For years, I struggled with a frustrating issue: every pair of glasses I bought felt too big. The frames always feel too big on my face, sliding down constantly and making me look like I borrowed someone else's glasses. I thought I was just cursed with a small face until I learned what was actually going wrong.
Looking back, the warning signs were obvious. My glasses would:
I kept going back to the optician for adjustments, but they could only do so much. The fundamental problem was that I was choosing frames that were simply too wide for my face.
I realized I was making several mistakes when shopping for glasses:
Mistake 1: Following trends blindly. Oversized frames were fashionable, so I assumed they'd look good on me. They didn't. What looks great on a model with a wide face looks ridiculous on my narrow face.
Mistake 2: Not knowing my measurements. I had no idea what size frames actually fit my face. I'd just try on random pairs and hope for the best.
Mistake 3: Ignoring the numbers. Those tiny numbers printed inside the temple? I thought they were just manufacturing codes. Turns out they're crucial sizing information.
Everything changed when I finally measured my face properly. I discovered my face width is only 125mm from temple to temple. Most "standard" frames are 135-145mm wide. No wonder they felt huge.
I needed frames with these specifications:
This was a revelation. I'd been buying frames that were 15-20mm too wide for my face.
Based on my experience and advice from online communities, here are clear indicators:
Once I knew I needed smaller frames, I faced a new problem: most stores don't carry them. The optical industry seems to assume everyone has an average or large face.
I had to specifically search for:
Online shopping became easier once I knew my exact measurements. I could filter by size and avoid wasting time on frames that would never fit.
When I finally got properly sized frames, they felt strange at first. After years of oversized glasses, the correct fit seemed almost tight. But within a day, I realized this was how glasses should feel:
Reading forums and Reddit threads, I found I wasn't alone. Many people with smaller faces struggle with this issue. One user shared that they'd been wearing youth-sized frames for years because adult frames were all too big. Another mentioned that finding the right size improved their vision because the optical centers finally aligned with their pupils.
The consensus was clear: don't compromise on size. A slightly less trendy frame that fits properly will always look better than a fashionable frame that's too large.
I've completely changed how I shop for glasses:
If frames always feel too big on you, you're probably not imagining it. Measure your face, learn what size you actually need, and don't settle for frames that don't fit properly. The difference in comfort and appearance is dramatic once you find your correct size.