Thick or thin: the first decision
The same shape in black reads as two different frames depending on the rim.
- Thick black frames. A bold acetate rim is a statement: graphic, confident and visible from across a room. It suits faces with strong features and enough width to carry it, and it reads current in a square, a geometric or a cat eye shape.
- Thin black frames. A slim acetate or metal rim keeps the definition of black without the weight. It is the safer choice for fine features, small faces and anyone who wears glasses all day in a conservative setting, and it suits round and oval shapes particularly well.
Most people who say black glasses do not suit them have tried a thick frame. A thin black rim in the right shape usually changes their mind.
The shapes that carry black best
Black emphasises the outline of a frame, so it rewards shapes with a clear idea behind them.
- Square and square round. The classic black frame. The straight top line and the corners look deliberate in black and add structure to a round or oval face; the square glasses guide covers the sizes.
- Cat eye. Black makes the lift at the outer corner the first thing the eye sees, which is the point of a cat eye. It suits heart shaped, diamond and oval faces.
- Geometric. A faceted or hexagonal front in black reads sharp and modern, and the angles stay visible even on a thin rim; the hexagon glasses guide covers the shapes.
- Round and panto. A round frame in black is the scholarly classic. Keep the rim thin to medium, because a thick black circle can overwhelm; the round glasses guide has the details.
Who black frames suit
Black works best where there is contrast to match it. Dark hair, dark brows and deep skin tones carry black easily, because the frame repeats colours already in the face. Fair skin with dark hair also suits black well, since the frame matches the hair and sharpens the face.
The combination to approach with care is very fair skin with light or grey hair and light brows. There, a thick black rim can become the darkest thing on the face by a wide margin and look heavy. A thin black rim, a black frame with a lighter temple, or a softer colour such as tortoise is the better choice; the tortoise shell glasses guide covers the shades.
Face shape matters in the same way it does for any colour. On a square face, a thick black square repeats the jaw, so a black round or cat eye is better. On a round face, a black square or geometric frame adds the lines the face lacks. A small face suits a thin black rim more than a thick one.
When black is too much, and how to soften it
Black is too much when the frame is the first and only thing anyone notices. Four ways to keep the black and lose the weight:
- Choose a thinner rim. The single biggest change.
- Choose two tone. A black front with metal or coloured temples, or black along the top only, keeps the line at the brow and lightens the rest.
- Choose a softer shape. A round, oval or square round in black reads softer than a sharp square or a bold cat eye.
- Keep a second pair. Many people pair a black frame with a lighter one for weekends; the clear frame glasses guide covers the opposite end of the range.
Fit matters more in black
A black frame shows a fit problem clearly, because the dark line makes any tilt or slide obvious. A black frame that slides down the nose drops its top line below the brow and changes how the whole face reads. The frame has to sit level and stay at the height it was drawn for. Many of our frames are cut for a lower nose bridge so they stay put, and the low bridge fit eyeglasses collection lists them. The how glasses should fit guide has the seven checks.
Black frame glasses for women and men
The shapes hold for both. On a man's face a black square or square round in a medium rim is the default for a reason, and a black geometric frame is the current version. On a woman's face a black cat eye is the classic statement and a thin black round or oval is the quiet one. In both cases the rim thickness decides the look more than the shape.
MUJOSH black frame glasses
Four frames from the eyeglasses collection come in black, verified from the product photos.
- Ultem in BB: a black faceted multi cut front in lightweight Ultem with a mortise and tenon hinge, $99. Black in a geometric shape, light enough for all day wear.
- Beta Pitot in BGT: a black acetate square round front with gold beta titanium temples and a low bridge fit, $135. The two tone version, with black at the front and light metal behind.
- Trendy Diamond in GBT: a black diamond cut cat eye in acetate, $99. The black cat eye statement.
- Halo in GBD: a black small oval round in acetate with adjustable nose pads, $119. The softer black frame, for faces that find black squares too hard.
If a thin black rim is the answer, the thin frame glasses guide covers the materials that keep it strong.
The sunglass version of the same colour question is in the black sunglasses guide.
The bottom line
Black frame glasses suit most people once the rim and shape are right. Choose a thick rim if your features and colouring can carry it and a thin rim if they cannot, choose a shape that contrasts your face, soften black with two tone or a rounder shape when it is too much, and make sure the frame sits level, because a black line shows every tilt.
The thick rim gets its own piece: the thick frame glasses guide covers who the bold rim suits, who it swamps and where the thick look sits in the range.
Whether black is the right colour for you at all is a four question check; the what colour glasses should I get guide runs it.
Frequently asked questions
Who looks good in black frame glasses?
People with dark hair or brows, deep skin tones, and fair skin with dark hair carry black most easily, because the frame matches colours already in the face. Very fair skin with light hair suits a thin black rim or a two tone frame better than a thick black one.
Are black frame glasses in style?
Black is never out of style. Thick black squares and geometric fronts are the current statement; thin black rounds and two tone frames are the quieter, everyday versions.
Should I get thick or thin black frames?
Thick black frames suit strong features and wider faces; thin black frames suit fine features, small faces and conservative settings. If you are unsure, start thin: it keeps the definition of black without the weight.
How do I make black glasses look less harsh?
Choose a thinner rim, a two tone frame with lighter temples, or a softer shape such as a round, oval or square round. Make sure the frame sits level, because a black frame that slides down the nose looks heavier than it is.
