Choosing the Perfect Glass Frames by Face Shape

1. Oval Face Shape

Oval faces are considered the most versatile face shape, featuring balanced proportions where the face is slightly longer than it is wide, with gently rounded features and a jawline that’s slightly narrower than the forehead. If you have an oval face, you’re fortunate—most frame styles will suit you.

The key for oval faces is to maintain your natural balance. Frames that are as wide as (or slightly wider than) the broadest part of your face work best. You can experiment with various styles, from classic to bold.

Recommended Frames for Oval Faces

• Oliver Peoples ‘Gregory Peck’ – A classic round frame that complements the gentle curves of an oval face. The slightly oversized design adds character without overwhelming your balanced proportions.
• Ray-Ban ‘Clubmaster’ – The iconic browline style adds subtle definition to the upper face while maintaining harmony with oval features. Perfect for both professional and casual settings.
• Warby Parker ‘Haskell’ – A refined rectangular frame with softly rounded edges that echoes the natural curves of an oval face. Versatile enough for any occasion.
• Persol ‘3007V’ – These sleek rectangular frames offer a contemporary look while respecting the balanced proportions of oval faces. The subtle keyhole bridge adds vintage appeal.

These frames pair well with various hairstyles, from the Classic Side Part to the Modern Pompadour, making them versatile choices for your everyday style.

2. Round Face Shape

For men with round faces, the face has soft curves with similar width and length measurements, full cheeks, and a rounded chin.

The goal with frame selection is to add definition and create the illusion of length, making your face appear more angular and structured.

Angular, rectangular, or square frames work best for round faces. These geometric shapes provide contrast to your face’s natural curves and add sharpness to your overall appearance. Avoid circular or overly rounded frames, which can emphasize roundness.

Recommended Frames for Round Faces

• Persol ‘714’ – These iconic folding frames feature a distinctive angular design that adds structure and definition to round faces. The straight lines create excellent contrast with curved features.
• Ray-Ban ‘Wayfarer’ – A classic choice with strong angular lines that elongate and define round faces. The bold rectangular shape provides the structure needed to balance softer features.
• Oakley ‘Holbrook’ – Square-shaped frames with sharp angles that add instant definition. The bold styling creates a masculine edge that complements round face shapes.
• Tom Ford ‘FT5294’ – Rectangular frames with clean lines that bring structure to round faces. The slightly wider design helps elongate facial proportions.

These frames complement shorter hairstyles like the Textured Crop or Buzz Cut, adding structure to your overall appearance and creating a more defined look.

3. Square Face Shape

Men with square faces have a strong, angular jawline, broad forehead, and similar face width and length.

Your face has defined angles and prominent features and the goal is to soften these angular features and add curves to create balance.

Round or oval frames work best for square faces, as they provide contrast to angular features and soften strong jawlines. Avoid frames that are too geometric or square, as they can make your face appear boxy.

Recommended Frames for Square Faces

• Ray-Ban ‘Round Metal’ – Classic circular frames that beautifully offset angular features. The thin metal construction keeps the look refined while the round shape softens a strong jawline.
• Oliver Peoples ‘O’Malley’ – Rounded P3-style frames that add curves to balance square features. The vintage-inspired design brings sophistication while softening angular lines.
• Moscot ‘Miltzen’ – Round frames with slightly thicker rims that provide gentle contrast to sharp features. The classic design has remained popular for decades.
• Garrett Leight ‘Hampton’ – Oval frames that elongate square faces while softening angular features. The subtle design complements strong facial structures without competing with them.

These frames work well with short and medium-length hairstyles, such as the Ivy League haircut or Layered Mid-Length Cut, creating a balanced and refined appearance.

4. Heart Face Shape

Men with heart-shaped faces have a wider forehead and cheekbones with a narrower, pointed chin.

Your face tapers from top to bottom, creating an inverted triangle shape and the goal is to balance the proportions by adding width to the lower face.

Frames that are wider at the bottom or have detailing on the lower half work best. Aviators, bottom-heavy frames, and rimless styles help balance the wider forehead with the narrower chin.

Recommended Frames for Heart Faces

• Tom Ford ‘FT5401’ – These frames are wider at the bottom, perfectly balancing a heart-shaped face by adding width where it’s needed most. The refined design maintains sophistication.
• Ray-Ban ‘Aviator’ – Classic aviators with their teardrop shape are naturally wider at the top and taper down, which complements heart-shaped faces by echoing and balancing facial proportions.
• Randolph Engineering ‘Sportsman’ – Another aviator option with a slightly squared-off bottom that adds width to the lower face. Military-grade construction ensures durability.
• Silhouette ‘Titan Minimal Art’ – Rimless frames that don’t add weight to the upper face. The minimalist design draws attention downward, balancing wider foreheads.

These frames pair nicely with styles that add volume at the top, like the Textured Quiff or Modern Pompadour, creating overall facial harmony.

5. Diamond Face Shape

Diamond face shapes are characterised by narrow forehead and jawline with prominent, wide cheekbones. This is the rarest face shape.

The goal is to highlight the eyes and soften the cheekbones while adding width to the forehead and chin.

Frames with detailing or distinctive brow lines, oval shapes, or rimless styles work best. These draw attention to the eyes and soften angular cheekbones.

Recommended Frames for Diamond Faces

• Lindberg ‘Spirit Titanium’ – Rimless or semi-rimless frames that don’t emphasize cheekbone width. The minimalist Danish design is customizable and ultra-lightweight.
• Ray-Ban ‘Clubmaster’ – The distinctive browline adds width to the upper face while the rimless bottom keeps focus on the eyes. Perfect for balancing diamond proportions.
• Oliver Peoples ‘Finley’ – Oval frames with a delicate keyhole bridge that softens cheekbones while adding gentle width to narrow areas. The vintage-inspired design is timelessly elegant.
• Maui Jim ‘Kawika’ – Modified aviators with a softer shape that works well with prominent cheekbones. The polarized lenses make these ideal for sunglasses.

These subtle frames complement longer hairstyles like Modern Long Layers or the Man Bun, which also help balance the diamond face shape’s proportions.

6. Oblong Face Shape

Oblong faces (also called rectangular faces) are longer than they are wide, with a similar width across the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline.

Your face appears elongated and the goal is to make the face appear shorter and more balanced by adding width.

Wide frames with decorative temples or deep lenses work best. Oversized frames, wraparound styles, and frames with bold horizontal lines help shorten the appearance of an oblong face.

Recommended Frames for Oblong Faces

• Ray-Ban ‘Justin’ – Oversized rectangular frames that add width to the face. The larger lens height helps break up length and create better proportions.
• Oakley ‘Gascan’ – Wide wraparound frames with deep lenses that add horizontal emphasis. The bold styling shortens the appearance of longer faces.
• Persol ‘0649’ – Large aviator-style frames with decorative arrows at the temples. The width and detailing draw the eye horizontally rather than vertically.
• Carrera ‘Safari’ – Bold, deep frames with strong horizontal lines. The oversized design adds necessary width to balance facial length.

These frames work particularly well with hairstyles that add volume at the sides rather than height, helping to create balanced facial proportions.

7. Triangle Face Shape

Triangle face shapes (also called pear-shaped faces) feature a narrow forehead with a wider jawline and chin. This shape is essentially an inverted heart shape.

The goal is to add width and draw attention to the upper part of the face to balance the wider lower half.

Frames with decorative or bold upper rims, cat-eye shapes, or top-heavy designs work best. These styles add visual weight to the upper face, creating balance with the wider jaw.

Recommended Frames for Triangle Faces:

• Garrett Leight ‘Wilson M’ in ‘Matte Brandy Tortoise’ – Frames with a bold upper rim and decorative temples that add width to the forehead area. The design draws attention upward, balancing wider jawlines.
• Oliver Peoples ‘Cary Grant’ – Frames with a prominent brow line and lighter lower rim. The top-heavy design adds visual weight where it’s needed most.
• Tom Ford ‘FT5178’ – Bold rectangular frames with thick upper rims. The substantial top creates balance with a wider jaw.
• Warby Parker ‘Chamberlain’ – Browline frames with distinctive upper detailing. The style adds width to narrow foreheads while maintaining a refined appearance.

These frames work well with styles that add volume on top, such as the Textured Crop or Short Pompadour, further balancing the proportions of triangle-shaped faces.

Final Tips for Choosing Glasses Frames

Beyond face shape, consider these additional factors when selecting your perfect frames:

• Proportion: Frames should be proportional to your face size. If you have a larger face, choose larger frames; smaller faces suit more delicate frames.
• Eyebrow alignment: The top of your frames should follow your eyebrow line for the most natural look.
• Bridge fit: The bridge should sit comfortably on your nose without pinching or sliding down.
• Lifestyle needs: Consider whether you need durable frames for active lifestyles or professional styles for work settings.
• Personal style: While face shape provides guidance, choose frames that reflect your personality and complement your wardrobe.

Remember, these guidelines are starting points, not strict rules. The best frames are ones that make you feel confident and comfortable.

Don’t be afraid to try on multiple styles and get second opinions from trusted friends or eyewear professionals.