Double bridge glasses have a second bar above the nose bridge that links the two lenses. They are a classic for women and men alike, especially in the aviator shape. Here you’ll find out who suits double bridge glasses, what to look for when it comes to fit and what cut-outs do for a frame.
Key points at a glance
- A double bridge is a second bar above the nose bridge. It comes from aviator glasses and is found on prescription glasses and sunglasses alike.
- The top bar draws a horizontal line at eyebrow level and puts the focus on your eyes. It works especially well with oval, square, heart-shaped and long faces.
- For a good fit, check the bridge width, the lens size and the nose pads, which can usually be adjusted on metal frames.
- Cut-outs are open spaces in the frame. They make glasses look lighter without losing impact.
What are double bridge glasses?
The bridge is the centre part of a frame that sits over your nose and connects the two lenses. Double bridge glasses add a second bar above it, running straight or slightly curved at roughly eyebrow level. If you are looking for glasses with a bridge on top or two bridge glasses, this top bar is what you mean.
Originally, the double bridge had a practical purpose: it makes large, lightweight metal frames more stable. Today it is mainly a design feature. You’ll find it on classic aviators, on more angular aviator shapes, on acetate frames with a metal bridge and now and then on round or cat-eye frames. Double bridge frames, double bridge eyeglasses, double bridge spectacles: they all mean the same thing.
The best-known example is the Ray-Ban Aviator, the classic double bridge aviator. It made its way from the cockpit onto police motorbikes and eventually into the office, and it has long been a favourite as prescription glasses too.
Double bridge or double rimmed glasses?
Some people search for double rimmed glasses or double rim glasses when they mean a double bridge. Strictly speaking, a double rim describes a frame with two visible layers around the lens, for example a metal rim combined with an acetate front. A double bridge only refers to the extra bar above the nose.
Double bridge glasses for women: styles and effect
Women’s double bridge glasses are often more delicate than the classic aviator. Typical features are thin metal rims in gold, rose gold or silver, a fine top bar and softly rounded lenses. These styles are especially popular:
- Fine gold metal frame: looks light and elegant and pairs well with gold jewellery.
- Oversized aviator: makes a clear statement and suits faces that are wide enough for the large lenses.
- Double bridge with a cat-eye line: lenses that rise towards the outer edge visually lift the corners of your eyes.
- Acetate aviator: brings in colour, such as tortoiseshell, transparent or soft pastels, and looks softer than metal.
So women’s double bridge glasses don’t have to look cockpit-ready. The finer the top bar, the more understated the look; the bolder and more colourful, the more of a statement it makes.
Double bridge glasses for men
For men, the classic metal aviator remains the long-runner. If you prefer a stricter line, go for a more angular shape such as the Ray-Ban New Caravan. Acetate frames with a metal bridge, or models with a wide top bar reminiscent of browline glasses, look bolder.
Who suits double bridge glasses?
A double bridge draws a horizontal line across the upper half of your face. This highlights your eyes and makes your face look slightly wider at brow level. That leads to a few rules of thumb:
| Face shape | Effect of the double bridge | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Oval | balanced, almost any style works | classic aviator |
| Square | Teardrop lenses soften angular features. | softly rounded aviator in fine metal |
| Heart-shaped | Lenses that widen towards the bottom balance a wide forehead. | slim top bar, fine or light frame |
| Long | The horizontal line breaks up the length of the face. | deeper lenses, a stronger top bar |
| Round | Round teardrop lenses repeat the curves. | a more angular aviator instead of a round teardrop |
Also look at your eyebrows: the top bar sits best at brow level or just below. If it cuts right through your brows, the look quickly becomes busy. With a long nose, the extra horizontal line can make it look a little shorter. You can find out which other shapes suit you in our guide Which glasses frames suit my shape of face?
Fit: what to check on double bridge frames
A double bridge frame is usually a metal frame with large lenses. To make sure it fits well, check these points:
- Bridge width: it is the middle of the three numbers on the inside of the temple, for example 55-18-145 for a 55 mm lens width, an 18 mm bridge width and a 145 mm temple length. The easiest way is to compare with a pair that fits you well.
- Nose pads: metal double bridge frames usually have adjustable nose pads. An optician can adapt them to a narrow, wide or low nose bridge.
- Lens size and prescription: aviator shapes often have large lenses. The stronger your prescription, the thicker and heavier large lenses become, so a smaller lens size is usually the better choice.
- Varifocals: the deep lenses of many aviator shapes leave room for the viewing zones of varifocal lenses, so double bridge prescription glasses can often be made as varifocals too. What matters is the lens height of the frame in question.
You’ll find aviator glasses that are currently available in the selection below, including models from Ray-Ban, Tom Ford, Persol, Carrera and Isabel Marant. Not every aviator has a double bridge: in the product photos you can spot it by the second bar above the nose bridge.
Isabel Marant IM 0236 086£93.65
Humphreys HU 581069C 22£40.41
Tom Ford FT5737-B 052£157.87
Isabel Marant IM 0236 807£86.96
Calvin Klein CKJ25631 001£61.77
Dolce & Gabbana DG3415 2525£97.86
Carrera CARRERA 1137 KJ1£78.21
Tom Ford FT5737-B 001£157.87Cut-out glasses: open spaces that lift a frame
Cut-outs are deliberate open spaces in a frame. The clever part: the design gains something even though material is taken away. The frame looks finer and lighter but still catches the eye. Typical variants:
- Cut or hinted corners: often found on cat-eye glasses. Even a bevelled corner creates the effect.
- Open space between the bridges: double bridge glasses are essentially a cut-out themselves, as there is air between the top bar and the nose bridge.
- Keyhole bridge: a cut-out at the bridge, typical of panto and retro frames. The frame rests on the sides of the nose.
- Inserts and cut-outs at the edges: for example tinted lens elements at the outer corners, or cut-outs in the front and temples of acetate frames, such as wood-look designs.
Cut-outs in the frame are usually no problem for the lenses. If the lens shape itself is cut, for example at the corners, there is less lens area. With varifocals or a strong prescription, it’s worth checking the lens height.
Double bridge sunglasses
On sunglasses, the double bridge is at least as common as on prescription glasses. The best-known classics are the Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses and the more angular Ray-Ban Caravan. For women, oversized aviators, fine gold frames and gradient lenses are popular. If you’re looking for the best double bridge sunglasses, there is no single winner: choose the shape that suits your face, and look for UV400 and the CE or UKCA mark. If you need your prescription, our guide Prescription Lenses for Sunglasses explains what to consider.
FAQ about double bridge glasses
Are double bridge glasses in style?
Yes. The double bridge isn’t a short-lived trend but a classic that has been reinterpreted again and again for decades: sometimes delicate in gold, sometimes bold and angular. A simple metal aviator looks modern and stays timeless.
Do double bridge glasses work with a low nose bridge?
Usually yes, because metal double bridge frames generally have adjustable nose pads. They keep the glasses away from your cheeks. Acetate frames without pads, on the other hand, often sit too low on a low nose bridge.
