SELECTING YOUR FRAMES – STYLE GUIDE

There are no hard and fast rules when choosing your frames but the following tips may assist you in finding a frame which compliments you.

To assess which shape and colour of frame will suit you best it is necessary to look at the shape of your face, the colour of your hair and your skin tone.

Face

There are six main face shapes: oval, round, rectangular, square, triangular and diamond. The following guide will suggest possible frames for each face shape.

Oval

The oval face is longer than it is wide, with rounded forehead and chin.

Almost any frame suits an oval face. The most important issue is the size of the face. Try square or rectangular frames with gently rounded edges.

Round

The round face has curved lines with the width and length in equal proportions.

Choose a rectangular frame to make the face look longer and thinner. Avoid the bigger, round style of frames.

Rectangular

The rectangular face is longer than it is wide.

To balance the face try medium to the larger size models in either rectangular or oval frames. These styles will help widen and shorten the face. Avoid small or narrow frames.

Square

The square face is approximately equal in length and width. The forehead is broad with wide cheekbones and a strong angular cheekbone.

Select either a gently edged rectangular or an oval style of frame which will soften the angles of the face and make it look longer. Avoid square frames.

Heart/Triangular

The triangular face has a wide forehead with a narrower chin and jaw.

Try wide rectangular shapes in light or rimless frames to balance the face. Avoid frames that are heavy and wide at the top

Diamond

The diamond shaped face has high or wide cheekbones with a narrow jaw and eye line.

Choose either a rimless or an oval frame to soften the angles of the cheekbones.

Hair Colour and Skin Tone

Blonde, fair or light brown hair with a pale complexion

Lightweight metal frames in warm colours, such as gold or bronze will add warmth to skin tones. Avoid heavy styles and dark or cold colours such as blues.

Light brown to titian hair with a pale complexion

Try lightweight styles in warm coloured metals such as gold, copper, bronze or tortoiseshell colours. Avoid heavy styles in cold colours.

Dark brown with golden Asian or Mediterranean complexion

Metal frames in gold, silver or gun work very well with the skin tones. Avoid heavy styles in very dark colours.

Black hair with a dark skin

All metal frames in copper, bronze, silver, gun or black work well with this colour of skin tone. Avoid bright colours.

Grey hair with pale complexion

If you have light grey to white hair try lightweight plastic or metal frames in lighter colours such as gold, silver or gun. Avoid dark or heavy frames.