The Six Primary Face Shapes

First, identify your face shape by pulling your hair back and looking straight into a mirror, or even tracing the outline of your reflection. Here are the most common categories:

Balanced proportions, with the forehead slightly wider than the chin and gently rounded jawline.

Full cheeks with a wide hairline and jawline of similar width; the face is as long as it is wide.

A strong, broad forehead and jawline with minimal curvature at the sides.

A wider forehead and cheekbones that taper down to a narrow, pointed chin.

Narrow forehead and jawline with wide, high cheekbones—the most angular shape.

Longer than it is wide, with a straight cheek line and often a taller forehead.

The Golden Rule:

Contrast and Balance

The fundamental principle of frame selection is to choose frames that contrast with your face shape to create balance. The goal is to soften angular features and add definition to softer curves.

Frame Recommendations by Face Shape

* For Oval Faces: You’re in luck! Most frame styles suit you. To maintain your natural balance, choose frames that are as wide as (or wider than) the broadest part of your face. Walnut-shaped frames that are not too deep or too narrow are an excellent classic choice.

* For Round Faces: Aim to add definition and length. Angular, geometric frames (like rectangular or square styles) with a clear bridge help sharpen softer features. Choose frames that are wider than they are deep to make the face appear longer and slimmer. Avoid small, round frames that can exaggerate roundness.

* For Square Faces: Soften strong angles. Round, oval, or cat-eye frames with curved lines will contrast beautifully with your jawline. Look for styles that sit high on the bridge of the nose to lengthen the face. Thin, light-colored frames can also soften a square appearance.

* For Heart-Shaped Faces: Balance a wider forehead. Frames that are wider at the bottom, such as aviators, low-set temples, or rimless styles, draw attention downward. Light colors and materials can also help minimize the upper half of the face. Avoid heavy, decorative tops that emphasize the forehead.

* For Diamond Faces: Highlight the eyes and soften the cheekbones. Cat-eye, oval, or rimless frames that have detailing or distinctive brow lines are ideal. Frames that are slightly wider than your cheekbones will balance your unique contours. Try to find frames that complement your delicate jawline.

* For Oblong Faces: Add width and shorten the face. Large, decorative frames with a strong top-to-bottom depth are perfect. Round or square shapes with low temples can break up the face’s length. A low bridge can also help shorten the nose. Avoid small, narrow frames that can make the face appear longer.

Beyond Shape:

Additional Considerations

* Frame Size: Ensure the scale of the frame is proportionate to your face. The frames should not extend beyond the width of your face.
* Color: Choose a frame color that complements your skin’s undertone (warm, cool, or neutral). Warmer metals and tortoiseshell often suit warm undertones, while black, silver, and jewel tones flatter cool undertones.
* Lifestyle: Your daily activities matter. Durable, flexible materials and secure fits are crucial for active lifestyles, while you might prioritize fashion-forward designs for professional or social settings.

Final Fitting Tips

Always try frames on in person when possible. A good optician is an invaluable resource. They can ensure the glasses fit properly—the temples shouldn’t pinch, the bridge shouldn’t slide, and your eyes should be centered within the lenses.

Ultimately, while these guidelines are an excellent starting point, the most important rule is to choose frames that make you feel confident and comfortable. When you find a pair that complements your face shape and reflects your personal style, you’ll see yourself—and the world—in the best possible light.

This guide will help you identify your face shape and match it with the ideal frame styles.

Step 1:

Identify Your Face Shape

Stand in front of a mirror, pull your hair back, and trace the outline of your face on the glass with a washable marker or simply analyze its proportions. Here are the seven primary categories:

Forehead is slightly wider than the chin, with gently rounded jawlines and cheekbones. This balanced shape is considered the most versatile.

Full cheeks with a rounded chin and hairline. The width and length of the face are roughly equal.

A strong, broad forehead and jawline with minimal curvature. The sides of the face are straight.

A broad forehead and high cheekbones that taper down to a narrow, pointed chin.

Narrow forehead and jawline, with the widest point at the cheekbones. This is the rarest face shape.

Longer than it is wide, with a straight cheek line and a longer nose. The forehead, cheeks, and jawline are similar in width.

A narrow forehead that widens at the cheeks and jawline, creating a strong, solid chin.

Step 2:

The Golden Rule of Frame Selection

The core principle is contrast and balance. Choose frames that contrast with your face’s dominant lines to create harmony and add definition.

* For Angular Faces (Square, Diamond): Look for frames with soft, curved lines (round, oval, cat-eye) to soften sharp angles.
* For Curved Faces (Round, Oval): Look for frames with angular, geometric lines (rectangular, square, wayfarer) to add structure and definition.

Step 3:

Frame Recommendations by Face Shape

* Oval Face: Almost any frame works. To maintain your face’s natural balance, choose frames that are as wide as (or wider than) the broadest part of your face. Walnut-shaped frames are a classic choice.
* Round Face: Angular, narrow frames add length and definition. Look for rectangular, square, or geometric frames. Frames with a clear bridge and higher-set temples can also help lengthen the face.
* Square Face: Round, oval, or aviator frames soften the jawline. Look for styles that sit high on the bridge of the nose to lengthen the face. Thin, lightweight frames or rimless styles are excellent choices.
* Heart Face: Frames that are wider at the bottom add width to the narrower lower half of the face. Look for round, square (with rounded edges), or aviator styles. Light-colored or rimless bottom frames are ideal.
* Diamond Face: Cat-eye, oval, or rimless frames that highlight the eyes and soften the cheekbones are perfect. Frames with detailing or distinctive brow lines can also complement the forehead.
* Oblong Face: Deep, wide frames add width and shorten the appearance of the face. Look for square, aviator, or oversized styles. Decorative temples and low-set bridges can also break up the face’s length.
* Triangle Face: Frames with strong detailing on the upper portion add width and balance to the forehead. Look for cat-eye, semi-rimless (with color on top), or aviator frames.

Additional Pro Tips

* Proportion Matters: Ensure your frames are in scale with your face size. Oversized frames can overwhelm a petite face, while very small frames may look out of place on a larger face.
* Consider Your Coloring: Frame color should complement your skin tone, hair color, and eye color. Warm complexions (yellow/peach undertones) shine in gold, tortoise, honey, or olive. Cool complexions (pink/blue undertones) look great in black, silver, rose gold, or jewel tones.
* The Final Fit: A professional optician is your best ally. They will ensure the frames sit comfortably on your nose without slipping, that the temples don’t pinch, and that your eyes are correctly centered in the lenses.

Finding the perfect eyeglass frames is a blend of art and science. By understanding the architecture of your face and applying the principle of contrast, you can transform your glasses from a simple vision aid into a signature accessory that boosts your confidence and style. Visit your local optician, try on multiple styles, and enjoy the process of discovering the frames that make you look and feel your best.

It was Mark Twain who said, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” That saying still rings true, as our society has developed into one that uses apparel as a way to convey one’s social status. Simply flip through the pages of a woman’s fashion magazine to read breathless coverage of the fashion statements being made on the couture runways of Paris, Milan, and New York. Listen to a gaggle of high school girls decrying the must-have fashion accessory of last season as “so last year.” Even men aren’t immune to the whims of the fashionistas – particularly those fashion moguls who were once (or still are) hip hop moguls.

If both men and women use apparel to convey social status, they also use it as a means of self-expression. The fictitious fashion editor in “The Devil Wears Prada” always accessorized with a white Hermes scarf. Donald Trump is known for his colorful neckties. And Woody Harrelson is known for wearing hemp.

Beginning in the 1960s, T-shirts became a means of self-expression. Back then, plain white T-shirts transformed into tie-dye works of art proclaiming the rise of “flower power” and urging, “Make love, not war.” Soon, messages began appearing on T-shirts using silk screening or screen printing. Bands began selling branded T-shirts to their fans at concerts, and young people began wearing band T-shirts as a symbol of their personal identities.

For the past few decades, graphic tees have also been used as promotional and branding tools. Whether the word “Gap” is emblazoned across the front of a T-shirt or a depiction of a favorite Disney character adorns the wearer, the T-shirt has become a means of marketing a product or brand.

This branding may have begun at the corporate level, but soon became personal. From the humble beginnings of tie dye and peace symbols, T-shirts have evolved into a lasting trend of people wearing their beliefs, philosophies, and senses of humor on what are termed “graphic tees.” Graphic tees can range from funny T shirts and joke shirts to party shirts and even rude shirts. Indeed, graphic tees are standard issue for college kids, those who want to speak their minds, and those who consider themselves outcasts. During times of political controversy, funny tee shirts take the place of (or are an adjunct to) bumper stickers. The boldness and bravado of the wearer is evident for all to see.

Some people think that graphic tees fall into the category of “rude clothes,” while others consider them a form of free speech. Indeed, instead of wearing your heart on your sleeve, you can wear your political beliefs, spiritual beliefs, sense of humor, or sense of outrage emblazoned upon your chest.

There’s no doubt that funny tee shirts, joke shirts, party shirts, and even rude shirts are the ultimate form of self-expression. It seems like, once again, Mark Twain got it right!