The rule for choosing sunglasses for your face shape is simple: contrast. Round faces look better in angular frames, square faces look better in rounded ones, and oval faces can wear almost anything. That covers most of what the internet will tell you about face shape.
What most guides skip is that fit matters more than shape. A frame in the "right" style that is too wide for your head, slides down your nose, or cuts across your eyebrows will look worse than a "wrong" style that fits properly. Start with shape, then check the four fit details below before you commit.
Find your face shape in 30 seconds
You do not need a tape measure or an app. Pull your hair back, face a mirror straight on, and look at three things: the width of your forehead, the width of your cheekbones, and the width and angle of your jaw. Then compare them.
- Oval — slightly longer than wide, forehead a bit wider than the jaw, softly rounded chin.
- Round — width and length are close to equal, full cheeks, soft jawline with no hard corners.
- Square — forehead, cheekbones, and jaw are close to the same width, with a strong angular jaw.
- Heart — wide forehead and cheekbones narrowing to a pointed or narrow chin.
- Oblong or rectangular — noticeably longer than wide, with fairly straight sides.
- Diamond — narrow forehead and narrow jaw with cheekbones as the widest point.
If you want to be precise, take a bar of soap or a dry-erase marker and trace the outline of your face on the mirror, then step back and look at the shape you drew. If you land between two shapes, that is normal, and both sets of recommendations will work for you.
The rule for each face shape
Oval
Balanced proportions mean nearly any frame works. Aviators, wayfarer shapes, wraps, and rounds all sit well. Your only real limit is scale: pick a frame that is not so oversized it swallows your features.
Round
Go angular. Rectangular and squared-off frames add definition and make a round face read longer. Frames with a strong straight top bar work particularly well. Avoid small circular lenses, which echo the curves you already have.
Square
Go the other way. Rounded, oval, and softly curved frames offset a strong jaw. Classic teardrop aviators are a reliable pick here — the curve at the bottom of the lens softens angular features without looking delicate.
Heart
Balance a wider forehead with frames that are wider at the bottom, or at least not top-heavy. Rimless and light-colored frames, and aviators with their narrowing lower edge, all draw attention downward. Skip heavy browlines and decorative top corners.
Oblong or rectangular
Break up the length. Taller lenses cover more vertical space, and a deeper frame with a decorative or contrasting temple adds visual width. Avoid short, narrow lenses, which make a long face look longer.
Diamond
Draw attention to your eyes and forehead. Frames with detail along the top edge, cat-eye shapes, and rimless or oval styles all work. Narrow frames that sit inside your cheekbone width will emphasize the width you already have.
The four things that matter more than face shape
1. Frame width versus your widest point
This is the single biggest factor in whether sunglasses look right. The total width of the frame should be about the same as the widest part of your face, usually your cheekbones or temples. If the hinges stick out well past the sides of your head, the frame is too big. If your face bulges past the frame edges, it is too small.
2. Bridge fit and the slide test
The bridge carries most of the weight. If it is too wide for your nose, the frames slide down constantly no matter how good the arms feel. Put them on, look down at the floor for a few seconds, then shake your head lightly. If they move more than a fraction of an inch, the bridge is wrong for you. Adjustable nose pads, common on metal frames, solve this for a lot of people.
3. Temple length
The arms should run straight back and only curve down after they pass the top of your ear. If the bend lands in front of your ear, the frames will push forward and pinch. If the arms are too long, the frames sit loose and rock when you move.
4. How much brow and cheek the lens covers
Your eyes should sit roughly in the center of each lens, not high in it. The top edge should fall below your eyebrows rather than cutting across them, and the bottom edge should not rest on your cheeks — if it does, the lenses will smudge every time you smile.
Matching shape to what we carry
Our Aviator collection is the most forgiving starting point, particularly for square, heart, and oval faces. The men's collection leans toward wider frames and squared shapes that suit round and oval faces, and the women's collection has more curved and cat-eye influenced shapes for square and diamond faces.
If you are not sure yet, it is worth browsing all of our collections and comparing frame widths across a few styles. At our prices, most people end up with two or three pairs for different situations rather than agonizing over one.
Frequently asked questions
What if I am between two face shapes?
Most people are. Follow the fit rules first — width, bridge, temple length, coverage — and then pick whichever of the two shape recommendations you prefer visually. Both will look fine.
Does face shape matter more than lens color?
They answer different questions. Shape is about how the frames look, lens color and polarization are about how you see. Decide on fit and shape first, then choose a lens for where you will wear them.
How do I know if sunglasses are too small for me?
Look straight into a mirror. If you can see your face extending past the outer edge of the frames, or the arms press into your temples before reaching your ears, size up.
Can I get these in my prescription?
No, we do not offer prescription lenses. We do carry fit-over styles that go over your own glasses and ready-made bifocal readers, which cover most people who need correction outdoors.
Where to start
Identify your shape, apply the contrast rule, then let fit make the final call. A frame that matches your width, sits still on your nose, and clears your brows and cheeks will look good regardless of what any chart says.
Start with the full range of collections and narrow down from there. Every pair includes 100% UV protection, shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses, a microfiber cleaning case, and a lifetime replacement guarantee with a processing fee.