Which Frame Shape Suits Me Best

So many things are important for you to consider when choosing spectacles, apart from what type of lenses you require. Your face shape, personality, age, occupation, lifestyle and prescription all play an important role in getting the right finished product.

The shape of your face plays an important role in choosing the correct shape spectacles for you. An oval face is considered to be (in western society at least) the perfect face shape, so choosing a frame means trying to get your face to look more oval in your spectacles. As with choosing clothes, being a dedicated follower of fashion is not always the best way to look great!

Here is a description of some face shapes and which types of frames work for each. Obviously, most of us are not purely one shape, but have a tendency to one shape more than another.

Round - A round face is just that – full and possessing curvilinear lines, with the width and length in the same proportions and little to no angles.

Aim - Frames should make the face appear longer and thinner.

Try

    * Slightly angular frames will narrow a round face.
    * High or mid-height temples help to create a longer profile.
    * A clear bridge widens the eyes, and coloured temples add width
    * The frames should be wider than they are deep.
    * Metal frames with adjustable nose pads will keep lenses from resting on the fuller cheeks.
    * Avoid excessively rounded or square styles, which will exaggerate facial roundness

Square - A square face is characterized by a strong jaw line, a broad forehead, and a wide chin and cheekbones. The width and length are normally proportional to one another.

Aim - Frames should make the face look longer.

Try

    * Gently curved narrow styles will minimize the squareness and lengthen the face.
    * Frames wider than the widest part of the face.
    * Frames should be more horizontal than vertical.
    * Frames with weight on top.
    * Try oval shapes with temples in the centre.
    * Avoid a frame that is flat on the bottom, as this will mirror the face shape. Instead, look for a frame that has some curve or uplift to draw attention away from the jaw line

Oval - The oval face is considered to be the ideal shape because of its balanced proportions. The chin is slightly narrower than the forehead, and the cheekbones are typically high.

Aim - Frames should keep the oval’s natural balance.

Try

    * Frames that are as wide or wider than the broadest part of the face
    * Keeps frames in proportion to the face
    * It is common for people who have a classic oval face to have small features.
    * The goal is to keep the face in balance. Make sure the frame is in proportion, and doesn’t overwhelm the features.
    * Avoid low, swooping temples, which will unbalance the face

Diamond - Diamond-shaped faces are narrow at the eye line and jaw line, with a small forehead and chin. The cheekbones are often high and dramatic. This is the rarest of all face shapes.

Aim - Frames should widen the forehead and jaw and minimize the temples.

Try

    * Frames that are heavy on top, but avoid lowered temples.
    * Frame sides can be straight or rounded. Rimless frames can be a good choice.
    * Square frames or frames with a straight top and curved bottom will also work.

Oblong - The oblong face is longer than it is wide, and has a long straight cheek line and sometimes a longer nose. Because this shape is longer than it is wide, the oblong face needs a frame that is deeper than it is wide. This will create an illusion that makes the face appear shorter.

Aim - Frames should “break” the length of the face, making the face appear shorter and wider.

Try

    * Frames should have a top-to-bottom depth.
    * To shorten the face, try round, deep, or low-triangle shapes, or frames with strong horizontal lines.
    * Decorative or contrasting temples can add width to the face, as can low temples.
    * To make the face appear shorter and more balanced, try frames that have a top-to-bottom depth, decorative or contrasting temples that add width to the face, or a low bridge to shorten the nose. This is an angular face shape – choose a frame shape that is more rounded or curved in order to add width to the face.

Triangle (Base Down) - The triangular face has a narrow forehead that widens at the cheek and chin areas.

Aim - Frames should add width to the forehead while softening and narrowing the appearance of the jaw, chin, and cheeks.

Try

    * Frames should accent the eye area and be wide enough to balance the jaw line.
    * Frame tops should be slightly heavy; bottoms should angle inward.
    * Frames with “extensions” at the temple will help fill in and balance the upper third of this face shape at the eye line.
    * Try square, straight-top aviators, semi-rimless (no rim on the bottom half), or any eyewear with emphasis on the top half of the frame.
    * Try frames that are heavily accented with colour and detailing on the top half, or try cat-eye shapes.
    * Avoid low-temple styles

Heart - This face shape has a very wide forehead and high cheekbones. The face narrows gradually to the chin.

Aim - Minimize the width of the top of the face. Frames should add width below the eye line to offset the narrow chin.

Try

    * Try frames that are wider at the bottom.
    * Low temples will add balance.
    * Other choices include aviator, butterfly or low-triangle styles. Frames with rounded tops and squared bottoms will also work.
    * Very light colours and rimless styles are also effective.
    * The heart-shaped face is a very difficult face shape to fit, because almost any pair of glasses will add emphasis just where you won’t need it.
    * Rimless frames are an excellent choice.
    * To highlight the eyes and bring out the cheekbones, try frames that have detailing or distinctive brow lines, or try rimless frames or oval and cat-eye shapes

 Whilst these tips will help you with your choice, you must buy a frame you like even if it is not perfect, as you are going to wear them.