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Frame & Face Shape Style Guide

Choosing your frames

The best bit – choosing your frames. We’ve put together some ideas and tips for choosing the right frame for you. To be honest it’s not an exact science, but there are some simple guidelines that we hope you find useful. At the end of the day it’s what you like that matters- what suits your look and personality – sometimes the rules go out of the window!

If you have a specific frame in mind you can search for that, if you have a particular style or brand in mind you can search for that and browse through all the options. Each frame often has many different colour options and size options so you can choose the perfect fit. You can use our amazing ‘Virtual Try On’ with many of the frames – it really does work!

Top Tip – if you have quite a high prescription you might consider a plastic or acetate frame with a thicker frame edge (rather than a thinner metal frame) and a smaller eye-size – this will help to reduce the visible part of the lens edge. Choosing ‘thinner lighter’ lenses with anti-reflective coating will also reduce the lens thickness and improve the look of high prescription glasses.

Don’t forget to consider the size of the frames. While there isn’t usually a huge difference in frame sizes, you want to make sure you get a pair that fits you well. If you already wear glasses, take a look at the inside of the arm. You should and you should see a series of numbers which indicate the size of the frame. If your glasses are a good fit, use these numbers to search for a new frame in the same size. Or if your existing glasses are too small or big, then make sure you choose a different sized frame.

Top Tip – if you have tried some frames on in a shop and they are they fit just right make a note of the numbers on the inside of the arms – that will tell you which frame to pick and which colour and size to choose.

The different size markings are explained below – you will see these size guides on each frame selection page.

Frame Size Guide

If you wear glasses and have a pair already, check the inner side of the arm (temples) well, where you may find the size information stamped.

Of course you may find that your current glasses don’t fit very well! In which case you should take this into account by choosing smaller or larger sizes for your new frames.

This is an example size guide - NOT the actual measurements of your selected frame.

size-guide
frame-guide

Frame measurements are listed in mm (millimeters)

What shape is your face?

Slightly odd question but it can make a difference to the frame shape and style that might best suit you. Most faces can be divided into 7 different shapes – square, oblong, heart, triangle, diamond, oval, and round. Take a good look in the mirror and think about which of these shapes is closest to your face. Maybe take some photos and ask your friends or family what shape they think your face is!

Round

Round Shaped Face
If your face is quite round, you want to balance that by choosing frames with sharper angles and edges. Cats-eye glasses can help make your face look longer, or a thick, angular frame is great for complementing masculine faces.

  • Sharper edges create angles – consider rectangular frames.
  • A thick, bold frame with an angular shape.
  • Women’s cat-eye glasses work well.
Diamond

Daimond Shaped Face
If you have dramatic cheekbones with a narrow brow and chin, small oval frames will work well for you. A cat-eye can also work well, as can semi-rimless frames to accentuate your eyes.

  • A half-rim frame will accentuate your eyes and soften the lower portion of your face.
  • Oval frames – something small and neat.
  • Try a metal rectangular frame
  • Try glasses that angle towards the top corner.
Square

Square Shaped Face
If you have a broad forehead, square chin and wide jawline, a square is probably the closest shape to your face. Oval or round frames work well to soften the edges of a square face. Cats-eye frames are also a great choice for a feminine look on a square face.

  • A solid round acetate frame.
  • Soften edges with an oval frame.
  • A stylish feminine option is a cat-eye frame
  • Avoid thin, angular and square styles.
triangular

Triangular Shaped Face
If you have a broad forehead and narrow chin, you’ll want to pick a style that is wider at the bottom, like a rounded square. Fine frames or even rimless can look good on you. Try to find a shape that isn’t too top-heavy.

  • Frames that are wider at the bottom, such as rounded square shapes.
  • For men round frames with thinner rims are a great option.
  • A subtle oval frame can work well.
Oval

Oval Shaped Face
With an oval face, you can go bold with glasses frames, with thick, retro and vintage-inspired shapes. Define your features by picking a pair with details on the arms.

  • Go for frames with large or oversized shapes, such as retro-inspired square or round shapes made with thick acetate.
  • Try a large, rounded men’s metal frame.
Oblong

Oblong Shaped Face
If your face is longer than it is wide with straight cheeks, avoid rectangular frames as these will highlight the length of your face. Mixed colours and decorative details are a good look for you, and deeper frames will contrast well.

  • Avoid narrow and rectangular frame shapes that will make your face appear longer.
  • Frames with more depth will offset the length of your face, such as a masculine, bold square shape.
  • Try something feminine with upswept corners that will emphasise your cheekbones.
Heart

Heart Shaped Face
Lots of frames suit a heart-shaped face, with its broad brow, wide cheekbones and narrow chin. If you want to soften your features you might try rimless frames, or if you want to avoid highlighting your cheekbones, try an oval frame instead.

  • Oval glasses don’t overemphasise your cheek bones.
  • Try rimless for something subtle that softens your features.
  • Frames wider at the top than they are at the bottom add width to the top of your face without exaggerating your cheeks, for example, our men’s Wayfarer glasses.

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