Sunglasses for Face Shape: How to Pick Frames That Fit
Sunglasses for Face Shape: How to Pick Frames That Fit
The best sunglasses for your face shape are the ones that contrast with it: angular cat eye, hexagon and navigator frames balance a round face, while round and oval frames soften a square jaw. Oval faces can wear almost any shape, and the frame should be roughly as wide as the widest part of your face. Every frame in the new Zimmermann drop maps neatly onto one of these rules, and you can try them all in the designer sunglasses edit.
A good example is the Ellis Cateye in Bottle Green, a lifted cat eye that sharpens soft features. For the full spec of all six frames, including construction and what comes in the box, see our Zimmermann sunglasses guide. Here, the focus is fit: how to read your face, how to read a frame and how to put the two together.
Key facts
- Choose a frame shape that contrasts with your face shape, and a frame width close to the widest part of your face.
- The three numbers on a frame are lens width, bridge width and temple length in millimetres, for example 58/16/140 on the Zimmermann Ellis Cateye.
- Lens categories run from 0 to 4: category 1 is a light tint, 2 a medium tint, 3 the standard for strong sun, and 4 is too dark for driving.
- A wide bridge, such as 26mm on the Zimmermann Mirel frames, suits a broad nose bridge. A narrow bridge, such as 14mm on the Ellis Navigator, suits a slim nose.
- The top of the frame should follow your brow line, and your eyes should sit close to the centre of each lens.
How can I identify my face shape?
Measure four points on your face and compare them: the widest of them, and how long your face is overall, tells you your shape.
- Pull your hair back and stand square to a mirror with a soft tape measure.
- Measure across your forehead at its widest point, roughly halfway between brows and hairline.
- Measure across your cheekbones, from the outer point of one to the outer point of the other.
- Measure your jawline from the tip of your chin to below one ear, then double it.
- Measure face length from the centre of your hairline to the tip of your chin.
- Compare the numbers against the descriptions below. If you prefer a quicker method, trace the outline of your face on the mirror with a washable eyeliner and look at the shape it leaves.
- Round: length and width are similar, with full cheeks and a soft, curved jaw.
- Square: forehead, cheekbones and jaw are close in width, with a strong, angular jaw.
- Oval: face length is longer than the cheekbone width, with a jaw slightly narrower than the forehead.
- Heart: a wider forehead and cheekbones narrowing to a pointed chin.
- Long: face length is clearly greater than width, with forehead, cheeks and jaw similar in width.
- Diamond: cheekbones are the widest point, with a narrower forehead and jaw.
Which sunglasses suit each face shape?
Use contrast and proportion: add angles to curves, add curves to angles, and use lens depth to shorten a long face.
| Face shape | Frames that flatter | Frames to approach with care | Zimmermann frame to try |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Cat eye, hexagon, navigator | Small round lenses | Ellis Cateye, Ellis Hexagon |
| Square | Round, oval, oversized round | Sharp geometric frames | Mirel Round, Goldie Oval |
| Oval | Almost any shape | Frames much wider than the face | Ellis Navigator, Mirel Oversize |
| Heart | Navigator, oval, light metal frames | Heavy frames with decoration at the top | Ellis Navigator, Goldie Oval |
| Long | Oversized, deep lenses | Narrow, shallow lenses | Mirel Oversize |
| Diamond | Cat eye, oval | Narrow frames that stop inside the cheekbones | Ellis Cateye, Goldie Oval |
Which shape sunglasses look good on a round face?
Angular frames with a lifted outer corner look best on a round face, because straight lines and height add definition. The Ellis Cateye sweeps the eye upward and outward, and its 58mm lens is wide enough to sit level with full cheeks. The Ellis Hexagon in Royal Blue does the same job with flat edges, which read as structure against soft features.
Which sunglasses suit a square face?
Round and oval frames suit a square face because curves soften a strong jaw and brow. The Mirel Round in Black is a classic choice, with gold temples that keep it light. The Goldie Oval in Havana is softer still, and its extended tonal lenses blur the outline nicely.
Which sunglasses suit an oval face?
An oval face suits nearly every frame, so the main thing to watch is scale. The Ellis Navigator in Gradient Olive is a confident choice, and the Mirel Oversize in Green works well if you want more coverage.
Which sunglasses suit a heart shaped face?
Choose frames that are lighter at the top and a little wider at the bottom, which balances a broad forehead against a narrow chin. The navigator shape does exactly this, and the thin metal of the Ellis Navigator keeps the brow line light. The Goldie Oval in Milk is a softer alternative.
Which sunglasses suit a long face?
Deep, oversized lenses suit a long face because they cover more of the vertical space and visually shorten it. The Mirel Oversize, in Dusk and Green, is the natural pick in this drop.
Which sunglasses suit a diamond face?
Cat eye and oval frames suit a diamond face, because they add width at the brow where the face is narrower. The Ellis Cateye and Goldie Oval both work, provided the frame reaches the outer edge of your cheekbones.
How should sunglasses fit?
Well fitting sunglasses sit level, rest on the nose without sliding, and stop at about the outer edge of your face.
- Width: the frame front should line up with the widest part of your face. If it stops well inside your temples, the frame is too small.
- Bridge: if sunglasses slide down your nose, the bridge is too wide for you. If they perch high and pinch, it is too narrow.
- Brow line: the top of the frame should follow your eyebrows, not sit far above them.
- Cheeks: when you smile, the frame should not lift off your nose on your cheeks.
- Temples: the arms should rest lightly over the ears without pressing on the sides of the head.
How do you read the numbers on a pair of sunglasses?
The three numbers printed inside a temple are lens width, bridge width and temple length, in that order. Find your most comfortable pair, read its numbers, and compare them with these Zimmermann measurements.
| Frame | Lens (mm) | Bridge (mm) | Temple (mm) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirel Round | 48 | 26 | 140 | Narrower faces, broad nose bridge |
| Mirel Oversize | 51 | 26 | 140 | Long faces, broad nose bridge |
| Goldie Oval | 53 | 19 | 145 | Square and heart faces, wider heads |
| Ellis Hexagon | 53 | 19 | 140 | Round faces |
| Ellis Cateye | 58 | 16 | 140 | Round and diamond faces |
| Ellis Navigator | 60 | 14 | 140 | Oval and heart faces, slim nose |
What do sunglasses lens categories 0 to 4 mean?
The category number tells you how dark a lens is, measured by how much visible light it lets through.
- Category 0: clear to very light, letting through roughly 80 to 100 percent of light. A fashion lens, not sun protection from glare.
- Category 1: a light tint, roughly 43 to 80 percent. Good for overcast days and city evenings. The Dusk lenses on the Mirel Round and Mirel Oversize are category 1.
- Category 2: a medium tint, roughly 18 to 43 percent. Good for ordinary sunny days. The Mirel Oversize Green and Ellis Navigator Gradient Olive are category 2.
- Category 3: a dark tint for strong sun, roughly 8 to 18 percent. The Mirel Round Black, Goldie Oval, Ellis Cateye and Ellis Hexagon are category 3.
- Category 4: very dark, roughly 3 to 8 percent, for high mountain and glacier light. Not suitable for driving.
How do I find the right sunglasses for my face shape?
Work through it in order: face shape, then width and bridge, then lens category, then colour.
- Identify your face shape with the measuring steps above.
- Shortlist frame shapes from the table that contrast with it.
- Compare lens and bridge widths with a pair you already find comfortable.
- Choose the lens category for the light you live in: category 3 for bright summers, category 2 for everyday, category 1 for a light tint.
- Pick a frame colour that repeats something you wear often. Green frames sit beautifully with olive pieces like the Clash Organza Shirt, and a royal blue frame lifts the Clash Caped Blouse.
Hair and skin tone matter a little too. Warm frames such as Havana flatter warm skin and brunette hair, while cooler frames such as Royal Blue and Black give contrast to fair skin. For styling the rest of the look, our guide on how to style Zimmermann and the Zimmermann Resort 2027 edit pick up where this leaves off.
Frequently asked questions
How can I identify my face shape?
Measure your forehead, cheekbones, jawline and face length, then compare them. Similar length and width with soft curves is round, equal widths with a strong jaw is square, and wide cheekbones with a narrow forehead and jaw is diamond.
Which shape sunglasses look good on a round face?
Angular frames with a lifted outer corner, such as cat eye, hexagon and navigator shapes, look best on a round face. They add definition and height to soft features.
How do I find the right sunglasses for my face shape?
Choose a frame shape that contrasts with your face shape and a frame width close to the widest part of your face. Then check the bridge width against a pair you already find comfortable.
What eyewear shape is most flattering for a round face?
A cat eye is usually the most flattering, because the lifted corners draw the eye up and out. Geometric shapes such as a hexagon are a strong second choice.
What does lens category 3 mean on sunglasses?
Category 3 is a dark tint made for strong sun, letting through roughly 8 to 18 percent of visible light. It is the usual choice for beach holidays and bright summers.
What sunglasses suit a long face?
Oversized frames with deep lenses suit a long face, because they cover more vertical space and shorten the face visually. The Zimmermann Mirel Oversize is a good example.
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