To choose sunglasses for your face shape, pick frames that contrast with your features: angular frames suit soft, round faces, and round frames suit strong, square ones. Then check the size, so the frame is roughly as wide as the widest part of your face.
That's the short version. Below, we explain how to work out your face shape, which styles tend to suit each one, and why fit matters just as much. Treat it as a starting point, not a set of rules. If you love a pair, wear it.
How to work out your face shape
Stand in front of a mirror with your hair pulled back. Look at the outline of your face and ask yourself three questions:
- Where is it widest? Your forehead, your cheekbones or your jaw.
- How long is it compared with its width? About the same, a little longer, or a lot longer.
- What is your jawline like? Soft and curved, or strong and angular.
Your answers will point to one of five common shapes. Most people are a mix of two, so go with the one that feels closest.
The best sunglasses for each face shape
Round faces
Round faces have soft curves, full cheeks and a similar width and length. Angular frames add structure and definition, so look for square, rectangular and geometric shapes with clear corners. Our Somnia has a straight brow that sharpens the features, Celuna brings a chunky flat top, and the hexagonal Noema adds a more unusual angle. You'll find more in our edit of sunglasses for round faces.
Square faces
Square faces have a strong jaw, a wide forehead and defined angles. Round and soft shapes balance those lines. Our vintage-inspired Mirae and the thick-rimmed Noxie both work well here. Browse all our sunglasses for square faces for more ideas.
Oval faces
Oval faces are slightly longer than they are wide, with balanced proportions and a gently rounded jaw. Most shapes suit an oval face, so you can choose on style alone. Just keep the frame in proportion: very large frames can overwhelm, and very small ones can look lost.
Heart-shaped faces
Heart-shaped faces are wider at the forehead and narrower at the chin. Frames that balance the brow work best, and cat-eye and round styles are a good match. The soft cat-eye Velora is a lovely choice, and Mirae and Noxie suit heart shapes too. See our full edit of sunglasses for heart-shaped faces.
Long faces
Long or oblong faces are noticeably longer than they are wide. Deeper frames and wider styles help to break up the length. Look for lenses with some height, and avoid very narrow, shallow shapes.
Face shapes at a glance
| Face shape | Key features | Styles to try |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Soft curves, similar width and length | Square, rectangle, geometric |
| Square | Strong jaw, wide forehead | Round and soft shapes |
| Oval | Balanced, slightly longer than wide | Most shapes |
| Heart | Wider forehead, narrower chin | Cat-eye, round |
| Long | Much longer than wide | Deeper and wider frames |
Fit matters as much as shape
A frame in the right style can still look wrong if it's the wrong size. Use these quick checks when you try a pair on:
- Width: the frame should be roughly as wide as the widest part of your face. It shouldn't stick out past your temples or press against them.
- Brow line: the top of the frame should follow the line of your own brows.
- Cheeks: the frame shouldn't rest on your cheeks, even when you smile.
- Nose: the bridge should sit comfortably without sliding down.
Our guide on how to find your sunglasses size explains the numbers printed inside the arm and how to use them. If you have a smaller face, start with our small to medium fits: Lucid, Mirae, Noema, Noxie and Velora. For broader faces, Aurien and Somnia are our medium to wide fits, and Celuna sits in between.
Colour and lenses
Colour changes how a frame reads. Black looks bold and clean. Tortoiseshell is warmer and softer, which can make a strong shape easier to wear. Clear and lighter colours look less heavy on the face.
Whatever shape you choose, make sure the lenses protect your eyes. Every Yume lens is UV400, blocking 100% of UVA and UVB. Our guide to what UV400 means explains why that matters.
FAQs
What if I'm between two face shapes?
That's very common. Go with your strongest feature, such as a defined jaw or a wide forehead, and try frames suggested for both shapes.
Are Yume sunglasses unisex?
Yes. Every Yume frame is unisex, so choose by shape and fit rather than by label.
Do oversized sunglasses suit small faces?
Very large frames can overwhelm a small face and slide down the nose. As a rough guide, lens widths under about 50 mm tend to suit smaller or narrower faces.
Does face shape matter more than size?
Both matter. A well-sized frame in a shape you like will usually look better than the "right" shape in the wrong size. Get the width and brow line right first.
Ready to try a few shapes? Browse all Yume sunglasses, designed in London with free UK delivery.
