What are the best glasses frames for your face shape?

ONCE regarded the domain of the nerd, glasses have become the epitome of cool chic. But do you know what are the best glasses frames for your face shape?

Glasses, for me, are more than a necessity — they are an accessory. Just as shoes and handbags are important to most women, glasses are an extension of my wardrobe. They are another way of expressing personality and injecting some fun into an otherwise plain outfit.  (I tried contacts once, but just couldn’t master the art. Fortunately, glasses suit me.)

But most people who wear glasses generally only have one pair — and maybe a spare — and they wear the same frames for years.

Being restricted to just one or two pairs is nigh on impossible for me. I have a small collection — 16 pairs of spectacles and a dozen pairs of sunglasses — in a variety of shapes, styles, colours, and textures. And like any fashion-obsessed female, they all work back with my wardrobe, just like all good accessories should.

However, glasses frames are also subject to the latest in style dictates. But while it’s important for the style-conscious to be on-trend and fashion-forward, don’t get caught in the “must-have” fashion trap.

“Fashion doesn’t change as fast in eyewear as it does in clothing”

When it comes to style, Specsavers’ global head of design and product development, Stig Engelbreth Hansen, says glasses wearers are becoming more and more daring when it comes to selecting frames.

The Danish-born, Hong Kong-based Hansen says “fashion doesn’t change as fast in eyewear as it does in clothing, but we take the inspiration from the catwalk — albeit a watered-down version”.

“And this season it’s all about the attitude and confidence that glasses can bring out in the wearer,” he says. “It is this desire for individual style that has led to a return of colour in our new season collections.”

With reflective blues, luminous greens, rich reds, dusty pinks and purples and shades of gold, the many options available will help glasses wearers to express their style, make a statement and stand out from the crowd.

“We’ve also seen a resurgence of narrow letterbox shapes emerging in invisible rimless styles, narrow cat’s eyes and high bridge round-eyes. The eclecticism we have seen on major runways is shining through in eyewear, with big and bold logos (like the Kenzo glasses I’m wearing below) coming back and brighter colours being used in translucent acetates.”

“The latest trends are a throwback to the ’90s. As for texture, acetate is still strong but we’re also seeing a lot of colour-painted metals coming through.

“Knowing your face shape can help you choose glasses frames that highlight your best features and suit your style”

But when it comes to shape, very few know the shape of their face.

Knowing your face shape can help you choose glasses frames that highlight and complement your best features AND suit your style.

While some practitioners have identified nine facial shapes — kite (diamond), heart, oval, square, round, rectangle, rounded rectangle, square, triangle and inverted triangle — the most common shapes are oval, round, square, heart, triangle and oblong.

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As a general rule of thumb, when choosing glasses frames opposites attract.

For example, if you have a round face, look for angular frames to balance your features. Similarly, if you have square, heart-shaped or chiselled features, choose rounder frames. Cats eye frames (those characterised by a rounded shape that extends to an upward point near the temple) are best suited to triangular or oval faces. While square-shaped frames are best suited for round, heart or oval face shapes. And if you don’t want to look like you’re wearing glasses, translucent (or crystal) frames suits all skin tones and eye colours.

This season the most popular styles for women are oversized round metal frames, cat’s eye styles in bold acetate and vintage-inspired panto shapes.

WHAT GLASSES FRAMES SUIT WHICH FACE SHAPES?

OVAL

Oval faces are well balanced, softly rounded and appear longer than they are wide. They are symmetrical, have slightly wider cheekbones and foreheads slightly wider than the jaw.

Lucky you! The sky’s the limit as you can wear almost any style or frame shape, so be adventurous. To offset the length of your face, look for frames that are as wide as the broadest part of your face and have more depth than width. Decorative details and contrasting temples will also add width to your face.

Try bold and oversized shapes, modern geometric styles, round and square silhouettes. Also, experiment with colours and materials.

ROUND

Round faces are fairly short with a wide forehead, full cheeks and, round chin. The width and length are roughly equal, with the widest point being the cheekbones.

So it’s all about creating angles that will flatter and balance the roundness of your face.

Look for square, angular and geometric styles that add definition and help narrow and sharpen softer features. Rectangular, square and narrow shapes will give the illusion of a longer face, as do frames in deep, bold colours. They will also draw attention to the top half of the face.

Avoid small, oval or round-shaped or oversized frames as they will make your face appear rounder, so it’s best to steer clear.

SQUARE

A square face is defined by a broad, deep forehead, a wide jaw and, a square chin. Face width is the same as the forehead and across the cheekbones, with a prominent jawline.

The aim is to elongate your face and soften the jawline. Therefore, frames should sit high on the face to balance the jaw. Rounded frames will help you achieve this while also working to lengthen the nose.

Look for slightly oval or curved frames as they soften the jawline. Round frames and cat’s eye styles are especially flattering. You can’t go wrong with round and oval style frames that will add length.

Avoid thin, angular and square frames as they will draw attention to your chin and emphasise your strong angular facial features.

HEART

Heart-shaped faces have a broad forehead and wide cheekbones that narrows down to a small chin. Cheekbones are high and defined, following the contours of the face.

Look for shapes that balance the varying widths of the face. Squarer frames work best and bottom-heavy frames will help balance your heavy forehead and add width to the lower face. Rimless frames will let your natural face shape shine.

Avoid frames with too much detailing at the top. Styles that are wider at the top, such as aviator and semi-rimmed glasses, will only emphasise the wider part of your face.

TRIANGLE (or teardrop)

A triangle face is widest at the jaw and gradually tapers up through the cheekbones and is narrower at the forehead.

Look for top-heavy frames that help balance your heavy jawline (the shape of your face). Square, angular frames with deep lenses work too. Light-coloured sunglasses in cats eye, aviator and rimless styles flatter the face, so do frames that are heaviest at the top (to counteract your heavy/wide jaw). Alternatively, look for frames that are all one colour and made of light material.

Avoid frames that are wide at the bottom, styles with a bold lower and light upper rim.

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Do you wear glasses? Know what shape your face is? Do you have a favourite brand? Would love to hear from you. Ever stylishly yours …