Once a year I (coincidentally when my insurance coverage kicks in for the next year in January), I go in search of my frames for the year. I’m not a contact wearer, so for me frames are a part of my look and style. Unfortunately, the selection process takes a while…like three hours as I look through the frames, try them all on and then proceed to keep trying them all on over and over again until I get tired, just pick a pair and go home.
But it can be a lot easier (and have a much better result) when you pick the right frames for your face based on what is best for your face shape. Just like a pair of jeans, certain styles will look better on you when you take your shape into consideration…face shape that is!.
Choosing the Right Frames
Square Face
Strong jaw line, a broad forehead, and a wide chin and cheekbones. The width and length of the face are close to being equal. Frames should be selected to make the face look longer and to soften the square angles of the face. Choose frames that are slightly curved (like an oval shape) and that have more horizontal than vertical real estate.
Oval Face
The oval face is identifiable by its balanced proportions. The forehead is slightly wider than the chin and cheekbones are high. Frames should complement the natural proportions of the oval. Choose frames that are wide or wider than the broadest part of the face and that follow your brow line. Often, diamond or rectangular shapes work best for oval shapes.
Oblong Face
Although fairly similar to an oval shape, an oblong face is longer than it is wide. The ideal frames will shorten the face by creating a break in the length of the face. Choose frames that have depth and a low bridge to shorten the nose. Try frames that are round, deep, have low-triangle shapes, or that have strong vertical lines.
Round Face
A round or full face is characterized by having the same width and length. For round faces, frames that add length to the face often work best. Frames that lengthen the face are typically angular, narrow and are wider than they are deep. It is best to avoid round style frames as these will exaggerate the roundness and curves of the face.
Heart-Shaped Face
A heart shaped face looks like a heart or a triangle with the point facing down. The forehead is very wide and cheekbones are high while the face narrows towards the chin. Counterbalance the narrow chin by choosing frames that are wider at the bottom. Generally, light colored and rimless frames work best, although aviator, butterfly and low-triangle styles also work well.
Diamond Face
A diamond shaped face has a high, dramatic cheekbones with a narrow eye line and jaw line. Frames that are soft in style typically work best to highlight the eyes and cheekbones. Select frames that have detailing, distinctive brow lines,are rimless or a cat-eye shape for best results.
However, at Visionworks they make finding the right pair event easier. Whether you’re the type who needs to touch and feel the frames or would rather do your styling from the comfort of your couch, Visionworks has you covered. I decided to do a little of both to see which one took less time. And with selections from DVF, Guess, Michael Kors and Candies, you have options to fit your color and styles.
After about two hours in store, which had tons of frames available at my fingertips, I found a few options that I liked. But I wasn’t going to make any decisions until I went online to the “A Better You Frame Finder.” In minutes, I had uploaded my own photo, picked a few different frames, tried them on and was even able to share them on Facebook to get feedback from friends.
1. Upload your photo.
2. Select a frame based on your face shape and your favorite style.
3. Pick the pair that looks best on you, save to your profile and then come in store to pick them up!
Which pair do you like best? Left or right?
See which ones I chose? I’m kinda in love with these tortoise shell frames from Guess. Aptly named Pink, I actually love these frames even more in person than I did online and exceeded my expectations. And I didn’t have to spend three hours picking them out.
Make sure you check out the Visionworks website for what current offers and promotions are available in your area. For instance right now, BOGO is on so you can get two pairs of frames for yourself OR choose to share with a friend and you both get a pair!
Let Visionworks help you create A Better You.
This is awesome. I usually wear child size frames because my face is so small.
So helpful! I’ll be shopping for a new pair of glasses soon, and with a round face, I have to be careful about the frames.
These are great tips! The right frames can make you look awesome. The wrong frames can make you look equally as bad. I love the ones you picked. You look great!
I need an eye exam. I’ll have to check this place out since it is nearby.
I love this idea! Usually I have to drag my husband to the mall to see which ones look the best on me. It is difficult to choose.
Oh wow this site sounds awesome. I’d love to be able to preview the frames like that.
This is such a great website. I am looking to replace my glasses so i uploaded my photo and tried some different styles. Now i have a better idea of what i want.
Wow, what great advice. I remember choosing frames when I was in my 20’s and it was so daunting. Thanks for all of this 🙂
Love the frames you chose! I don’t wear glasses, but you could totally apply these rules to sunglasses!
I really need new glasses. Choosing glasses is so stressful to find the right one.
Choosing frames can be a challenge! My daughter likes the “nerdy” looking glasses.
Those glasses look wonderful on you ! I have always been a fan of the tortoise shell design.
These are great tips for picking out new eyeglass frames! It can be a pain to find the right frames that you will like for a long time
i love vision works. i’m actually wearing a pair from them right now. awesome choices and good prices.
What a cool tool to help you choose the right frame for your face! I have to try this.
This would have been so helpful last year when I was trying to decide on which frames I wanted.
I know of way too many people who are living in the 70’s or 80’s with their glasses. Sadly, they wont see this lovely, and important post because their glasses are too huge!
This is great for my husband. Without me there to help he will always end up with glasses that make him look like an owl. Comes from growing up in the 80s I guess.
I am so bad at picking frames. I always have to ask someone else what looks good.
I’ve been needing glasses for a while, but I wanted to make sure I got the right frames to fit my look. You mentioned that if you have a round face, you should avoid round style frames as these will exaggerate the roundness. I’ll have to find a eyeglass provider that has frames that can help add some length to my face. Thank you for the great advice.