Girls who wear glasses...

The awards season has ended and along with it one of my favorite pastimes - watching the red carpet. As I reflected on this year’s fashion hits and misses, there was one thing I rarely saw regardless of the occasion: eyeglasses.

As a glasses wearer, this is a personal struggle. Whenever I have a black tie event, I usually put in my contacts (which don’t really work) or go without and keep a pair of glasses in my clutch for reading emergencies (programs, menus). I have never felt “pretty” in glasses, which leads me to the question, are glasses appropriate for black tie?

Who better to help me answer this question than Charlotte’s own expert in eyewear: Licensed Optician Sally Broadway (don’t you just LOVE her name?) of Sally’s Optical Secrets. Eyewear is in her DNA – she began working for an Optometrist in the 9th grade and has never looked back.

We started with the overall question, in which she answered a resounding, “yes” – women can look beautiful and elegant in eyeglasses. She went on to explain the eyes are the “window to the soul” and providing them with a frame in which to draw people in only enhances your beauty.

Walk into her store and she and her partner-in-crime Sheila will warmly greet you and generously spend their time helping you navigate the hundreds of eye-and-sunglasses lining the walls. They also will make sure you don't make common mistakes when choosing frames, such as wanting to match your hair color to your glasses. Glasses should compliment your hair and features - not match - this allows for more visual interest (a good tip for all accessories).

In addition to recognizable brands at all price-points, Sally also carries many independently owned eyeglass lines. These "couture-like" products are designed and handcrafted by fellow opticians who Sally believes better know how frames fit the face.

So, being a naturally skeptical person, I put these one of a kind beauties to the test and tried on several pairs to accommodate different looks. Granted, they are an investment, but think of it as custom art for your face.

Pretty and Elegant

When I get dressed up I often just want to look dare I say...feminine. These specs would do the trick. In fact, I may just end up with one of them in my eyeglass wardrobe (yes, that's a thing):

1. Francis Klein, handcrafted molded frames with pink gold (real gold!) flecks, $810

2. Francis Klein, Black crystal cat-eye with contrasting red temples, $783

3. Theo, cream metal with architectural shape, $500

Make a Statement

Sometimes I want to stand out and have my eyewear reflect my personality. I tend to be a little dramatic (shocking), so I liked these options. These also work with the menswear trend seen on the runways:

1. Francis Klein, black and white molded plastic, $744

2. Francis Klein, black metal cat eye with crystals on frame, $465

3. Theo, black, semi rimless - geek chic, but softer, $625

I left Sally's feeling hopeful and optimistic that girls who wear glasses can don their eyewear at black tie events. We can think of our eyewear as the ultimate accessory to look beautiful, make a statement -- or both. Brava!

#eyeglasses #blacktie