Much like a statement cossie, look-at-me specs are paramount when it comes to holiday packing this season. But where to start? You’ve got your La La Land yellow specs. Chic Audrey-style sunglasses. ‘90s grunge oval shades...We could go on.
But as any seasoned sunglasses-wearer will know, that oh-so Instagrammable pair you’ve spotted on your social feed may not look as delightful IRL. Why? You could be wearing the wrong style for your face shape.
‘Picking the perfect pair of sunglasses is a challenge,’ Hugo Taylor tells Grazia, co-founder and creative director of unisex eyewear brand Taylor Morris. ‘Often one can select based off current trends, to match one’s outfit or in the worst case because you have picked up what you have found lying around. My advice is always to pick by your face shape first and foremost. Then once you have found the style you like you can then find the colour way to suit your complexion or hair colour.’
‘Investing in a good pair of sunglasses is mandatory,’ Hugo adds. ‘Like a reliable pair of fine leather boots or a cashmere jumper, they should last forever.’
Hunting for the perfect pair of statement-making sunglasses? Hugo Taylor talks us through the most flattering styles to choose from for your face shape…
Square face shape
‘A square face shape requires a frame which will flow with the regularity and add visual rhythm,’ according to Taylor. ‘Emphasis can be brought to the beautiful straight lines of the forehead and brow by wearing a frame with points and curves. Our RollRight is ideal for this. Its distinctive gold skeleton and brow bar will work perfectly.’
Oval face shape
'Oval faces are slightly longer than they are wide, with few sharp angles and cheekbones at the widest part of the face,’ Hugo says. ‘My suggestion is to therefore add some contrast and emphasis with a slightly larger frame.'
Heart face shape
‘A person with a heart-shaped face will have a long and pointed jawline, with the chin being the smallest point of their face,’ says Hugo. ‘Imagine a triangle flipped upside down on one point. Thus I always recommend a round frame to provide balance, like our ZER0 with flat mirror lenses.’
Long face shape
‘Oblong faces, or “rectangular” as it is sometimes called, are similar to oval and square-shaped faces. The only difference is, the face is longer and less wide,’ Hugo tells us. ‘Your forehead, cheeks and jawline should all be pretty much the same width. I recommend matching the shape with a rectangular and regular frame. It looks very smart and effortless.’
For a playful pop of colour, shop our edit below of the best tinted sunglasses from Topshop, Taylor Morris, Mango and more…
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