Buying sunglasses online should feel exciting, not uncertain. The right frame can change your proportions, balance your features, and give you that “this is me” feeling the moment you put them on.
This guide is designed to make choosing easier. You’ll learn how to identify your face shape, which frame silhouettes tend to flatter it, and which styles to avoid if you want the most effortless fit.
At Oliver Goldsmith, we believe eyewear should reflect how you feel, not box you into rules. But when you can’t try frames on in person, a clear set of principles is genuinely helpful. Use this as a starting point, then choose the pair that feels most like you.
Step 1: Work out your face shape
Stand in front of a mirror (hair pulled back), or take a straight-on selfie.
Look for three things:
- Width of your forehead (narrow / medium / wide)
- Width of your cheekbones (often the widest point)
- Shape of your jawline (soft/rounded vs strong/angular)
- Length of your face (shorter vs longer)
Most people fall into one of these face shapes:
- Round
- Oval
- Square
- Heart
- Diamond
- Oblong/rectangular
If you’re between two shapes, that’s normal. In that case, use the guidance for both and focus on proportion (frame width and lens height) as the final deciding factor.
Sunglasses for round faces
A round face typically has softer lines and similar width and length, with fuller cheeks and a rounded jawline.
The aim is to add definition and create the illusion of length.
What tends to suit round faces
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Angular frames
Look for sharper geometry: rectangular, square, hexagonal, or strong brow lines.
Suggested styles: Winston, Preston, Vice Consul, Manhattan.
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Slightly oversized frames
A larger lens can elongate and slim the face visually, as long as it doesn’t overwhelm your features.
Suggested styles: Matador, Mistinguett, Fuz, Ego.
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Strong bridge detail
A defined bridge and top line adds structure and lifts the face.
What to be cautious with
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Very round frames
They can double down on roundness. If you love a round silhouette, choose one with a stronger rim thickness or a slightly flatter top line.
Sunglasses for oval faces
Oval faces are balanced and slightly longer than they are wide, usually with a gently rounded jawline. This is the most versatile shape: most silhouettes work, so your best guide is proportion and personal style.
What tends to suit oval faces
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Most frame shapes, when proportional
The key is keeping frame width roughly in line with your cheekbones.
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Oversized frames
Oversized styles amplify symmetry and can look incredibly polished.
Suggested styles: Manhattan, Senor, Gopas, Hex.
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Vintage silhouettes
Oval faces carry retro shapes well, from classic rectangles to 60s/70s curves.
What to be cautious with
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Frames that are dramatically wider than your face
If the frame extends far beyond your cheekbones, it can dominate your features.
Sunglasses for square faces
Square faces tend to have a strong jaw, broad forehead, and more angular lines. The goal is usually to soften, balance, and add a little curve.
What tends to suit square faces
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Round or oval frames
These offset angles and create balance.
Suggested styles: Zephyr, Oasis, 1970’s, 1930’s, Koko.
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Thinner or lighter-looking rims
This softens the overall effect.
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Slightly upswept shapes
A subtle lift can draw attention upward and balance a strong jaw.
What to be cautious with
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Very boxy frames
Square-on-square can make the face look heavier or more rigid, unless that’s the look you want.
Sunglasses for heart-shaped faces
Heart shapes are typically wider at the forehead and cheekbones, tapering to a narrower chin. The aim is to balance the top half of the face and add visual weight lower down.
What tends to suit heart-shaped faces
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Aviators and teardrop shapes
These bring weight lower on the face and soften the forehead visually.
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Rounded frames
Softer curves balance a pointed chin.
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Light or rimless looks
Lighter frames reduce emphasis at the forehead.
What to be cautious with
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Heavy top bars or thick brows
These can make the upper face look wider.
Sunglasses for diamond faces
Diamond faces are defined by prominent cheekbones, a narrower forehead, and a narrower chin. The aim is to complement cheekbones without making the mid-face look too wide.
What tends to suit diamond faces
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Cat-eye frames
They lift and echo cheekbones beautifully.
Suggested styles: Sophia, Hep, Kolus.
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Oval frames
Soft and balanced.
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Frames with detail on the brow line
This can broaden the forehead slightly and create symmetry.
What to be cautious with
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Very narrow frames
They can make cheekbones feel overly dominant.
Sunglasses for oblong/rectangular faces
Oblong faces are longer than they are wide, often with straighter sides. The aim is to reduce the appearance of length and add width.
What tends to suit oblong/rectangular faces
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Taller lenses
A deeper lens reduces the feeling of length.
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Oversized frames
Wide or tall oversized silhouettes create balance.
Suggested styles: Mistinguett, Matador, Fuz, Ego.
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Rounder silhouettes
Curves soften and visually shorten.
What to be cautious with
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Very small frames
These can make the face look longer by comparison.
Frame shapes explained (and who they suit)
This section covers some of the most searched-for styles, including round sunglasses, cat-eye sunglasses, oversized sunglasses, and 70s sunglasses.
Round sunglasses
Round frames feel intellectual, artistic, and timeless, but they work best when they’re balancing angles.
Often suit:
- Square faces
- Heart faces
- Oval faces
Less straightforward for:
- Very round faces (choose a stronger rim, a flatter top, or a slightly oversized proportion)
Cat-eye sunglasses
Cat-eye frames add lift, shape, and a subtle retro glamour. They’re one of the most flattering shapes when you want definition.
Often suit:
- Diamond faces
- Oval faces
- Heart faces
Oversized sunglasses
Oversized frames can be chic, cinematic, or bold depending on shape. The key is choosing the right width and lens depth.
Often suit:
- Oval faces
- Oblong/rectangular faces
- Round faces (especially if slightly angular)
70s sunglasses
70s styles often include oversized lenses, warm-toned acetates, and rounded or softly squared silhouettes. They flatter most faces if the proportion is right.
Often suit:
- Oval faces
- Square faces (especially when rounded)
- Oblong/rectangular faces
A simple checklist for buying sunglasses online
Before you commit, quickly check:
- Frame width: roughly aligns with your cheekbones (unless intentionally oversized)
- Lens height: deeper lenses balance longer faces
- Bridge fit: sits comfortably without pinching or sliding
- UV protection: always prioritise full UV protection
If you’re unsure between two sizes or styles, go with the one that matches how you want to feel wearing them. Rules help, but confidence is the point.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know my face shape?
Start by looking at the overall outline of your face in a mirror with your hair pulled back. Pay attention to your forehead width, cheekbones, jawline, and chin. Most people sit somewhere between a few common shapes (round, oval, square, heart, diamond), so treat this as a guide rather than a rule.
What sunglasses suit a round face?
Round faces are often flattered by frames that add structure and definition. Look for angular, geometric, or slightly upswept shapes, and consider styles that feel a touch wider than your cheekbones to help balance proportions.
What sunglasses suit an oval face?
Oval faces tend to suit most frame shapes. The main thing to watch is scale: choose a frame width that feels balanced with your features, and avoid styles that look disproportionately large or narrow on your face.
What sunglasses suit a square face?
Square faces often pair well with frames that soften strong angles. Rounded, oval, or gently curved shapes can balance a defined jawline, while lighter-looking frames can keep the overall look clean and refined.
Are “face shape rules” essential when choosing sunglasses?
No. Face shape guidance is useful when shopping online, but it isn’t a hard rule. Comfort, confidence, and how the frame feels on your features matter just as much as any set of styling principles.
What size sunglasses should I choose?
If you already own a pair you like, check the sizing numbers printed on the inside of the temple (typically lens width, bridge width, and temple length). As a quick guide, the frame should feel stable and comfortable without pinching at the temples or sliding down your nose.
Do sunglasses need to cover my eyebrows?
Not necessarily. Some styles look best sitting higher on the face, while others (particularly larger frames) may sit lower. Aim for a fit that feels comfortable and provides good lens coverage, without touching your cheeks when you smile.
Which sunglasses work best for small faces?
Look for narrower frame widths, shorter temple lengths, and shapes that don’t overwhelm your features. Frames that are too wide can sit awkwardly and slide, so prioritise proportion and a secure, balanced fit.
Do lens colour and UV protection matter for style and eye health?
Yes. UV protection is essential for eye health, and lens colour can affect comfort and contrast in different light conditions. Choose high-quality lenses with proper UV protection, then select a tint that suits how and where you’ll wear them most.
What’s the simplest way to choose a flattering pair online?
Start with your current favourites (shape and size), then choose a similar proportion in a style you’re drawn to. If you’re unsure, pick a timeless silhouette you’d happily wear often, and focus on fit and comfort first.
For more guidance, see our sunglasses for small faces article.
