Sunglasses face shape guide
Types of sunglasses for face shape
When we choose a new pair of sunglasses, we often ask ourself which one is best for our face type: should I stick to the shape I already have and I know it fits me well or shall I take the risk and buy a different shape?
The answer is: dare and buy a new shape!! Why? Because there are several shapes that can fit all kind of face types, even if we think the opposite. We read a lot of articles saying that sunglasses are related to face shapes, but this is parcially true. In this sunglasses face shape guide we want to give you an additional insight. It’s actually much simple than that, it’s more about sizes and proportions.
It is true that there are some basic face types:
And it is true that, overall speaking, some shapes normally fit better some kind of face shapes:
Oval face
Perfect fitting for most of the existing shapes as square\rectangular, geometrical frame, cat eye and aviator too.
Square | Rectangular face
In this case you should soften up a bit the angles of your jaw and chickbones. Round, aviator and geometrical shapes would be nice.
Round face
You should avoid roundish shapes, unless you want to over accentuate the round shape of your face. We recommend you squared angles and geometrical shapes or cat eye frames.
Heart face
In this case square frames or wayfarer nicely complement your narrower chin.
Diamond face
Most shapes will fit you. Try to avoid wide shapes and big calibers, which would make your chin and forehead even smaller.
Triangle face
In this case square, round shapes and cat-eye frames will fit you perfectly.
But it’s not only about face shapes. Below we explain our theory regarding how to choose sunglasses based on your face proportions and lines.
How to pick sunglasses for your face features
We believe that choosing the best sunglasses for your face is more a matter of sizes and proportions of your face and taste, of course.
Our faces are not shaped like perfect triangles, circles or rectangules. That’s why lots of people cannot even identify themselves with any of the categories (round shaped face, diamond shaped face, etc). Is my face round or oval? Is my face square, rectangular or triangular? What does heart shape mean?
Let’s forget about shapes for a moment and focus on some other factors:
- Sunglasses calibres | sequence of numbers on the internal part of the temples
- Face length | long or short
- Face width | narrow, medium or wide
- Facial features | soft or hard lines
- Taste | you wear what you like
Sunglasses calibres
When you look at the internal part of your sunglasses’ temples, you’ll find a sequence of numbers which looks like this: 51-19-145. Did you find it?
Well, this is what we call the calibre or size. The first number (51) tells us the lens size (or eye size), it’s the diameter of the lens. The second number (19) is the size of the sunglasses bridge, it’s measured by taking the distance in between the 2 lenses on the narrowest point. The third number (145) is the temples’ length in mm.
Let’s remember this point.
Face length
Your face can be longer or shorter. Take the length and width of your face (measure from the bottom of your chin up to the top of your fronthead for the length and in between the 2 temples for the width). If length > width * 1.5 your face is long, otherwise is short.
- If you have a long face, you should wear sunglasses that can balance your features, choosing models with bigger lens height, for instance.
- If your face is shorter, choose a smaller frame, which doesn’t cover your face too much (unless you want to have an oversize shape).
Face width
We can classify 3 types of face width:
- Narrow | distance temple to temple less than 127 mm
- Medium | distance temple to temple in between 128-139 mm
- Wide | distance temple to temple more than 140 mm
So, if you have a narrow face try to select frames that are not too wide. If you face is wider than normal, instead, look for bigger calibers. You will not find the overall width in the caliber anyway, so you just have to try some more shapes on.
Facial features
We have to consider our face lines and contours. Normally we can define 2 types of features:
- Soft and roundish lines
- Straight and angular lines
People with soft and curvy lines normally look great with round and geometrical angles like cat-eye. People with angular lines usually prefer to soften up a little bit their lines, wearing roundish frames.
Taste
Last but not least in this sunglasses face shape guide, your taste! We believe taste is the main factor that you need to consider when buying sunglasses. Do you like a cat-eye shape even if you have angular features? Do it! You like a round small shape and your face is round and narrow? Why not!. Chill and choose what you really like, whatever makes you feel confortable and yourself.
We hope this sunglasses face shape guide was helpful for you!! Enjoy your sunglasses 🙂
How to choose your sunglasses based on your face features?
Download your free Sunglasses face shape guide now.
- You can be more aware when you choose your next sunglasses
- You won’t go wrong if you have to pick out sunglasses for someone else or give them a special fashion gift.
- You will find more practical information and many other examples that will help you to eliminate any doubts.
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