How do you decide which frame would suit your face ? There are three basic criteria that you should keep in mind, while picking out spectacle frames:

  • Shape
  • Size
  • Colour

Shape: There are six basic shapes of faces that people have. These are round, diamond, square, oval, oblong, and triangle. (Most of us have a shape that’s a little of this and a little of that.) A frame with a shape that’s opposite to your face shape helps balance and enhance your looks. Here is a guideline to pick a frame that works best for each face shape:

 

  • Oval: This face is considered ideal because of its balanced proportions. The chin is slightly narrower than the forehead. If you have an oval face, you should pick eyeglass frames which are as wide as/wider than the broadest part of your face. Walnut shaped glasses frames which are not too deep or too narrow are also a good choice.

 

  • Round: If you have a round face, it means that the width and length of your face are more or less equal. Choose spectacle frames that will define your face shape better and widen your eye region. Angular, narrow frames will help lengthen your face, while wide rectangular spectacle frames will balance and define your face better. A clear bridge will also help widen your eye region.

 

  • Square: People with this face have a strong jaw line and a broad forehead. Their face’s length and width are in the same proportion too. Narrow frame styles especially narrow oval and narrow round ones will help make your face look longer by softening your jaw line.

 

  • Diamond: Just like a diamond, these faces are rare too. You have a diamond shaped face if you have a narrow forehead, high and wide cheekbones and a narrow chin. You have the face that can carry off outsized and dramatic eyeglasses. In order to balance your face, pick spectacles having frames with detailing or contrarily go in for rimless frames. This will help draw attention to your eyes.

 

  • Triangle:  If your face is wide in the upper one third and tapers down towards the bottom (base up triangle / heart shaped), lighter materials, colours and rimless ones will suit you better. You have a base down triangle shaped face if you have a narrow forehead and wide cheek and chin areas. Cat eye shaped eye glasses frames or those with detailing in the upper half will shift the emphasis to the upper half of your face.

 

  • Oblong: You have an oblong face if the length of your face is more than its width. You have a long straight cheek line and a long nose. You would want to try spectacles which have decorative frames or contrasting temples to as to make your face appear shorter.

 

Colour: The colour of your spectacle frames should complement the colour of your eyes, hair and skin. People are classified as either “warm” or “cool” coloured.

  • Warm: Most Indians have warm (yellow based) coloured complexions, also called the peaches and cream complexion. A light cider shade of brown eyes are considered warm based. Brownish black, dirty gray and golden blonde hair colours are considered warm. Khaki, Gold , Copper, Orange, Off white, Peach and Red coloured frames suit warm coloured people the best.

 

  • Cool: A cool complexion has pink undertones. Medium brown to almost black eyes are considered cool coloured. White, Ash Brown, Auburn and Salt and Pepper, Black hair are considered ‘cool’. Black, Silver, Magenta, Pink, Rose-Brown and Jade coloured spectacle frames suit you best if you are cool coloured.

 

  • Size: Choose glasses that are in proportion to the size of your face (neither too large nor too small). The top line of your frame should follow the curve of your eyebrows. You know your glasses do not fit well if they slip down your nose or move around when you smile.

 

Off course, the latest fashion trends and your personal choice would also play a hand in your decision.