Glasses for Wide Faces: A Guide to the Top Styles

Which Face Shapes Can Be Wide?

A wide face has features that make the face wider than it is long. The widest feature of your face depends on your face shape. Almost every face shape can be wide. Wide faces typically fit into one of the following categories.

How Can You Tell If You Have a Wide Face or a Big Head?

Face shape alone does not determine whether you have a wide head. You can take a few simple measurements to see if wide glasses would be the best fit for your head.

First, measure the space between your temples (the sides of your head behind the eyes). Then, measure the space between your upper lip and the center of your eyebrows.

Divide the first measurement by the second to get your face’s width-to-height ratio. If the ratio is 1.9 or higher, you have a wide face.

You should also measure your head to determine whether it’s larger than average. Wrap a measuring tape around your head, right above the eyebrows and ears.

For men, a circumference greater than 58 centimeters or 22.8 inches is considered a large head. For women, that number is 56 centimeters or 22 inches. If your head is relatively large, you need glasses made for wide heads.

1. Focus on Size

To ensure your glasses fit your face, choose frames at least 52 millimeters wide. Ideally, you want frames the same width as your face or slightly wider.

Also consider the following measurements:

• Bridge width: This is the distance from one lens to the other across your nose. Wearing frames with the right-sized bridge for your face prevents your glasses from either sliding down your nose or pinching it.
• Temple length: This is the length from the corner of your glasses to the end of the temple arms, where they bend across your ears. If you have a big head, you’ll need a longer temple length for proper grip. The best glasses for wide heads should have temples extending 1–1.5 inches beyond the ear.

Consider Acetate Frames

The best prescription glasses for big heads are often ones with acetate frames. Acetate is a type of plastic made from natural materials such as cotton and wood fibers. These frames are lightweight, durable and comfortable. If you wear glasses regularly, it’s best to select lightweight frames that don’t put excessive pressure on your nose.

While there’s nothing wrong with choosing petroleum-based plastic or metal frames if you have a wide head, acetate frames are more durable than petroleum-based plastic frames and typically more comfortable and lighter than metal frames.

Acetate frames come in a variety of colors, designs and patterns. You can play around to find the look that best flatters your face. Our friendly Visionworks Associate love helping customers find glasses they’ll love.

3. Focus on Style

Many styles of glasses work well for a wide face. While you ultimately want to choose a style that suits your taste and personality, there are a few other factors to keep in mind to select flattering frames.

The best glasses for wide faces often have thick frames. Sharp angles and other strong features can also look good. If you like a playful look, experiment with bold colors. All these features can help balance out your face and draw attention away from its width.

You should also choose frames so that the lens area on each side is wider than it is tall. For example, choose frames that are rectangular, not square. Ovals also help visually lengthen your face, compared to round frames.

Don’t Forget About Face Shape

The right glasses complement your face shape. For example, a heart-shaped face has a wider jawline, so go with wide frames that draw attention to the upper part of your face. Rectangular or cat-eye shapes are also good options.

For a square face, you’ll want to balance out your angular features with curves. Oval or round frames can work well for this face shape.

On the other hand, if you have a round face, you may want to add some angles with square or rectangular frames.

Finally, oval or heart-shaped faces look good in almost any style.

Find the Best Frames at Visionworks

When choosing glasses for wide faces, remember that nothing beats comfort and the right fit. However, following the tips above can help you find a pair that also looks great and suits your style.

If you’re having trouble finding the right pair of glasses, Visionworks can help. We offer a full range of glasses for wide heads—from budget to designer glasses. The best part is that all our glasses come with a 100-Day guarantee. That’s right! For up to 100 days, if you’re not thrilled with your glasses for any reason, we’ll exchange them.

Shop for glasses online now or schedule an appointment with a licensed optometrist. We look forward to seeing you at your local Visionworks soon!

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