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Life is too short for a boring style. Eyeglass frames are a highly neglected aspect of your branding. Upgrade your eyeglass frames in 2020 and you’ll set yourself apart, give your look more personality and get more attention.
The psychological effect of wearing glasses
Did you know that only three U.S. presidents have been consistent eyeglass wearers (Harry Truman, Teddy Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson)? This is ironic because glasses make you look smarter, especially if you wear thicker frames (Bill Gates). On the flipside, they may cause you to be perceived as nerdish. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing in a profession where it builds trust to be thought of as competent, diligent, and as someone who pays attention to detail.
But glasses do so much more than establish credibility!
They spark conversation, show you don’t take yourself overly seriously, and liven up a dull outfit. Wearing an interesting pair of glasses attracts attention so you can avoid being washed out as advisor #605 at the Chamber of Commerce meeting.
Have you ever wanted more people to approach you at a networking event? Get an intriguingly fun pair of eyeglasses and everyone will want to talk to you!
Since junior high, I’ve owned fabulous eyeglass frames that have gotten me tons of compliments and saved me money on expensive contact lenses. I had a tortoiseshell pair (before it was en vogue) and a cranberry-colored one.
Before all of you have a heart attack, it’s okay to keep the black titanium rectangular Ray Bans as a safety blanket. Let’s put those aside for a moment and take some fashion risks.
You only live once, advisors! Isn’t that what you tell all your clients to motivate them to improve their financial health?
Step aside, brand snobs
Have you ever seen a pair of Gucci eyeglass frames? There’s usually the brand name printed on either arm. Oh please. You hoity toity brand snobs are missing the point.
You wear interesting eyeglasses to draw attention to your eyes, not the side of your head!
Why try so hard to impress other people with material things? Remember what happened to Narcissus in Ovid’s Metamorphoses? He fell so in love with his own reflection that he starved himself to death.
The point of stylish accessories isn’t to show how you’ve got more cake than the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker; it’s to connect with other people so that they trust you. The eyes show true emotion. You can fake a smile but you can’t fake a look in your eyes. That is why when someone lies to you they usually look away.
Now for some wowsahs!
It’s just like the 60/40 portfolio; it may work for one person but be a total nightmare for another. There’s no one size fits all when it comes to eyeglasses; they have to work with your personal image and also your facial anatomy. Instead of trying to become an expert in the art of eyeglass selection, I’d refer you to articles like this to learn what shape or color of eyeglasses would work best for you.
So what are my ideas for hot eyeglass frames for advisors in 2020? Read on – to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield!
The attention-getter
You certainly will attract attention to yourself with these mismatched frames by Zeelool. Just be sure you’re ready with a quick retort such as, “I’ve survived four bear markets since 1985. I’ve learned to find creative ways of doing things.”
Hip and nerd simultaneously
These ombre cat eye glasses by Bella Valentina are to die for. I relish the decadent combination of tortoise and blue. This look would go over great if you are working with creative types. No, scratch that. The four and twenty blackbirds baked into this pie make it a dainty dish to set before any king (or queen)!
Seriously (question mark)
Wearing PQ by Ron Arad White City says, “I’m serious but don’t confuse that with boring!” Try out these spectacles and watch as your onlookers become intrigued.
Sara’s upshot
Did I inspire you to wage war on your boring eyeglasses in 2020? If so, drop me a line on APViewpoint and let’s talk!
Sara Grillo, CFA, is a marketing consultant who helps investment management, financial planning, and RIA firms fight the tendency to scatter meaningless clichés on their prospects and bore them as a result. Prior to launching her own firm, she was a financial advisor and worked at Lehman Brothers.
Read more articles by Sara Grillo
