Fashion Q&A: Tips for selecting eyewear

By JEAN PATTESON

Q: My eyesight has deteriorated so slightly over the last four years, I haven't needed to order new glasses after my annual eye exams. But my lenses have finally gotten so scratched up, I have to get new glasses. The selection of frames is overwhelming. Big, little, wire, plastic, with sparkles and without. How do I choose frames that are stylish now, will still be reasonably stylish four or five years from now (providing my eyesight doesn't suddenly get worse), and will look good on me?

A: Not knowing what you look like or your taste in fashion, that's a tall order. I can tell you that large Jackie-O-style frames are in vogue at present. So are aviator frames and rectangular shapes, especially those with wide temples - although I find those block my peripheral vision.

Key colors include subtle darks such as charcoal and tan, two-tone combos such as light and dark gray or two shades of purple, translucent shades of gold, amber, gray and violet, and that old faithful, tortoise.

If you plan on keeping the same frames for several years, it's smart to avoid the extreme styles, such as super-huge frames or trendy colors, as those go out of fashion fast. Medium-size frames in a neutral color and a shape that suits your face would be a stylish-but-safe choice.

When selecting a shape, most stylists advise following the "opposites attract" rule of thumb. If you have a round face, choose angular frames, a long face, try wide frames, etc.

My rule of thumb: Trust your instincts. Keep trying frames until - Aha! Voila! - you happen upon a style that instantly looks and feels great. That's the one for you.

DRESS CODE FOR COURT

Q: I have to testify in a court case in early December. Should I wear a pantsuit, skirt suit or dress?

A: Any of those should be fine - although some judges are still old-fashioned enough to object to women wearing pants in their courtrooms. So perhaps go with the skirt suit or dress.

Just make sure whatever you choose is neat, clean and conservative. That means no miniskirt and a dress with sleeves or a jacket.

IS PRIMER FOR ME?

Q: What is the purpose of primer? Should I be using it?

A: Applied over moisturizer, primer is designed to fill in fine lines, smooth the surface of the skin and give foundation something to adhere to. The purpose is to make foundation go on smoother and last longer. The effect is subtle, so you'd have to try it to judge whether it's right for you.

SHOES WITH A MESSAGE

How comfortable are Rockport's DresSport shoes? So comfortable that seven runners wore them to run, and finish, last Sunday's New York City Marathon. Now Rockport has introduced a limited-edition version of the DresSport shoe, complete with bright orange laces. Why orange? Because $20 out of the $150 cost goes to ING's Run for Something Better campaign's Orange Laces program, which supports fitness programs in schools. But better move fast if you want the limited-edition style. Only 500 pairs were made. They're available, along with regular DresSports, at many shoe stores, Rockport stores and rockport.com.

LOST & FOUND

Lost: Suzanne from Deltona is trying to find the fragrance Barbara Bui le Parfum.

Found: Jeremy can order silk ascots from thetiebar.com.

Ella can order Biomedic Potent-C 10.5 concentrate by La Roche-Posay at a number of Web sites, including amazon.com.

(Jean Patteson can be reached at 407-420-5158, jpatteson@orlandosentinel.com or via her blog at orlandosentinel.com/fashionfocus.)