Sunglasses for a square face: the shapes that soften strong angles

Short answer: The best sunglasses for a square face have curves: round, oval, cat-eye and softly shaped aviator frames. Rounded lines contrast with a strong jaw and straight forehead, so the face looks softer and a little longer. Pick a frame that is at least as wide as your jaw and cheekbones, with thin to medium rims rather than heavy, boxy ones. Avoid sharp-cornered square and narrow rectangular frames that repeat the angles of your face. Among our frames, round Zanon (134 mm) and Quist (137 mm), oval Dahl (137 mm) and cat-eye Mora (139 mm) are the strongest matches.

How to tell if you have a square face

Pull your hair back and look straight into a mirror. Three signs point to a square face:

• Forehead, cheekbones and jaw are about the same width. The outline runs fairly straight down both sides.
• The jaw is strong and angular. You can see clear corners below the ears, and the face does not taper much towards the chin.
• Width and length are close. The face is only slightly longer than it is wide, often with a straight hairline.

If your cheeks are full and your jaw is soft, your face is more likely round – see our guide to sunglasses for a round face. Most people are a mix, so treat this as a starting point. Our guide to which sunglasses suit my face covers every face shape.

Which sunglasses suit a square face

Here the rule is the opposite of a round face: soften, don't sharpen. Opticians and eyewear guides agree that curved lines balance a square jaw.

• Round frames: The clearest contrast. A circle takes the edge off strong corners and gives the face a relaxed look. See our round sunglasses.
• Oval frames: Softer than a circle and a little wider than they are tall, so they also make the face look longer. Browse our oval sunglasses.
• Cat-eye frames: The lifted outer corners draw the eye upwards and away from the jaw. Choose a cat-eye with a gently curved lower rim rather than sharp wings – see our cat-eye sunglasses.
• Aviators: The teardrop curve at the bottom of the lens softens the jawline. Pick a shape with rounded corners rather than a flat, squared-off navigator.
• Thin or light frames: A slim rim or a translucent colour adds less visual weight to a face that already has strong lines.

What to avoid with a square face

• Boxy frames with sharp corners. They double up on the angles of your face and can make the jaw look heavier.
• Narrow rectangular frames. A slim, straight frame emphasises a broad jaw rather than balancing it.
• Frames narrower than your jaw. If the frame stops inside the face, the lower half looks wider.
• Very heavy, flat-topped rims. A thick, straight brow line adds another hard horizontal to the forehead.

Love square frames anyway? Go ahead – choose one with rounded corners and a medium rim, and it will look more relaxed. Our guide to square sunglasses explains who the shape suits best.

The right size: match the width of your jaw

A square face is often broad, so many people with this shape suit a medium to large fit. The frame should reach at least the outer edge of your jaw and cheekbones, but not hang far past your temples, and your eyes should sit in the centre of the lenses.

1. Measure a pair that fits. Measure the front from outer edge to outer edge, or read the temple stamp: lens width □ bridge – temple length. Frames about 135–140 mm wide suit most medium square faces; go wider if your jaw is broad.
2. Check the lens depth. A deeper, rounded lens covers more of the angles than a slim one.
3. Check the bridge. It should rest evenly on your nose without sliding, so the frame sits level with your brows.
4. Look at the product page. UV400, CE, UKCA and FDA approval and the lens category are listed for each frame.

ECO SHADES sunglasses for a square face

All the frames below are made from 100% recycled plastics – except Vang, which is recycled metal – with UV400 lenses in recycled PMMA, 5-barrel optical hinges and friction-lock screws.

• Zanon Grey: a pure round shape in translucent grey, designed to soften angular features. 55□22-145, frame width 134 mm, Small/Medium, Category 3. The featured pair here and our first pick for a medium square face.
• Quist Havana: a round frame with subtle facets for a more modern edge. 45□25-145, frame width 137 mm, Medium, Category 3.
• Dahl Grey: a classic oval with fluid curves and tapered temples. 54□17-146, frame width 137 mm, Medium, Category 3.
• Mora Black: a clean cat-eye with a gentle bridge – the widest frame here. 53□22-145, frame width 139 mm, Medium, Category 3.
• Lai Green: our aviator with a double bridge and a thin plastic rim. 57□17-145, frame width 137 mm, Medium, Category 3.
• Vang Gold Brown: a slender round wire frame in recycled metal that adds almost no visual weight. 50□22-138, frame width 135 mm, Small/Medium, Category 3.

Our lenses are not polarised. Questions about our materials or UV protection? Just contact us.

Quick FAQ

What are the best sunglasses for a square face?

Curved shapes: round, oval, cat-eye and softly rounded aviator frames that are at least as wide as your jaw.

Can I wear square sunglasses with a square face?

Yes, if the corners are rounded and the rim is not too heavy. Sharp, boxy frames tend to make a square face look harder.

Which sunglasses suit a square face for men?

The same rule applies to men and women. Round frames such as Zanon and Quist and aviators such as Lai are classic choices; Vang is a light option in recycled metal.

How wide should sunglasses be for a square face?

About as wide as your jaw and cheekbones, or a few millimetres wider – often around 135–140 mm.

Every ECO SHADES pair comes with UV400 lenses and a 2-year warranty, and our sunglasses are CE, UKCA and FDA approved. We have 30 years of optical experience and 20,000+ happy customers behind our designs. For a square face, pick the curves first, then match the width – and the frame does the rest.