7 Steps to Find Cool, Functional Glasses for Teens

Glasses are a staple accessory for Gen Z. Whether they’re sporting cool, colorful frames or retro Aviator-style ‘70s eyeglasses, teenagers often wear glasses just for the aesthetic. Hopefully it won’t be too hard to convince your teenager to wear their glasses, but sometimes they need help finding and ordering the right pair. If you find the best frames that both look fantastic and fix their vision troubles, they’ll reach for them every day.

Let’s look at some tips to help you find the right glasses for teens. We’ll also share where you can get functional, versatile, and trendy eyewear for kids without needing to hit the mall.

With the right approach and our tips to help you through the process, your kid will be happily wearing glasses they love before you know it.

Step 1: Frame It Correctly

Maybe your teenager is not at all excited to be wearing glasses. Make things easier for them (and yourself) by reminding them of the benefits. For example, they’ll be able to be on their laptop for longer, see the details of characters in movies or games, see what’s going on in the cafeteria, or hit the ball more easily when they’re playing baseball.

To help overcome potential teen self-consciousness, you might also point out some celebrities who wear glasses and still look cool, like Sydney Sweeney, Tom Holland, Millie Bobby Brown, Dan Levy, or Zendaya.

Most importantly, consult them on what they’d prefer and get them involved in any choices that need to be made right from the beginning. The earlier you get their buy-in, the more likely they are to wear their new glasses.

Step 2: Understand Your Teenager’s Vision Needs

This starts with a visit to an optician, who will test your teen’s eyes. If they have some vision challenges, your eye doctor will probably recommend contact lenses or glasses.

The prescription they give you will stipulate whether your child needs single-vision lenses or progressive lenses (the bifocal glow-up). Use that prescription to order their glasses.

Step 3: Consider Your Kid’s Lifestyle

Glasses for teens can be customized in several different ways. The extra functionality your teen needs will depend on their activities.

For example, if they spend a lot of time looking at screens, especially in the evening, you might want to start them young with blue light glasses. Electronic devices emit blue light that interferes with sleep patterns, resulting in tired and grumpy teens in the morning — which is never fun for anyone in the household. Blue light filters help to protect their eyes and their sleep.

Or if they take part in outdoor sports, they might do well with polarized sunglasses or light-responsive transition lenses that darken as they move outside, protecting their eyes from the glare.

Step 4: Look for Tough Eyeglass Material

There’s no doubt that teens are hard on their glasses. A general lack of coordination and care can quickly lead to damaged eyewear that needs to be replaced.

To keep those glasses going as long as possible and at the same time protect your kid’s eyes, choose hard-wearing, impact-resistant materials like cellulose acetate for the frames and polycarbonate for the lenses. It’s how we make our glasses at Pair.

It’s also a good idea to go for full-rim rather than semi-rimless or rimless glasses, which tend to be a little less sturdy.

Step 5: Get the Fit Right

Glasses for teens need to be the right size for them. If they’re uncomfortably tight or so big they keep slipping down their nose, they won’t wear them.

Young teens may need glasses specially designed for children while older teens — depending on their size — can sometimes wear adult glasses. Kids’ glasses have a smaller frame size, bridge width, and temple arms.

Always check the fit guide for a pair of glasses before you buy them. If they have nose pads, you may be able to fine-tune the fit when they arrive, but it’s better to start with as close to the right size as possible.

Step 6: Choose a Flattering Glasses Frame Shape

The shape of your teen’s eyeglass frames should complement — not match — their face shape. As a general rule:

• Rectangular and square glasses work well to balance a rounder face

• Round frames help to soften faces that are sharper and more angular

Many online eyewear retailers allow you to virtually try on different pairs of glasses before you buy. The process is usually quite easy to follow but for younger teens, it’s a good idea to walk them through it. Have fun together experimenting with different styles!

Step 7: Let Their Personality Shine

While pre-teens will often choose glasses designs based on characters in their favorite TV show or movie, older teens often require a cool quotient. Luckily glasses for teens come in all sorts of different designs, so whatever your child’s age, they’re bound to find something they like.

While there are guidelines for many of the other factors for teen glasses, this is perhaps where your child has the most personal freedom. The design and colors they choose should suit their personality and make them feel good.

Finding Great Glasses for Teens

Wondering where to start? You’ll find plenty of cool glasses for teens at Pair Eyewear. Pair sells high-quality, full-rim glasses in a range of styles. Our virtual try-on feature helps your teen decide whether they like the look or not.

For example:

• For kids about to enter the tween years (up to age 9), try The Serra or The Cedro

• For tweens up to age 12, try The Otero

• For teens who can fit petite adult glasses, try The Larkin or The Twain

• For older teens, most of our adult frames should fit, like The Finley or The Reese

You’ll see that each Base Frame comes in a range of colors, like black, pink, blue, clear, or tortoiseshell — but the range of designs doesn’t end there.

Your teen can choose from our range of Top Frames too. Top Frames snap magnetically onto the Base Frames, completely changing the look of their glasses, depending on their mood or the occasion. They can get a neutral Base Frame and a handful of colorful, personality-packed Top Frames to snap on and off.

Younger teens might like the Peanuts or Harry Potter Top Frame ranges, while older teens might go for something from the Marvel or DC ranges, a design that supports their favorite sports team, or a more classic design.

Pair glasses are made of cellulose acetate with impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses — made especially for kids. They also have strong spring hinges to withstand daily teen wear and tear. As a bonus, all our glasses come with an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare for photos.

You don't even have to spend a lot to get your teenager the glasses they want. We’ve got you covered at Pair Eyewear with glasses for teens starting from only $60, including prescription lenses.

And if for any reason they (or you) aren’t satisfied when their new eyewear arrives on their doorstep, you can take advantage of our 30-day warranty to request an exchange or refund.

If you have any other questions, feel free to consult our FAQ page or email us directly at [email protected].

Cool Glasses for Teens Come in All Shapes and Sizes

Getting your teen to wear glasses can sometimes take a little work, but when you find the right pair for them, it’s that much easier. Start by getting them involved right from the get-go, then take into account your kid’s vision needs and lifestyle.

Be sure to choose tough materials and find the right fit. Then help them select the right frame shape for their face and a design — or designs, if you’re shopping online at Pair Eyewear — that suits their personality.

The right pair of glasses will help them see better and feel good about themselves. Now that’s something almost every teenager needs (even if they don’t know it yet).