Seen Guide to Buying Eyewear: Identifying Your Face Shape
There are a bunch of rules when it comes to buying eyewear. People say that if you have a round face you should wear square frames, or if you have a long face you’ve got to wear round frames and if you have square face, you mustn't wear angular frames; we hear this all the time, but it’s not the whole truth, a frame needs to fit your face AND your character. Granted, a good guide to buying eyewear can really help you narrow down your choice but really it all boils down to what works for you as an individual.
That being said, if you’re not even sure what face shape you have to begin with it can all get rather confusing, so we’ve pulled together a guide to buying eyewear that breaks down the various face shapes and the kind of frames that could work well for you. But please remember, these are guidelines, not rules - ultimately when you know, you know. But if you don’t know, here is our unique Seen guide to buying eyewear to help you identify your shape and style.
Finding your face shape
Square
Starting things off simply with a face shape that doesn't need a great lot of explanation - a square face is exactly what it says on the tin. That broad forehead, wide jawline and strong chin give a square face its defining features. People blessed with this often considered ‘strong’ face shape can be proud of a forehead, cheekbones and jaw that are of equal width. A square face will also have length and width of similar proportions.
Classic square and angular frames will do a great job of accentuating that amazing square jawline if that’s what you’re after. If, however, you’d like to try something to help slim down your face, making it appear longer, go for a round, or oval shaped style.
Heart
A heart-shaped face is characterised by a wider forehead with high cheekbones and a slimmer lower half of the face which gradually narrows down to a pointy chin. Often considered the loving shape, those lucky ones with a heart-shaped face are spoilt for choice when it comes to eyewear.
It’s widely accepted that frames that are wider than your forehead are your friends here, think cat eye styles for women and frames with a deeper lens shape. Rounded frames provide a pleasing contrast to the angles of a heart-shaped face, whereas bottom heavy styles such as wayfarers will widen the lower half of your face providing balance.
You might choose to avoid semi-rimless styles as their top-heavy nature will only work to accentuate a heart shape’s wider forehead and narrow chin.
Round
If you have a round face shape the widest part of your face will be the cheekbones with the width and length of your face being around the same. Those with a round face benefit from fuller cheeks, softer angles and a round curved jawline.
When it comes to choosing glasses for round shaped faces, angles and squares or rectangular frames are your friends here; the aim is to create contrast so try and steer clear of smaller, compact styles as they may appear tight on the face. Those with a round face need to be wary not to choose styles that accentuate roundness. A cat eye will lift your face whereas square frames or wayfarers will add angles to even proportions.
Oval
When buying glasses for an oval face shape, think egg! An oval face is typically longer than it is wide and doesn’t have any noticeable sharp angles, much like the shape of your standard chicken egg. The forehead and jawline will be slightly rounded with those great cheekbones making up the widest part of the face.
If you’re lucky enough to boast a classic oval shape then we’ve got good news, you’re officially God's gift to spectacle wearing -almost every frame works. Though if you do want to choose glasses that accentuate your well-balanced oval shape, choose frames that are as wide as those great enviable cheekbones. Round, rectangle and rimless will all work well for you, so have fun!
Wildchild
Maybe you’re still not sure what your face shape is, maybe you don’t care, or maybe you don’t like being told what to do and want to go against the grain and choose something you’ve been advised against! If that’s you, you’re the wild child!
You’ve read the advice but don’t like to go with the status quo, so will wear whatever takes your fancy, and we salute you. Be pretty in pink, get creative in clear frames or go old school in an optical aviator. You're a wildchild, go ahead and choose whatever catches your eye.