Never beaten on craftsmanship & price.
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Never beaten on craftsmanship & price.
Get $10 off your order
when you become a optically member
The secret to looking great in glasses isn't about price or brand - it's about finding the right frame shape for your face. The right pair will balance your features and feel completely natural. The wrong pair can look off no matter how stylish they are. This guide will help you identify your face shape and find the frames that suit you best.
Before choosing frames, you need to know your face shape. Here's the quickest way:
The main face shapes are: Oval, Round, Square, Oblong/Rectangle, Heart, Diamond and Triangle.
Characteristics: Balanced proportions, slightly wider cheekbones, gently rounded jawline, forehead slightly wider than jaw.
Oval is considered the most versatile face shape - almost any frame style works well.
Avoid: Frames that are too large and overwhelm your face proportions.
Characteristics: Face length and width are roughly equal, soft curved jaw, full cheeks, rounded chin.
The goal with a round face is to add definition and make the face appear longer and slimmer.
Avoid: Round frames (they echo the face shape and make it look rounder), small frames, and very wide frames that exaggerate width.
Characteristics: Strong, angular jawline roughly equal in width to the forehead, broad forehead, defined features.
The goal is to soften the angles and add some curve to balance the sharp lines.
Avoid: Square or rectangular frames (they echo and emphasise the jaw's angularity), very boxy frames, heavy acetate frames.
Characteristics: Face is notably longer than it is wide, with a long straight cheek line. Forehead, cheeks and jaw are similar widths.
The goal is to add width and make the face appear shorter and fuller.
Avoid: Small frames, narrow rimless glasses, and frames with a strong vertical depth that elongate the face further.
Characteristics: Wide forehead and cheekbones that taper down to a narrow, pointed chin. Like an inverted triangle.
The goal is to minimise the width at the top and add width at the bottom of the face.
Avoid: Cat eye frames (they exaggerate the wide forehead), decorative heavy brows, oversized frames that emphasise the top-heavy shape.
Characteristics: Narrow forehead and jaw, with dramatic wide cheekbones - the widest point of the face. Pointed chin.
The goal is to soften the cheekbones and add width to the forehead and chin.
Avoid: Narrow frames, geometric frames that emphasise the sharpness of the cheekbones.
Characteristics: Narrow forehead that widens significantly toward the jaw and chin. Opposite of the heart shape.
The goal is to add width and visual interest at the top of the face.
Avoid: Bottom-heavy frames, frames that are wider at the bottom, rimless glasses.
| Face Shape | Best Frames | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Oval | Almost anything | Oversized frames |
| Round | Rectangular, Square, Browbar | Round frames |
| Square | Round, Oval, Cat Eye | Square, Rectangular |
| Oblong | Oversized, Round, Square | Small, Narrow |
| Heart | Round, Oval, Rimless | Cat Eye, Oversized |
| Diamond | Cat Eye, Oval, Browbar | Narrow, Geometric |
| Triangle | Cat Eye, Browbar, Aviator | Bottom-heavy |
Frame size: The frame should be roughly as wide as the widest part of your face. If the temples extend beyond your face outline, the frame is too big.
Bridge fit: The bridge should sit comfortably on your nose without pinching. If you have a low nose bridge, look for frames with adjustable nose pads.
Colour: As a general rule, frame colours that contrast with your skin tone tend to stand out and make a bolder statement. Colours that are close to your skin tone look more understated and versatile.
Not sure which frame suits you? Optically's virtual try-on mirror lets you upload a photo of your face and try on hundreds of frames from home before committing to a purchase.
Most people are a blend of two shapes. Use the dominant features (e.g. a strong jaw + round cheeks) to guide your choice. The key principle is contrast - choose a frame shape that balances your most prominent feature.
The principle is the same for everyone. The frame styles that suit each shape don't change - though the specific styles you choose (a cat eye vs a browbar, for example) may reflect personal taste.
It's more of a guideline than a rule. You should always choose what you feel confident in. That said, understanding face shape and frame balance is a genuine styling principle that most optical professionals use - it just doesn't override personal preference.
Yes - Optically offers easy returns within 60 days. So even if you're not sure, you can try a pair with confidence.
Prescription glasses from Optically start from $19 including lenses, with all major frame shapes and styles available online. Covered by all Australian health funds.
