Types of Glasses Frames available at Larry Zunde Optometrists in Bedfordview
Author: Larry Zunde (Optometrist)
Date published: 06 May 2026
Choosing glasses frames is more personal than most people realize in 2026.
It’s not just about correcting your vision — it’s about finding a pair that feels like you.
With over 30 years in optometry, I’ve seen firsthand how the right frame can shift someone’s confidence completely.
This guide I wrote covers everything: frame types, materials, shapes, and how to pick what actually works for your face and lifestyle.
Frame Types
Let’s start with Frame Types. Think of frame types as the skeleton or blueprint of your glasses.
Before worrying about colour or shape, it helps to know what structural options are on the table.
Full Rim
Full rim frames completely surround the lens.
They’re the most popular choice — and for good reason.
Durable, secure, and compatible with virtually any prescription strength, including high prescriptions that need thicker lenses.
Semi-Rimless
Semi-rimless frames hold the lens from the top only, secured by a nylon gut at the bottom.
The result? A lighter, airier look that still has structure. Great if you want something less bulky without going fully frameless.
Rimless
No frame at all — just lenses mounted directly to the bridge and temples.
Rimless glasses are as subtle as eyewear gets. They tend to work best with milder prescriptions and suit people who prefer a barely-there, minimalist aesthetic. High density lenses must be used, which is a bit more expensive.
Low Bridge
Low bridge frames are built for flatter nose bridges — a detail many people don’t even consider until frames keep sliding down. These sit comfortably and put that constant push-up habit to rest.
Wire
Wire frames use thin metal loops to hold the lenses. Lightweight, classic, and understated. They’ve made a serious comeback and work well in both professional and casual settings.
Frame Materials
Next we will look at frame material that affects how your frames feel, how long they last, and how they look. Here’s a plain-English breakdown.
Plastic
Plastic frames — often made from acetate — are versatile, colourful, and accessible.
A great starting point for anyone trying a bold or patterned frame for the first time. Lightweight and available in a huge range of styles and colours.
Metal
Metal frames offer a cleaner, more refined look.
Slim, adjustable, and built to last with minimal upkeep. A solid all-rounder for both prescription eyewear and sunglasses. Nose pads are utilised with this type.
Wooden Texture
Wood-effect frames are a real head-turner. They carry a warm, earthy aesthetic that stands apart from standard options.
Often acetate with a wood-grain finish — striking without being over the top.
Titanium
Titanium is the premium pick. Incredibly lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and hypoallergenic — ideal for people with sensitive skin.
If you want frames that hold their shape for years, titanium is worth the investment.
Frame Shapes
Lastly, the Frame Shape is the part and where things get personal. The right frame shape should complement your face, not compete with it.
Oval
Softly curved and widely flattering. Oval frames work on most face shapes and give a polished, professional feel without looking stiff or overdone.
Round
Round frames add softness to angular faces. Think vintage, artistic, relaxed. They pair particularly well with square or rectangular face shapes where balance is the goal.
Rectangle
Sharp, defined, and timeless. Rectangular frames add structure to rounder faces and project a confident, no-nonsense presence — popular in professional settings for good reason.
Square
Strong angles, bold lines. Square frames make a statement and work best on oval or heart-shaped faces where the geometry creates contrast rather than competition.
Large
Large frames make an impact. They suit bigger face shapes or anyone whose eyewear should be a conversation starter. In sunglass form, extra coverage is a bonus.
Horn
Horn-rimmed frames have thick, prominent upper edges. They carry a classic, intellectual character that’s been in and out of fashion for decades — currently very much back. Great for adding presence to a face.
Cat Eye
Cat-eye frames angle upward at the outer corners. Playful and feminine by design, they flatter rounder or heart-shaped faces by drawing the eye upward and outward.
Oversized
Bold, confident, and unapologetically glamorous. Oversized frames work especially well as prescription sunglasses and suit oval face shapes in particular.
Geometric
Hexagonal, octagonal, angular cuts — geometric frames are for people who want their eyewear to say something deliberate. They add edge and pair well with minimal, understated outfits.
Browline
Browline frames have thick upper portions that echo the natural brow line. Structured with a retro feel, they’ve held their appeal across generations and work on most face shapes.
How to Choose the Best Frame for You?
Start with your face shape — oval, round, square, heart, or oblong.
The general rule is simple: contrast your shape. Round face? Go angular. Strong jaw? Try something softer.
After that, think about your lifestyle. Active? You need something durable.
Office-based? Lightweight and comfortable wins.
And prescription matters — stronger scripts pair better with full rim frames that disguise lens thickness.
Try before you commit. What looks good on a shelf and what works on your face are often two different things entirely.
Types of Glasses Frames for Men
Men tend to gravitate toward rectangle, square, browline, and wire frames.
These shapes project confidence and hold up well across professional and casual settings. Titanium and metal materials are a popular pick for their durability and clean finish.
Rimless styles also appeal to men who prefer eyewear that works quietly in the background.
Types of Glasses Frames for Women
Women have a wider pool of popular styles — from cat-eye and oversized to round and geometric.
Acetate frames in bold colours, tortoiseshell, and patterns remain consistently in demand.
Really, the choice comes down to your face shape, personal taste, and occasion.
Many women keep more than one pair for exactly that reason.
What Frames Can You Get from Larry Zunde Optometrists in Bedfordview?
At Larry Zunde Optometrists, we carry prescription eyewear frames across all the types, materials, and shapes covered in this guide.
Whether you want something classic and understated — or something that makes people ask where did you get those? — there’s a pair here worth considering.
With over three decades fitting frames for the Bedfordview community, I’m here to help you find what works.
Not just for your prescription, but for you.
Visit us at 95 Boeing Road East, Bedfordview, or call 011 454 3929 to book your eye exam and frame choice..
About the Author:
Larry Zunde is an optometrist with over 30 years experience at Larry Zunde Optometrists situated in Bedfordview.
His optometric training included an emphasis on eye exams, contact lenses fitting, ocular disease and low vision specialist.
His optometric training also included working at St. Johns Eye Hospital, part of Baragwanath Academic Hospital, whilst doing his military service.
