Best glasses for men in 2023: Stylish frames to wear every day

An often overlooked accessory, glasses have the power to define your entire image.

From John Lennon to Elton John, Ryan Reynolds to Samuel L. Jackson, there are countless style icons across all generations who’ve proven that a pair of specs can do so much more than bring the blurry world into focus.

So, consider this is your cue to join the Hall of Specswearing Fame and capitalise on the accessory yourself. Whether you’re blessed with 20/20 vision and your intentions are purely fashion-led, are guilty of wearing your contact lenses day in and day out and need a break or perhaps just need to upgrade your current style, there’s not a man out there who wouldn’t benefit from investing in some stylish opticals.

This year, the trend on every fashion insider’s lips is ‘quiet luxury’, so designs that are understated and timeless should be on your wish list - and are sure to retain their style kudos for years to come. Think Matt Damon in The Talented Mr. Ripley and you’ll be on the right track.

With countless independent eyewear brands on the market, including Cubitts, Jimmy Fairly and Linda Farrow, as well as high-street stalwarts Vision Express and Specsavers, it’s never been easier to find a frame that fits the brief.

The all-important question - how do you know what shape best suits you? Well, according to Marie Wilkinson, Style Director at eyeglasses expert Cutler & Gross, it’s not as hard as you think: “Choose a frame that compliments your face shape - square and rectangular frames give structure to rounder face shapes whilst rounded shapes will soften chiselled looks.”

Then, you need to decide whether you’re an acetate or wire frame kind of guy. The former is bolder, with options from sleek monochrome to versatile tortoiseshell, whilst the latter, which could be crafted from steel or even a precious metal like titanium, is the more delicate of the two.

Wilkinson continues: “Wire frames are a good choice if you want the most lightweight of glasses. Acetate has more visual impact and is more robust. Our latest precious metals collection, our first in nearly 10 years is proving to be extremely popular – it’s very sought-after because of its extreme shine and reflectiveness.”

“The general rule is that square and rectangular frames give structure to rounder face shapes whilst rounded shapes will soften chiselled looks”, explains Wilkinson. “Be honest with yourself and ask for advice - our opticians, for example, know the collections inside and out and will know what will fit you well. Let them know about the environment in which the frames are to be worn; if you work in an office and on Zoom then choose a pair that looks professional with the colour suiting your colouring.”

“When it comes to acetate glasses, I would look for a hand-polished frame for the most durable finish, as opposed to one that has been varnished which, like nail varnish, can flake off over time”, suggests Wilkinson. “Know how to check? Look at the end of the temple where it joins the front: a hand-polished frame has an unpolished end, whereas a varnished end will be shiny”.

She also advises to “Look for handmade acetate crafted in Italy: the acetate is cured for longer, producing a more stable frame. I would look for after-care service too, where you can return to have the frame adjusted, realigned, repaired and repolished to return it to pristine condition - all of which we have done for over 50 years.”

According to Wilkinson, “Personalised prescription lenses are the newest technology and provide the clearest vision”. She explains that at the Cutler & Gross Knightsbridge store, “we have a state-of-the-art optical measuring system that tracks how the eye moves through the lens. Using in-built eye code technology and H3D analysis, it measures with pin-point accuracy - the optician will then recommend a personalised lens, which is made to order to suit your specific needs”.

For those with extensive screen time, “high-quality anti-reflective coatings can be a great choice”, says Wilkinson “as they repel blue light and support comfortable vision. And finally, you want to make sure the frame sits comfortably on your face, otherwise, it will slide down and cause your eyes to work even harder.”

“In the same way that you would not wear the same pair of shoes for different activities and occasions, different glasses should be worn for different purposes. For instance, glasses for computer use ease eye strain and block blue light. If you frequently switch environments, you might want a frame with transition lenses. Glasses for work and glasses for downtime have different purposes,” she concludes.

Keep scrolling for the best glasses frames for men