The Four Most Popular Eyeglass Shapes and Finding Your Perfect Fit

Choosing the Right Frames for You

Choosing the right eyeglass frames comes down to your needs and preferences. That means taking stock of your facial features, your own style preferences, and sometimes even your prescription, which may dictate how the lenses look in the frames.

Different eyeglass frame styles may even look different on men and women. One rule of thumb is to try to choose a frame shape that is opposite to your own face shape, so if you have a round face, try to choose square glasses and vice versa. But that's just a guideline. It's more important to see how you like the look of a pair of frames.

At Clarkson Eyecare, you can see how different eyeglass frames look on you from the comfort of your own home using our helpful Virtual Try-On feature. Simply browse our selection of frames and use Virtual Try-On to see how they’d look on you using the power of augmented reality.

Popular Frame Shapes and Who They Suit

In the same way you have a plan before you go to the hairstylist, it's a good idea to know what you're looking for with an eyeglass frame. With ideas like these in hand, you can get a jump start on selecting the most flattering glasses frames for a look that's uniquely yours. Here are some of the classic styles and who they're perfect for.

1. Cat-Eye Glasses Frames

Cat-eye glasses have upward-sweeping corners and are an extremely youthful style. Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly were known for their love of cat-eye glasses! Since they help take the viewer’s attention upward, they can serve as an instant facelift for those who wish to look younger. These glasses make an especially bold statement with a timeless look, especially in their traditional retro form, but that boldness may not be for everyone.

This type of frame can work with many face shapes, so they can be on just about anyone's list. They can slim down wider faces, emphasize the browline on those with diamond-shaped faces, and pull the eye upward for those with triangular-shaped faces. They also look particularly good on those with balanced, oval faces.

2. Aviator Glasses

These classic teardrop-shaped glasses are instantly recognizable by most people. Originally developed for pilots, these frames include a large lens that gives them a clear view of instrument panels. Over time, they have also come to epitomize "Top Gun'' cool. Most people can wear these uniquely-shaped glasses, though they look especially good if you have an angular face with well-defined cheekbones or a sharp jaw.

An additional benefit is the added real estate the longer lens offers, giving you additional area for clear vision. However, this is only helpful if your lenses have a single correction; if you want progressive lenses or bifocals, aviator frames may not be suitable. Unlike cat-eye glasses, the aviator’s tear-drop shape may potentially draw the eye down.

3. Rimless Glasses

If you want to look as if you’re not wearing glasses, the rimless glasses frame style is for you. Without the rims to punctuate and call attention to the lenses, rimless glasses tend to blend in with your face and allow your eyes to shine. The fact that they are rimless can also naturally make them feel lighter on your face and make it easier to forget that you are wearing them.

However, rimless glasses may not be for everyone. Someone who needs a strong prescription for nearsightedness, for example, needs especially thick lenses. Without the rim to hide some of the lens profile, this style would only accentuate how strong their prescription is. Thicker lenses also tend to make the glasses front-heavy, and without the bottom rim to distribute weight, you may find your glasses sliding down your nose more often.

4. Round Frames

Out of all eyeglass frame styles, round frames are the most classic. This style tracks back to the 13th century when glasses were first invented. Not surprisingly, the historic nature of this frame shape means they have often been associated with intellectuals. They're also the stuff of Harry Potter fame and the frame style worn by none other than musical legend, John Lennon. Round frames have a retro vibe, which may be the perfect thing to complete your look now that retro is coming back into style. For those with thick lenses, round or oval shape frames are an excellent choice for minimizing the profile of your lenses.

In addition, round frames go well with many face shapes, including a diamond-shaped face that has many angles. Likewise, they can bring some soft curves to a square-shaped face or help minimize the size of the forehead for those with heart-shaped faces. However, if you have a round face, then round frames will likely not work well for you.

Finding the Right Frames for Your Face Shape

While personal style always matters most, your face shape can be a helpful starting point when choosing new glasses. A common rule of thumb is to choose a frame shape that contrasts with your face shape, such as square frames for round faces or rounder frames for square faces. That said, it is still most important to choose frames that feel comfortable and match the look you want.

For example, people with rounder faces often find that angular or rectangular frames add definition, while those with square faces may prefer round or oval styles that soften sharper features. Face shape is only one part of the equation, though. Frame width, bridge fit, and arm length also play a big role in how your glasses look and feel throughout the day.

If you want a better idea of what may fit you best before shopping, you can measure your face for glasses frames. Key measurements like frame width, bridge width, and arm length can help you find the best overall fit.