How to Buy Eyeglasses Online

A huge thanks to Coastal and Shopping Links for sponsoring today’s post.

These days, doesn’t it seem like you can just buy anything and everything online?  I’m seriously talking whatever you want.  Blame it on our busy schedules or trying to avoid shopping malls (aka human interaction) at all costs — but, either way, it’s true.  There’s been a shopping shift and it’s getting bigger each year.  There are definitely items that seem like they were MADE to be purchased online.  Small electronics, office supplies, those paper towels you don’t want to lug out of Target.  And then there are things that are a bit tricker to buy without seeing — clothes, groceries (I like the pick my own produce), and up until recently, eyeglasses.  As someone who has made a career out of shopping online, I will admit that ordering eye-wear online was even something I always had trouble with.  I would go to order a pair of sunglasses that I saw on a celebrity or on a model only to have them show up waaaaay too small for my face and completely unflattering.   Now, there are companies like Coastal that take the guesswork out of buying glasses online — both prescription and sunglasses, too!  The trick is — you have to know your face shape and your correct measurements from a pair of glasses that fit.  It’s as easy as that and I’m sharing some tips below!

First.  A little backstory.  Sucking it up and finally getting glasses has been a long time coming for me.  If you know me at all — you know that glasses are sort of a sore subject for me.  I went to the eye doctor as a kid (naturally) and left traumatized and insanely nauseated.  Turns out, anything that causes my eyes to have to focus in and out causes some sort of motion sickness.  That easy task of making you read letters and numbers to see which is clearer is a nightmare for me and I legitimately have to hold the machine like I’m on a windy road.  Even out of the doctor’s office… wearing prescription eyeglasses/contacts, sunglasses that are polarized, and even staring at a screen too long makes me feel like I just went on the most intense roller coaster and the feeling sticks with me for hours.  But I’m always squinting.  At menus, while reading a book, or a computer screen… or at a TV.  I decided to face my fears and do something about it — because as I hit 30, I realized… motion sickness is better than wrinkles.

I teamed up with my friends over at Coastal — who have one of the best selections of eyeglasses and sunglasses online to share just how easy it is to order a pair of stylish glasses online.

Know your prescription.  Make sure to get your eyes checked before ordering any sort of prescription glasses online, as your eyes may have changed since the last time you got glasses or contacts.  Also, make sure you have a prescription for eyeglasses (as contacts require a different type of prescription).

Have your eyewear measurements handy.  If you already have glasses, you can use the measurements from your current pair.  If you’re new to buying eyeglasses, you can grab your favorite pair of sunglasses that fit comfortably and go from there. Your measurements will be listed in the order of lens width, bridge width, and arm length.  If you don’t see any numbers listed on your current pair, you can grab a ruler and measure your glasses or sunglasses (in millimeters) using this diagram for reference:
Use the Coastal MyFit tool.  After you grab your measurements, you’ll input the numbers into the MyFit tool to help you narrow down glasses that match.  I used a pair of sunglasses that fit me well and got the numbers 51-21-140.  After inputting those numbers into the tool, it generated a list of glasses that would fit my face.

Know your face shape.  This is important to determine a style of glasses that would flatter you best.  Coastal has an easy-to-read guide that should help you if you’re not sure (or in between).   My face is heart-shaped, meaning my face is widest at the forehead and cheekbones and gradually narrows through the jaw.  This is why a lot of eyeglasses can appear smaller on me and I tend to need styles to help balance out the difference.  Cat-eye or Clubmaster styles (with bolder end points) typically can help that balance, as can styles with very light rims.  According to Coastal, I would want to try to avoid any top heavy rims (which would only accentuate my forehead) or any long styles (which would make my chin more pointy).

I absolutely love the huge selection of styles that Coastal has to choose from!  I ordered a pair of classic Chloé eyeglasses with a slight cat-eye that would go with an everyday look.  For when I want to make more of a statement, I ordered these fun Derek Cardigan round glasses that are very on-trend at the moment!  I’m happy to report that the motion sickness issue minimizes after I allow myself to get used to them — it gets easier each time I wear them!

Have you tried ordering eyeglasses online before?  If you’re in the market for a new pair or want to try Coastal for yourself, I’m happy to announce that we’ve partnered to offer 20% off a complete pair of eyeglasses (frames and lenses) with code OHSO20!  Coastal offers FREE SHIPPING and FREE RETURNS — so you have nothing to lose!  Leave a comment below if you plan to give them a try!