The Best Frame for Your Face Shape May Surprise You
Let's be real for a second—you've probably heard the "rules" about which glasses work best for your face shape a million times. Round faces need angular frames, square faces need softer curves, oval faces can wear anything. But here's what I really want you to know: the absolute best glasses for you are the ones that make you feel incredible when you put them on.
That said, understanding how different frame shapes can complement your natural features is pretty useful information to have in your back pocket. Think of it as a helpful guide rather than strict rules carved in stone.
How to Tell What Your Face Shape
Before we dive into frame recommendations, let's figure out what we're working with. Stand in front of a mirror and pull your hair back so you can see your face clearly. Now, measure the widest part of your face (i.e. cheeks, versus the length of your face, from the top of your forehead to the tip of your chin). Here are the main face shapes to consider:
Round: Your face is about as wide as it is long, with soft, curved lines and full cheeks.
Square: You have a strong jawline with roughly equal width at your forehead, cheeks, and jaw.
Oval: Your face is longer than it is wide, with gently curved sides and a narrower forehead and chin.
Heart: You have a wider forehead that tapers down to a narrower chin, often with prominent cheekbones.
Oblong: Similar to oval but longer, with a more elongated appearance overall.
Diamond: Your face is widest at the cheekbones, with a narrower forehead and jawline, creating a balanced and angular appearance.
Frame Styles That Complement Different Face Shapes
Round Faces
If you have a round face, angular frames can
add definition and structure.
Rectangle frames
and
square frames
work beautifully to create contrast with your soft features. Aviator
styles can also add some edge while elongating your face.
Square Faces For square faces, softer frame shapes help balance strong jawlines. Round frames and oval frames create a nice contrast, while cat-eye frames can add feminine flair and draw attention upward.
Oval Faces
You lucky people with oval faces can wear
almost any frame shape! This face shape is naturally balanced, so feel
free to experiment with bold geometric styles, classic rectangles, or
trendy oversized frames.
Heart-Shaped Faces
Heart-shaped faces look great in
frames that add width to the lower portion of the face. Try wider bottom
frames, round styles, or
aviator frames
that help balance a broader forehead.
Oblong Faces
If you have an oblong face, you'll want
frames that add width rather than height. Large, round frames or oversized
square styles work well to create the illusion of a shorter, wider face.
Diamond-Shaped Faces
For diamond-shaped faces, frames
that highlight your cheekbones and soften angular features are ideal.
Cat-eye frames and oval styles work beautifully to complement your natural
angles, while rimless or semi-rimless frames can enhance your balanced
proportions without overwhelming your face.
The Most Important Rule: Choose What Makes You Happy
Here's the thing—while these guidelines can be helpful starting points, they're not gospel. I've seen people completely ignore the "rules" and look absolutely stunning in frames that supposedly don't suit their face shape. The secret ingredient isn't geometric compatibility; it's confidence.
Your personal and seasonal style, lifestyle needs, and comfort should all factor into your decision. Do you love bold, statement frames even if they're not "recommended" for your face shape? Go for it! Prefer subtle, barely-there styles? That's perfect too.
Virtual Try-On: Your New Best Friend
Not sure how a frame will look? Take advantage of our modern tech! The Virtual Try-on tool lets you see how different styles look on your face before you commit. It's like having a personal styling session from the comfort of your couch.
You can experiment with different shapes, colors, and sizes without any pressure. Try on that bold cat- eye you've been eyeing, or test out those vintage-inspired round frames. The beauty of Virtual Try-on is that you can take your time and really see what speaks to you.
Finding Your Perfect Pair
The best glasses for your face shape are ultimately the ones that make you feel like the most authentic version of yourself. Whether that means following traditional guidelines or throwing them out the window entirely is completely up to you.
Take your time exploring different options, consider your lifestyle, and most importantly, choose frames that make you smile when you see yourself in the mirror. After all, you're the one who has to wear them every day—make sure you love them.
Ready to find your perfect pair? Browse through 1,000+ stylish options and use the Virtual Try-on feature to discover frames that are uniquely you.
References:
American Academy of Ophthalmology –
How to Choose the Glasses Frame Material That's Right for You