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.

The term dust is an analogy for non-verbal "distractions" related to your appearance ? distractions that are an unwelcome intrusion upon your verbal message ? and damaging to your image. Imagine having a dinner party and cleaning your house thoroughly before the guests arrive. Obviously, not a single guest would notice. They would only notice if you didn't clean the house. Actually, they probably wouldn't be able to stop staring at the layer of dust covering your tables and furniture.

A classic form of dust is spinach in the teeth or runs in stockings, but there are more subtle versions of dust that could slip by your notice. And they negatively impact the impression others have of you. Take a look at the seven deadly "dust" sins, from head to toe:  

1. Bad hair.
This is a major distraction and "image deflator" because it surrounds the face (your focal point). It includes the following:  (1) dirty or greasy hair, (2) stringy hair, (3) hair that looks as if you slept on it and didn't bother to comb it in the morning; (4) "wash & go" hair that looks like it dried in the car on the way to work and hasn't had the proverbial finger lifted in its behalf (note: this can give the impression that you might not lift a finger and take charge of the projects you are working on.)

2. Makeup in the wrong color.
The wrong color of foundation can look heavy and artificial. As a result, it is often judged to be a mask, causing others to wonder about the "real you" behind the mask. It also causes furrows and other "lumps and bumps" on the face to be accentuated. The end result is that you look "harder" or less amiable. This look truly hurts your overall image!

3. Dangling earrings.
Earrings that swing or even faintly resemble a mobile will cause the eyes to be captivated by them sporadically, rather than remaining on your face, as they should. Large thin hoops are often a distraction as well, demanding attention that should be on the face instead. Essentially, the earrings wear you instead of you wearing them.  

4. Protruding tummy, bulging thighs.
On a positive note, we don't notice laugh lines or double chins, because we all have them in varying degrees. However, we do notice protruding tummies and thighs. To avoid drawing attention to your tummy, don't wear your belt too tight, and try incorporating tunic-style tops or easy-fitting jackets into your wardrobe, as they cover and camouflage the tummy.  

Leggings are making a comeback for the fall, but if you wear them and have protruding thighs, you will have to team them with a longer top in a tunic style. Wearing tunic styles every day will be noticed far less than any bulge. As a rule of thumb for any kind of bulge, never wear tight-fitting clothing because it only accentuates them.

5. Unnatural-looking nails.
Unusual nail colors, such as green or blue, are included in this category. Incidentally, red nails have been the favored choice for decades for good reason. Because of a technical factor called simultaneous contrast, red-family colors cause the hands and knuckles to look less red, while blue and green accentuate any redness on the hands and knuckles. Unfortunately, soft pastels also cause redness to be accentuated. If you prefer a natural look, choose a French manicure or wear clear nail polish.

In addition to color, there are other features that cause the eyes to solely focus on your nails, such as exaggerated square tips and exaggeratedly-long nails, especially nails that begin to curl under.  

6. Bulging or oversized handbags.
Handbags that are oversized or bulging and appear over-stuffed tend to be a real distraction. In addition, they may create the impression that you are unorganized or inefficient. Also take note that males are often distracted by women shuffling around in overstuffed handbags, appearing to be unable to retrieve what they are looking for.  

7. Chunky shoes.
These are another major "image deflator." Chunky or clumsy-looking shoes actually cause the eyes to intermittently be riveted by the feet, much as when men wear white socks with a dark business suit. This can even happen with ordinary pant shoes, when they are worn with a skirt. They make the feet look clumsy, giving the impression that you do menial jobs that require physical exertion. Plain pumps are definitely the best choice for skirts.