Most people pick frames the same way. They try ten pairs, take three selfies and buy the one that felt least strange. There is a quicker way. Your face shape does half the work for you, and it takes about a minute to find out what yours is.
Find your face shape in one minute
Pull your hair back and stand in front of a mirror. Look at three things: the widest part of your face, the shape of your jaw and the length of your face compared to its width.
- Round: width and length are almost the same, with soft cheeks and a curved jaw.
- Square: a strong, wide jaw and a broad forehead.
- Oval: a little longer than wide, with high cheekbones and a gently rounded jaw.
- Heart: a wide forehead that narrows down to a small, pointed chin.
The golden rule: contrast
Frames look best when they are the opposite of your face shape. Soft faces suit sharp lines. Strong, angular faces suit curves. This contrast adds balance, so your eyes become the first thing people notice.
Rectangular tortoiseshell frames add structure to round and oval faces.
What to wear for each shape
- Round faces: rectangle and square frames. They add angles and make the face look a little longer.
- Square faces: round, oval and aviator frames. The curves soften a strong jaw.
- Oval faces: almost anything works. Try wide frames that are as broad as the widest part of your face.
- Heart faces: frames that are wider at the bottom, light rimless styles or soft cat eyes.
Stylist tip: Your eyebrows should sit just above the top of the frame, not hidden behind it. If you can't see your brows, the frame is too tall for you.
Size matters as much as shape
A perfect shape in the wrong size still looks off. Your eyes should sit close to the centre of each lens. The frame should not be wider than your face, and it should not slide down when you look at your feet.
Not sure yet? Browse by shape
See every Dobetti frame sorted by shape, from clean rectangles to soft rounds. Shop frames
Filed under Frame Guide
