Style · Face shape guide
The Complete Guide to Choosing Sunglasses for Your Face Shape
Face shape is the single most useful factor for narrowing down sunglasses that actually look good on you. This guide covers all six common face shapes with specific frame recommendations and Rawbare picks for each.
🕑 8 min read👔 Style guide🛠 Face shapes
In this article
- How to identify your face shape
- Oval
- Round
- Square
- Heart
- Diamond
- Oblong
- General rules that apply to all shapes
How to identify your face shape
Take a photo straight-on in natural light with your hair pulled back. Look at three things: where your face is widest (forehead, cheeks, or jaw), whether your jaw is rounded or angular, and whether your face is longer or wider than it is tall. These three observations will place you in one of the six categories below.
Most faces are combinations
Most people sit between two shapes. Use the dominant one — the characteristics that are most pronounced — as your guide. When in doubt, oval guidelines work for almost everyone.
Face shape recommendations
Works
Almost all frame shapes. The most versatile face shape. Rectangle, wayfarer, aviator, cat-eye, round, and geometric all work.
Avoid
Extremely narrow frames that make the face appear longer.
Works
Rectangle, square, and angular frames. These add definition and make the face appear slimmer and longer.
Avoid
Round and oval frames, which echo the face shape and emphasise roundness.
Works
Round, oval, and cat-eye frames. These soften strong jawlines and angular features.
Avoid
Square and rectangular frames which mirror the jawline and add more angles.
Works
Aviators, round frames, and cat-eye. These balance the wider forehead by drawing attention downward.
Avoid
Top-heavy frames that add width to the already-wide forehead area.
Works
Oval and cat-eye frames that highlight cheekbones — the strongest feature of a diamond face.
Avoid
Very narrow or angular frames that minimise the cheekbones.
Works
Wide, oversized frames that add width. Round and square frames both work.
Avoid
Narrow frames that elongate the face further.
General rules that apply to all face shapes
Regardless of face shape, frames should not extend beyond the widest point of your face. Lens height should be proportional to the distance between your brow and cheekbone. The bridge should sit flat across your nose without pressing or pinching. Temples should reach your ears without pressing against your skull.
Size matters as much as shape. The right shape in the wrong size will still look off. If you are unsure of your size, use the measurements on your existing frames as a starting point.
Find your size first
Not sure what size you need? Read our
sunglasses size guide before applying these face shape recommendations.
Browse the full Rawbare collection and filter by shape to find frames that match your face.
Key takeaways
✓ Oval faces are the most versatile — most frames work
✓ Round faces: choose angular rectangle frames for definition
✓ Square faces: choose round or oval frames to soften angles
✓ Heart faces: aviator and round frames balance the forehead
✓ Frame size matters as much as shape
Frequently asked questions
Q1 What if my face is a mix of two shapes?
Most faces are. Pick the dominant shape — the one that most closely matches your strongest features — and use that as your guide. Oval is the most forgiving category; if you are between shapes, oval guidelines almost always work.
Q2 Do face shape sunglasses rules apply to men and women?
Yes. Face shape geometry is the same regardless of gender. The specific frame styles you gravitate to within each recommendation are a matter of personal preference, but the structural rules apply universally.
Q3 Can I wear any frame I like even if it is wrong for my face shape?
Absolutely. Face shape guides are starting points, not rules. They help you understand why certain frames feel off so you can make a more informed choice. But personal style and how a frame makes you feel matter more than any formula.
Q4 How do I identify my face shape?
Take a straight-on photo in natural light with your hair pulled back. Look at where your face is widest, whether your jaw is rounded or angular, and whether your face is longer or wider. These three observations identify your shape in most cases.
Q5 Does frame size matter as much as shape?
Yes — equally. A frame in the right shape but the wrong size will still look off. Frames should not extend beyond the widest part of your face and the top should follow your brow line.
