They’re a summer essential and the perfect accessory to finish off an outfit, but finding the best sunglasses to suit your face shape can be tricky. Read our handy guide on how to find the ideal sunglasses to suit any occasion, and see which one works best for you.
British summer is almost here, so it’s about time we dust off our summer wardrobes and get planning those long days out making sure we’re armed with the perfect pair of sunglasses. Whether you’re getting ready for the sun to make an appearance so you can head straight to your local beer garden, or you’re planning on spending your summer lounging by a beach, it’s time to start investing in a decent pair of shades. Sunglasses are one of the most vital summer accessories, so why do so many of us get it wrong when trying to choose a pair?
Are you one of those who asks everyone “what sunglasses suit me?” or “what sunglasses suit my face?”. Whether you’re looking for sunglasses for big heads or small heads, It might seem like a bit of a pain to figure out what type of sunglasses to choose from. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes from aviators to vintage cat-eye upturn styles. How exactly are we supposed to find the ideal pair to suit our face shape when there are just so many to choose from?
How to Choose Sunglasses to Suit Your Face
Have you ever looked back through holiday snaps of yourself and thought you didn’t quite suit those sunglasses you really loved at the time? I know I have! Before you go out to buy a new pair of sunglasses you need to figure out what kind of face shape you have.
We all have very different face shapes and sunglasses are ultimately doing the job of framing our faces, they’re not just for protecting our eyes. If you have a round face, round frames that mimic your face shape really aren’t going to do you any justice. We will let you now the best sunglasses for small faces, round faces, long faces and more. It really is pretty simple to shop for a pair once you know what will suit your face, and style, best. Luckily, there are plenty of stylish glasses for men on the market. So, what type of face shapes are there and how exactly do you figure out what face shape you have?
Figuring out Your Face Shape
In order to find the best sunglasses for your face shape, you need to figure out what shape yours is. It’s important to note there are seven main types of face shape, but there are plenty of variations in between to make it slightly more daunting! It goes without saying, don’t study each face shape and take it too literally.
Treat finding a pair of sunglasses the same way as choosing a haircut and think about how it’ll suit your face. Sunglasses for men’s face shapes really aren’t that hard to get a hold of. You’ll need to analyse the definitions and outlines of your face and compare it with one of the following examples to see which one is most like yours. Don’t worry too much about it being exactly the same as just one face shape.
Square Face Shape
This is probably one of the most common types of face shape for men. You’ll have strong features with a prominent jawline and wide cheekbones. You’ll want to avoid sunglasses with sharp outlines or heavy detail as your features already stand out and should be embraced.
The stronger your features, the bigger you can go with your sunglasses. Complement your jawline and cheekbones with sunglasses that have more curved or rounded edges. Aviators are a perfect choice for framing strong features.
Best Sunglasses For Round Face Shape
If you have a round face, you’ll want to give yourself more definition and choose frames that will contrast with the circular shape of your face. Avoid round or small sunglasses as they will make your face look rounder and opt for a pair of sunglasses with angular frames to shape your face.
Unlike a square shape, a rounded face won’t have pronounced jawline or cheekbones, so choose a pair of sunglasses that are slightly wider than your face to give an element of definition.
Oblong Face Shape
The key to framing a thin and narrow face like the oblong shape is to find a pair of sunglasses with thick frames to enhance your features.
You can opt for square or round shapes, but make sure you go for ones with oversized frames to enhance your soft features and give yourself some angles. Aviators and retro styles are a popular choice for those with oblong face shapes, but steer clear of small and narrow frames.
Sunglasses For Oval Face Shape
Lucky you! If you have an oval face shape you won’t find it as frustrating as the rest of us when finding a pair of sunglasses to suit you. Most frames and styles will flatter your face shape so you can experiment to your heart’s content.
Thick, top heavy sunglasses have an interesting design that not every face shape can get away with, so it’s worth trying them out to add a striking addition to your outfit.
Diamond Face Shape
If you have a diamond shape face, you’ll have a defined chin, with the widest area of your face being across your cheekbones. You can opt for retro, rectangular styles but try to avoid frames that are straight across, and instead, go for a more oval frame to soften the bottom half of your face.
Cat style or vintage frames look great on a diamond shape face too. Similar to the oval shape you can experiment with bolder styles, so why not go for a more colourful pair of shades?
Heart-Shaped Face Shape
It’s a little more difficult to frame a heart-shaped face. You’ll have a narrow chin and a wider forehead so you’ll want to play up your features with thin or round frames. Try to avoid sunglasses with too much detail or thicker frames and choose a pair that will direct attention towards the bottom half of your face.
Street Style Sunglasses
We roamed the streets to explore the ways you’re wearing your sunglasses. For those summer days that get surprisingly brisk, team a white T-shirt with a hoodie, then add a leather jacket for an extra layer of warmth. Finish your look with a pair of black wayfarers and you’re good to go.
If you have more of a square face, a pair of Ray-Bans can add the finishing edge to your style. We love to get our shorts out when the weather warms up a bit, so try matching a pair of cream shorts with a white tee and navy bomber for an effortlessly stylish look.
It’s Not all About Face Shape
As vital as it is to consider what shades will suit your face shape, there are plenty of other things you need to think about too.
- You don’t need to strictly stick to the face shape guide if you’re looking for a more retro look. You can always opt for a bold printed pair of sunglasses or vintage frames if you want to mix up your style, and there are plenty of them out there.
- For an everyday look, sunglasses should complement your style, not hinder it. For example, you might want to avoid a bright pair of orange sunglasses if it leaves your skin looking a bit washed out and dull. But don’t go avoiding colour.
- You don’t need to just stick to the typical black tinted lenses. A brightly coloured pair of sunglasses can add charisma to any style no matter how casual or plain.
- Hair is everything. Hair can change the shape of our faces dramatically, so it’s important to consider your cut and whether the sunglasses you choose enhance your look. Shorter hairstyles leave your features on show, while longer cuts often soften them. Bald men can wear glasses too, though!
The Best Sunglasses for Your Men
- Square – Go for round edged sunglasses to complement your jawline.
- Round – Choose angular sunglasses to help define your face.
- Oblong – Choose thick framed sunnies to enhance your features.
- Oval – You can get away with most styles, so experiment and try out different looks.
- Diamond – Choose oval framed sunglasses to help soften the bottom half of your face.
- Triangle – Choose top heavy shades to help draw attention towards the top part of your face.
- Heart Shape – Choose thin or round frames to help draw attention towards the bottom part of your face.
On That Note
Sunglasses are a vital accessory that adds the finishing touch to any look. There are plenty of variations with multiple frames and styles, from vintage, bold to our much-loved classics. It might seem like there is a minefield of choices out there when it comes to summer shades, making it a tough accessory to confidently choose from, even for the most clued up style gurus. Which ones do we choose and how do we know they’ll suit us? Don’t panic. The key is figuring out your face shape. Once you’ve figured out your face shape, you’re well on your way to finding the pair of sunnies that’ll suit your style best. For most face shapes, like round or square faces, you’ll want a pair of sunglasses with frames that enhance your face by contrasting your features, not mimicking them. You also need to consider your hairstyle, as this can have an impact on your face shape. Sunnies are ideal for boosting your style, so never be afraid to experiment with a flash of colour or different styles of shapes.
Feature image from Pinterest
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