Selecting the right reading glasses isn't just about improving your vision, it's also an opportunity to express your personal style. Your face shape plays a significant role in determining which frame shape is best for you, so here's a few pointers for choosing a reading glass frame shape that suits your face shape.
1. Round Faces:
Characteristics: A round face has soft curves with a similar width and length. The cheeks are full, and the chin is rounded.
Suitable Frame Shapes:
- Square Frames: This frame shape brings in strong straight lines that immediately add definition and balance to round features.
- Rectangle Frames: Rectangular frames provide angularity to de-emphasise the curves of a round face and make your face appear longer and slimmer.
Avoid: Steer clear of round or circular frames, as they will emphasise the roundness of your face.
2. Square Faces:
Characteristics: A square face has strong angles with a prominent jawline, forehead, and cheekbones. The width and length are proportional.
Suitable Frame Shapes:
- Round Or Oval Frames: Round or oval frames will soften the strong angles of a square face.
- Cat’s-Eye Frames: The upswept outer edges of cat-eye frames provides a nice contrast to square features.
Avoid: Angular or boxy frames that overemphasise the squareness of your face.
3. Oval Faces:
Characteristics: Oval faces are well-balanced, with slightly wider cheekbones and a gently rounded chin. The forehead is neither too wide nor too narrow.
Suitable Frame Shapes:
- Any Shape: Lucky you! Oval faces can pull off pretty much any frame shape, giving you the freedom to experiment with round, square, rectangular, or cat’s-eye frames.
Avoid: While oval faces are incredibly versatile, you may want to avoid frames that are oversized and cover your eyebrows.
4. Heart-Shaped Faces:
Characteristics: Heart-shaped faces have wider foreheads, high cheekbones, and a narrow, pointed chin.
Suitable Frame Shapes:
- Round Frames: Round frames soften a broad forehead, balance a narrower chin, and add curved contrast to angular features.
- Cat’s-Eye Frames: Their upswept corners draw attention away from the forehead, creating balance by adding width to the upper face.
Avoid: Frames with a heavy top bar, or that are overly wide at the top, as these accentuate the width of the forehead.
5. Diamond Faces:
Characteristics: Diamond faces are characterised by high, wide cheekbones, a narrow forehead, and a narrow or pointed chin.
Suitable Frame Shapes:
- Oval Frames: Oval frames complement the cheekbones and soften the angular features of a diamond face.
- Cat’s-Eye Frames: Slightly upswept frames add width to the upper face, balancing prominent cheekbones.
Avoid: Frames that are too narrow or angular will accentuate the diamond shape.
6. Oblong Faces:
Characteristics: An oblong face is longer than it is wide, with the cheek line and forehead being similar widths but the chin being narrow and/or pointed.
Suitable Frame Shapes:
- Square Frames: Square frames add width and structure to the face, making it appear shorter.
- Round Frames: Round or oval frames soften the elongated shape of the face.
Avoid: Narrow frames that emphasize the length of the face.
7. Rectangular Faces:
Characteristics: Similar to an oblong face, a rectangular face is longer than it is wide, however the forehead, cheekbones and jawline are of similar width.
Suitable Frame Shapes:
- Square Frames: Square frames complement a rectangular face shape by echoing its strong lines.
- Round Frames: Round or oval frames soften the elongated shape and angles of the face.
Avoid: Narrow frames that emphasize the length of the face. Small or over-sized frames disrupt the balanced proportions of a rectangular face.
8. Triangle Faces:
Characteristics: A narrower forehead with wider cheekbones and jawline.
Suitable Frame Shapes:
- Cat-eye Frames: These are your go-to choice. The upswept corners balance the broader jawline by drawing attention upward.
- Round Frames: Help soften the angularity of the face by adding some gentle lines to your features..
Avoid: Frames that accentuate the width of your jawline, such as heavy rectangular frames or frames that are wider at the bottom.
These guidelines are just starting points - personal style and comfort are also important factors in choosing the right reading glasses. Whether you opt for classic, trendy, or bold frames, the perfect pair will not only help you read better but also enhance your overall look.
