Bag (0)
Book an eye exam

Black Frames

Black in every finish the materials allow: matt and polished acetate, and metal in anodised and painted black.

50 frames

About Black Frames

There are 54 black frames online, from twelve brands, and KUBORAUM accounts for 26 of them: eleven in Black Shine, ten in Black Matt, and five more where black sits beside gold, silver or havana, or is named Black Night. Cartier has seven, most of them Gold / Black or Black / Grey. J.F. Rey has four, Blake Kuwahara, Oliver Peoples and Res/Rei three each, DITA and OVVO two, and Henau, Oscar Mamooi, Gamine and Matsuda one apiece.

Thirty-nine are acetate, eight are metal and seven combine the two. In acetate, black is cut from a solid plate, so a scratch shows black underneath, and the frame holds an optician’s adjustment. The finish is the whole difference: Black Shine is polished to a gloss, Black Matt is left flat, and Oliver Peoples splits the difference with Semi-Matte Black. In metal, black is a finish over the metal, on frames like OVVO’s Matte Black / Rust and KUBORAUM’s Black Gold.

Every shape, most sizes

Black is the one colour that appears in every shape: 13 rounds, eleven rectangles, ten squares, nine geometrics, five ovals, five cat-eyes and one aviator. Eye sizes run from 41mm to 64mm with a median of 51mm; eight frames are 46mm or under, 26 sit between 47mm and 52mm, and 20 are 53mm or more. The size guide at /collections/frame-size-guide explains the three numbers inside the left arm.

Most of these frames are one of a kind. They ship as frames for your own optician to fit lenses, free and insured within the US with a signature on delivery. Returns are accepted within seven days of delivery, less a 15 percent restocking charge; discounted frames are final sale.

Matte or glossy black glasses: which is better?

Gloss reflects light and reads as a sharper outline; matt absorbs it and reads softer, closer to the face. Neither wears better. KUBORAUM makes many of its shapes in both, which is why we hold eleven Black Shine and ten Black Matt frames, sometimes the same model in each finish. Oliver Peoples’ Semi-Matte Black sits between the two. Pick by how much you want the frame to be noticed.

Do black frames suit everyone?

Black is the safest colour on most complexions, but a heavy black acetate rim can look harsh on very fair skin or fine features. A thinner rim, a smaller eye size or a matt finish softens it. With 54 black frames from 41mm to 64mm across the eye, and eight of them metal, there is a light version and a bold one. A photo sent to us gets a straight recommendation.

Does black acetate scratch or fade?

Acetate is cut from a solid plate, so the black runs through the whole rim; a scratch shows black, not a different colour underneath. Metal frames in black carry a finish over the metal, which is why we name the frame’s material on every listing so you know which you are buying.

Can I get prescription lenses in black frames?

Yes. Every black frame here ships as a frame, and your own optician fits lenses to your prescription. Black acetate is a good match for a stronger prescription because the thick rim hides the lens edge. Our lens guide at /collections/lens-guide explains what to ask for. Both of our shops belong to the Eye Rx practice, where fittings happen if you are local.