Style

The Best Sunglasses For Your Face Shape To Get You Ready For Summer

A summer outfit isn’t quite complete without a pair of cute sunglasses. With so many styles to choose from, it can be overwhelming to make a decision.

By Cristina Margolis2 min read
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Did you know that your face shape can actually make or break the look you’re going for with your sunglasses? Follow these helpful guidelines to ensure your pair of sunglasses pairs well with your face shape.

The History of Sunglasses

Sunglasses have been around for quite some time, even dating back to the Roman Empire, but the first mass-produced sunglasses were created in 1929 by Sam Foster. He saw there was a market for sunglasses in Atlantic City, New Jersey, so he began selling them to beachgoers on the Boardwalk. In 1936, Edwin H. Land began polarizing sunglass lenses with his patented Polaroid filter. 

Nowadays, most sunglass lenses have UV protection to safeguard our eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. Protection is not the only thing sunglasses offer though. With so many types of lens tints and shapes, as well as a diverse range of frames, sunglasses are also a stylish fashion accessory. 

Hollywood Stars

Over the years, Hollywood stars have made sunglasses even more popular and stylish, and many people have tried to copy their iconic look. The most notable female celebrity wearing sunglasses is Audrey Hepburn and her terrific tortoiseshell sunglasses in Breakfast at Tiffany’s

As far as male celebrities go, I’d have to go with Tom Cruise’s awesome aviator sunglasses in Top Gun. But the problem with trying to copy their look is that we don’t all have the same face shape as Hepburn or Cruise, and that’s an important factor when it comes to sunglasses.

Let’s Face It, Face Shape Matters

Even though you might fall in love with an adorable pair of red-framed sunglasses with heart-shaped lenses, they may not be the best choice for your face shape. When it comes to sunglasses, you want to find a nice pair that compliments your facial bone structure and natural features. With so many different types of sunglasses to choose from nowadays, the good news is that you won’t have to compromise on style.

Heart-Shaped Face

Remember those adorable red-framed heart-shaped sunglasses I just mentioned? Not surprisingly, they would be perfect for a heart-shaped face. Since heart-shaped faces stand out the most with geometric and circular sunglasses, cat-eyed and retro-square shaped lenses would be perfect as well.

Square-Shaped Faces

For people with square-shaped faces, it’s actually best to not go with square-shaped sunglasses. Sticking with circular and round-shaped sunglasses are your best bet because they will draw attention away from the boxy-type length and proportions of your face, while accentuating your eye and cheekbone area. People with a square-shaped face are lucky because they can definitely rock a 1960s hippie look with some round and tinted sunglasses.

Diamond-Shaped Face

Since diamond-shaped faces tend to have a narrow forehead, prominent cheekbones, and a modest, sometimes pointy chin, sunglasses that broaden the middle and upper part of the face are the most flattering. Sunglasses with soft angles and tinted lenses in an oval, rectangular, and even cat-eye shape would be optimal. Meryl Streep’s iconic golden-brown shades in The Devil Wears Prada are an excellent example.

Round-Shaped Face

The good news for people with round-shaped faces is that because their face shape is in proportion everywhere, they can actually rock a variety of sunglasses styles, as long as they don’t accentuate their cheeks. Sunglasses to avoid are small, rounded ones because they may make your face look rounder. If you’re looking to add definition to your cheeks, go for full-rim or semi-rimless with clear nose-bridge sunglasses, like the ones Matthew Broderick famously wore in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. 

Oval-Shaped Face

Oval-shaped faces are perfect for a wide range of sunglasses because they have a unique balance of facial features. Since oval-shaped faces are longer in length than in width, you should avoid sunglasses that are too bottom-heavy or rimless. Otherwise, it can over-emphasize the length of your face. You should stick with oval, angular, and aviator styles, and don’t be afraid to go bold when it comes to the size and color of your sunglasses!

Closing Thoughts

By following these guidelines, you can’t go wrong. No matter what your face shape is, there’s a perfect pair of sunglasses out there just waiting for you. So what are you waiting for, ladies? Happy shopping, and get ready for some fun in the sun!