Sunglasses are way more than one of summer’s most fun accessories. Since the sun’s rays shine off of freshly fallen snow and bluer-than-blue ocean just the same, eyewear should be a year-round outfit staple no matter where you live (what else can you say that about, save a classic bag?). Turns out your shades are one serious style essential.
COMMON FACE SHAPES
Identifying your face shape is crucial for picking out a the perfect pair of sunglasses, and it’s fairly easy to do once you know what to look for. Most people fall into one of four common face shapes — circle, heart, square and oval — all of which are largely determined by how pronounced certain facial features are. If you can’t quite tell from glancing at your phone in selfie mode, then go old school and take a lipstick or dry erase marker and actually trace the outline of your reflection in the mirror. When you step away from the reveal, you should be left with an easy-to-ID shape on the mirror much like our graphic above.
Once you know your face shape, the hunt for your shades soul mates should be much easier, especially with the go-to guide we made below. Scroll through to find out which sunglasses styles suit your face shape best.
CIRCLE FACE
Your features are soft, and the width and length of your face is roughly equal. Like Roxy, it’s all about adding some edge.
BEST FIT: WAYFARERS
Because wayfarers are close to a rectangle shape, they’re time-tested go-tos for adding angularity and definition to circle-shaped faces. While classic wayfarers are slimmer, shorter and sportier than this pair, the wider-framed take on the style feels more luxe and decidedly feminine — all wins in our book. Plus, they’re equally as wearable. “The extra definition in the upper corners gives it a very slight cat-eye accent that adds depth and proportion to the face,” said Sarah Fraser, VP Merchandising for Ditto. Turns out we’re all about that wayfarer wiggle room.
Wearing: Selma Optique Amanda in Black ($385)
SWITCH IT UP WITH: SQUARE FRAMES
“Square frames are a very on-trend way to take the wayfarer to the next level,” said Sarah. The equal (or-just-about-equal) angles add a flattering contrast that balances out the roundness of your face — just be sure to look for pairs that have wide-set lenses to stand up to your features, like this one. “This particular pair is a great way for folks with circle faces to wear a pseudo-aviator style and pull it off,” said Sarah. It’s got that same airy feel and thin metal detailing without the exaggerated roundness that would, well, exaggerate your roundness.
Wearing: KREWE du Optic Banks in Matte Oyster With Gradient ($185)
HEART FACE
Your features taper from your broad forehead to your pronounced chin, and your cheekbones are set nice and high. Like Krystal, it’s all about drawing attention downward.
BEST FIT: AVIATORS
There’s a reason why you see Reese Witherspoon rocking aviators almost exclusively. “The teardrop shape at the bottom [of aviator glasses] hits the cheekbones [on people with heart-shaped faces] at just the right point to add depth to and compliment their features,” said Sarah. That detail is so clutch because it draws attention downward and away from the widest part of your face. Aviators made of lighter, thinner materials are most complimentary to heart-shaped faces, and although that seems sartorially minimal, there are ways to amp up the look, like with colored frames. “I love the selection of the green color on these glasses, it upgrades your look just a little bit,” said Sarah. “It lets you add a little personality to your aviator.” If pop-of-color frames are hard to come by, you can also look for other next-level details like mirrored or tinted lenses.
Wearing: Burberry BE 3071 in Green ($240)
Switch It Up With: Oversized Frames
“Whether it’s an oversized rectangle, oval or square, you want your lenses BIG,” said Sarah. Sprawling lenses will, obviously, cover up more of your forehead and cheekbones, and on heart-shaped faces, that helps to balance your tapering proportions in the most bombshell way. Look for glasses with thin-as-possible frames so they won’t completely overpower your features, or ones with contrasting details like the metal accents on these frames, which helps to lighten them up.
Wearing: Oakley Changeover in Nightfall Stripes With Grey ($150)
SQUARE FACE
Your features are prominent, like your broad forehead and strong jawline. Like Kate, it’s all about working those angles.
BEST FIT: OVAL FRAMES
Just like circle-faced gals veer towards angular frames, you too, square-faced babes, are going to go for a style that’s the opposite of your face shape. That means your sunglasses P.I.C. is a rounder, oval shape. Unlike straight-up round frames, oval glasses are near universally easy to wear, regardless if they come in a half-frame or flat top style like this pair, that happens to come in a deep blue hue. “Cobalt is a great alternative to black,” said Sarah. Why not be one of the first to hop on the blue frame trend?
Wearing: RAEN Remmy in Cobalt With Smoke Lenses ($135)
Switch it Up With: Cat Eyes
Cat-eye glasses are like magic for square face shapes — they provide the best of both worlds. “[Like oval glasses], you get the rounded glasses toward the bottom but with the upsweep toward the eyes that provides definition and lift,” said Sarah. This flattering flick comes in all shapes and sizes, not just your exaggerated ’50s-style look. “These glasses have a more subtle cat eye for those not ready to go full-on cat woman,” said Sarah. Besides the soft pointed edges, their oversized nature makes these feel more familiar than vintage-leaning styles, which makes them easier to wear. Plus, the ultra-feminine shape is severely foxy.
Wearing: Jason Wu Brigitte in Black ($275)
OVAL FACE
Your face is gently rounded, longer than it is wide and your features are pretty much perfectly balanced. Like Ashley, it’s all about having pushing your style as far as you want!
BEST FIT: CIRCLE FRAMES*
*Okay, okay okay. Great news oval faced gals: you’ve been #blessed with the most easy-to-outfit face shape of all. In other words, basically any style goes on your mug, so roulette away with your sunglass selection. Here, we’re recommending some trendier, out-of-the-box styles because A) you can handle it and B) it’s fun! So, all things considered, your optimal *of-the-moment* sunglasses style is circle lenses.
Round lenses are all the rage these days, and there’s no reason for you to shy away from these It frames.”Frames that are perfectly balanced, whether they’re round or square, compliment oval faces because they’re the opposite dimensions of the face,” said Sarah. “It’s a definite upgrade from something traditional like a wayfarer or an aviator — two styles oval faced folks can wear no problem.” And we couldn’t agree more. These frames are — wait for it — Beyoncé’s current favorites, and have the perfect mix of boho babe and downtown chic. In other words, they’re #flawless.
Wearing: The Row Row 8 in Navy ($445)
SWITCH IT UP WITH: FLAT TOPS
According to Ditto, these ultra sporty sunnies are about to blow up, and oval shaped faces are going to be the ambassadors. “Not only are they very popular, but they actually add a little but of width, which is a really nice compliment to elongated faces,” said Sarah. This style of sunglasses ranges from ultra elegant, like these thin, blue and black tortoise shell frames, to Daft Punk-levels of futuristic (think: reflective lenses and a single wrap-around shield lens, apparently a fave of Rihanna). Either way, they’ll round out your athleisure look like that.
Wearing: Stella McCartney SM 4043 in Tortoise + Black Gradient ($250)
All in all, these sunglass suggestions follow Ditto’s two rules of thumb:
1. The frames should be proportional to your overall face size. That means if you have larger features, you should stick to larger sunnies and vice versa.
2. The frames should balance out your facial features, not play into them. So gals with circle faces should generally stay away from circle sunnies, etc. (Although gals with heart faces, totally feel free to wear heart-shaped frames!).
Follow these rules and you’re sure to find shades that flatter. But like we always say around here at Brit + Co, wear what makes you feel good! We know we’re brushing popular opinion aside to wear the same sunnies as Beyoncè, even if the results aren’t exactly flawless.
Bonus! Ditto wants to give YOU the first month of your Endless Eyewear monthly sunglasses subscription for FREE. Just sign up through this link to grab the deal!
What sunglass style suits your face shape best? Tell us about which shades are on your want-now list in the comments below (then see if you can snag ’em on Ditto!)
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.