Learning how to choose the right prescription eyeglass frames may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be this way. There are several ways to determine which frames will flatter your face and embody your personality and style. 

To help you through the process, we’ve created a comprehensive guide that will help you choose frames based on your face shape, skin tone, hair color, and more.  

When shopping for eyeglass frames, the best place to begin is to determine your face shape. The easiest way to find this out is by tracing your face on a mirror with a dry-erase marker. 

Learning your face shape is crucial because there are frames that complement every shape. Certain frames can help balance out your features, such as slimming or accentuating some aspects of your face. 

For those of you with oval faces, lucky you! This is the only face shape that looks great in most frames. 

So, let’s look at the different face shapes and your best options for each:

Round Face

Your face is round if it’s proportional, where both the length and width are equal. 

Here are the best frames for a round face:

* Rectangle

* Square

* Aviator

* Geometric

Square Face

If your face is proportional but longest on your jawline and forehead, then you have a square face. 

These are the best frames for a square face:

* Round

* Cat Eye

* Wayfarer

* Aviator

* Browline 

* Oval

Triangular Face

A person with angular cheeks, a narrow chin, and a broad forehead are said to have a triangular face. 

When shopping for eyeglass frames for a triangular face, opt for these shapes:

* Round

* Cat Eye

* Wayfarer

* Square

* Aviator

* Geometric

Heart-shaped Face

To determine if your face is heart-shaped, see if you have a wide forehead, round cheeks, and a narrow chin. 

Heart shaped faces are among the hardest of all face shapes to find eyeglasses for, so be sure to stick with one of these frame shapes:

* Cat Eye

* Rectangle

* Wayfare

* Browline Oval

Oval Face

An oval-shaped face is proportional and narrows at the chin and forehead. As we mentioned, this face shape can pull off every eyeglass frame, so it may be best for you to choose based on other factors we’ll discuss below.

What Vintage Glasses Frames Fit Each Face Shape

Faces come in a wide range of shapes. Luckily, there is also a variety of frame shapes to match anyone’s features. Proportional round glasses, sweeping cat-eye frames, thick frames, rimless frames – based on face shape, the right pair of glasses can bring out your best features.

Knowing what frame styles tend to look best on your face shape can be helpful when buying glasses online since you will not have the chance to try them on first. This is also especially important for vintage glasses which often have more unique shapes that you will not find with today’s styles.

How to Choose Glasses Based on Your Face

First and foremost, you should choose glasses based on what you like. If you have a pair of frames you already like, you can always select vintage frames with the same shape. But for people who are new to wearing glasses or are looking to branch out into a new style, it can be a good idea to start your search based on your face shape:

• Glasses for Round Faces – A round face has a rounded chin and forehead, and the cheekbones are the widest part of the face. Because the angles on round faces are soft, contrasting rectangular frames with bold lines often look best. The sharp corners add distinct lines. You can also try cat eye glasses if you have particular full cheeks.
• Glasses for Heart-Shaped Faces – Heart faces have wide foreheads and narrow chins. This shape looks good with many glasses shapes. Glasses with thick bottom frames, half-rim glasses, or lower set temples, like Windsor glasses, will draw focus away from your broad forehead and balance your face. Vintage rimless glasses or clear frame glasses will look less obtrusive.
• Glasses for Square Faces – If you have a square face, your face has straight sides and is about as wide as it is long. Rounder glasses can help soften the angles, so search for oval glasses, vintage round glasses, Windsor glasses, or ovoid glasses. Cat eye glasses that are slightly wider than your face can add dimension.
• Glasses for Diamond Faces – Diamond-shaped faces have narrow foreheads and chins, and wide, high set cheekbones. Since these faces tend to be angular, round glasses or oval glasses often work well.
• Glasses for Triangular Faces – A triangular face has a wide chin and narrow forehead. Glasses that are wide at the top and narrow at the bottom will balance this out, so we recommend cat eye glasses for women or aviator glasses. Round glasses also offer strong visual contrast to a triangular face.
• Glasses for Oval Faces – An oval face is long with a tall forehead, chin and forehead that are roughly the same size, and the widest part of the face at the cheekbones. Almost any glasses will work with an oval face shape, especially angular glasses like square, rectangular, or vintage octagonal frames. Cat eye glasses or other styles that have thick tops, like browline or horn rimmed glasses, can offset the smooth lines of your face.
• Glasses For Long Faces 

Once you have decided which glasses frames you are looking for, look through our inventory of vintage and retro glasses at Eyeglasses Warehouse. We offer an extensive selection of vintage eyeglasses in all shapes, sizes, and styles.