When you find the right pair of sunglasses, they become more than just a sun-blocking necessity—they are a fashion statement and a powerful accessory. Think of sunglasses as you would any item of clothing: the most flattering pieces are the ones that are tailored to you. Just like a pair of jeans or a power suit, sunglasses look best when they’re styled for the curves, shapes, and sizes that are unique to you.
While your tailor can’t alter or hem your sunglasses, finding the right size and style of frame for your unique face shape can enhance your features and elevate your style. Finding the perfect pair doesn’t need to be rocket science. All you need is to know are your face shape and what will flatter it most.
Ready to find the sunglasses that you can wear for years to come? We’re breaking down the most flattering frames for every face shape and have found the best options for each.
How to find your face shape
You know your blood type and your hair color, but you might not know your actual face shape. It’s not something we think about often, but the shape of your face determines what frame shapes and sizes will not only flatter you most but will also bring out your best facial features.
To figure out your face shape, pull your hair back so you can see the full outline. Identify the widest part of your face: is it the jawline, cheeks, or forehead? The answer will usually give the main indication of your face shape, but you can also look at factors like the shape of your jaw (is it round, angular, or pointy?) as well as the length of your face (long vs. short). If you’re still unsure what your shape is, you can trace the outline of your face on the mirror with lipstick or a dry erase marker.
Round Face Shape
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Your face is at its widest point from cheek to cheek and narrows slightly at the forehead and jawline. Your chin is typically in line with your jaw.
Square Face Shape
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Your jawline, cheeks, and forehead are all even in width, and you likely have a sharp jawline.
Oval Face Shape
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Your face is longer than it is wide. In other words, the length from the top of your forehead to your chin is longer than the length from ear to ear.
Heart Face Shape
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The widest point of your face is the forehead, and your face gets narrower at the jawline. Your chin might protrude below your jawline (think of the point at the bottom of a heart).
Sunglasses for round faces
Try: Square sunglasses
Think of square frames like a contour kit: they add definition to your face (hello, cheekbones!). Angular lines and edges balance the roundness of your face, so avoid anything with soft lines and rounded edges. When shopping for sunglasses, look for rectangular frames with sharp edges or four corners, preferably with a thinner frame.
Sunglasses for square faces
Try: Round sunglasses
Sounds like a no-brainer, right? If a square frame balances out a round face, then a round frame balances out a square face. Rounded corners and soft angles balance out sharp jawlines and square foreheads, which will soften your face shape. Look for circular frames with soft lines to soften your features.
Sunglasses for heart-shaped faces
Try: Aviators or cat-eye sunglasses
Contradictory to other face shapes, the most flattering frame on heart faces mimics the shape. Aviators and cat-eye frames are wider at the top and more narrow at the bottom, so they’ll highlight your best features. However, balance is important in the proportions. If you have smaller features, choose a smaller and thinner frame. If you have more dramatic features, you can go for the thicker or larger frames.
Sunglasses for oval faces
Try: Round, oversized frames
Round sunglasses are typically wider, which balances out the length of an oval face shape. Smaller frames can accentuate a narrow face, so oversized styles are the most flattering option to give the illusion of more width from cheekbone to cheekbone.
