Guide to Choosing a Suitable Pair of Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

With so many styles and colours to choose from, picking the perfect pair of sports sunglasses can feel like a full-time job. One moment you're drawn to bold and sporty, the next you're eyeing something sleek and timeless. So, how do you find a pair that actually suits you—and makes you look good while you’re at it?

There are two simple principles that can lead you into choosing a good pair of sports shades:

Choose a pair that fits the shape of your face. On average, choose a shape that is opposite to the structure of your face.

Having known those tips, how do you determine your face shape? Start by gazing into the mirror and examining the angles and contours of your face. Then you ask yourself:

1. What is the broadest part of your face?
A heart-shaped face has a broad forehead and a continuously tapering chin. If the broadest part of your face is your cheekbones, you most likely have a diamond face. If your jaw is the broadest feature, you may have a triangular or pear face.

2. What is the shape of your jaw?
People with angular chins typically have diamond, heart, or inverted-triangle face shapes. If your jawline is rounded, you probably have an oval or round face shape. If you have a strong, pointed jaw and generally defining features, your face shape may be square or rectangular.

3. How long is your face?
Most faces are slightly longer than they are broad. They are long, short, or somewhere in between. No one's face is identical — and that's perfectly okay. That being said, if your face length is roughly equivalent to its width, chances are you have a round or a square face. If it's significantly longer than it is broad, your face shape is likely oblong or rectangular.

Now, let's take a more detailed look at particular face shapes and how to select the best pair of sports sunglasses for each.

Face Shape: Round

The round face is most evenly distributed face shape. If your chin is short and wide, your cheeks are plumper, your jawline is weak, and your forehead is short, then you probably have a round face shape.

While choosing shades for round features, the objective is to draw eyes away from the fullness of the face and add definition through well-defined lines. Opt for sharply angled frames such as wayfarer or cat-eye frames. Rectangular and angled frames will be in a position to accentuate cheekbones and make your face appear chiselled.

It's best to avoid circular frames, as they will have a tendency to emphasize the roundness of your face and make it appear even plumper.

Suitable Sunday Shades series for round-shape faces: Classic, Flare, Tempo, Coast and Volt.

Face Shape: Square

If you have a square face, then your facial features are likely to be well-balanced, with the facial width and length almost equal. Square faces typically have strong and sharp lines, including a broad forehead and defined jawline.

When selecting sunglasses, select rounder frames that are ever so slightly broader than your cheekbones. These will soften the angles of your face and balance your profile. To create the illusion of a longer face, select frames that sit higher on the bridge of your nose.
Suitable Sunday Shades series for square-shape faces: Classic, Flare, Surge, Coast and Volt.

Face Shape: Rectangle

Rectangular faces are characterized by a prominent jawline and a face length that is considerably longer than its width—roughly twice, typically. The forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are approximately the same width, with hardly any curve to the cheekbones and a straight hairline that creates the effect of a high-brow.

To balance the angularity of your features, select round or softly curved frames. These create contrast and assist in creating a more harmonious look.

Suitable Sunday Shades series for rectangle-shape faces: Classic, Flare, Surge, Coast, Cockpit, Max and Volt.

Face Shape: Oblong / Long

Oblong face shapes have nicely proportioned forms. If your face is slightly longer and the length is about twice the width, you most likely possess an oblong face. You'll also possess high cheekbones and a smoothly curved jawline. Your forehead width, cheekbones, and jawline width will be fairly close to each other.

As compared to rectangular faces, oblong faces are a little narrower and less angular, with a more rounded jaw. In relation to oval faces, they are a little longer and thinner.

Oblong faces are one of the easiest to pair with sunglasses. Almost any sports shade shape will work with this face. Choose frames that are bigger than the widest part of your face to create facial balance. In bright colours, large thick rims, or outlandish silhouettes, you can dress however you like.

Suitable Sunday Shades series for oblong-shape faces: Classic, Flare, Surge, Coast, Cockpit, Max and Volt.

Face Shape: Oval

Oval faces are often ideal due to their inherent symmetry and pleasing proportions. The face is slightly longer than it is broad at the cheekbones. The jawline is less broad than the forehead and is more softly rounded than sharp.

Just like oblong faces, oval faces can pull off almost any frame shape. Because the curves are soft and features are balanced, you can pretty much wear anything without overpowering your face.

Suitable Sunday Shades series for oval-shape faces: Classic, Flare, Surge, Coast, Cockpit, Tempo, Max and Volt.

Face Shape: Heart

Heart-shaped faces are widest at the cheekbones or forehead and then slope to a narrow jawline. This face shape tends to have prominent, well-defined cheeks.

Balance can be found by attempting to draw attention to the upper half of your face and adding width to the area of the chin. Slightly rounded or oval-shaped frames like wayfarer work especially well because they soften the sharp lines of the face.

Suitable Sunday Shades series for heart-shape faces: Classic, Flare, Coast, Cockpit, Tempo and Volt.

Face Shape: Inverted Triangle

An inverted triangle face features a forehead that is much broader than the jawline. The cheekbones are highlighted, and the jaw tapers down to a pointed chin. Like the heart-shaped faces but with the main variation in the hairline—those with inverted triangle faces usually have a straight or slightly rounded hairline as compared to a widow's peak.

To gain visual equilibrium, choose sunglasses that expand the space below the eyes. Cat-eye and aviator styles are particularly flattering for this face shape.

Suitable Sunday Shades series for inverted triangle-shape faces: Classic, Flare, Coast, Cockpit, Surge, Tempo and Volt.

Face Shape: Base-down Triangle/Pear

The base-down triangle (or pear-shaped face) features a more slender forehead, wide cheekbones, and a pointed, wide jawline—usually 1.5 widths wider than the forehead. It's essentially the opposite of a heart-shaped face.

To balance the broader lower half of your face, define the upper half with top-heavy or semi-rimless sunglasses. Larger frames can broaden your forehead. Browline and cat-eye sunglasses are best for this face shape.

Suitable Sunday Shades series for base down-shape faces: Classic, Flare, Coast, Surge, Max and Volt.

Face Shape: Diamond

Diamond faces are among the rarest. They possess wide, high cheekbones with a narrow jawline and forehead. To split up and balance these striking features, choose rounded or oval frames with a full browline. These frame shapes are in proportion to the face shape and introduce symmetry.

Cat-eye frames are also a great option, as they draw the eye up and create the look of a broader forehead. Avoid thin or too thin frames—they can be imbalanced against the broader middle section of the face.

Suitable Sunday Shades series for diamond-shape faces: Classic, Flare, Coast, Surge, Tempo, Max and Volt.

Universal Style Frames

Though some frame shapes are better suited to particular face shapes, there are also frames that are universally attractive. They will be neither too sharp nor too curved, thus looking good on most face types.

Sunday Shades' Classic, Flare, and Volt collections are designed specifically to accommodate many face shapes. Each of these has an Asian-fit frame, light non-slip design, and do bounce—perfect for intense workout sessions or day-long sun runs. Polarized lens and UV400 protection come with most Sunday Shades sunglasses, and they are also available in a variety of colours to match any mood or occasion.

And yes—they're also very affordable. It’s no wonder Sunday Shades are all the rage right now. Give them a try today!