Boxy face?
With countless glasses shapes to choose from, it can be challenging to find the perfect style. Fear not, for this article is here to help you find the best eyeglasses that suit your unique features.
We'll provide you with valuable tips on what to consider when shopping for glasses, recommending some of our favourite men's and women's styles specifically tailored for square faces.
Let's dive in.
What is a square face shape?
A square face shape is characterised by a broad jawline and equally wide cheekbones and forehead. The sides of your face are relatively parallel, with a short squared-off chin making it look thickset and 'stout'. Square face shapes tend to be large in size with angular features making your head look boxy.
How do I know my face shape?
The easiest methods to determine the basic shape of your face include looking in the mirror or using a self-portrait photograph. By utilizing a marker pen or a photo editing app on your phone, you can trace the fundamental outline of your face, enabling you to ascertain its geometrical characteristics.
Keep in mind that many face shapes overlap with each other, so you may be a mixture of two or more kinds.
Common face shapes include;
3 ways to know your face shape
Face shape apps
To help you find your face shape, we’ve found some super helpful apps for both android and iOS smartphones. For the best user experience and face shape detection, we’ve ranked these apps in the table below.
|
App |
Cost |
Apple Store |
Android |
|
My Face Shape Meter |
Paid |
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|
Find Your Face Shape |
Free |
Not available |
|
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Measure Your Face Instantly |
Free |
Not available |
|
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Hiface |
Free |
||
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Golden Ratio Face |
Free |
Ask the public
On this poll website, you have the opportunity to share your self-portrait and ask other users or members a question about your appearance. For optimal results, it is recommended to post a front-facing selfie accompanied by the question, "What is my face shape?" This will enable people to provide feedback on your facial structure.
Video Method
With just a smartphone, you can easily assess your face shape by recording a video of yourself from various angles. Reviewing the footage as if you were an onlooker can provide valuable insights into determining your face shape. If you need assistance, consider asking for help from a friend or family member to capture the video for you.
Five signs you have a square face
- Your brow, cheeks, and jaw are approximately equal in width.
- Your chin is ‘blunt’ and not pointed.
- Your jawline is straight and your chin is squared off
- Your hairline is straight across rather than curved or widow's peak.
- Your head has a boxy appearance.
How to pick the best glasses for a square face
Identify your face shape. As we mentioned earlier, the first step in finding the best glasses for your square face shape is to properly identify your facial shape. By using one of the methods listed above, you can determine if you have a diamond shaped face.
Soften your jawline. With a square face shape, your jawline will be your most prominent feature. To soften your heavy jawline frames with rounded rims can help balance your bottom-heavy face for a more balanced appearance.
The size of your glasses frame is crucial for both comfort and optical performance. Knowing your ideal lens and bridge-width is a great way to ensure properly fitting glasses that won't impede your vision, nor irritate you all day long. In-store, look for these dimensions on the frame itself. Online, check for these measurements in the specifications.
Frame thickness and material plays a role in your perception. Thick bold glasses frames exude confidence and can actually make your head look smaller and less boxy. Thin frames are less contrasting and lighter weight, but have less character than chunky frames.
Your prescription determines the type of lenses you’ll need - which can also determine the style of frame you can choose. Strong prescriptions often require thinned lenses (high index) which may favour thicker eyeglasses. Mild prescriptions are less inhibited by this.
What glasses suit square faces?
The best glasses for square faces tend to feature rounded corners which creates contrast to your wide jawline and angular head. Semi-rounded spectacles bring visual balance to your wide and angular facial features.
The most popular eyeglass styles for square faces include round glasses, cat-eye glasses, and oval glasses. These rounded spectacle styles help soften your strong facial attributes, especially if you have a wide jaw and boxy looking head.
Best women's glasses for square faces 2024
Round glasses
Classic round frames such as the Oliver People's O'Malley are a great choice if you want to soften your angular features. Look for glasses with gentle curves and rounded edges. You can also try glasses with decorative details like detailed filigree metal or deco-rivets. These help draw attention to your eyes - the most expressive part of your face.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different colours and materials. Patterned round frames like tortoiseshell acetate can look incredibly classic and bring naturally warm tones to your complexion.
Round glasses are a great option for square faces, whether you're looking for a classic wireframe style or something more daring.
Can square faces wear cat eye glasses?
Cat eye glasses are an excellent choice for women with square faces. The upwardly angled browline helps to soften the angularity of the face, while the mid-century styling adds a touch of retro flair.
With their overall height, cat-eye glasses can create the illusion of a lengthened face, which is especially beneficial for those with wide square faces as it helps to create a more balanced appearance.
If you're looking to make a statement, opt for a pair with thick, dramatic frames. While black is always a classic choice, don't be afraid to explore brighter colours or patterns for a bolder look.
Boxy wireframes
Boxy wireframe glasses exude vintage flair, making them the ideal accessory to elevate your style. They particularly complement square-shaped faces, accentuating their features with a touch of sophistication.
When it comes to selecting eyewear, contrast is key. For square faces, opt for tall glasses with rounded corners to soften the angularity, creating a more balanced and elongated appearance. These wire spectacles (seen below) have a visual "lengthening" effect, gracefully enhancing your overall look.
Browline glasses
Whether you desire a touch of retro cool or seek glasses that enhance your square face shape, browline glasses are an excellent choice. True to their name, browline glasses feature a distinctive and prominent brow-bar, drawing attention to your expressive features, particularly your eyebrows.
Browline glasses create a visually top-heavy look, cleverly enhancing the perception of height. For those with a square face shape, opting for taller frames will perfectly complement your features.
Celebrities with square faces
Among the many celebrities with square-shaped faces, actress Zendaya stands out as one of the most iconic. Her distinct jawline and angular features have played a significant role in establishing her as one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood.
Celebrities like Margot Robbie, Sandra Bullock, Natalie Portman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Rosario Dawson also boast square-shaped faces. While each of them possesses a distinctive appearance, they all share the defining feature of a well-defined, angular jawline.
If you're seeking fresh inspiration or simply intrigued by which celebrities boast square-shaped faces, explore the following list of renowned examples. Whether you're in need of a new style or just curious, this compilation is sure to pique your interest.
Actress Margot Robbie is renowned for her stunning beauty and distinctive square face shape. In the accompanying image, she effortlessly rocks these oversized 80's style glasses, creating a captivating look. Frames of this nature are particularly flattering for women, as they exude a commanding presence while creating the illusion of a smaller, more delicate face.
As depicted above, Sandra Bullock dons these stylish boxy eyeglasses that beautifully complement her square face shape. Without a doubt, her allure is undeniable, and this particular eyewear style suits her face exquisitely.
These round tortoise glasses truly embody timeless style. Dating back to the late 1800s, round frames were the original shape for spectacles and are particularly flattering for square faces. Natalie Portman, with her square face shape, effortlessly pulls off these speckled circular glasses.
If you tend to favour slender frames, the tear-drop shaped Aviator frame is an excellent choice. This style, exemplified by Gwyneth Paltrow, complements her square face shape with its height and rounded design. The frame-style is a bit of an '80s throwback, but never fails to be in fashion, year after year.
Rectangular frames are an option if your face isn't too wide. Glasses like these are more subtle and are less dominant than big oversized square ones. However, if you have a particularly wide face, it's best to wear spectacles which have tall lenses; from the brow line to the lower rims. Tall frames help to balance your face and make it seem less wide.
Best men's glasses for square faces 2024
Round glasses
Round glasses are fantastic look for men with square faces. The key is to choose a pair that contrasts with the angularity of your features. If you have a strong jawline for instance, round spectacles will help soften the appearance of your face.
It's worth considering different thicknesses of frames as they can influence the impact they have on your perception. Thin round spectacles tend to allude towards a more studious, refined aesthetic. Thicker round frames are much more stylised, which can look great for a bolder style.
Oval glasses
There's no denying the rugged appeal of men with square faces. However, if you're aiming for a softer, more sophisticated look, consider opting for oval glasses. This frame style can effectively balance out a strong jawline and angular forehead, resulting in a more harmonious appearance.
And don't worry about oval glasses being too feminine for men - there are plenty of masculine designs available to choose from. Whether you prefer classic black or tortoiseshell acetate, or something more unique like horn-rimmed or metal frames, oval glasses can provide the perfect contrast for your square face.
Aviators
Something about a pair of Aviators makes a man look collected and confident. And if you happen to have a square face, there's no reason you can't rock a pair of these classic shades.
Aviators are one of the most classic eyewear styles for square-faced males. These angular frames help to balance out the strong jawline, while the teardrop-shaped lenses help soften your features.
The lightweight metal frames are extremely versatile and can be dressed-up or down to suit any occasion. For a vintage sort of look, wire-rimmed Aviators are a stylish optical choice.
Wayfarer glasses
Wayfarer glasses can be a great choice for men with square faces. While Wayfarers are often associated with a casual style, they can also complement a suit or other formal attire. To make a statement, consider opting for Wayfarers with thick frames or bold colours. For a more subtle look, choose a pair with thin rims in a neutral transparent acetate.
Browline glasses
Also known as Clubmaster glasses, Browline frames make a compelling choice for men with square faces. The striking design, featuring a prominent upper frame that mimics the wearer's eyebrow line, draws attention away from the angular lower half of a square face. This effect is enhanced by the thin lower rims, further balancing and softening the prominent jawline.
For a timeless look, browline glasses provide a fashionable and complementary choice for square faces. The range of materials and colors, from classic black and tortoiseshell to modern metallics, makes it easy for every man to find a pair that suits his personal style.
'Combi' glasses frames
Made from both metal and acetate, combination frames are similar to the Clubmaster style mentioned previously. In the example above, this frame features a metal nose bridge which visually 'lightens' the look of the frame.
If chunky spectacles are too bold for you, combi glasses are a clever way to have the best of both. Not too thick, not to thin, a rounded combination spectacle frame is a great option for square face shapes.
Three tips for buying glasses for a square face
Tip 1: Know your facial structure. This will help you narrow down the frames that suit you best. One general rule is to aim for contrast. For instance, square faces tend to look great with rounded and taller frames. By juxtaposing the shape of your face, you can achieve visual balance and enhance your overall appearance.
Tip 2: Choosing the right frame size is crucial for optimal glasses performance. Overly large frames can hinder functionality and constantly slide down your nose. Conversely, if you have a large head, small frames may appear disproportionate and lead to discomfort on your nose or the sides of your head. This can also make your head look larger which isn't ideal.
Tip 3: Think long-term. Do you want glasses which are simple and classic? Or do you prefer to make a bold statement with your spectacles? Unless you own several pairs, your glasses are typically a 1-2 year investment that people come to know you by. Considering all of these factors, choose a frame that will favour you for years to come.
Glasses to avoid for square faces
The wrong frame style can make your face look disproportionate.
Avoid slim rectangular frames. Glasses like these accentuate the width of your head, making your jawline seem even wider. Instead, opt for softer, curving frames that will help to balance your angular facial features.
Avoid glasses which are too small. Undersized spectacles will make your face look wider and can also be incredibly uncomfortable if they pinch your nose or the sides of your head. Instead, choose correctly sized glasses that are large and tall to help ‘elongate’ your face for a more balanced appearance.
Avoid rimless glasses. Spectacles like these have a habit of making you look older and are often slim and rectangular in shape. By their nature, rimless glasses are intentionally minimal but lack definition and character which can give an ageing effect.
Don’t be shy. With a square face shape, it can be tempting to shy away from big bold spectacle frames that draw attention to your head. But by means of contrast, large chunky eyeglasses can make your face seem smaller and narrower.
Glasses for square faces FAQ’s
Is a square face shape attractive?
The vast majority of people tend to find square face shapes attractive. This is because square faces are relitively wide which creates more distance between the eyes. According to studies, this is deemed aesthetically appealing for both men and women.
"Square and oblong face shapes are often considered quite beautiful and popular because they have a wide jawline which makes the distance between the eyes quite wide. This makes the eye quite prominent and also emphasizes the smile of the person.”
Furthermore, attractive faces with wide jaws and mouths are suggested to convey a sense of trustworthiness and dependability; two qualities that are highly prized in a partner.
Conversely, some people find square faces too angular and masculine-looking for their taste. However, this is typically only when the jawline is particularly pronounced. For the most part, people of all genders tend to find square faces attractive and pleasing to look at.
Should glasses cover your eyebrows?
Do oversized glasses look good on square faces?
Oversized glasses look particularly good on square faces. Tall frames which reach high on your brows and low to your cheeks help to visually ‘lengthen’ your wide and boxy face. For women, oversized glasses can make your head seem smaller, more dainty and more feminine. For men, oversized glasses are big, bold and can really make a statement.
Do square sunglasses suit square faces?
Tall square sunglasses suit square faces nicely. Their dominance and height help balance your wide boxy head whilst providing ample lens coverage. Big frames like these suits the majority of face shapes and help block-out harmful UV light from damaging your eyes.
However, avoid wearing slim rectangular sunglasses which aren’t very tall on your face. Rectangular sunglasses will emphasize the width of your head and don’t provide as much protection from the sun.
Conclusion
- Know your face shape
- Square faces have wide foreheads, cheekbones and jawlines
- Square faces usually have a short ‘blunt’ chin
- Square face shapes suit tall rounded glasses shapes
- Big eyeglasses make your face look smaller and narrower
- Be sure to get the right fit of glasses frame
Hopefully you found this article helpful. Please check out our other guides to choosing glasses. Thanks for stopping by.