You can believe your eyes. For too long glasses have been stigmatising, betraying near or farsightedness, but spectacles have now become a real fashion accessory. The shape of their lenses and the line of their frames complete one’s style and give someone a certain allure. During the spring-summer 2021 ready-to-wear fashion shows, faces could be seen wearing both regular glasses and sunglasses. Bohemian at Dior, futuristic at Acne Studio... From now on, you'll have to make do with an embarrassment of choices.
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But be careful. You need to take the shape of your face into account to choose the right kind of glasses: round, square, rectangular, oval... Sabine Be, designer of top-of-the-line eyewear, sums up the main morphological principles:
For a square, slightly compact face, for example, you can't have a frame that is too high, but rather an oval or rectangular shape. You have to respect the width of the jaw in order to have balance. This is true for all face shapes because we can quickly accentuate a defect, whereas with a well-chosen pair of glasses you can camouflage a defect more accurately.
There are 7 types of faces: round, oval, triangular lower base, triangular upper base, rectangular, long, and square. A pair of glasses is not only a reflection of one’s personality, they must also be in harmony with the morphology of one’s face. That is why it is imperative to select your glasses with care. Here are a few tips on how to choose the perfect pair for you.
Oval face like Eva Longoria, Charlize Theron, and Beyoncé
If you have this shape of face you are one of the lucky ones: everything suits you! Opticians consider this to be the ideal shape, which may even allow for a few eccentricities. Nevertheless, respect a certain harmony with your complexion, in terms of colour. Wearing round glasses will make an oval face look even more youthful, while rectangular glasses will accentuate a dynamic and distinctive look.
Triangular face (pointing downwards) like Jennifer Love Hewitt and Tyra Banks
If you have a triangular face, i.e., a wide forehead that tapers to the chin, go for wide frames! These frames will slim the top of your face. Metallic ones will give you a trendy look this summer. Rounded glasses will also look great, but avoid a strict, overly geometric style and the butterfly shape. In any case, prefer light or pastel-coloured with thin frames.
Round face like Selena Gomez and Gigi Hadid
Go for geometric, angular, and upwardly drawn shapes to structure your face. A rectangular frame is a perfect way to lengthen and refine your face. Go for butterfly or cat's eye glasses for an even more glamorous style.
Triangular face (pointing upwards) like Jennifer Aniston
If you have a triangular face pointing upwards, that is, a wide lower face and a narrower forehead, rebalance with oversize frames and rectangular shapes that are elongated upwards. This involves opening up the upper part of your face. Chanel glasses are a favourite.
Rectangular face like Hilary Swank and Angelina Jolie
This type of face is longer than it is wide, so avoid frames that are too narrow and opt for an oval, cat's eye, or butterfly style which will fit you perfectly. Avoid straight shapes which will harden your face and go for thin frames instead to soften the face.
Square face like Keira Knightley
A square face is defined by a strong jawline and a broad forehead. To soften the angles and break the lines, try geometric or oval frames. Round glasses will give you a trendy seventies look this summer.
Long, oval face like Sarah Jessica Parker and Celine Dion
You can balance your face with geometric shapes or soften it with oval shapes with soft lines. If you want to reduce the length of your face specifically, opt for wide frames and rounded lenses. For a trendy, vintage look, be daring with square or rectangular glasses.
‘Whatever the shape of your face, the frame must be the key, it can rebalance a face, and even mask some flaws,’ says Jérémie Cymbler, co-founder of the Rendel brand. Never forget that an optician's expertise is essential to help you make the best choice.
