Have you ever noticed how many different brands and styles of sunglasses there are on the market right now? There are literally hundreds to choose from, aren’t there?
One reason is because they are massively in demand. The global industry is expected to hit more than US $25 billion in sales in 2024. Another is that they are very necessary because, without them, we risk succumbing to the dangers of UV radiation.
Then, of course, there is a third reason, and that is that people are just so very different.
Essentially, because of the shape of our faces, what looks good on one person might not be as flattering on another.
Therefore, if you are in the market for a new pair of Genuine Prada sunglasses or another top brand pair, it is worth understanding what type of shades best suit your face shape.
In this post, we aim to provide you with some guidance.
How to Determine Your Face Shape
Before you start looking for sunglasses, it is worth knowing what face shape you have because this will make it much easier for you to find a pair that best complements its structure.
Overall, there are five main types of face shapes. Here is a quick guide to what they are:
1. Oval
If your face is greater in length than width and has a rounded forehead and jawline, it is oval-shaped.
2. Round
Round faces are roughly the same height and width and feature soft curves with no apparent sharp angles.
3. Heart
People whose forehead is wide and narrows down to a pointed chin are referred to as having heart shaped faces.
4. Square
Those with angular and boxier faces that are defined with broad jawlines and foreheads possess square face shapes.
5. Diamond
If the widest part of your face is the cheekbones, and therefore, your forehead and jawline are narrower, you have a diamond-shaped face.
Here is some more information on how you can determine your face shape.
However, you can also use an app like Hiface which will quickly be able to identify it by taking a photo.
Styles of Sunglasses
When you look online or browse through the shelves of your local opticians, you’ll find several different styles of sunglasses.
Here are some of the most popular:
Aviator
Cats Eye
Clip-on
Clubmaster
Navigator
Octagonal
Oversized
Rectangular
Round
Shield
Square
Tortoise
Triangle
Wayfarer
Best Sunglasses for Your Face Shape
Once you have determined what face shape you have, here is a good rule of thumb to adopt when choosing the best style of sunglasses for it.
Oval Faces
For people with oval faces, their cheekbones are the widest parts of it. Luckily, most styles of sunglasses will suit due to the symmetrical nature of your features.
As your face shape is very versatile, you can rest assured that pretty much any style of shade will suit you. But, in particular, aviator, cat-eye, clubmaster, rectangular, round, square, and wayfarer will look great on you.
That said, avoid frames that are too big, as they will overshadow your natural features. Also, you might want to steer clear of very narrow frames that will draw attention to your natural longer face.
Round Faces
Given that you have a much wider forehead, cheekbones and jawline than most, you shouldn’t choose a style that will mirror these features.
Instead, picking elongated shades like aviator, rectangular, square, and cat-eye will make your face appear more defined and even slimmer due to the frame’s sharp edges.
Heart-Shaped Faces
For those with heart-shaped faces, your best bet is to find a style of sunnies, like clubmaster, oval, cat-eye or aviator, that will minimise the dominance of your jawline while balancing your face.
Just be mindful to avoid small frames in favour of regular or oversized ones that have a lot more going on, as this will create more dimensional symmetry.
Square Faces
People with square faces tend to have a wide forehead and jawline that are at equal width of their cheekbones. For this reason, it is a good idea to contrast these features with your style of sunglasses.
For example, oval or round sunglasses should balance your face well without making your strong features even more prominent. Alternatively, aviator or wayfarer styles that have more rounded edges should also contrast perfectly with your square face shape.
Diamond Faces
With diamond faces, your cheekbones are your widest feature, while your jawline and forehead are as narrow as each other. Subsequently, you are more suited than any other face shape to don petite or tiny sunglass frames, such as tiny rounded or cat-eye.
This is due to their smaller shape being able to best match your face’s natural high points.
Additional Tips for Choosing Sunglasses
Aside from face shape, there are a few other things you should consider when choosing a new pair.
Perhaps the major one is the level of protection they give you. Don’t settle for anything less than 100% UV protection, as this will protect you from conditions like macular degeneration and glaucoma that can result from overexposure to them.
Additionally, you should also ensure the colour of the glass frames matches your skin tone, and that the lens colour is most suitable to your needs.
