When picking out a new pair of glasses, the wide variety of choices can make it hard to decide which pair works best for you. Some may look great in the window, but something is just off when you try them on. Knowing your face shape and the type of frame that compliments it best will enable you to narrow your focus when picking out a pair of frames. In this article, we will discuss the five most common face shapes and the frames that compliment them best.
- Oval
The oval-shaped face is one with the most balanced proportions. It has slightly wider cheekbones and a gentle narrowing at the forehead and jaw. The frames best suited for this face shape are wide frames. Ideally, the frame is as wide or wider than the broadest part of the face. Walnut-shaped frames are a good choice as they are not too deep or narrow.
2. Heart
The widest point on a heart-shaped face is the forehead. From there down, the complexion is gradually narrowed. If the desire is to reduce the appearance of the width of the forehead, it is suggested to pick a frame that is wider at the bottom. Delicate frames, such as light-colored of rimless are also a good option.
3. Round
A round face shape is composed of soft angles or no angles at all. The widest point of the face is the cheekbones, with the jaw and forehead being equally wide. Narrow frames make the face appear thinner and longer. Additionally, frames with a clear bridge can be a good choice for a round face shape.
4. Square
Unlike the round face shape, the square shape is composed of more angular lines. The cheekbones, jaw, and forehead are all equally wide. The recommended frame shape for this face shape is narrow. This frame makes the face appear longer and softens the angles.
5. Triangle
The triangle face shape has the widest point at the jaw and gradually narrows upward. There are two types of frames that are recommended for this face shape. The first is frames that draw the attention to the brow of the frame, using vibrant colors or detailing. The second is cat-eye shaped frames. Both of these looks add width to the face and emphasizes the narrow top-third of the face.
No face is the same, and some can’t be identified through just these five shapes. There is a general rule of thumb that can be remembered to make glasses picking easier: opposites attract. If you have sharp, angular features, look for a frame with softer angles. If you have soft, rounded features, look for a frame with sharp edges for contrast. Similarly, if the top of your face is wider than the bottom, you want your frames to be the opposite, wider at the top.
Picking out a pair of glasses can be exhausting, but with these helpful tips, you can narrow your focus on what’s best for you.