Finding the right pair of frames is about more than trends or labels. The specs you wear sit at the centre of your face, shaping how you look (and how you feel) every day.
One of the most useful places to start is understanding your face shape, not as a rulebook, but as a guide to proportion, balance and comfort.
If you have an oval face shape, it’s likely that you’re often told that “everything suits you”. While that can be true, it does not mean every frame will feel right. Oval faces are longer than they are wide, with softly rounded features and balanced proportions.
Glasses for oval face shapes work best when they maintain that balance. Rectangular frames, square frames and softly angular styles add structure without overpowering your features. A style like the AHLEM Rue Servan, with its clean rectangular profile, is a great example of how definition can enhance an oval face without feeling heavy. Cat eye frames can also work beautifully, offering lift and expression when styled thoughtfully.
We often guide oval face shapes toward frames that are slightly wider than the broadest part of the face, ensuring the proportions feel intentional rather than oversized.
Heart-shaped faces are wider at the forehead and taper toward a narrower chin. Choosing frames that bring balance to the lower half of the face is key.
Glasses for heart face shapes often include rounded frames, oval styles or softly contoured silhouettes that do not add bulk at the top. A gently lifted cat eye style like the Fendi FE40161I works particularly well, as it balances the forehead while drawing attention toward the eyes. Thin metal frames and lighter acetates can also sit comfortably without competing with your natural features.
Frames with subtle detailing or weight through the lower rim can help create harmony across the face.
A long face shape, sometimes called oblong, has greater length than width, with straighter cheek lines. The aim here is often to reduce the appearance of length by introducing horizontal balance.
Glasses for long face shapes tend to work best when they have depth. Oversized frames, deeper lens shapes and styles with a strong bridge can visually shorten the face.Bold sunglasses like the Celine 40216U, with its squared silhouette and generous lens width, adds presence and width across the face. Thicker acetates and strong profiles are often especially flattering.
We usually steer clients away from narrow or very small frames, which can emphasise length rather than balance it.
Square face shapes are defined by strong jawlines, broad foreheads and angular features. Frames that soften these lines tend to feel the most comfortable and flattering.
Round glasses, oval frames and softly curved cat eye styles work well for square faces, adding contrast without losing structure. A sculptural yet fluid frame like the Anne et Valentin Lolife 25c42 is a great example of how gentle curves can soften angular features while still feeling expressive. Lighter colours or translucent acetates can further soften the overall look.
For those who prefer something bolder, rounded sunglasses can introduce contrast while still feeling confident and intentional.
Diamond face shapes are narrower at the forehead and jaw, with prominent cheekbones. The goal is often to highlight those features while maintaining balance across the face.
Glasses for diamond face shapes often include oval frames, lifted cat eye styles and designs that add width through the eye line. Softly sculptural sunglasses like the Fendi FE40139I, with its gentle lift and expressive shape, draws attention upward and complements strong cheekbones beautifully. Semi-rimless or lighter frames can also work well.
We often recommend avoiding very narrow frames, as these can overemphasise the width of the cheekbones.
Round face shapes are characterised by soft curves, full cheeks and similar width and height. When choosing glasses for a round face, the goal is usually to introduce contrast.
Angular frames tend to work particularly well here. Square glasses, rectangular frames and structured cat eye styles help create definition and visual length. A frame like the Dior CDIORO B2I, with its sleek, architectural silhouette, adds structure through the brow and sharpens softer facial lines. Cat eye frames for round face shapes are especially popular, as they draw the eye upward and create lift.
We typically suggest avoiding very small or fully round frames, as these can exaggerate softness rather than balance it.
Face shape is a helpful starting point, but it is never the full picture. Fit, comfort, prescription requirements and personal style matter just as much. The best frames are the ones that feel natural the moment you put them on.
Our team takes the time to understand how you wear your glasses, how they fit into your wardrobe, and how you want to feel when you leave the store. From there, we guide you toward frames that work with your face shape, not against it.
Visit us in store to explore our curated eyewear collections, or book a complimentary styling session to find your perfect pair with expert guidance.
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Parker & Co
9 Teed Street, Newmarket, Auckland 1023
