When it comes to frames, how can you tell the difference between oversized and too big? The truth is that it’s a fine line.
You want to look like you were intentional with your choice, not like your large eyewear frames are about to slide off your face!
Here are my top tips for getting it right.
Step 1: Figure Out Your Face Shape
Your face shape is a good place to start just about anytime you’re looking for new glasses (or sunglasses). Once you figure out your facial structure, you’ll have a better idea of which glasses suit you best.
Here are some tips to help you determine your face shape, along with some celebrity examples.
Round Faces
Round faces are probably the most obvious. If your face is equally wide and long and has soft, rounded edges, it’s likely round.
Celebrities with round faces include model Chrissy Teigen, actor Leonardo DiCaprio, and singer The Weeknd.
Oval Faces
Sometimes, oval faces are confused with round or diamond shapes. But the giveaway is that your face is longer than it is wide, with a rounded forehead and chin (not a sharp, angular jawline or wide cheekbones).
Some famous people with an oval face include Idris Elba, Beyoncé, and Charlize Theron, so you’re in good company.
Heart Faces
If you have a smaller face with a slightly wider forehead (and a widow’s peak), wide or prominent cheekbones, and a more pointed chin, you likely have a heart-shaped face.
Famous people with this face shape include Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, and Nick Jonas.
Square Faces
Men are generally more likely than women to have square faces. If your face is as wide as it is long and a consistent width from your forehead to cheekbones to jawline, you probably have a square face. If your face is the same width from top to bottom but is longer, it’s probably rectangular.
Male celebrities with a square face shape include Zac Efron and Brad Pitt, while women include Sandra Bullock and Olivia Wilde (take a look at that epic jawline).
There’s No One Shape That Fits All
You might have a mix of these features, or a slightly different face shape, like a diamond or triangle. If you’re still unsure, there are apps you can use to help zero in on your approximate face shape.
Step 2: Find a Good Fit
You can find the most fabulous pair of large eyewear frames, but if they don’t fit, they’re not right for you. Your frames shouldn’t slide down your nose or squeeze your temples or nose bridge.
When it comes to aesthetics, the edge of your frames shouldn’t extend past the edge of your face. They should reach the edge, though; otherwise, your glasses risk looking too small.
Step 3: Pick Large Eyewear Frames That Enhance Your Face
Round Faces
For women with round faces, you want to draw the eye up rather than make your face look wider. Large eyewear frames in a cat-eye shape work well for this. The trick is to make sure the frames aren’t too thick, too big, or too pointy so they don’t overwhelm your face.
Britney loves her Alexander McQueen glasses, writing:
“Favorite glasses I have purchased to date. Perfect fit, perfect look. Perfect design.”
Men with round faces suit large eyewear frames with angles, such as square and rectangular horn-rimmed styles. See how these matte black Versace glasses look below. They look especially good on him because they bring out his dark hair.
Oval Faces
Like round faces, oval faces suit large cat-eye or angular rectangular frames. The angles will balance out the curves of your face.
Shamchase and Samuel, pictured below, both love the feel and clarity of these oversized Gucci glasses.
Samuel shared: “The frame is spectacular. Lenses are wonderful. I love it.”
See how, although they’re large eyewear frames, they complement their faces rather than overwhelm them?
If you have a round or oval face and want to try a pair of large eyewear frames, consider opting for a clear or transparent version. Check out Kelvin in his Oakley Holbrooks:
Heart Faces
Try switching it up if you have a heart-shaped face and choose large oval eyewear frames. Or, if you’re set on cat-eye glasses, these red Prada glasses also look great on petite faces. Just take a look at Adajoy below; they show that color can be a good idea, even if your glasses are oversized!
Adajoy also shared:
“I love the red color ❤️ I always get compliments on my glasses because of it.”
The key is picking a color that brings out your features. For men, bring out that bone structure with rimless frames or aviator glasses. The Salvatore Ferragamo glasses below show that large eyewear frames can be cool rather than over-the-top.
Square Faces
If you’re a woman with a square face shape, soften your striking bone structure with a pair of curved frames, whether round or oval. Or, there’s always the classic cat-eye large frames that really do look good on most face shapes, if you haven’t noticed.
Men with square faces can try large frames in a round, oval, or aviator shape. The curves add contrast to those sharp features; just take a look at the man below in those rounded Tom Ford glasses.
TL;DR
Large eyewear frames are stylish, but they can easily go from cool to outrageously big.
- To find the right pair, start by figuring out your face shape.
- Some of the main shapes for men and women include round, oval, heart, square, and rectangular.
- A rounded face with equal width and length is generally round, while a longer curved shape is often oval.
- If you have a widow’s peak, high cheekbones, and a pointed chin, that’s likely a heart face shape.
- For faces that are angular with wide jawlines and foreheads, you likely have a square or rectangular face.
- Fit matters, so ensure that your glasses don’t slide down your nose or pinch your temples. They should look proportionate and not take over the majority of your face!
- Finally, going by your face shape, pick a pair of oversized frames that enhance your features. Cat-eye frames look great on most women, while curved/rounded styles suit men with strong bone structure. Unisex rectangular styles are suitable for those with round faces, as they add some angles.
