How do you choose the best sunglasses for your face shape? If you've searched for answers but are still confused, this sunglasses guide is for you.
Sunglasses are extremely practical accessories. Not only do they protect your eyes from the sun's damaging rays, but they also prevent wrinkles (because you don't have to squint as much).
Plus, the right sunglasses just make you feel cool.
But the wrong ones… well, let's just say it's important to choose correctly.
Note: I used the Warby Parker home try-on program to test out a bunch of different sunglasses for this post (15 pairs, to be specific). This is a great free way to try on lots of different styles and sizes, in order to figure out what works for you.
This post is NOT sponsored by Warby Parker, but it does contain affiliate links 😉
If you want more home try-on options, check out these Warby Parker alternatives.
Watch this video to learn about an easier, more logical way to find the right sunglasses – that doesn't require you to figure out your face shape.
If video isn't your thing, read on for the text/picture version of the guide.
The Best Sunglasses for Your Face Shape
Finding the best sunglasses for your face doesn't have to be a daunting, mysterious process. It's actually really simple, so why does it seem so confusing?
Here's my theory – there's a lot of unhelpful advice out there. Choosing sunglasses is all about size and proportion, but most advice focuses on face shape.
Every video, blog post and infographic I could find about buying sunglasses says you have to figure out what shape your face is, and then choose your shades accordingly.
But the thing is, our faces aren't shaped like triangles or circles. Most people don't fall neatly into one category (i.e. “heart shaped face” or “square shaped face”).
Most people are somewhere in between, which is why it doesn't make sense to try to figure out what object your face is shaped like.
That's why the face shape method for choosing sunglasses is just confusing. Let's forget about shapes and focus instead on these three things:
- Face width
- Face length
- Facial features
That's it. Every single face is a combination of these three factors.
You might have a short, wide face with round features. Or maybe you have a tall, narrow face with angular features.
Let's learn about each of the three factors.
Factor #1: Face Width
Many people wear sunglasses that are too wide for their face, which produces a bug like appearance. If you have a narrow face, it's best to wear narrow glasses.
If you're wondering whether or not you have a narrow face, grab a ruler.
Measure across your face from temple to temple. Go straight across (don't hug the contours of your face if you're using a soft measuring tape).
Then use this table to figure out which size sunglasses are best for you:
Sometimes you won't be able to find the overall frame width, but you can usually find the lens and bridge width.
If that's the case, just add these up to get a sense of how wide the sunglasses are. Speaking of bridge width, pay attention to this dimension if you have eyes that are closer or farther apart than average:
Most people don't have to pay attention to bridge width, so if you're not sure if it applies to you, it's probably safe not to worry about it.
Let's move on to the second most important factor for finding the best sunglasses.
Factor #2: Face Length
Face length is the distance from the top of your forehead (your hairline) to the bottom of your chin.
If your face is about as wide as it is long, you have a short face. If, like me, your face is substantially longer than it is wide, you have a long face.
Here's a handy formula to figure it out mathematically:
Here's how it works using my actual dimensions:
Just like with face width, the key is to wear glasses that balance out your features.
Since I have a long face, I'll need to wear long frames, or else my face will look even longer!
To find short or long sunglasses, you'll want to pay attention to the lens height:
The lens it the longest (or tallest) part of a pair of sunglasses. This table will give you a sense of short vs. tall frames:
It really depends on your face, though. Taller frames won't look as tall on a long face. So you should try on as many pairs of sunglasses as you can before buying a new pair.
Factor #3: Facial Features
When people talk about round vs. square faces, they're really trying to describe the features of a face, not the overall shape (that's too simple).
Rather than thinking about your face as a distinct shape, think of it as being made up of a bunch of different lines and contours.
These lines are determined by things like bone structure and body fat percentage. Some lines are soft and curvy, while others are straight and angular.
It's a spectrum, and many faces fall somewhere in the middle:
If your face isn't obviously on one side of the spectrum, you don't have to worry too much about this – you'll look good in any sunglasses that are the right size.
But if you do have obviously round or straight features, you'll want to certain types of glasses.
It's all about balance. People with overtly round features will look better in frames with straight features. This will help achieve more perceived symmetry, which is attractive.
For example, I have relatively round features, and I look best in angular frames.
Jet Li is an example of a man who looks much better in rectangular frames than round frames:
Cee Lo Green is another example of a someone with very round features, which is why he looks great in sunglasses that have hard angles.
On the other end of the spectrum, you have guys like Daniel Radcliffe, who have square jaw lines and sharp features.
They look great in round frames:
It's not that Radcliffe can't pull off more angular frames. It's that he can pull off circular frames in a way that people with softer features cannot.
Wayfarers work for almost everyone…
One classic sunglasses style has withstood the test of time for good reason – the Wayfarer.
These frames have the perfect mix of round and angular features, and they look good on many different types of faces.
The one problem many people have with Wayfarers is the size. They're often too wide for people with narrow faces.
But you can find narrower Wayfarer style sunglasses, such as the Warby Parker Beckett (discontinued, unfortunately).
Aviators are also a safe bet…
Though not quite as universally flattering as Wayfarers, the aviator shape looks good on many different types of faces.
Just make sure your aviators aren't too wide, as this style tends to run large.
My advice? Try on LOTS of sunglasses
Now that you know how to pick sunglasses for your face, you need to try on a bunch of different pairs. I recommend using the Warby Parker Home Try-On program.
But there are plenty of brands offering free home try ons these days, including:
Make sure to measure the width of your face and try on frames that are the right width for you. That way you can maximize your home try on experiences.
Test drive a few different shapes to get a better sense of the concepts you learned from this guide.
I hope this guide helps you understand which sunglasses are the best choice for your face “shape” (even though it's just about shape).
Questions? Thoughts? Leave a comment below!
I just discovered Warby Parker and got my first pair last week. They weren’t sunglasses though. They are fabulous and for about 75% less than what I would have paid.
I don’t know if I would get the WP sunglasses though as you are risking your eyes to overexposure to the sun, unlike regular glasses. I trust them for glasses but not sunglasses. I have Maui Jims, which cost a bundle but have proven to be worth it.
Excellent info in this post Brock. Those charts most people post are not very helpful and you covered all the important stuff in detail.
Nice! I’m no expert, but I think their sunglasses lenses are pretty high quality when it comes to protection. I’ve been wearing their shades for a couple of years now without problems.
But I’m really not qualified to weigh in on polarization, UV protection levels, etc.
Forgot to ask – which pair did you choose?
I got the Ingles. I have pretty sharp features so they work for me.
Thanks Brock. Some fine guidance. A year or so ago, I made some choices really just based on “feel” and some bit of intuition and flipping of coins. As i tend towards (but at not married to) the icons, the classic, i picked up Ray Ban – New Wayfearer and RB – Clubmasters for shades. For day to day glasses, some tortoise Jack Purcells which look similar to Daniel Radcliffe’s glasses. I’m due for an eye exam and so will be visiting this all again soon. Thanks again for making this topic clearer.
is it safe to assume that aviators look good on every face?
Not really… but if I had to pick one shape that looked good on most people, it would be the square frame (i.e., Wayfarers).
I know Aviators definitely do NOT look good on me. I think it’s my bridge/nose size. A skinny bridge doesn’t look good with Aviators.
What a great article. Much better at explaining than Warby Parker website or employees or stylists. It’s much more than narrow /medium/wide. Love to send you photos & get your advice. You should also add a section on frame & lens color since Warby offers a variety there too (ie blacks vs Brown vs blue). Ironically I just ordered Beckett but having second thoughts & wondering if I should go with a taller lens (They don’t provide lens height). Yours look like the cognac Beckett 16. I wasn’t sure about color. The optical frames țhey told me looks best had a bit wider lens & I’m not sure about those either
This is true for eyeglasses as well – going by one’s face shape alone just doesn’t work. This first dawned on me when I realized those J Crew narrow suit lapels and tiny shirt collars don’t pair with my long face and large head (and big head of hair). I need full collars and wide lapels. Later when I gave up contact lenses for eyeglasses I went through the same process: angular glasses with small lenses don’t work for me but round glasses with large lenses do. I wish I had found your piece earlier. Instead I would look at photos of celebrities/models/etc with my shape head and face to figure out what would look best on me. What I do now is find sunglasses that work for me and have the lenses replaced with photosensitive prescription lenses and use them as eyeglasses. Warby Parker is fine – I have two pairs of eyeglasses from them with photosensitive lenses, but shopping at manufacturers such as RAEN and swapping those lenses gives me the stylish frames I need.
Gee man this is science.You and your examples make so much sense where I was totally reading for fun and didn’t expect it to. I’m a very impressed follower. 😂
Haha wow this was by far the most informative video on choosing the right sunglasses I’ve ever seen. You were totally right, the rest of the info on the internet never got me anywhere. Now I have the right info to go look for the perfect sunglasses. Just one question: I really quite like those ”cat-eye” sunglasses that they have for women sometimes. My face, like yours, is relatively narrow and long. Do these kind of glasses even out my narrow face or highlight it in a negative way? Would love to hear your take!