How to Choose Glasses for Your Face Shape
Find the Perfect Glasses to Suit Your Face Shape
Choosing glasses is about much more than following fashion trends. As independent eyewear specialists with years of experience fitting prescription glasses, designer frames and replacement lenses, we've helped thousands of customers choose frames that complement their face shape, prescription and lifestyle. This guide explains how different frame styles work with different face shapes, while remembering that comfort and confidence are always the most important factors. At Ilkeston Factory Specs, we help customers from Ilkeston, Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and across the East Midlands find glasses that look great, fit comfortably and suit their lifestyle.
Why Face Shape Matters
Different frame styles can help balance your facial features and enhance your natural appearance.
The right glasses can:
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Create facial balance
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Highlight your best features
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Make your face appear longer or wider
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Complement your hairstyle
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Improve confidence
Remember, these are guidelines rather than strict rules. The glasses you love and feel comfortable wearing are always the best choice.
How to Identify Your Face Shape
Stand in front of a mirror with your hair pulled back and look at the outline of your face.
Ask yourself:
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Is your face longer than it is wide?
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Is your jaw rounded or angular?
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Is your forehead wider than your chin?
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Are your cheekbones your widest feature?
Most people fall into one of these common face shapes:
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Oval
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Round
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Square
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Heart
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Diamond
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Oblong
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Triangle
Best Glasses for an Oval Face
Best frame styles
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Rectangle glasses
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Square frames
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Wayfarer frames
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Cat-Eye glasses
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Aviator glasses
Try to choose frames that are roughly as wide as the broadest part of your face.
Best Glasses for a Round Face
Round faces usually have soft curves with similar width and height.
The aim is to add definition and make the face appear slightly longer.
Best frame styles
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Rectangle glasses
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Square frames
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Geometric styles
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Browline frames
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Wayfarer frames
Avoid very small round frames if you want more definition.
Best Glasses for a Square Face
Square faces have a broad forehead, strong jawline and wide cheekbones.
Rounded frames help soften strong facial angles.
Best frame styles
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Round glasses
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Oval frames
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Thin metal frames
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Rimless glasses
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Aviator styles
Avoid overly square frames if you want a softer appearance.
Best Glasses for a Heart-Shaped Face
Heart-shaped faces are wider across the forehead and narrower towards the chin.
Balanced frames help create harmony.
Best frame styles
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Round glasses
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Oval frames
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Light-coloured frames
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Rimless glasses
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Thin metal frames
Frames that are slightly wider at the bottom can also complement this face shape.
Best Glasses for a Diamond Face
Diamond faces have prominent cheekbones with a narrower forehead and chin.
The aim is to soften the cheekbones while adding width around the eyes.
Best frame styles
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Cat-eye glasses
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Oval frames
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Browline glasses
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Rimless styles
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Rectangle frames
Best Glasses for an Oblong Face
An oblong face is longer than it is wide.
Choose frames that add width and reduce the appearance of facial length.
Best frame styles
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Oversized glasses
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Deep frames
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Square styles
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Wayfarer frames
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Bold acetate frames
Best Glasses for a Triangle Face
Triangle faces have a wider jaw than forehead.
Frames with more detail across the top help balance facial proportions.
Best frame styles
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Browline glasses
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Cat-Eye frames
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Semi-rimless glasses
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Aviator glasses
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Decorative upper-frame styles
Should You Follow Face Shape Rules?
Not necessarily.
Face shape is only one part of choosing the perfect glasses.
Other important factors include:
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Your prescription
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Your lifestyle
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Colour preferences
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Skin tone
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Hair colour
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Personal style
Many people successfully wear frames that don't traditionally match their face shape simply because they love the look.
Professional Frame Styling at Ilkeston Factory Specs
Finding the perfect glasses should be simple with expert advice. Every face is unique, so our recommendations are always tailored to your prescription, facial features and personal preferences rather than relying on face shape alone.
Our experienced team will help you:
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Identify your face shape
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Recommend flattering frame styles
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Choose the correct frame size
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Ensure your glasses fit comfortably
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Adjust your frames for the perfect fit
We'll help you choose frames that complement your face shape, suit your prescription, fit comfortably and reflect your personal style.
Quick Guide to the Best Glasses for Each Face Shape
Face Shape | Recommended Frame Styles |
|---|---|
Triangle | Browline, Cat-Eye, Aviator |
Oblong | Oversized, Deep Frames |
Diamond | Cat-Eye, Browline, Oval |
Heart | Oval, Round, Rimless |
Square | Round, Oval, Rimless |
Round | Rectangle, Square, Browline |
Oval | Rectangle, Square, Cat-Eye, Aviator |
This quick reference guide is a helpful starting point, but the best glasses will also depend on your prescription, frame size, personal style and how the frames fit.
Oval frames provide balance for heart-shaped faces.
Round frames can soften the strong jawline of a square face.
Still have questions? Here are answers to some of the most common questions about choosing glasses for different face shapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What face shape suits the most glasses?
Oval faces generally suit the widest range of frame styles because of their balanced proportions.
Can I wear glasses that don't match my face shape?
Absolutely. Face shape guides are helpful suggestions, not strict rules. Comfort, confidence and personal style are just as important.
How do I know my face shape?
Stand in front of a mirror with your hair tied back and compare your forehead, cheekbones and jawline. If you're unsure, our team can help identify your face shape in-store.
Does frame size matter as well as face shape?
Yes. Even the perfect frame style won't look or feel right if the size is incorrect. We recommend reading our Glasses Size Guide before choosing new frames.
Can face shape change over time?
Yes. Your face shape can change gradually due to factors such as age, weight changes and natural changes in muscle tone. While your overall bone structure remains the same, these changes can affect how glasses look and fit. If it's been several years since you last bought new glasses, it's worth trying on different frame styles to see what suits you now. Our experienced team at Ilkeston Factory Specs can help you find frames that complement your current face shape and fit comfortably.
Do sunglasses follow the same face shape guidelines?
Yes. The same face shape guidelines generally apply when choosing sunglasses. Whether you're buying prescription sunglasses or non-prescription sunglasses, selecting frames that complement your face shape can help create a balanced and flattering look. It's also important to choose sunglasses that provide good coverage, fit comfortably and offer 100% UV protection to help protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Should my glasses be wider than my face?
Ideally, your glasses should be roughly the same width as the widest part of your face. Frames that are too narrow can feel uncomfortable and look out of proportion, while frames that are too wide may slip and affect how your lenses align with your eyes. A professional fitting can help ensure you choose the correct size.
Related Guides
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Find Glasses That Suit Your Face Perfectly
Finding glasses that suit your face shape, fit comfortably and provide clear vision doesn't have to be difficult.
Visit Ilkeston Factory Specs in Ilkeston for expert styling advice, professional frame fitting and one of the largest selections of designer and prescription glasses in the East Midlands.
Whether you're looking for classic, modern or designer frames, we'll help you find glasses that complement your face shape, fit perfectly and provide comfortable, clear vision every day.
Why Choose Us?
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Professional face shape assessment
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Free frame fitting
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Designer and prescription glasses
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Same-day glasses available on selected prescriptions
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No appointment needed
Even if a frame style suits your face shape, it also needs to fit correctly. The bridge should sit comfortably on your nose, the temples should rest securely behind your ears and your eyes should sit centrally within the lenses. A professional frame fitting helps ensure clear vision, lasting comfort and the best overall appearance.
👉 Visit Ilkeston Factory Specs today for a free professional frame fitting and expert styling advice. We'll help you find glasses that complement your face shape, fit comfortably and look fantastic. No appointment needed.