Double-Bridge Glasses: How to Wear the Brow Bar

A double-bridge frame has two bars between the lenses: the usual bridge over the nose and a second, thinner bar across the top, often called the brow bar. Wear it by choosing a bar that sits level with or just under your eyebrows, keeping the rest of the look simple, and letting the metal tone of the bar guide your jewellery and accessories.

The detail started on pilot sunglasses, but today it turns up on acetate squares, soft rounds and retro shades. Below we cover where the brow bar should sit, which faces it suits, how it changes the look of acetate frames, and how to style it without the frame taking over your face.

What the second bar actually does

On early metal aviators, the top bar added stiffness to a thin wire front. On most modern frames it is mainly a design choice. It draws a horizontal line across the upper half of the face, which has three visible effects:

• It lifts the eye line. The eye follows the bar, so the frame reads a little higher on the face.
• It widens the top of the face. A straight line from lens to lens adds width at brow level, which is helpful on narrow foreheads and pointed chins.
• It adds a retro accent. A gold or silver bar on an acetate front gives a vintage feel without a fully metal frame.

On frames where the lower bridge is metal too, the bar often has adjustable nose pads beneath it, so you can fine-tune the height on your nose.

Where the brow bar should sit on your face

Placement decides whether a double bridge looks deliberate or awkward. When you try a frame on, look straight into a mirror and check these points:

1. Bar against brows: the top bar should run at about eyebrow height or a few millimetres below. If it cuts through the middle of your brows, the face can look busy; if it sits well above them, the frame looks too big.
2. Bar against the lens top: on most designs the bar continues the top line of the lenses. A frame where it dips noticeably lower than the lens edges reads as an intentional fashion statement, which is fine if you want it.
3. Space above the nose: there should be a small gap of skin visible between the two bars. If the bars crowd your nose, try a frame with a wider bridge measurement.

Our frame size measurement guide explains how to compare the lens width, bridge and frame width of a new pair with the glasses you already own.

Which face shapes suit a double bridge

The brow bar is a horizontal line, so it works best where a face benefits from more width or structure at the top. As a rough guide:

For a fuller breakdown of shapes, see our frames and face shapes guide.

Double bridge on acetate: the modern take

Metal aviators are the classic home of the brow bar, but the version that feels most current right now pairs an acetate front with a thin metal bar on top. The acetate gives colour and a defined rim; the metal bar adds a fine line of shine. The Quuen frames are a good example: an acetate front with a 49 mm lens, 142 mm frame width and a metal double bridge, at about 28 g. The AvonPaK-FC29 takes the same idea into a round shape in soft transparent pink with a gold-tone bar.

Quuen-FC04Shop nowQuuen-FC06Shop nowAvonPaK-FC29Shop now

If you are new to the look, tortoiseshell or clear acetate with a gold bar is the easiest starting point. Both are neutral enough for work, and the bar adds interest without asking for a bold outfit. Browse the full acetate collection to compare colours.

How to style the brow bar

A double bridge already gives your face one strong accent, so the rest of the look should support it rather than compete. A few simple rules:

• Match the metal. A gold bar pairs naturally with gold earrings, a gold watch or warm-toned buttons. A silver or gunmetal bar goes with steel and silver.
• Keep the brows tidy. Because the bar runs close to the brow line, it frames your eyebrows. A neat, natural brow shape looks best; very thin or very heavy brows draw extra attention to the gap.
• Use the bar to dress up basics. A plain T-shirt or knit plus a double-bridge frame looks considered with little effort.
• One statement at a time. With a coloured acetate and a metal bar, skip large patterned scarves or busy prints near the face.

Double-bridge sunglasses and eyeglasses: what changes

In sunglasses, the bar is the classic aviator signature and reads as relaxed and outdoorsy. Garrison is a metal aviator with a double nose bridge, adjustable nose pads and slim acetate temples. Niloss-C06 moves the detail onto a retro square: green acetate, a gold-tone bar and gradient green Cat.3 lenses rated UV400.

In eyeglasses, the bar sits in your everyday view of yourself, so comfort and proportion matter more. Poptart-FC10 is a gold full-rim aviator eyeglasses frame with a double bridge and adjustable nose pads, which makes it easy to tune the height. Every frame can be ordered with lenses chosen in our lens selector, including prescription and sun options.

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Niloss-C06Shop nowGarrisonShop nowPoptart-FC10Shop nowQuuen-FC08Shop now

Find your double-bridge frame

A brow bar is one of the simplest ways to make a familiar frame shape feel new. Start with the shape that suits your face, then choose the bar colour that matches what you already wear. Explore our aviator glasses, women's eyeglasses and sunglasses, and remember the 14-day fit and style guarantee if you want to check the look at home. Add your prescription in a few clicks with our lens selector.