Do glasses really make you look smarter but less attractive? (2024)

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Do glasses really make you look smarter but less attractive? (2) Do glasses really make you look smarter but less attractive? (3)

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As a general rule, yes: glasses make you look smarter but less attractive.

What's really fascinating about this study is it also showed that effects were determined by the type of glasses. Rimless glasses make your face less distinctive, increase your perceived trustworthiness and do not decrease attractiveness:

In face perception, besides physiognomic changes, accessories like eyeglasses can influence facial appearance. According to a stereotype, people who wear glasses are more intelligent, but less attractive. In a series of four experiments, we showed how full-rim and rimless glasses, differing with respect to the amount of face they cover, affect face perception, recognition, distinctiveness, and the attribution of stereotypes. Eyeglasses generally directed observers’ gaze to the eye regions; rimless glasses made faces appear less distinctive and resulted in reduced distinctiveness in matching and in recognition tasks. Moreover, the stereotype was confirmed but depended on the kind of glasses—rimless glasses yielded an increase in perceived trustworthiness, but not a decrease in attractiveness. Thus, glasses affect how we perceive the faces of the people wearing them and, in accordance with an old stereotype, they can lower how attractive, but increase how intelligent and trustworthy people wearing them appear. These effects depend on the kind of glasses worn.

Source: "The glasses stereotype revisited: Effects of eyeglasses on perception, recognition, and impression of faces." from Swiss Journal of Psychology/Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Psychologie/Revue Suisse de Psychologie, Vol 70(4), Dec 2011, 211-222.

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Do glasses really make you look smarter but less attractive? (2024)

FAQs

Do glasses make you look more or less attractive? ›

Participants evaluated others on a scale of one to 10.

A March study published in the journal Cureus found that wearing glasses could actually make you appear less attractive, as well as less confident.

Do people think glasses make you look smarter? ›

“Social psychology has consistently demonstrated that when people are shown images of people with glasses, they find them to be more intelligent, hardworking, and successful, but less active, outgoing, or attractive than people with similar characteristics who do not wear glasses.” Since this stereotype is likely “ ...

Why do people think glasses are attractive? ›

Wearing glasses often evokes a subtle intrigue in a relationship. While glasses help in framing the face and drawing attention to the facial features, in most women, these iconic frames hide the minor glitches in the appearance. Men consider women wearing glasses as intellectual and intelligent.

Did Albert Einstein wear glasses? ›

From Bill Gates to Albert Einstein , many of the most intelligent people throughout history have worn glasses. Now, a new study suggests that that might not be a coincidence.

Do people with glasses see better than normal? ›

If you have been wondering whether wearing eyeglasses improves your eyesight, the answer to that is that they do. However, there is no indication that they affect your physical eye or the source of your sight loss symptoms.

Why do geniuses wear glasses? ›

Their analysis found “significant genetic overlap between general cognitive function, reaction time, and many health variables including eyesight, hypertension, and longevity”. Specifically, people who were more intelligent were almost 30% more likely to have genes which might indicate they'd need to wear glasses.

Are glasses attractive on guys? ›

According to a street survey, women found men wearing glasses to be up to 75% sexier than those without them. This is a rock solid proof that many women find men with glasses to be hot & irresistible. Go ahead and try on your favourite pair, wearing eyeglasses will only add to your attractiveness quotient.

What glasses make you look smartest? ›

Since then, research has found even the kind of glasses matters: Thick, blocky frames make you look smarter than thin ones.

Are girls with glasses more attractive? ›

No. It doesn't make a girls more attractive. It depends on the woman herself i.e. her physical look. If she wore glasses then it won't be the glasses that makes her attractive in physical sense…

How can I look pretty with glasses? ›

Five Ways to Look Good in Glasses
  1. Consider your face shape. Select a frame that complements the shape of your face. ...
  2. Choose the right color. ...
  3. Pick the right size. ...
  4. Stay on trend. ...
  5. Always make adjustments.

How can I look handsome with glasses? ›

For a square face, keep frames slim and avoid rectangular lenses. If you have an oval face, you can wear many different styles as long as they aren't extreme. However, avoid frames that are very thin, which can make your face appear longer than it is. Heart shaped faces look good with thick-bottomed frames.

Do you see Marilyn Monroe or Albert Einstein? ›

"So, if you have normal vision or corrected-to-normal vision with glasses or contacts, you'll see Einstein," Dr. Ronald Smith, an optometrist, said. "Without it, you'll see Marilyn Monroe." If you're seeing Einstein your eyes are able to pick up the details on his face, like mustache and wrinkles.

What is Albert Einstein diagnosed with? ›

According to Michael Fitzgerald, professor of psychiatry at Trinity College in Dublin, a long list of 'geniuses' ― including Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, George Orwell, H. G. Wells Ludwig Wittgenstein, Beethoven, Mozart, Hans Christian Andersen and Immanuel Kant ― all had Asperger syndrome.

What is an Einstein lens? ›

An Einstein Ring is a special case of gravitational lensing, caused by the exact alignment of the source, lens, and observer. This results in symmetry around the lens, causing a ring-like structure.

Do people look better or worse in glasses? ›

More On: eyeglasses

Results showed that the images of people without glasses ranked higher than those with glasses. The participants who did wear glasses tended to give higher scores to the pictures of people with glasses, but those who didn't wear glasses did not do the same with images without glasses.

Will I have to wear glasses forever? ›

Answer: Once you start wearing your prescription glasses, you may find that your vision is so much clearer that you want to wear them all the time. If you are comfortable, then there is absolutely no reason why you can't wear your glasses as much as you want.

What is the psychology of wearing glasses? ›

Honesty: Glasses can make you look more honest. Trustworthiness: You may look more trustworthy if you're wearing glasses with rims. Intelligence: People with glasses look like they read more; hence, they are more intelligent. Social class: Higher social class is associated with wearing glasses.

Why do I feel prettier without glasses? ›

Because you are more USED to your face without glasses OR because when you see your face without glasses it is slightly out of focus, which makes most people look good. Notice the 60s TV shows all the female close ups are “soft” focus!

What can I wear instead of glasses? ›

Contact Lenses

The good old contact lens or contacts has been the most popular alternative for wearing glasses since its invention in 1887.

What race wears glasses the most? ›

Myopia (near-sightedness) is more prevalent in ethnic East Asians, over 2/3 by age 15. So they need glasses to fix that. Why is it more prevalent? Given that rates of myopia are much higher than they used to be in East Asian countries, it's probably more lifestyle than genetics.

Does poor eyesight mean higher IQ? ›

Research suggests a link between myopia (nearsightedness) and higher than average IQs. However, not everyone who wears glasses has myopia. There are several different vision problems that wearing glasses can correct.

Are glasses a symbol of intelligence? ›

Glasses are seen as a symbol of intelligence, insight, and enlightenment, and many characters with glasses are portrayed as having advanced intellect or mental faculties. Many fairy tales portray glass as having otherworldly intellectual and omniscient capacities.

What percentage of girls like guys with glasses? ›

80% of women find men who wear glasses attractive.

He might appear too serious, nerdy or geeky, but there are more to men who wear glasses! Below are some reasons why ladies like you should not hesitate to date a man who has more eyes to adore you.

Which country wears the most glasses? ›

This was followed by Switzerland at 67.7 percent and Norway at 66 percent.
...
Share of individuals who wear spectacles in selected European countries in 2020.
CharacteristicIndividuals who wear spectacles
Switzerland67.7%
Norway66%
Finland65%
Cyprus65%
9 more rows
Feb 2, 2021

Why do guys wear fake glasses? ›

Fake glasses are a great way to express your individuality and your personal style, adding a unique final touch to your look. Fake glasses for women and for men are a top fashion consideration.

How many pairs of glasses should you own? ›

Eye doctors always recommend that patients have more than one pair of prescription eyeglasses. Not only is this for fashion purposes, but it also helps protect your vision and eyes in case your primary pair of spectacles is damaged or breaks.

Do glasses make you look older? ›

Contrary to the generally accepted beliefs that wearing eyeglasses makes you look older and wearing sunglasses make you look younger, our results suggest that the effect of glasses on age perception is rather small.

Which gender wears glasses more? ›

More than half of women wear glasses

This includes everything from rounded glasses to cat-eye glasses. There is something for all tastes and personalities, and glasses have pretty much become an extension of our sense of style and the character we have. More women wear glasses than men.

Do oversized glasses look good? ›

Greater Field of Vision

It's also important to note that oversized glasses add more to your look by covering more of your face. While this might seem counterintuitive, they're incredibly effective at hiding imperfections and amplifying your best facial assets.

Why do people look different without glasses? ›

The image you see of yourself after taking off your glasses, no matter how close you are to the mirror, is slightly blurry. So not all features are prominent and hence it looks smooth. Also, if you bring your face too close to the mirror, you cannot see the entire face at once hence it creates an illusion.

How do you style your hair with glasses? ›

Generally speaking, dark hair goes well with metal and dark frames, whereas blonder hair goes with light or transparent frames. Choose frames that complement your hair color. Red tones go with any color frames except yellow and white. Short hairstyles for men and women are sleek and show off glasses the best.

How should glasses look on face? ›

How Should Glasses Fit Your Eyes? The lenses of your glasses should be centered in front of your eyes so that your pupils are looking out of the middle of each lens. This rule applies both horizontally and vertically. Your eyes should not be too far up or down, left or right in relation to the lenses.

What clothes to wear with glasses? ›

Be it a top, long lace dress, skirt, or a short racy outfit with net detailing, everything in various hues of red and other colours looks attractive when combined with right accessories including eyeglasses. While for men, casual or formal is a personal choice as they both look appealing on a romantic date.

Do guys find girls with glasses cute? ›

When men are surveyed and asked what they like a woman to wear. One of the answers is always the same and it may surprise you. There's plenty of evidence to support the result too and it's a resounding YES to glasses. And yes women in glasses definitely look more attractive to me and men in general.

Should eyebrows show above glasses? ›

However, for everyday frames, your eyebrows should typically show slightly from above your glasses. As a rule, at least the top half of your eyebrows should be visible. Your glasses shouldn't cover them completely, nor should they show them so much that your eyebrows look like they're floating on top of your frame.

Can you wear glasses just for style? ›

Glasses are traditionally worn to improve your vision, but they can also be worn as a fashion accessory to help express your personal style and add some extra love to your fit. Wearing glasses if you need vision correction can feel more obligatory than fashionable, but they don't have to be.

Who has the same IQ as Albert Einstein? ›

Those with higher IQs in comparison with Einstein include William James Sidis, Leonardo Da Vinci and Marilyn vos Savant. Sidis was a child prodigy whose IQ was estimated to be anywhere between 200 to 300, says parade.com.

What is the most iconic Marilyn Monroe look? ›

Potato sack dress (1951)

Possibly the most unique look worn by Monroe is a potato sack dress she wore for a photoshoot in 1951. The potato sack accentuated her famous hourglass figure and emphasised just how iconic Monroe really was.

What was Marilyn Monroe's famous saying? ›

"Sometimes things fall apart, so that better things can fall together." "A wise girl knows her limits, a smart girl knows that she has none." "Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring."

What famous scientist has autism? ›

According to the standard criteria there does not seem much doubt that Isaac Newton, Henry Cavendish and Albert Einstein were Asperger people; in fact Newton appears to be the earliest known example of a person with any form of autism.

What was Einstein's IQ level? ›

His performance beats those of physicists Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein, who were both estimated to have IQs around 160.

Who is the most famous dyslexic person? ›

Perhaps one of the most famous figures known to have dyslexia is Albert Einstein, a theoretical physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 and has become synonymous with intelligence and wit.

Did Einstein ever wear glasses? ›

From Bill Gates to Albert Einstein , many of the most intelligent people throughout history have worn glasses. Now, a new study suggests that that might not be a coincidence.

How much of the universe is dark matter? ›

But it is an important mystery. It turns out that roughly 68% of the universe is dark energy. Dark matter makes up about 27%. The rest - everything on Earth, everything ever observed with all of our instruments, all normal matter - adds up to less than 5% of the universe.

Who created dark matter? ›

The term dark matter was coined in 1933 by Fritz Zwicky of the California Institute of Technology to describe the unseen matter that must dominate one feature of the universe—the Coma Galaxy Cluster.

Do glasses affect your attractiveness? ›

Glasses usually enhance the features of your face and make you look hotter than you are. But getting the right frames to match your face shape, skin tone, and lifestyle is what will give you that alluring look.

What type of glasses make you look more attractive? ›

Key takeaways. Women found rectangle and square glasses to be the most attractive, while men found rectangle and cat-eye the most attractive.

Do glasses make you look more? ›

Wearing glasses will often add to your overall look, and give you one more accessory you can play with. Women can enhance their look with the right pair of glasses that fit their face shape, and personality, and by styling with hair and makeup.

Can glasses make your face look better? ›

Certain frames can help accentuate, or even slim, parts of your face or prominent features such as your nose, cheeks, or eyebrows. If you have an oval-shaped face, the great news is that most frames will look amazing on you.

Why do people wear glasses? ›

The most common reason for needing glasses is to correct blurry vision. Whether the blurry vision is in the distance (such as nearsightedness), up close (such as farsightedness), or both (such as astigmatism), glasses can be useful to provide clarity in these cases.

How do I look more attractive? ›

How To Be More Attractive: 12 Methods, According To Science
  1. Keep your chin up. ...
  2. Consider wearing sunglasses. ...
  3. Boost your adrenaline levels. ...
  4. Think androgyny. ...
  5. Don't overdo the perfume or cologne. ...
  6. Stop smiling (or smile a lot) ...
  7. Consider your facial hair carefully. ...
  8. Stick with a group.
Jul 10, 2022

Are clear frames attractive? ›

Also known as translucent or colorless frames, clear glasses are great for both men and women and add fun style to your overall look. One reason they are so popular is that they're very easy to wear. They complement almost any complexion and look great on all face shapes.

Who can wear black glasses? ›

One of the many great things about black glasses is that they work for people of any age. They miraculously make young people look a little bit older and wiser and older people a bit more hip and vibrant. Chunky black glasses, especially, are very trendy right now and give off a youthful energy.

Do people look younger without glasses? ›

Contrary to the generally accepted beliefs that wearing eyeglasses makes you look older and wearing sunglasses make you look younger, our results suggest that the effect of glasses on age perception is rather small.

How can I look cute in glasses? ›

Five Ways to Look Good in Glasses
  1. Consider your face shape. Select a frame that complements the shape of your face. ...
  2. Choose the right color. ...
  3. Pick the right size. ...
  4. Stay on trend. ...
  5. Always make adjustments.

Should my glasses touch my cheeks when I smile? ›

How Should Glasses Fit Your Cheeks? Your glasses shouldn't touch your cheeks or lift up with them when you smile. Instead, they should sit comfortably above your cheeks.

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