“When I wear them it’s like seeing the world with a permanent ‘happy’ filter”

How many pairs of spectacles or sunglasses do you own?

Not enough when it comes to sunglasses: I have eight pairs and a pair of spectacles.

What frame shapes, colours or styles do you usually go for?

With a long face I find that square frames suit me better. The sharp corners help balance out the length of my face. In terms of colours – anything goes. One of my go-to pairs at the moment is a large black square frame with orange lenses. When I wear them it’s like seeing the world with a permanent ‘happy’ filter.

Can you describe your favourite pair?

Even though I love my bright coloured sunglasses, my favourite is a pair of beige Chanel sunglasses. A classic square shape, they go with everything and are so timeless and chic. That’s probably why I’ve had them for so long.

Who would you pick as your style icon when it comes to eyewear?

The legendary Audrey Hepburn. Her little black dress and black sunnies in Breakfast at Tiffany’s was very elegant and daring at the time and is now forever iconic.

How long have you worn spectacles for, and what prompted you to go for your first sight test?

I didn’t start wearing spectacles until recently. The aging process comes for us all. My prescription isn’t actually that strong, but I started suffering from a lot of headaches so now have a pair of varifocals, which have really helped when I’m pouring over my laptop or mobile for work and also to help me to see the flight board at airports so I don’t miss my connections.

Having good eye health is crucial. My eyes have deteriorated with age and now I always keep up with regular eye check-ups as any changes to your eyes can signal so many other underlying health problems. It’s essential to stay on top of it.

How important is eyewear to reflecting your personality?

Very important. Anything I wear is a reflection of my personality and individual style, plus they absolutely have to suit my mood on the day. Being a full-time travel content creator, I also feature in a lot of content on my website and across my social media platforms – so sunglasses when I’m on my travels are always the finishing touch to any outfit.

What are your top three tips for selecting the right pair of frames?

1. Don’t always follow the latest trends
2. Find frames that suit your face shape and make you feel good
3. Above all, choose frames that are comfortable to wear.

Find Sima’s blog online at The Curious Pixie, as well as Facebook, Instagram, and X.