Your face shape is the most important factor that you need to consider when buying your next pair of sunglasses. After all, it plays a big role in whether the glasses look good on you and helps narrow down your choices.
Nearly all kinds of sunglasses suit oval faces, while square or D-shaped frames, and aviators are great for round faces. People with square faces should opt for round glasses or aviators, while those with a rectangular face should get round glasses, short aviators, or square frames.
You may not have considered your face shape before, but if you really want that perfect, well-fitting pair, it’s about time that you do. Let’s take a look at how you can find the right fit, how to determine your face shape, and the kind of sunglasses that complement it.
How Do You Find the Right Fit for Sunglasses?
A well-fitting pair of sunglasses is more comfortable and flattering and is better able to keep the sun out of the eyes. To get the right fit, here’s what you need to keep in mind:
Frame size
The size of the frame is determined by 3 measurements: temple width, bridge width, and lens width. And you need to find a size that covers your face’s width. At the same time, you should consider the lens width (the size of your eyes) and the bridge space (the space between the eyes).
There’s no one-size-fits-all since your proportions play a big role, but in general, you can follow these guidelines for the total width:
- 125-129mm for a small face
- 130-134mm for a medium face
- 135-139mm for a large face
- 140-145mm for a wide face
Remember that the frame’s width should match your face’s width. So if someone were to look straight at you, the glasses shouldn’t hang off your face, and the sides of your temples shouldn’t be visible.
Color
In addition to the size, you also need to be mindful of the color of both the lens and the frame. You want something that compliments you, which means the color of your hair and skin, as well as the colors you wear the most.
Lens Opacity
Another factor that makes a huge difference is lens opacity – not everybody prefers other people to be able to see their eyes through the lenses. Many prefer to go for dark lenses that hide their eyes. Reflective or colored lenses also don’t suit everyone’s preferences.
Other Tips to Keep in Mind
When it comes to finding the perfect fit, you should also keep these tips in mind:
- At least half (but preferably more than that) of your eyebrows should be visible above the frame.
- Your eyeballs should be right in the center of the lens, and the distance between the edge of the lens and the corner of the eye should be the same for both sides.
- Your eyes should cover the lens’ top half while the bottom of the eye must touch the lens’ vertical midpoint.
- Get the temples adjusted so that they fit around the ears. If the glasses continuously slide down the nose, you should get the temples bent so that they stay in place.
- Overall, the frame must be present right in the middle of the face and provide a great balance between the top and bottom of the face.
How Does Your Face Shape Affect Your Sunglasses?
As mentioned earlier, you need to choose sunglasses depending on the shape of your face. To get you started, here are a few tips.
Oval Faces
Almost all kinds of sunglasses are great for oval faces, and the best way to find one that suits you most is by trying out different kinds. Big frames will complement your features pretty well, but you should be mindful of the arms – they shouldn’t hang too low, otherwise, they’ll make your face look longer.
Both D-frame and square glasses will make for a great choice. The latter will even sharpen your features and give your face a more structured look.
Round Faces
Round faces don’t have broad cheekbones, curved jawlines, or sharp angles, but with the right pair of sunglasses, you can create some definition. For instance, you can make your cheeks look slimmer by opting for a frame that’s a little bigger than your face, and if you opt for angular glasses, you can add structure to your face.
Square and D-frame glasses are also good options, and you can even opt for aviators if you often go for tall hairstyles like a pompadour. But avoid using round frames since they won’t really accentuate your face.
Square Faces
Square faces have broad cheekbones and defined, strong jawlines, making aviator or round glasses the best choice. It’s best to stick with small or medium styles unless you have bold features, in which case you can choose bigger sunglasses.
D-frame glasses are also a good option as long as they have minimal detailing or soft edges.
Rectangular Faces
For those that have a rectangular shape, sunglasses can help soften sharp lines and make your face look balanced. When choosing a pair, make sure the glasses don’t go beyond your face’s widest part. Plus, try sticking to bigger styles so that you don’t minimize your features.
Round sunglasses, short aviators, and square frames without any sharp corners are all excellent options.
Triangular Faces
Those with a triangular face have a small forehead, small cheekbones, and a large jaw, so when it comes to choosing a pair, the ideal option is something that balances out this bottom-heavy face.
Large and medium glasses are a good option, but stay away from minimal and small options since they won’t be able to draw enough attention to the eyes. As for styles, round and D-frames can help soften the appearance.
Diamond-Shaped Faces
Diamond faces are characterized by broad cheekbones and a defined chin, and to find the ideal pair, try out different things like round glasses, square frames with soft edges, or retro-style glasses. Round shapes will give your chin a softer look, while more structured frames will help balance out the cheekbones.
Heart-Shaped Faces
The best options for heart-shaped faces characterized by a large forehead and slender jaw, are small and medium glasses. The best styles are aviators and D-frames since their high arms elongate the face and add weight to the bottom half. You can also opt for round styles with high arms, but they don’t always look very nice.
How to Determine Your Face Shape
Determining your face shape is pretty easy. To get started, tie up your hair away from the face and then follow these steps:
Step 1: Find the Widest Part
Stand in front of the mirror and find the widest part of the face, either by sight or with a tape measure.
If your forehead is the widest, you have an oval shape. If the cheekbones are the widest, your face is heart or round-shaped. And if the face is evenly proportioned, you probably have a square shape.
Step 2: Study Jaw Shape
Next, determine your jawline shape. A round and short jaw means you have a round face, while a narrow and pointed jawline means you have a heart-shaped face. A strong jaw with sharp angles means your face is square.
Step 3: Compare Length to Width
If you’re still not sure about your face’s shape, compare your face’s length to its width. Measure from the right side of your face to the left and from the middle of the hairline right to the tip of the chin.
If the length is greater than the width, you probably have an oval face, but if the width is greater than the length, then you have a heart-shaped or round face. If your face is equally long and wide, you have a square or diamond face, but if the length is twice as much as the width, you have a rectangular face.
What Are the Different Types of Sunglasses?
Almost all sunglasses can be categorized into one of four families: aviators, D-frames, square, and round.
Aviators
Even though aviators were initially designed to protect a pilot’s eyes during a flight, these teardrop-shaped metal frames have become the favorite of most men. Their long shape makes the face appear longer and helps to balance out the features.
D-Frames
D-frames are named so because of their shape – they feature a flat bar at the top along with rounded rims, which makes it look like there are two ‘D’s placed horizontally.
These frames are a lot like aviators with their rounded lenses and high arms, but unlike aviators, they have a non-metal frame and a straight top and are usually smaller.
Round
Round glasses, too, get their name from their shape. Both the frame and the lenses are round, making them pretty unique. But a common problem with these is that not everyone can pull them off, and if worn on the wrong shape, they’ll look too out of place.
Square
While round glasses are curved and soft, square frames are angular and sharp. So while the former is great for softening sharp jaws and bold features, the latter is more suitable for adding definition and structure to subtle cheekbones or round jaws.
Signs Your Sunglasses Are Too Big
It’s easy to tell if your glasses are too big. Just put them on and smile. If they touch the apples of your cheek, they’re too big. Remember that your eyes must be in the middle of the lens instead of towards the nosepiece, and at least half of your eyebrows should be visible.
Signs Your Sunglasses Are Too Small
If your eyes are towards the edge of the frames instead of the center or if temples leave behind facial indents, then your sunglasses are too small for you.