OA Corner Part 7: Frame styling factors

Put the fun factor into frame styling

Last month, we discussed the fit of a frame – this month we look at the key factors to consider when styling a frame.

Patients often say they do not like choosing new frames as they struggle to know what suits them – yet choosing a new frame should be fun. Patients appreciate help and advice when it comes to choosing a frame, and the process should not be rushed. Always be honest when advising on frame choice – but remember to be tactful too.

Face shapes

Face shape is key to choosing the perfect frame, and face shapes fall into five main categories: square, round, heart, triangular and oval.

Square faces are quite angular with a square jaw line and a wider forehead in proportion to the length of the face. For square faces, round and oval-shaped frames will soften the hard angles.

Round faces have wide cheekbones, a round chin and a curved hairline. For round face shapes, choose frames that add angles, so rectangular shapes or bold angular shapes work well as do upswept frames.

Heart-shaped faces are widest at the forehead and narrow towards the jaw. Frames that are slightly wider than the forehead work well, as do rounder lower rims. Frames with lower joints can draw attention away from a wide forehead, and oval shaped frames can draw attention to the eyes. Rimless frames also work well on heart-shaped faces.

Triangular faces are wider at the jaw and narrower at the top. Choosing a frame that is bolder on the top than the bottom will balance this face shape. Upswept frames work well too.

The oval face is usually defined as one-and-a-half times longer than its width, with a chin slightly narrower than the forehead. Oval faces tend to suit almost any frame shape. Choosing a frame that is a little wider than the widest part of the face works well.

Colour considerations

Colour plays an important part in finding the perfect frame too, and considering skin tone and hair colour is a useful guide. People with a warm skin tone suit colours like coral, peach, forest green, red, amber and light tortoiseshell. Pale icy tones and silver should be avoided as they tend to look washed out. For cool, pale skin tones however, blues, purples greys, silver and black all work well.

For dark brown or black hair, light coloured frames in gold or bronze work well in metal frames, or black or darker tortoiseshell for plastic frames. Blonde hair works well with tortoiseshell, amber, reds, golds and dark green. Platinum blonde hair suits cooler colours such as grey, purple, blue, and crystal.

Grey hair works well with almost any colour, but bolder colours work especially well. Try turquoises, lilacs, reds, or classic dark warm colours such as burgundy. Navy blues and bottle greens work well on men with grey hair.

There will, of course, still be the occasions when the rule book is thrown out the window, and the patient with warm skin tones and a round face will choose a round silver frame. The main thing is that they enjoy the process and have fun choosing their new specs.

Sue Deal FBDO R is a practising dispensing optician, ABDO College examiner, senior tutor and supervisor for dispensing opticians. She is also a practice visitor and external moderator for ABDO.

OA Corner Part 1: What makes a good OA
OA Corner Part 2: Communications
OA Corner Part 3: A question of strategies
OA Corner Part 4: Understanding bifocals
OA Corner Part 5: Our amazing eyes
OA Corner Part 6: Frame fitting basics