If the lenses of the glasses are essential for the well-being of vision, the frame is the most fashionable part and better than anything else defines our style.
You can choose from an infinite number of shapes, materials, and colors, and everyone can find the right look for their glasses, whether for vision or sun.
Due to this endless possibility of choice, it can sometimes be difficult to navigate. We have written a small guide to understand the different frames and make the right choice.
(and don't forget to choose glasses also based on the shape of your face!)
With a frame or without?
There are three types of glasses: with a full frame (full-rim), rimless (rimless), and with a half frame (semirimless).
Based on our personal tastes, the use we will make of them, and comfort, we can choose one of these types of glasses. But let's take a closer look at them.
Full frame or full-rim
The type of glasses most commonly used. The lenses are completely surrounded by the frame, which can be made of various materials.
Also called full frame, it allows for a huge selection regarding colors, materials, and details.
Durability at the expense of lightness?
The advantages of full-rim frames are various. First of all, durability and safety, as the lenses have greater protection compared to other models.
Moreover, it is possible to choose from an incredible variety of materials, to have glasses that resemble us and perfectly match our look.
The only drawback of full-rim glasses: they are heavier than rimless glasses, but even in this case, it is possible to overcome this flaw by choosing materials, such as titanium, which combines extraordinary lightness with great strength.
That’s why we prefer this type of glasses, as we choose high-quality materials to improve fit without sacrificing durability and beauty.
Rimless glasses
Rimless glasses (also called glasant) are glasses in which the lenses are fixed directly to the temples and other parts of the glasses through holes and pins.
Rimless glasses are mainly chosen by those who need to have a wide field of vision, as there is no frame to limit the view.
The main advantage is also given by the lightness, and especially for those who have to wear glasses all day, it can be a significant advantage! They are the glasses that give you exactly the feeling of "not even having them on" and mark the face much less compared to full frame glasses.
The only downside: the lack of side protective frame makes them more fragile and greater care must be taken in their use.
Semi-rimless glasses
In addition to the two previous solutions, there is also a middle ground, namely glasses that have only part of the frame, usually at the top, leaving the face free at the bottom.
They can be an excellent solution for those who need glasses that are free at the bottom, especially if they are glasses used for reading.
A peculiarity: some models feature the frame only at the bottom, leaving the upper part free. They are rather eccentric glasses but certainly make a certain impression.
The materials of the frames
The choice of materials is now vast and covers every request, every need, and every price. It ranges from the cheapest materials like plastic to real jewels in gold, platinum, or diamonds.
Let's see the characteristics of the different materials
Acetate frame
The material probably preferred by all designers: acetate allows for glasses of every shape and color, and it is possible to vary the thickness of the frame at will, making it more robust and important or thin and refined.
Acetate glasses are lightweight and durable, practicalclearly indicated for those who need a frame that withstands shocks and continuous use.
A curiosity: acetate is made from cotton or wood fibers, and for this reason, it is a highly biocompatible material. It is often produced using cotton or wood processing waste, thus allowing for a use green of resources.
Metal frame
Here too, there is only the embarrassment of choice: from steel to titanium, the range of metals used to produce frames is very wide.
Compared to acetate and other materials, metal usually has a greater lightness but is more difficult to work with.
However, it has the advantage of being particularly durable and malleable, so metal glasses fit very well to every face.
Plastic frame
Plastic frames are definitely the most common, and are used to produce affordable glasses for occasional use.
They are usually light and manageable, but may have some robustness issues in case of impacts.
Other materials for frames
Although less common, there are some materials used by manufacturers to create glasses with special characteristics.
For example, some brands like Rolf Spectacles use natural materials like wood or horn, among the oldest materials for creating glasses.
Wood and horn are high-quality materials, and the glasses require careful maintenance, but every pair made from these materials is a true piece of high craftsmanship.
Another very special material is Mylon®, specifically created by the German brand Mykita, which has a rough surface and great versatility in construction. Special 3D printers are used to create glasses in Mylon®.
In short, today it is possible to find glasses made from a variety of materials that adapt to every need, every style, and every budget!
Come visit us in our stores in Rome. The wide selection of selected glasses for every face type and need, along with our specialized staff, will make choosing the perfect glasses for you much easier!