We wear glasses so we can see clearly but picking the right pair of glasses is more than just about good vision. We also want to look good when wearing glasses. Just like we choose clothing that compliments our body type, selecting glasses that match our face shape can make a big difference in how we appear.
The right glasses can bring out the best in your facial features and boost your overall look. It doesn’t matter if the pair of glasses in question are your first glasses or you have had many already, picking a pair requires some forethought. In this article, we’ll go over some rules to consider when matching glasses to your face shape.
1 – Identify your face shape
Understanding your face shape is crucial when selecting glasses, especially when you’re thinking about trendy styles like tortoise shell glasses. To determine your face shape, start by pulling your hair back and looking straight into a mirror.
Here are the major face types:
- Oval: This shape is balanced with slightly wider cheekbones and a forehead that is a bit wider than the chin.
- Round: A round face has soft angles with slightly wider cheekbones and equally wide forehead and jaw.
- Square: People with square faces often have a strong jawline and a forehead that is roughly the same width as their jaw.
- Heart: These people have a wide forehead and cheekbones, but a narrow chin.
- Diamond: This shape is generally wide cheekbones, but a narrow forehead and jawline.
- Rectangle: This face shape is longer than others and has a straight cheek line.
2 – Match to your face type
For an oval face opt for rectangular or gently rounded frames. Avoid ones that are overly large.
People with a round face should go for angular, rectangular frames to give some length. Steer clear of small, circular ones.
If you have a square face choose round or oval glasses to soften it. Don’t pick square or very angular shapes.
For those with a heart-shaped face, bottom-heavy or rounded-edge frames are best. Avoid top-heavy or overly decorated ones.
A diamond face looks great with cat-eye or oval frames to accentuate the cheekbones. Don’t choose frames that are too narrow.
Lastly, a rectangular face pairs well with deep, rounded frames for balance. Narrow, straight-edged glasses should be avoided.
3 – Try before buying
Trying on various frames before making a decision is very important. Even if a frame looks good on display, it might not necessarily suit your face or style.
What looks good on one person might not work for another. So, take your time and experiment with multiple options. Consider asking friends, family, or even opticians for their opinions.
If you’re shopping for frames from the comfort of your home, take advantage of virtual try-on tools. These features allow you to upload a photo of yourself and virtually “wear” different frames. This gives you a rough idea of how a particular style might look on you.