Best Sunglasses for Rectangular Face Shape

Written by Michael Bayba

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Melody Huang, O.D.

Vision Center is funded by our readers. We may earn commissions if you purchase something via one of our links.

In this article

Choosing the best sunglasses can be overwhelming, especially when faced with a bunch of options. But don’t worry, oblong or rectangular face shapes have the upper hand⁠, as a wide array of frame designs can complement this face shape.

Abi Mhan, co-founder and creative director of fashion brand AMARRA, says you should keep in mind the angularity of your face when shopping for frames. Mhan suggests opting for wider ones to balance the facial proportions.

Choosing frame shapes that are opposite to your features is always a safe bet, especially when overwhelmed with options. The idea is to add more roundness and width to the length and angularity of your face.

The most popular frames for a rectangular or oblong-shaped face include:

Aviators
Oval
Cat-eye
Rectangular or square

4 Best Sunglasses For Oblong/Rectangular Face Shapes

Here’s our list of the best sunglasses for oblong/rectangular face shapes:

Aviators

Aviators are a classic choice for rectangular faces. Aside from being a timeless piece, the teardrop-shaped lenses give the perfect roundness and width to a long and angular face shape.

The thin metal frames and slender arms of aviator sunglasses aren’t as overwhelming as thicker frames, but the wide lenses can still balance out your features.

If you prefer a bolder look, choose aviator sunglasses with colored frames and a double bridge. With this style, the top bar connects across the brows, while the bottom bar is slightly thinner and curves across the bridge of your nose.

Oval

Oval sunglasses are another great pick for oblong or rectangular face shapes. These sunglasses are a variation of the aviator frame. Similar to round frames, they draw attention away from a longer face.

The lenses should be slightly wider than the cheekbones to balance the appearance of a long face. Alternatively, you can opt for sunglasses with rims slightly thicker than the lens base.

Consider keeping colors and patterns at a minimum to avoid overwhelming a long face. Also, when looking for the perfect pair of sunglasses, try them on first and check that the frames don’t cover your eyebrows.

Cat-Eye

Cat-eye sunglasses are timelessly chic and perfect for those who want to make a statement with eyewear. The upswept corners of the frame draw attention to your eye area, giving your face a lifted look.

Choose frames with thick arms and contrasting colors or patterns when shopping for this style. If you’re looking for a timeless piece, stick to subdued tones or a classic black.

But if you want a playfully retro look, oversized cat-eye frames with vivid hues are your perfect match. They feature a unique feminine shape that helps soften the angles of an oblong/rectangular face.

Rectangular or Square

Square and rectangular frames are perfect if you want to harmonize with your natural angles. They do this while drawing attention away from the length of your face by giving the illusion of more width.

However, if you still want some softness to your eyewear, choose frames with a slight curve on the top and bottom edges for a slightly rounded effect.

To further balance out your proportions, look for wide rims. Decorative temples and colorful tops can also add a touch of personality and charm to your eyewear.

What Frames Should Oblong Faces Avoid?

Mhan advises avoiding thin, narrow frames, as they only make the face look longer and thinner. While there are no rules to fashion, certain shapes and styles can balance your natural features by providing gentle contrast. If this is your goal, it’s best to stick to frames that can add width to the length of your face.

As a bonus styling tip, she also suggests wearing your sunglasses with hairstyles or hats that make your forehead look wider. Use bright lipstick or eye-catching stud earrings to focus attention away from the length of your face.

Polarized Lenses: Do They Matter for Oblong Faces?

Polarized lenses are a great addition to any pair of sunglasses, no matter your face shape. They won’t make much difference if you want sunglasses to flatter your oblong/rectangular face.

Polarization helps reduce glare from the sun and other bright surfaces, making them an ideal choice for outdoor activities such as skiing and fishing. They simply reduce the eye strain that the intense light from the sun or other surfaces causes.

Do You Have an Oblong Face Shape?

Looking closely, you’ll see similarities between oblong and square face shapes. Both have a forehead, cheekbones, and jawline with similar widths.

But the key difference separating an oblong face from a square is the length of the face. Oblong-shaped faces are recognizably longer than they are wide, whereas the width and length of square faces tend to be even.

A general rule to follow is that oblong-shaped faces are usually one and a half times longer than their width.