Glasses sit on the most-seen part of the face, every day, so choosing a frame is one of the more consequential accessory decisions. Picking glasses for your face shape comes down to a simple principle — contrast — plus two practical details: how wide the frame is, and where its top edge sits against your brows.
This guide covers those principles and applies them to each of the six face shapes. It is about proportion, not about changing how a face looks. More in our Body Shape Styling section.
This guide is organised by face shape. The detector works from four measurements, a short quiz, or a photo that is processed on your device and never uploaded.
Three Principles for Choosing Frames
Contrast
Frames that repeat the face’s shape emphasise it; frames that contrast with it add definition. Angular frames give structure to a softly curved face; rounded frames soften a strongly angled one.
Width
A frame roughly as wide as the widest part of the face looks in proportion. Much narrower looks small; much wider can overwhelm.
Brow Line
The top of the frame ideally follows or sits just below the natural line of the eyebrows. Frames that sit well above the brows or cut across the middle of the eye look less settled.
Glasses for Each Face Shape
Oval
Balanced proportions mean most frames work — this is the shape where style decides more than proportion. Keep the width in line with the face. Read more about the oval face shape.
Round
Angular frames — rectangular, square, geometric — add definition. A frame slightly wider than it is deep works well. Read more about the round face shape.
Square
Rounded and oval frames soften a strong jaw and brow. Thinner frames and rimless styles also work well. Read more about the square face shape.
Heart
Wider at the forehead, narrower at the chin. Frames with more weight or detail on the lower half, or light rimless and wire frames, work well. Read more about the heart face shape.
Diamond
Widest at the cheekbones. Cat-eye, oval and browline frames — with detail at the top — work well with the cheekbones. Read more about the diamond face shape.
Oblong
Longer than it is wide. Deeper frames, with more height top to bottom, and frames with decorative or contrasting temples work well. Read more about the oblong face shape.
| Face shape | Frame shapes that work well | Detail to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Oval | Almost any | Width in line with the face |
| Round | Rectangular, square, geometric | Slightly wider than deep |
| Square | Round, oval, rimless | Thinner frames |
| Heart | Bottom-weighted, rimless, wire | Lighter top edge |
| Diamond | Cat-eye, oval, browline | Detail at the top |
| Oblong | Deep frames, decorative temples | More height |
Colour Matters Too
Frame colour sits right next to your skin and eyes. Warm undertones often suit tortoiseshell, gold, honey and warm browns; cool undertones suit black, silver, grey and cool tortoiseshell; neutral and olive can wear most. The undertone test helps, and gold or silver for your undertone covers metal frames.
With Hats, Earrings and Hair
Glasses, hats, earrings and your haircut all frame the face together. If you wear glasses every day, choose the other three with them in mind. See earrings by face shape, the best hats for your face shape and haircuts by face shape. For colours near the face generally, the colour analysis quiz gives the full picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose glasses for my face shape?
Choose a frame shape that contrasts with your face shape, about as wide as the widest part of your face, with the top edge near your brow line.
What glasses suit a round face?
Angular frames — rectangular, square or geometric — slightly wider than they are deep.
What glasses suit a square face?
Rounded and oval frames, thinner frames and rimless styles.
What glasses suit an oblong face?
Deeper frames with more height, and frames with decorative or contrasting temples.
What colour frames should I choose?
Warm undertones often suit tortoiseshell and gold; cool undertones suit black, silver and grey. Neutral and olive can wear most.
For background on frame styles, see glasses, and on how face proportions are described, facial symmetry.