A guide to choosing the right glasses for you

A guide to choosing the right glasses for you

Choosing a new pair of glasses can be a big decision. From the size and shape of the frames to the colour, it’s important to go for a style you feel comfortable and confident in. As well as helping you see clearly, a great pair of glasses can also act as a fashion statement. 

If you’ve found yourself standing in front of rows and rows of spectacles, wondering where to start, don’t worry. We’re here to help you choose a pair of glasses you’ll love wearing. 

Choosing the right glasses for your face shape

While the prescription from your eye test will guide the type of lenses you need, there’s a lot more choice when it comes to choosing glasses frames. Sometimes, this amount of choice can feel overwhelming. But not to worry, a great way to start the process is to think about the shape of your face.

We might not often think about our face shape but it can play a big role in the way a pair of glasses complements our features.

Determining your face shape

To work out your face shape and start choosing the right glasses, you’ll first need a mirror. You can compare your face shape to the following descriptions just by looking — or even by drawing around it on the mirror with lipstick or eyeliner. 

For extra precision, you can measure your face length, face width, cheekbone height and width, jawline width, and forehead width, then compare it with the descriptions below.

- Oval:  An oval face is longer than it is wide, with a rounded chin and hairline.

- Round:  Similar to an oval face, a round face shape has a rounded chin and hairline. However, your face width and length will be equal.

- Heart-shaped: A heart-shaped face is characterised by a widow’s peak hairline. This face shaped features a narrow chin and cheekbones that are wider than the forehead.

- Square: Square faces are more angular than oval, round, and heart-shaped. If you have a square face shape, your forehead, cheekbones and jawline tend to be a similar width and you may have a pronounced jawline.

- Rectangle: As with a square-shaped face, rectangular faces have foreheads, cheekbones, and jawlines of a similar width. However, the length of a rectangular face is longer than the width.

- Triangle: If you have high cheekbones, with a narrow jaw and broader forehead, you likely have a triangular face shape.

- Diamond: Diamond faces also have high, prominent cheekbones, but they will usually be slightly wider than the forehead. This face shape is similar to an oval face but more angular. Diamond-shaped faces have narrow, pointed chins.

Choosing a style of  glasses for your face shape

It’s important to note that your face may not match a shape description perfectly. Lots of people have face shapes that combine the category features mentioned above. You might, for instance, have more of an oblong face — an oval shape with long, straight cheek lines.

Even if your face shape doesn’t match one of our descriptions, being aware of your features can still help you choose a flattering pair of glasses. So, what type of glasses compliment each face shape? Whether you’re looking for daily glasses, reading glasses, or sunglasses, here are some handy pointers to help you choose a frame style.

Oval

If you have an oval-shaped face, opting for oversized glasses frames can be a brilliant way to add width to the top of your face. Thicker frames can also be flattering, as can details on the corners and arms of your glasses.

Round

Glasses frames with angles can be a flattering style for those with round faces. Consider square or rectangular frames as well as cat’s eye shapes to help your face look longer. Glasses with no rims at the bottom can also be a great choice for a round face.

Heart-shaped

If you have a heart-shaped face, glasses with a heavy lower half can add extra width to your cheekbones. Instead, try a pair that’s heavier at the top, such as aviators or cat’s eye styles. You could also look for rimless glasses to bring softness to your features.

Square

When choosing glasses for a square face shape, it’s a good idea to go for frames that will soften the angles of your face. Round and oval glasses are a good option, and thick, statement frames are ideal for those with square-shaped faces.

Rectangle

Narrow, rectangular frames can make a rectangular face look longer. Instead, to help balance your features, consider square-shaped glasses with thicker frames or a pair that sweeps up in the corners — these will highlight your cheekbones.

Triangle

Top-heavy glasses can bring too much emphasis to the width of your forehead. If you have a triangular face shape, consider frames with defined bottom halves instead. Thick square glasses are a good option, as are round wire frames.

Diamond

If you have a diamond face shape, you might like to go for rounded glasses to bring softness to your features. Round or oval glasses are ideal, or you could opt for retro-style cat’s eyes glasses.

Choosing the colour and material for your new glasses

As well as taking your face shape into account when choosing your glasses, it’s also worth taking some time to select the material and colour. 

Do you want to make a statement, with a bold colour? Opaque acetate frames are ideal for this. If you’d prefer something more subtle, you might want to go for thinner, wire frames or clear acetate ones.

You can also choose a glasses colour based on your other features, such as your eye or hair colour and your skin tone — learn more about this in our guide to choosing glasses to suit your style.

Find glasses you’ll love with Bayfields Opticians

Recognising your face shape and considering which colours flatter you most can help make choosing a pair of glasses easier. But remember — the most important part of choosing the right glasses is to select a pair you love and feel confident in. 

Whether you’re looking for new glasses for daily wear or a pair of prescription sunglasses, you’ll find plenty of choice at Bayfields Opticians. Our range of glasses for children and adults has something for everyone — and with our Be You Eye Care Plan, you can get an exclusive discount on your favourite frames.

Book an eye test, and we’ll help you select the right glasses for you.