Fit Guide

Look on the Inside Arm of Your Glasses

The easiest way to start is if you already have a pair you love and that fit perfectly. Just look on one of the inside arms for that pair’s measurements. If the numbers are too small to read, borrow your niece’s youthful eyeballs and have her tell you the three numbers on the inside. Or take a photo with your phone’s camera and enlarge the photo. Voilà! You’ll most likely see something like this:

sunglass of fit information on a sunglass temple

Deciphering the Numbers

Measurements for glasses are given in millimeters, although many vintage glasses use inches. Here’s what each of the measurement trifecta means:

Lens/eye size: The entire width of the lens — but not the frame! Keep this in mind in case you’re considering switching from thick frames to thin frames, or vice versa.

Bridge: Also known as the DBL (distance between lenses).

Temple length: The entire length of the glasses’ arm.

Any other numbers on the arm could refer to the make or model number, or some other coding the manufacturer uses. If you don’t see any numbers, they may have worn off or it could just be that the manufacturer chose not to include them.

Not everyone looks good in Lennon specs or steampunk frames. It’s just a cruel fact of life. But you can trust your pals at the Sunglass Museum when we tell you not to fear: There is a glasses style that will work for your face shape. We promise.

A Guide to the Most Flattering Glasses for Your Face Shape

Before we delve into your cranial structure, check out our guide for measuring your glasses. The shape of your face won’t matter if you’re not wearing properly fitting specs.

Once you’ve got your personal measurements, take a gander at our face shape chart below. Keep in mind this is only a guide and that asymmetrical faces are normal.

face guide for sunglasses illustration

…And Then There Are the Shapes to Avoid

The above is only a guide — not a set-in-stone fashion commandment. Plus, many people have combination faces — oval with square lines, for example.

But, generally speaking, certain face shapes should avoid certain styles of glasses:

Circle/Round Face: Avoid circular frames (although oval often works).

Oval Face: Lucky you! Pretty much every shape flatters your bone structure.

Triangle Face: Sorry, but aviators often overshadow your natural lines.

Square Face: Cat-eye frames are often unsuited to more angular faces.

Misc. Fit Factors

Other considerations — including your own personal sense of style — play a role. Even if you have a round face, square lenses might not suit you depending on your eye spacing, cheekbones, or even just your je ne sais quoi.

The glasses themselves are part of the equation — are the frames thick or thin? What color are the frames? Light-colored or transparent frames can play down the roundness of a face. What color are the lenses? Believe it or not, changing a lens color can give a set of shades a whole new vibe.