One of the most fun parts of picking new eyeglasses is selecting the frame. Like a great haircut, glasses let you play up your finest features and broadcast your personality and style. And if you have more than one pair of glasses, you can showcase multiple looks.  

Deciding on eyeglass frame material can be one way to narrow down your selection. At XP Health, we offer plastic, metal, and mixed-material eyeglass frames. Learn more about each to decide which is right for you.

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Plastic (Acetate) Eyeglass Frames

Our largest selection of eyeglass frames is made of acetate, a type of plant-based (not petroleum-based) plastic. Durable and lightweight, acetate is ideal for everyday wear.

Acetate is also extremely versatile. That’s why acetate frames come in all different shapes, thicknesses, colors, and finishes. Whether you want bold, playful, or sophisticated, you can find dozens of different looks and styles in acetate. 

Shopping tips: 

• Do you like to stand out? Look for frames in bright colors that pop. 
• Do you prefer glasses that blend into your face more? Consider earthen neutral tones or clear frames.

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Shop XP Health acetate eyeglass frames

Use the search filters for acetate frame options to see our selection.

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Metal Eyeglass Frames

Many people choose metal eyeglass frames for their classic, sophisticated look. Metal eyeglass frames come in different kinds of metal, like gold, silver, or titanium, as well as different finishes. The material around the lenses is typically thin. 

If you have a very strong prescription: 

Opt for ultrathin lens material or go with acetate frames instead. This will help keep the lenses from protruding past the width of the frame.

Shop XP Health metal eyeglass frames

Use the search filters for metal frame options to see our selection.

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Mixed Material Eyeglass Frames

Can’t decide whether you like plastic or metal more? Try mixed! Mixed brings in multiple materials for a truly unique look. 

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Shop XP Health mixed-material eyeglass frames

Use the search filters for mixed frame options to see our selection.

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Rimless and Semi-Rimmed Eyeglass Frames

As its name implies, rimless eyeglass frames forgo the rim altogether. Instead, the lenses are held together by the nose bridge and temple arms (the part that goes along the side of the head and hooks behind the ears).

Likewise, semi-rimmed glasses have a partial rim and leave the other portion of the lenses naked. 

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If you have a moderate to strong prescription: 

Rimless and semi-rimmed glasses are not recommended. That’s because there is no or less frame to hide the thickness of the lens. Opting for ultrathin lens material for higher prescriptions is not a recommended solution. The lens is very exposed in rimless and semi-rimmed glasses. And ultrathin lens material is not impact-resistant. This combination makes the lens extra vulnerable to chipping.

If your prescription is higher than a plus or minus 4.0, an ultrathin lens might be a good option for a thinner lens. But keep in mind that it lacks some safety features.

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Shop XP Health rimless and semi-rimmed eyeglass frames

Use the search filters for metal and mixed frame options to see our selection.

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Other Factors to Consider When Selecting Eyeglass Frame Material

In addition to the aesthetics of the material itself, here are a few other factors that might weigh in on your decision:

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• Lifestyle: Think about the typical activities you do when wearing glasses. Is there one material or another that might be more compatible with your lifestyle?
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• Comfort: Comfort is a must for eyewear. If your glasses don’t fit well, you won’t wear them. And what’s the point of that? Make sure whatever material and style you choose is one that you can wear comfortably for as long as you need to.
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• Prescription compatibility: If you have a strong prescription, your lenses will be thicker. One way to account for this is to opt for our ultrathin lens material. This preserves vision quality but gives an overall thinner lens. The other option is to choose acetate, not metal, frames. Because acetate frames are thicker than metal frames, they can better accommodate thicker lenses.

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The Smile Test

Of course, the most important factor when choosing frames is if you like how you look in them. When you look in the mirror, do the frames bring a smile to your face? If so, you’ve found a keeper. Looking good, feeling good, and seeing well — check, check, check! That’s the goal!