Transparente Brillen für Damen und Herren: wem sie stehen und wie du sie trägst

Clear frame glasses aren't a niche choice any more: a see-through frame that shows your face instead of covering it is now one of the easiest things to wear. They work just as well for men as for women and go with almost any wardrobe. In this guide we look at who they suit, how to wear them, which shape to choose and how to look after them so they stay clear.

What clear frame glasses are

They're glasses whose frame is made of a translucent, colourless material. You'll also see them called transparent frames or crystal frames. Don't confuse them with "clear lens" glasses, which is sometimes used for any glasses that aren't sunglasses.

The appeal is that they almost disappear: you see the shape, but not a block of colour on your face. That's why they're the usual pick for people who want to wear glasses without the glasses being the first thing anyone notices.

Who they suit

Almost everyone, precisely because they don't add colour. Even so, the effect changes:

• Fair skin: the look is soft and bright; the glasses blend into your face.
• Darker or tanned skin: there's more contrast and the frame shows more, with an elegant touch.
• Strong features, a beard or thick eyebrows: a clear frame balances and lightens things.
• Soft features: it works, but if you want to define your eyes more you might prefer a dark frame. More on that in black non-prescription glasses.

Clear frame glasses for men: how to wear them

• With a shirt or suit: they take the edge off without losing formality. A good pair for the office.
• With a T-shirt and overshirt: they go unnoticed and let your clothes do the talking.
• With a beard: they offset the visual weight of the lower half of your face.
• With colour: since they have no tone of their own, there's nothing for them to clash with.

Clear frame glasses for women: how to wear them

• With make-up: they don't compete with it; eyeshadow, liner and brows stay visible.
• With your hair up: your face stays open and the frame becomes the only accessory.
• With jewellery: they go just as well with gold as with silver.
• With simple outfits: jeans and a white shirt, knitwear, neutral tones. That's where they look best.

Square or round?

Because a clear frame doesn't show much, the shape matters more than the colour. Round frames soften; square frames add order and definition, which is why they suit more faces. If you're not sure which is yours, we explain it in who suits square glasses and, in more detail, in how to choose a frame for your face shape.

How to keep them clear

This is the part hardly anyone mentions: a clear frame hides nothing.

• Dirt shows. Skin oil, cream and make-up build up on the nose pads and the inside of the frame. Wash them in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap and dry them with a microfibre cloth.
• Don't use alcohol or glass cleaner. They can damage the material and the lens coating.
• Watch out for heat. Don't leave them in the sun in the car: heat warps frames and speeds up the way some clear plastics lose their transparency over the years.
• Keep them in their pouch. Scratches show more on a clear frame.

Non-prescription or prescription clear frames

You can get both. If your eyesight is fine and you want them as an accessory, what you're after is clear non-prescription glasses: a neutral, 0-dioptre lens, the same for men and women. And if you also spend hours on a computer or phone, they come with a clear lens that filters part of the blue light from screens. If you need correction, the right thing is to have them made up by an eye care professional. What fake glasses are and how to choose them, in non-prescription fake glasses.

LenBlu® Clear

The LenBlu® Clear non-prescription glasses have a square, slim TR90 frame with a clear lens and a blue light filter. One size: 53 mm lens, 18 mm bridge and 142 mm total width. They cost €34.99; if you'd like to switch between them and the black ones, the Duo Pack includes both for €49.99. Delivery in 8–15 business days, free from €39.99. The whole collection is in non-prescription glasses.

Frequently asked questions

Are clear frame glasses for men or for women?

Both. What changes is the size and shape, not the colour of the frame.

Are there clear non-prescription glasses for men?

Yes. A medium-size clear frame (a lens of around 53 mm) fits most adult faces, men's and women's, and with a 0-dioptre lens you wear it purely for style.

Do they look good with a beard?

Yes. They lighten the face and balance out the beard.

Can you see a reflection on the lens?

Every lens reflects a little. On lenses with a blue light filter, at certain angles you'll see a very faint bluish reflection: that's the filter itself.

Clear or black?

Clear if you want your glasses to blend in; black if you want them to be seen. If you can't decide, the Duo Pack lets you try both.

Do clear frames turn yellow?

It depends on the material and how you treat them. Direct sun, heat and harsh products are what wear them down most; with water, mild soap and a pouch they last longer.