By: Tedfuel

Regardless of the industry or niche, CEOs have to keep up appearances. Sure, there’s been a rise in casual attire in the C-Suite. Spurred by Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs, this trend is designed to help employees feel more comfortable, creative, and productive at work. 

Despite that, you still have to look professional—mainly since your attire will symbolize the authority and respect you command in the office. It all boils down to balancing formality and comfort. 

That’s something you’ll mainly want to consider if you wear glasses. When used right, they can do more than just correct your vision. You may already know why: your frames can make you look more intelligent. According to a 2022 CNN feature, glasses are associated with reading, studying—and, in turn, smarter personas. Consider choosing eyewear with a more formal and polished design to achieve a professional look at the office.

Here’s How to Pick the Eyeglasses for the Job.

Select comfortable frames 

The fit of your frames plays a role in comfort and appearance, making it worth considering when choosing eyewear. Loose frames will fall off as you work and tight ones can distract you by causing headaches, so you’ll want to invest in models with features like nose pads and spring hinges. Generally, titanium eyeglasses are also considered lightweight and comfortable to wear. As a bonus, their sleek, minimal appearance will benefit the professional look of your attire. In going back to Steve Jobs as an example, you’ll see that his slim, metallic frames polished his usual black-turtleneck-and-jeans getup. To narrow down your options, consider looking at eyeglasses online. On Eyebuydirect, you can use filters like “material,” “fit,” and “extra features,” Consider factors like lightweight design to help you find glasses that feel comfortable for work.

Choose Subtle Colors

From here, make your eyeglasses look professional by checking if they visually complement your work clothes and coloring. If you dress casually in front of employees but still aim to maintain an air of formality, those clothes come in neutral colors. Your eyewear frames should come in similar hues. Neutrals like black and brown and colorless clear eyeglasses will look good with virtually any set of garments and won’t be loud enough to stand out in an office setting. Google CEO Sundar Pichai, for example, often wears jet-black frames that complement his business casual button-ups in shades of black and blue. For a similar approach, consider choosing a versatile frame color that works well with your hair color, skin tone, and undertone. Black is also a classic option that tends to suit a variety of looks.

Consider Face Shape

Finally, your work glasses should suit your unique facial features by contrasting your face shape. A common approach to choosing frames is to balance facial features—angular frames can complement softer faces, while rounder glasses may suit sharper jawlines. For example, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is often seen in rectangular, semi-rimless frames, which align with his signature leather jacket style.

Consider directly figuring out what looks good on you in less cut-and-dry cases, such as if you have an oval face that’ll go with pretty much any eyeglasses design. One quick way to fit this task into your busy day is by trying on some virtual eyeglasses online. The Warby Parker app allows you to scan your face and explore different frame styles and shapes. Finding a well-matched frame can help create a polished look that complements your features, even when paired with more casual outfits.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. The recommendations on eyewear selection are based on style trends and professional appearance considerations and do not constitute medical or optical advice. For personalized vision care and prescription needs, please consult a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist. The article also contains references to third-party brands and platforms, which are mentioned for convenience; we do not endorse or receive sponsorships from these entities.

Published by Stephanie M.