Vision problems continue to be a burden for millions of people worldwide. In the United States alone, myopia, a leading cause of visual impairment globally, has a high prevalence rate affecting 13 million people. Studies also show that women are more likely to incur eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration. According to the National Eye Institute, two out of every three cases of blindness or vision problems affect women. Wearing glasses is, therefore, crucial for many professional women in the workplace.
Glasses enable you to see things more clearly, but they’re also important for making an excellent first impression. And since your glasses are essential to your everyday outfit, choosing the perfect pair of frames is crucial to help you look sharp and presentable at work. Here’s why picking the right pair of glasses for work matters:
Workplace beauty standards
Although modern workplaces continue to make an effort to implement equitable policies, research shows that society’s beauty standards continue to permeate work environments and negatively affect women. A 2020 study revealed that 35% of women received inappropriate remarks regarding their appearance in work-related Zoom meetings. Other studies found that women are perceived as less competent when deemed unattractive. While non-profit groups are launching campaigns to push for women’s rights in the workforce, looking smart and professional is another way to navigate and avoid fashion-based discrimination. Wearing the right frames can go a long way in making you look sharp, powerful, and successful.
Importance of good styling
Your style can convey a message, and good styling can reflect confidence and power for professional women. According to Dana Asher Levine, who styles some of the biggest names in Hollywood, like Shonda Rhimes and Fox Television Group chair and CEO Dana Walden, being appropriately dressed in the workplace can empower you and other women to work fearlessly. Carefully planning your wardrobe is key to helping you look confident and capable and enables you to rise to the top. From formal blazers and well-ironed pantsuits to eye-catching spectacles, good style choices can go a long way in making professional women look and feel empowered. Glasses can play a key role in this. Studies show that people view their glasses-wearing peers as having a higher level of intellect.
If you wish to look more professional, it’s important to wear glasses that blend perfectly with your style. Make sure you also explore frames that are a good fit for you. Angular, cat-eye frames like the Michael Kors Napier can balance rounder faces, while round or oval frames like the Ray-Ban Round Metal Optics can soften angular facial features. Frames with neutral tones like black, gray, brown, and tortoise can be a great, professional-looking match for the workplace without being too stiff or boring. When you feel good in the right pair of specs, you radiate success, confidence, and power.
Style inspiration
Even the most successful women incorporate glasses as part of their everyday outfits. Oprah Winfrey, for instance, is known for her round glasses. Meanwhile, award-winning actress Sharon Stone, who recently partnered with eyewear retailer Eyebuydirect for its Your Eyes First campaign, likes to sport cat-eye frames. The cat-eye features angular silhouettes that can add a feminine touch to your face to help you embrace confidence and complement your formal jumpsuits in the workplace. Transparent frames are also viable if you wish to maintain a minimalist look and avoid clashing colors with your outfit, helping you encapsulate a modern, professional look.
Despite much progress in ensuring an inclusive working environment, many professional women continue to face discrimination based on appearance in the workplace. However, making the right style choices can be key to propelling you to the top. By selecting the right pair of glasses that enhance your facial features and complement your office attire, you can feel more confident and powerful while maintaining a vision for success.
