Finding the Right Frames for Your Face Shape
The frames you choose are as much about function as they are about style. A frame that works for one face shape may look unflattering or feel uncomfortable on another. At Vision Palace Optical on Avenue U in Sheepshead Bay, we help you find frames that balance and enhance your features while sitting comfortably on your face.
Your face shape is the starting point. Most people fall into one of five main categories: round, oval, square, heart, or oblong. Once you know your shape, there are specific frame styles that tend to work better, and that's what this guide covers.
Oval Faces: The Most Versatile Shape
Oval faces are well-proportioned, with a forehead slightly wider than the chin. If you have an oval face, you're in luck, according to the American Optometric Association, most frame shapes work well with oval faces because they already have balanced proportions.
That said, you'll want to avoid frames that are too oversized or too small. Medium to slightly wider frames tend to look best. Cat-eye shapes, rounded frames, and angular styles all suit oval faces. The key is choosing frames that don't overwhelm your features or look like they're sliding down your nose.
Many of our patients in Sheepshead Bay and Marine Park with oval faces come in ready to explore options, and that's because you can take more creative risks. If you're trying on frames and they feel balanced to you, they probably are.
Round Faces: Adding Definition with Angles
Round faces have curves, the forehead, cheeks, and chin are all roughly the same width, and there's soft definition throughout. If this is your face shape, angular and geometric frame shapes tend to work best because they add structure.
Look for rectangular, square, or cat-eye frames. Frames with a wider shape than your face are also flattering because they create the illusion of length. Avoid very round frames, which can emphasize the roundness of your face.
Solid-colored frames or high-contrast frame styles often look sharper on round faces than delicate or narrow frames. Brooklyn families in Gravesend and Homecrest who have round faces often find that bold frame choices feel more balanced than subtle ones.
Square Faces: Softening Strong Lines
Square faces have a strong jawline, forehead, and cheekbones that are all similarly wide. The goal with a square face is to soften those angles with rounder, curved frame shapes.
All About Vision recommends oval, round, or browline frames for square faces. Cat-eye frames can work too if they're not too sharp. Avoid very geometric or rectangular shapes, which can emphasize the angles you already have.
Frames that are slightly wider than your face also help create a softer look. Many of our patients on Avenue U with square faces find that a subtle browline or slightly rounded top edge makes a noticeable difference in how the frames feel on their face.
Heart Faces: Balancing Forehead and Chin
Heart-shaped faces are wider at the forehead and cheekbones, then taper down to a narrower chin. The goal is to balance the wider upper face with frames that add some width at the bottom.
Frames with rounded or curved bottoms work well, as do browline and cat-eye styles that add visual weight to the lower part of your face. Bottom-heavy frames help draw the eye downward. Avoid very angular top-heavy frames that will emphasize the width of your forehead.
Patients from Brighton Beach and Midwood who have heart-shaped faces often find that frames with a softer, more relaxed upper edge feel more harmonious than sharp geometric designs.
Oblong and Rectangle Faces: Adding Width
Oblong or rectangular faces are longer and narrower, with a balanced but elongated forehead, cheekbones, and chin. The goal is to add visual width without adding length.
Browline frames, cat-eye shapes, and frames that are wider (rather than taller) are good choices. Round and oval frames can also work because they add curves to a linear face. Avoid very narrow or overly tall frames, which can make your face look even longer.
Oversized frames that are wider than your face create a flattering, balanced proportion. Many Brooklyn patients in Bensonhurst and Gravesend with longer face shapes report that a slightly wider browline or bold oval frame changes how the whole look feels.
How to Know Your Face Shape
Stand in front of a mirror and look at the width of your forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and chin. You can also take a photo straight-on, no smile, and draw light lines in your head connecting those points. Your face will fit into one of the five shapes above, or it might be a blend of two.
If you're not sure, bring a photo with you when you visit Vision Palace Optical. Our team can help you identify your shape and show you frames that will work. Trying frames on in person is always the best approach because fit and comfort matter as much as shape.
Material and Color Matter Too
Once you've identified frames that suit your face shape, consider material and color. Plastic (acetate) frames tend to feel warmer and bolder, while metal frames feel lighter and more minimalist. Both work with any face shape, it's more about your personal style and skin tone.
Frame color should complement your complexion and hair color. Warm skin tones often look better in warm frame colors, while cool skin tones pair well with cool frame colors. But ultimately, if a frame makes you feel confident and comfortable, that's what matters most.
Fit and Comfort Come First
A frame that's theoretically perfect for your face shape won't work if it doesn't sit right on your nose or ears. At our Sheepshead Bay office, we check that your frames align properly, the bridge should rest on your nose without pinching, the arms should sit comfortably over your ears, and the lenses should be centered in front of your eyes.
If a frame feels uncomfortable during your eye exam, we can adjust it. Sometimes a small tweak to the nose pads or temples makes all the difference. Never force yourself into frames that feel wrong just because they match your face shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't know my exact face shape?
Bring a straight-on photo to your appointment at Vision Palace Optical, and we'll help you identify it. You can also compare your face to photos of the five main shapes online. Most people fall into one category pretty clearly once they see examples side by side.
Can I wear frames that don't match my face shape?
Absolutely. These guidelines are suggestions, not rules. If you love a frame that technically doesn't suit your face shape, wear it. The most important things are that the frame fits well, feels comfortable, and makes you feel good.
How do I know if frames are too big or too small?
Frames should not extend beyond your temples, and they shouldn't rest on your cheekbones. Your eyes should be centered in the lenses. If frames slide down your nose or pinch your temples, they're not the right size for your face.
Do I need to get my eyes examined before choosing frames?
Yes. A current eye exam is important because your prescription and any eye conditions affect which frames and lenses work best for you. We perform thorough eye exams at Vision Palace Optical and help you find frames during the same visit.
Book Your Frame Fitting in Brooklyn
Choosing frames is personal, and it works best when you have expert guidance. Book your eye exam through Zocdoc or get in touch with us to schedule a frame consultation with Dr. Shlivko or Dr. Sheyko. We're at 1723 Avenue U in Sheepshead Bay, open Monday through Saturday. You can also call us at (718) 998-8400 or stop by to browse our collection and try on frames in person, walk-ins are always welcome.
References
- American Optometric Association, Guide to Optical Frames.
- All About Vision, Glasses for Your Face Shape and Skin Tone.