying to break out of their shell can use these glasses as a means of putting themselves out there.

The glasses pictured here are Bolinas Blue eyeglasses by Zenni.

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glasses
Matthew Cohen/Rd.com

Thick black frames are trendy

Thick black frames go largely to the young, hipster crowd. The people who wear these glasses are definitely trying to make a statement about themselves. Green describes this type as, “That bold, ‘look-at-me’ frame.” It has been her observation that the dark, thick, heavier frames have been the favorite of people in the late teens to 20s age range. These are the glasses that are one of the biggest trends. A person that has a pair of these glasses is probably young, bold, opinionated, and trendy. Here’s how to find the best sunglasses for your face shape.

The glasses pictured here are Valentine by Article One and Windsor by Bonlook.

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glasses
Matthew Cohen/Rd.com

Patterned frames are cheerful

In terms of demographics, Green has also surmised that it is mostly women who tend to opt for color and different patterns on their frames. Not only that, but bright colors with patterns are also preferred by older people who want to feel the fun of youth again. Sometimes they even have designs by the temples, like little flowers. These cute and stylish glasses express a cheerful nature and someone who doesn’t like to take life too seriously.

The glasses pictures here are Roland by Warby Parker and St Clair by Article One.

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glasses
Matthew Cohen/Rd.com

Aviators are for the adventurous

Another person who has an intimate relationship with fashion and eye wear is Vint & York fashion designer Larisa Ginzburg. According to her, those who have a penchant for aviators are quite the adventurers. “If you’re a fan of the aviators frame, chances are you’ve always been a risk taker. Just like you, this style is classic, but not concerned with respecting the rules and will stand out in its modern reinterpretations. The wearer is an active, devoted person who knows what they want and they’re not afraid to live for the moment. An undying staple of coolness, aviator glasses are a favorite among outspoken people who don’t just talk, but walk the talk.” If you’ve got at least one pair of aviators, you’re the kind of person whose presence is always felt. You enter a room and people notice, and you usually end up being the life of the party. For the adventurer in you, check out these 50 iconic adventures in every state.

The glasses pictured here are York by Warby Parker and Sunset Aviator Sunglasses by Zenni.

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glasses
Matthew Cohen/Rd.com

Fake glasses are a confidence boost

Yes, people really do wear fake glasses, and it’s more common than you’d think. According to Green, the whole “glasses make you look smart” thing still applies. “I had a patient come in,” Green shares,” [and] she was going for a very important job interview. She did not have a prescription. She wanted glasses that made her look very confident, and we found the perfect Tom Ford classic look. She brought us all chocolate because she got the job, and she said it was the glasses that did it.” Other than just for career, there are a lot of reasons that people wear fake glasses. As Green observes, glasses are now just as much an accessory as they are a necessity. Like shoes or purses or earrings, people buy glasses to intentionally convey something about themselves. People who wear fake glasses are very concerned with how the world sees them and may be somewhat insecure. At the same time, they could also be fashionistas who want to complete their perfect look.

The glasses pictured here are Clover by David Kind and Huron by Article One.

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Matthew Cohen/Rd.com

Tortoise shell glasses are spunky

There’s more than just one way to showcase your creativity and your individuality with your glasses, Ginzburg asserts. It’s not always about the color, but the shape is important as well. She says, tortoise shell glasses (also known as horn rimmed) are full of charm and will always be a staple of originality. This frame is a favorite among independent, creative thinkers. They make a lasting impression and let the world know that the wearer is a distinctive individual with a taste for vintage and art.” The shape of a pair of tortoise shell glasses goes outside the regular square, rectangle, round, or oval. It is not a regular shape, and the wearer is by no means a regular person. You like to be a little spunky, and that’s a good thing! Here’s how to find the best glasses for your face shape.

The glasses pictured here are Amaze by Bonlook.

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Matthew Cohen/Rd.com

Simple, clean lines are pragmatic

We’ve talked a lot about the creative person, but what about people who are more logically, mathematically, or scientifically driven? In her two decades of being an optician, Green has noticed that these type of people tend to pay less attention to style and more attention to function. “They go for structure,” she says. “They’re very detail oriented. They usually go with a more simple, clean line look.” For this type of person, glasses are more about pragmatism and not so much about showing off.

The glasses pictured here are Trenton by David Kind and Thin Acetate Rectangle Eyeglasses by Zenni.

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Matthew Cohen/Rd.com

Big round frames are quirky

These are the glasses that Green refers to as “The Harry Potter frames.” They’re not as common as they used to be, but people do still rock that big, circular frame. “In that round shape is a very classic style,” she says. “It’s old Hollywood.” People who wear these glasses in the modern era tend to be men in their 30s to late 40s, she explains. They’re a little bit quirkier than your average person and might have an appreciation for history or vintage style.

The glasses pictured here are Hart by Article One and Prime by Bonlook.

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glasses
Matthew Cohen/Rd.com

Browline frames are for those who mean business

Last on the list are browline frames (aka club masters or semi-rimless frames). Just because they appear at the end of this list doesn’t mean they aren’t popular, though. These are the glasses that have a bold upper frame and a thin bottom frame. Ginzburg says, “[They] are both smart and stylish, and they say that you mean business! They are a classic power accessory for your professional life, and a favorite among knowledgeable hipsters who aim high in life. This style reflects the fact that you are quick on your feet, and have a well-rounded personality.” Browline frames are the great compromise between being bold and being simple. If you wear these, you’re not afraid to make a statement but you also don’t let your ego get you in trouble. If you’re the thriftier type, make sure to get your eye exams at Costco. 

The glasses pictured here are Lift by Bonlook.

Taylor Markarian
Taylor Markarian is a regular contributor to RD.com covering culture, advice, travel, pets and all things weird and haunted. She is the author of "From the Basement: A History of Emo Music and How It Changed Society," which analyzes the evolution of punk and mental health. She holds a B.A. in Writing, Literature and Publishing from Emerson College.