People often choose thin metal-rimmed glasses, in the hopes that others won't notice because they are "near invisible". Glasses will either look sterile and functional, or they will look like a fashion accessory. With the exception of aviator-type frames, most metal-rimmed glasses look like the former. As a part of your body's focal point – the face, eyeglasses have a profound impact on your image.

There are two things to take into consideration when choosing glasses as a fashion accessory: the color of your eyes and the color of your hair. Frames can be chosen to enhance either or both. Specific colors for eyeglass frames can make green eyes look greener and blonde hair look blonder.  

The majority of people never think of choosing eyeglass frames to enhance the color of their hair.  Occasionally, a person with silver hair will purposely select silver frames, but beyond this, not much thought is given to this connection. Actually, most people with grey hair seem to wear gold-rimmed glasses, which is similar to wearing silver jewelry with gold jewelry.  

When you least suspect it, some colors may drain color from the eyes. Individuals with blue eyes often select frames in some shade of blue, thinking that they will intensify or enhance the color of the eyes. Most often, however, the glasses compete with the eye color and make them appear less vivid. For technical reasons, wearing frames in a contrasting color will result in the eye color being intensified. If you have blue eyes, for example, glasses in the red family, such as burgundy or rust, will make your eyes appear bluer.  

Choosing Glasses to Enhance Eye Color

Green Eyes:
Green eyes will be enhanced by any color in the yellow or purple family. Bright yellow glasses could go over the top, however. Green frames can sometimes accentuate green eyes, but usually not as effectively as purple ones. Recommendations :  Orchid, lavender, mauve, periwinkle, purple, violet, red-violet, eggplant, jade green, racing green, emerald.

Blue Eyes:
Select any color in the red or orange family, as these complementary colors will enhance your blue eyes. Blue frames are a possibility, but make a comparison with red frames to make certain the blue ones do not compete with the eyes for attention. Recommendations :  True red, watermelon red, cherry red, fuchsia, magenta, burgundy, coral, apricot, brick, rust, Chinese red.  Also, try shades of blue that are compatible with what you wear.

Brown Eyes:
Brown eyes usually look their loveliest in purples and greens. However, you have a wide variety of colors from which to choose. You can wear black frames, horn-rimmed frames or even translucent frames. In general, to make the eyes look darker, choose eyeglass frames in a pale color. Recommendations :  Purple, violet, plum, lavender, racing green, jade green, emerald green, horn. Dark purples and greens always look elegant with brown eyes.

Grey Eyes:
Choose eyeglass frames in a dark color in order to make the eyes appear their palest. These cool, mysterious eyes are the most beautiful when they appear to be quite pale. Recommendations :  Black, charcoal black, deep purple, deep burgundy, midnight blue.

Hazel Eyes:
These eyes tend to change color, like chameleons. They sometimes appear green or yellow, or even varying shades of brown. In general, to make the eyes look greener, try purples, violets or greens. To bring out brown tones, try horn-rimmed glasses. To bring out the yellow or gold tones, use deep shades of purple or violet. Recommendations :  Purples, violets, red-violets, plum, blue-greens, horn, greens.  

Choosing Glasses to Enhance Hair Color      

Blonde Hair:
Choose eyeglass frames in a dark color to make blonde hair appear lighter. Recommendations :  Black or a dark color that will also enhance the eye color (see preceding portion of this chapter) at the same time.  You can try wearing dark purples for green or hazel eyes, deep burgundy for blue eyes, or dark horn for brown eyes.

Red Hair:
Red tones can be complemented by choosing eyeglass frames in shades of blue, green or blue green. Make sure the frames harmonize with your wardrobe, as well. Purples are also quite dramatic with red hair. Recommendations :  Royal blue, Chinese blue, cobalt, turquoise, emerald, jade, bottle green, purple, lavender, violet.

Black Hair:
To accent the natural blue undertones of true black hair, choose colors from the red-family. To make the hair appear darker, choose frames in a pale color, including pewter and various shades of white. Recommendations :   Black, red, burgundy, fuchsia, white, blues, purples, greens.

Brown Hair:
Shades of brown can range from mousy brown to deep chestnut brown.  To make the hair appear darker, choose frames in a pale color that enhances your eyes (see above).  To make the hair appear lighter, choose dark colors that enhance the eye color. Choose blues or greens to bring out red tones.  

Grey Hair:
There are endless shades of "grey hair", from partially grey to silver grey.  The moment hair becomes noticeably grey, it is important to avoid brown or yellow frames. This includes gold, horn and mock tortoise shell, since these colors will dull the grey tones in the hair. Silver frames call attention to grey hair, particularly when the hair is only partially grey.  Silver-grey hair will look more platinum and less grey with dark colors such as black, navy or midnight blue. Previously dark hair, that is lighter due to greying, will look darker with light colored frames.