Shopping for a new pair of eyeglasses? You may have started out optimistic enough when you searched for a “spectacles shop near me”, only to be overwhelmed by wall after wall of options.
That’s a normal experience, whether you’re browsing a spectacle shop online or in person. The sheer range of choices can leave you feeling stuck at square one.
One of the most useful starting points is your own face shape. This guide walks you through identifying that at home and matches it to frame styles that will suit each shape. This should help you narrow down your options with ease.
Identifying Your Face Shape
Is your main face shape round, square, oval, heart, diamond, triangle, or oblong? This is where you find out… and don’t worry if you don’t fit neatly into one category, as most faces are a blend.
The Mirror Method
Stand in front of the mirror with your hair pulled back and trace the outline of your face directly onto the glass. You can use a whiteboard marker or lipstick for this (for easy clean-up after!).
Now step back and look at the shape you’ve drawn to identify it.
The Phone Method
If drawing on your mirror isn’t appealing, take a straight-on selfie instead. Use the pen or markup tool in your notes or messaging app to trace your outline on the screen.
Look at your proportions in the outline. Is your forehead wider than your jawline? Are your cheekbones the widest part of your face? Or is your face noticeably longer than it is wide?
Frame Styles That Suit Each Shape
Once you’ve identified your face shape, you can narrow your search to styles that create balance with your natural features.
You can browse a wide range of options in W Optics’ frames collection as you go. You can even use the collection as further photo references to go with this “frames for face shape” (informational) guide.
Round Faces
Round faces have soft curves and full cheeks, with few sharp angles. For contrast, use angular frames. Rectangles, squares, or even geometrics can add structure here.
Square Faces
Square faces are defined by a broad forehead and a strong, wide jawline. Round, oval, or thinner frames can help soften their sharp angles and balance the face.
Oval Faces
Oval faces have well-balanced, softly rounded proportions. This is the most versatile shape to dress. Try bold, oversized, square, or round frames as you wish, but try to avoid very narrow frames.
Heart Faces
Heart faces have a broader forehead that narrows down to a small chin. Opt for bottom-heavy frames, rimless styles, or oval frames to balance the wider top and draw attention downward.
Diamond Faces
These are characterised by narrow foreheads and jawlines with wider, dramatic cheekbones. Oval, rimless, or cat-eye frames can soften the angles and highlight the cheekbones.
Triangle Faces
Triangle faces feature a wider jawline and narrower forehead. Look for frames that are wider at the top, such as browline styles, aviators, or cat-eyes. Such shapes add width to the upper face for better balance.
Oblong Faces
An oblong face is one that’s longer than it is wide. Such faces benefit from deep, bold square shapes to offset the length. Steer clear of narrow, rectangular frames.
Frames for Men and Women
Frame styles today are less about strict rules for men’s or women’s glasses, and much more about the look you’re going for. That said, a few classic silhouettes are worth knowing if you want a more masculine or feminine aesthetic.
For a masculine look, try large rounded metal frames to soften angular features. Bold rectangular frames can add structure. Finally, classic thin-rimmed round frames suit triangular faces particularly well.
For a feminine look, try upswept cat-eye frames to emphasise the cheekbones and add length. For a softer and understated finish, go for delicate and tapered oval frames in pale tones.
Matching Frames to Prescription and Lifestyle
Your ideal frame also needs to support your daily lifestyle and specific lens needs. Certain frames suit certain lenses better than others.
For instance, varifocals often need a certain lens depth to fit all three vision zones comfortably. Very shallow or heavily angled frames may not work well.
If you spend long hours on screens, frames with blue-violet light-filtering lenses may help ease digital eye strain. Meanwhile, polarised lenses may be ideal for those who spend a lot of time outdoors or driving.
Find the Right Frames for Your Face at W Optics
Face shape guidelines are useful as a starting point, but they’re not unbreakable rules. The best way to know what truly works for you is still to try a few pairs on and see how they look and feel.
If you’re wondering where to get expert advice in person, our consultants at W Optics are happy to help you find frames that suit both your face and lifestyle. Visit a branch near you today!
