Sunglasses for Small or Narrow Faces: How to Get the Fit Right
Fit and Sizing
Sunglasses for Small or Narrow Faces: How to Get the Fit Right
If frames keep sliding down, sitting wider than your cheeks or swallowing your features, the problem is not your face. It is the size. Here is how to find a pair that fits a smaller frame.
In this article
- How do I know I have a small or narrow face?
- What measurements suit a small face?
- Which frame styles suit small faces?
- What should I avoid on a small face?
- How do I check the fit?
How do I know I have a small or narrow face?
The signs are practical, not flattering or unflattering. Standard frames slide down your nose, the lenses sit wider than your cheeks, the arms feel loose at the sides, or the whole frame looks like it is wearing you rather than the other way round. If most off-the-shelf sunglasses feel too big, you simply need a smaller size, and they exist.
What measurements suit a small face?
The single most important figure is total frame width: it should be close to the width of your face, not spilling past it. In practice that usually means a smaller lens width, often in the 48 to 52 millimetre range, with a bridge that holds the frame up rather than letting it slip.
| Measurement | Small-face guide |
|---|---|
| Lens width | Around 48 to 52 mm |
| Bridge width | Narrow, so the frame does not slide |
| Total frame width | Close to your face width, not beyond it |
Which frame styles suit small faces?
Proportion is everything. Smaller rounds, classic wayfarers in their compact sizes, cat-eye shapes and slim rectangles all sit well on a smaller face because they keep the scale in balance. Slightly angular shapes can also add a little definition. The goal is a frame that frames, rather than one that dominates.
What should I avoid on a small face?
Oversized frames are the usual trap. They overwhelm smaller features and tend to slide. Very wide bridges are another, because they let the frame drop down the nose. Heavy, thick fronts can also look out of proportion. None of these are rules about style, just about scale: too much frame on a small face works against you.
How do I check the fit?
Hold the frame to your face and look for four things. The frame width should roughly match your face width. Your eyes should sit near the centre of each lens. The frame should stay put when you look down, not slide. And the arms should rest along your head without pinching. If all four hold, the size is right.
For shape help, pair this with the guide to choosing sunglasses for your face shape, then browse smaller frames across the Rawbare sunglasses range.
Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways
