Choosing frames to suit your face shape

Choosing eyeglass frames can be a daunting task for many of us. One option to find the perfect set of frames is to try on as many pairs as we can get hold of. The other option is to understand the frame shapes and colours that will suit you best.

The Vision Council has advised people that when choosing a frame to suit their face shape they should consider three things. First of all, your frame should make the most of your best feature. So for instance if you have blue eyes, choosing blue frames will complement your look. Secondly, the shape of the frame should be in contrast to the shape of your face. Finally, the size of the frames should be in line with the size of your face.

Despite face shapes varying from person to person, we can identify seven main shapes. These are round, base-down triangle, diamond, square, base-up triangle, oval and oblong. A good optician will be able to advise you on what shape your face is, however you can also follow these rules.

If you have a round face the length and width will be in proportion with each other, with no angles. Narrow, angular frames will help make the face appear thinner, while rectangular shapes will help to lengthen the face.

Oval faces are in good proportion. Walnut-shaped frames may be a good option to keep the natural balance of the face.

Oblong faces are longer than they are wide. To make the most of your features, choose frames with more depth than width.

Diamond shapes are characterised by being narrower at the eye line and jaw line. Rimless or oval frames may suit this face type best.

People with a strong jaw line, broad forehead and whose faces are the same width as they are long are said to have square faces. The most flattering frames will be narrow as these will help the face appear longer and thinner.

Base-down triangular faces are narrow at the forehead and wider at the cheeks and chin. Try frames that have additional colour or detailing at the top such as cat-eye shapes. These will help accentuate the narrower upper part of the face.

If your face is wider at the top and gets narrower towards the chin then you are described as having a base-up triangular shape. Frames wider at the bottom and rimless frames will be the most flattering styles for this face shape.