Glasses are sexy! it’s official. Geek chic is the look of the season, with coy A-line dresses, peter pan collars, animal print jumpers and, yes you guessed it, the retro, thick-framed, large spectacles.

So how to choose the right pair for you? There’s no point getting yourself a pair of trendy glasses if they make your forehead look huge, emphasise your pointy ears or constantly slip down your nose. Not so cool!

Getting the right pair isn’t easy, what with the plethora of styles available in just about every shape, shade and size imaginable. So it’s back to basics and starting at the very beginning. Choosing a pair of glasses that suits is nearly wholly determined by the shape of your face…

What face shape are you?

Most people’s faces can be put into one of five categories: round, oblong, oval, square or heart-shaped. Tie your hair back (if needs be) and look straight into the mirror. Use a lipstick or an erasable pen to trace around the outline of your face in the mirror – maybe check that whichever drawing tool you choose will rub off afterwards…

On the mirror should be a shape that resembles one of the five shapes.  Recognising which of these shapes is closest to you will make choosing glasses much easier.

Square faces

Your strong jaw line and wide cheekbones will look great with more rounded or aviator-shaped frames. Your strong features work well with curvier styles and it is advised to opt for more neutral colour tones such as creams or camels to subtly frame the face.

Your commandments:

1. Aviators look great on square faces. If you have strong features go big, if your features are more delicate, tone it down a little and opt for a slightly smaller frame, despite what the current fashion is saying.
2. Larger glasses with strong detailing will complement your own naturally defined framework.
3. Oval and round glasses work well, but make sure they are edged with a solid acetate rim.  For men: try metal frames as they give a more masculine edge and accentuate your features.
4. Rectangular-shaped frames with soft edges are a classic, unisex option, though you should avoid too much detail on the outer edges and arms.
5.  To soften a really strong jaw, go for the butterfly frame ladies. They’re oversized and glam, and most importantly, ultra feminine.
6. Finally, stay away from strong brow bar if you want to soften your face shape. A double brow bar will only unattractively accentuate a strong jaw.

Round faces

Definition is key when it comes to soft faces. The correct frames can slim your cheeks, lengthen your face and break up the roundness. A strong, detailed brow on your frames will also pull your eye area further away from your mouth, giving you a more define face-shape overall.

Your commandments:

1. Go for a frame that is wider than your face. It will give your silhouette more definition.
2. Stay away from round frames and opt for more angular shaped specs. Square and rectangular glasses are perfect.
3. Embellished and branded arms will accent a frame, giving round faces more definition.
4. For men, solid acetate framework in dark colours and prints will keep things masculine and create a defined outline.
5. Wayfarer glasses frames are a great unisex option with bold prints and colours that pack a punch and complement a round face.

Oblong faces

To balance out your face and give it a bit of width, choose a pair of glasses that don’t extend beyond the widest part of your head. Opt for round or square shapes. You don’t want the pea-head effect here, so ensure that you opt for a substantial circumference.

Your commandments:

1. Oval and sturdy-sized specs are perfect for the gal-about-town, with acetate framework keeping things contemporary. Make sure that the outer corners run parallel with your temples and cheekbones. Too large and this will ‘shrink’ your head, too small and your teetering towards egghead territory.
2. Aviators are a timeless, unisex option with metal frames keeping things casual. The teardrop shape helps to accentuate those cheekbones as well and chiselled features.
3. Make sure you pick a pair of spectacles with decent width.
4. Square glasses with blunt edges compliment an oblong face; just make sure the arms aren’t too low, as this will create a ‘dragging’ effect on your features.

Diamond faces

Your defined, pointed chin with wide cheek bones and forehead look great with a more quirky, retro-shaped pair of specs. Try rectangular or ‘cat-eye’ glasses. Coloured frames and arms with strong detailing will soften the lower portion of your face shape by accentuating the eye area.

Your commandments:

1. Cat-eyed frames look great in classic tortoise and black and creams for the girls.
2. Wrap-around frames work well in balancing out a diamond face shape. They’re also a great sporty option for men.
3. Keep your choice of frame small and neat.
4. Rectangular frames will balance out a pointed chin.
5. Wayfarers are good for both sexes and are available in an array of colours and work well with small features.

Oval faces

You’re the lucky ones. The annoying people who can wear just about every style and look really good in every pair you try on. Experiment with the latest looks such as the resurging Wayfarers or go all ‘look at me’ by trying frames with heavily embellished arms and detailing. Solid and dark lenses add status, whilst metal frames create a definitive silhouette, or go in a totally different direction with rimless glasses.  For you, anything goes, so embrace your own style.

1. Use your hair and skin colour as a guide to what colour frame to go for.
2. If you opt for the classic unisex Wayfarer go for a medium to large size as anything too small will squash your face shape.
3. Details on the arms pull your temples out so try a pair with branding, embellishment and colour blocking to add an edgy accent to your frames.
4. Metal framework will soften an angular-shaped pair if you’d prefer a subtler, everyday style.
5. Make sure that the arms don’t sit too low on your face if you are going for a square frame as this has the potential to elongate the face – an unnecessary application to an oval face shape.

There you have it, now there is no excuse to wear a pair of specs that make your forehead look huge or that accentuate your big nose.  Still not sure? Drop us a line at ask@glassesdirect.co.uk and one of our glasses-style experts will be able to find you the perfect pair.

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