You might find choosing a frame to be a daunting task, rest assured at Spec-Savers, we are dedicated to helping our customers find frames that work with their prescription whilst making them look great at the same time.
Finding the right frames for you
To help narrow down your choice, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you want to look serious and intelligent or cheerful and outgoing?
- Do you want your frames to make a statement or to blend into the background?
- Are you going to wear your spectacles in the office or mostly at the weekends?
- Are you looking for a particular colour or shape?
Face Shapes
One of the most important considerations when choosing a frame is that it compliments the shape of your face. In general there are seven basic face shapes:
- Round
- Oval
- Oblong
- Base-up triangle
- Base-down triangle
- Diamond
- Square
A good way to determine your face shape is to trace the outline of your face with soap on the bathroom mirror. Step back and see what shape most describes what you see. It may not be a perfect circle or square, but pick the shape that is the closest.
Here is an easy reference guide for what frames best complement what face shapes:
Round Face
A round face has the same proportionally similar width and length, a round face generally has no angles for definition.
Aim:
Frames should make the face appear longer and thinner.
Guidelines:
- Avoid excessively rounded or square styles, which will exaggerate facial roundness.
- The frames should be wider than they are deep.
- Metal frames with adjustable nosepads will keep lenses from resting on the fuller cheeks.
- Frames with hinges located above eye level can help lengthen the face.
Oval Face
The oval face is said to be the perfect face shape and finding hairstyles and spectacles that look great on this shape face is easy. The chin is slightly narrower than the forehead, and the cheekbones are typically high.
Aim:
Frames should keep the oval’s natural balance.
Guidelines:
- Select frames that are as wide or wider than the broadest part of the face.
- Avoid low, swooping temples.
- Keep the size and weight of the frame proportional to your body size and weight.
Oblong Face
Because this shape is longer than it is wide, the oblong face needs a frame that is deeper than it is wide. This will create an illusion that makes the face appear shorter.
Aim:
Frames should “break” the length of the face, making the face appear shorter and wider.
Guidelines:
- To shorten the face, try round, deep, or low-triangle shapes, or frames with strong horizontal lines.
- Decorative or contrasting temples can add width to the face, as can low temples.
- Choose round styles or geometric shapes with generous vertical dimensions.
Base-Up Triangle
This face shape has a very wide forehead and high cheekbones. The face narrows gradually to the chin.
Aim:
Minimize the width of the top of the face. Frames should add width below the eyeline to offset the narrow chin.
Guidelines:
- Try frames that are wider at the bottom.
- Very light colours and rimless styles are also effective.
- To highlight the eyes and bring out the cheekbones, try frames that have detailing or distinctive brow lines, oval and cat-eye shapes.
Base-Down Triangle
The triangular face has a narrow forehead that widens at the cheek and chin areas.
Aim:
The goal is to add width to your forehead and make your jaw line appear softer and narrower.
Guidelines:
- Frames should accent the eye area and be wide enough to balance the jaw line.
- Avoid low-temple styles.
- Try square, straight-top aviators, semi-rimless (no rim on the bottom half), or any eyewear with emphasis on the top half of the frame.
- Choose frame styles that angle up and outward at the top corners.
Diamond
The diamond shaped face is the rarest of face shapes, and is defined by a narrow forehead, wide cheekbones and a narrow chin. Diamond shaped faces are usually narrower at the eye line and jaw line, with high and often dramatic cheekbones.
Aim:
Frames should widen the forehead and jaw and minimize the temples. The aim here is to draw attention to the eyes, giving this area more width and balancing the face. The goal is to add width to your forehead and jaw, and make your cheekbones appear narrower.
Guidelines:
- Choose frames that are heavy on top, but avoid lowered temples.
- Frame sides can be straight or rounded. Rimless frames can be a good choice.
- Choose softly curved frames that are no wider than your cheekbones.
Square Face
A square face has a very strong jaw line and a broad forehead. Unlike the rectangle, the width and length are the proportionally equal.
Goal
Frames should soften the angles and make face look longer.
Tips
- The frames should be wider than the widest part of the face. Frames should be more horizontal than vertical.
- Usually it is better to avoid a frame that is flat on the bottom, as this will mirror the face shape. Instead, look for a frame that has some curve or uplift to draw attention away from the jawline.
- Frames with hinges located above eye level can help lengthen the face.
