Face Shape Guide
In order to choose the right glasses for your face, you first need to identify your facial features.
What is my face shape?
People change their eyeglasses approximately every 3 years (how boring?!) and we are on a mission to change that. Most people don't know how to shop for eye- or sunglasses, because they don't know which shapes match which faces. Knowing what suits you best can really help in bringing out your unique facial contours. Whether you have a round, heart or square-shaped face, there’s a pair of glasses out there made just for you! Please note that this is a guide, not a rule book. So if you like the look of a frame on yourself, OWN it! Making your own style rules can be a fun and expressive way to show your individual personality and spirit.
In order to choose properly, you first need to identify your facial features. There are 5 main categories of face shapes: square, round, heart, triangular, and oval.
Almost nobody is a perfect heart, circle, square, or any other defined category. Most faces are a combination of a few different shapes: rounded chins and short foreheads, angular features and tapered jaws, you get the idea. Trying to pick a face shape out of a lineup of images can feel impossible. What you want is the shape that looks the most like yours.
The easiest way to figure out your face shape is to look at your jawline in the mirror. Nowadays a selfie is even easier. Is your jawline more curved or is it leaning towards the more angular side of things? For the simplest assessment of your face, decide if your jawline is more “round” or “square”. For a more detailed examination of your facial structure, see below.
If you’re looking for assistance to achieve a classically good looking pair for your face shape, head out to your nearest store or read on for our tips on assessing your own face and choosing a frame that will accentuate the advantages you were born with!
Square faces often have bold, angular features and cut a clean, straight line from the forehead to the jaw. Rounded and thinner frames that are slightly wider on the side will have a harmonious and natural look on square faces.
Square-shaped faces will want to choose the opposite shape for glasses such as:
- round glasses
- oval shaped frames
You will want frames that are proportional to the length and width of your face. Round and oval-shaped frames will soften the hard angles in a square shaped face and add balance. They also suit diamond-shaped faces.
Draw attention away from the angles: The best way to flatter the facial features of a square face is to bring the attention away from the square shape with coloured frames.
Round faces are all soft curves and smooth lines with a face that is roughly the same width from the jaw up through to the brow. With round faces, the cheeks are usually full and the chin is rounded with very few angles. Unlike some other face shapes, a round face is often very distinguished because it is all about the curves.
The most important thing to remember when choosing glasses for round face shapes is to select frames that work to add angles. They look great in bold, angular glasses with clean lines.
Below are a few tips to keep in mind when you search.
- Rectangular frames: break up the face structure, which can make your face appear longer and thinner.
- Angular and geometric frames: add some sharper, more distinct lines to your face in order to create a balance.
- Upswept frames such as cat-eye or D-frame*: if you have full-bodied curvy cheeks, try to draw attention to them while simultaneously placing the focus on your eyes.
*D-frame glasses are usually as tall as they are wide and they showcase a browline with retro-inspired wingtips that taper out slightly. The base of the lenses subtly taper inwards and is narrower than the width of the browline. When on its side, the overall shape of the lens resembles the letter “D.”
Heart-shaped faces are widest at the brow, narrowing down through to the chin with high cheekbones. This face shape can be either long or round and often gives the owner a sweet and cheerful look.
This is typically thought of as the most versatile of all the face shapes. They look great in winged-out frames that jut out slightly wider than their forehead and rounded bases to balance and complement their features such as:
- Bottom-heavy frames: If your chin is especially narrow, you may wish to create a bit more width.
- Frame with low-set temples: If you’re conscious of your forehead’s width, choosing this style will draw attention downward, emphasizing the lower part of your face.
- Oval-shaped frames: if you have a pointy chin by selecting an oval frame shape works wonders for drawing attention upward toward your eyes.
- Light-coloured or rimless frames: minimize the look of glasses on your heart-shaped face by selecting a style with an unobtrusive frame.
Find frames that are proportionate to your face by looking for styles that have a deep base and subtle wingtips that are slightly wider than your forehead.
Triangular faces are widest on the bottom, narrowest on top. So you want to find a mirror-opposite frame: bold on top, light on the bottom. With a mix of round and angular shapes such as the following will particularly fit triangular faces:
- D-frames*
- Pilot shaped
- Cat-eyed glasses
And if you want to make a bolder statement, a round style offers an interesting juxtaposition to angular features.
Balance your features with a pair of sunnies that are the complete opposite in structure; look for designs that are widest at the top and narrowest at the bottom, like cat-eye sunglasses or D-frame shapes. Sunglasses with a wider or bolder browline will draw attention away from your jawline and elongate your forehead.
*D-frame glasses are usually as tall as they are wide and they showcase a browline with retro-inspired wingtips that taper out slightly. The base of the lenses subtly taper inwards and is narrower than the width of the browline. When on its side, the overall shape of the lens resembles the letter “D.”
People with oval faces fit with most frame shapes. With a narrower forehead and slightly narrow chin, oval is considered the most universal face shape — so have fun with the latest trends because most work for you.
This, however, doesn’t mean that you can pick up any frame off the shelf. A frame should emphasize the strong points and deemphasize the weak points of your face so that your face looks perfectly balanced. For an oval face, it means emphasizing the natural balance of the face and adding angles to its soft curves.
Look for a frame that is as wide as the widest part of your face, which is the area around the eyes. In this respect, the most suitable eyeglasses frames for oval faces are:
- square
- rectangular, or
- geometric shapes
You can have a little – or a lot – of fun with your eyewear choices! You can dare to be bold with a statement-making style, like a fierce cat-eye or an edgy pair of aviators. If you’d like to keep it classic instead, you’ll love our iconic D-frame* sunnies.
*D-frame glasses are usually as tall as they are wide and they showcase a browline with retro-inspired wingtips that taper out slightly. The base of the lenses subtly taper inwards and is narrower than the width of the browline. When on its side, the overall shape of the lens resembles the letter “D.”