Embrace the Sun in Style by Choosing the Right Shades for Your Shape

You do your body shape research before slipping into a new summer swimsuit, but do you consider your face shape before investing in some new sun-blocking shades? The right pair of sunglasses can draw major attention to your assets while lending balance to more extreme features. So before you plunk down cash for that pair of oversized retro granny glasses, make sure you're making the right choice for your look. Consult our guide to glasses for your face shape (complete with high-end and budget friendly suggestions) and you'll be made in the shade.

If your face is square: When in doubt, stick with shades that are the opposite of your face shape. Rounded frames will add some softness to your angular features. Tom Ford's Valesca shades ($167) have additional detail at the brow, drawing eyes upward and balancing out a strong jawline. And Bleu Dame's Ring Temple glasses ($13) lend curves to a boxier face.

If your face is round: Here's another study in opposites. Choose wide rectangular or square frames to downplay fullness and make your face appear thinner. Oliver Peoples' Apollonia shades ($325) create the illusion of angles, while Mossimo's Black Vector sunglasses ($16) with purple ombré lenses are narrow and distract from fuller cheeks.

If your face is heart-shaped: Gals with wider foreheads do best with shades with thin frames, like Cutler and Gross' mirrored aviators ($415). If playing down a pointy chin is your goal, pick something with a straight-across top, like Forever 21's spin on Wayfarers ($6).

If your face is oblong: Long and lean faces can handle oversized frames—think big and pick a pair that extends all the way down to the center of the face. Try drawing attention upward by picking glasses with eye-catching stems, like Kate Spade's Priscilla Print shades ($148), or pick funky patterned frames, like Anthropologie's Bitty Bloom glasses ($24) to downplay your long cheeks and jaw line.