A Detailed Guide To Choose The Right Frames Without Trying Them On

A detailed guide to choose the right frames without trying them on.

There is a specific kind of charm in a pair of sunglasses due to a delicate balance between the idea of hiding and showing up. A piece of glass keeps your eyes unseen from the world. It's the safety and distance you sometimes need, the protection from the exposure, both from the UV radiation and the curious, indiscreet looks of the environment. On the other hand, a pair of sunglasses can make a great first impression, and turn an outfit around, glorify and offer a star-quality to an otherwise indifferent look. Their history, their place in the fashion world, and their use over the time by so many VIP indicates that it is a piece meant to be noticed, a fashion statement, and a magic transformation tool.

"Some movie stars wear their sunglasses even in the church. They're afraid God might recognize them and ask for autographs." Fred Allen

Finding the best glasses for your face-shape can be complicated, given all the options trending. Every day, it is as if a new pair of it-frames appear. Oversized and eclectic, or minimal and sleek. With a vast array of alternatives, how do you choose the glasses that best suit your style but also fit great on your face shape? It is justified that you might feel confused and lost.

As glorious the right pair of sunglasses can be, twice as weird and fail it is when bad-fitted or style-irrelevant with the rest. Even a priceless frame would instantly be ruined with a bad fit. Like one of our finely tailored t-shirt, the perfect fit leaves a lasting impression. It is crucial that you find yours, that will match and harmoniously enhance your facial features and serve your style and personality qualities like a natural extension of you. You don't deserve any less, and at The Project Garments, through this guide, mean to demystify the science of the perfect match, both fitwise and stylewise, to ensure you find out which glasses suit you the best.

Some things are just objective matters. Frame fitting, at least on the hard lines, it is only third's grade's maths, plain geometry. As simple as that. That's why, after reading this article, you won't need to try even one pair to know if it fits. You will already know. Are you thrilled enough to get started? Say yes, and follow the steps.

"Sunglasses are like eye shadow: They make everything look younger and pretty." Karl Lagerfeld

What face shape are you?

First of all, you shall get to know your face. Get a mirror and take a good look at yourself. After you smile at the guy with complicity, inspect the length of your face and compare it to your face's width. Your palm can be an unexpectedly useful measure to do so.

There are four general categories of face-shapes, in which you might belong.

If your face is approximately as large as it is long, you presumably have a square or round face shape. If your face is much longer, you probably have a heart-shaped or oval face shape. Look at your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline compared to each other. If your forehead and jawline are about the same width, you have a square face shape; meanwhile, if your cheekbones are the widest part of your face, you have a round face shape. If you have a long face that tapers smoothly, you have an oval face shape. If your chin ends in a point, you have a heart-shaped face. Apart from the primary four categories that cover the majority of faces in the hard lines, there are also some other in-between worth referring to.

Oblong

This one is relatively close to the square, as the jawline and the forehead have almost the same width, with the difference that this face shape is much longer than wide.

Diamond-Shaped

This shape is related to the heart-shaped, because of the point-ending chin and the well-defined, wide cheekbones, but the forehead is pretty narrowed as well, forming the shape of a diamond.

Triangular

When the chin is slightly curved, the forehead is narrowed with the cheekbones not wider than the bottom of the face, shaping a triangular form. Get advised by the following charts that will solve any possible gaps.

Face Shape Compared To Jawline

Face Shape Compared To Cheekbones

Face Shape Compared To Forehead

If you are still in a dilemma and unsure about your shape, here are some real-life examples of famous gentlemen to make the comparisons. We advise you not to jump into premature conclusions just because you may have been told you look like the listed men below. Don’t forget it is the shape of the face, the subject of inquiry, and not the facial features or tone of the skin that may look familiar.

Now that you have identified your face shape, it is time to find the frame that suits you the best. One way to narrow down your alternatives is by looking at your frame fit. Find below some tips on how to find frames to fit all of your facial features best, but keep in mind that ultimately you're just feeling out what's comfortable.

" I am so shy now, I wear sunglasses everywhere I go.” Al Pacino

Get to Know the basic eyewear features.

When it comes to frames, allow us to inform you that whatever your face shape is or however bizarre or rare you think it may be, there is a pair of glasses out there just for you. This is not just a romantic-driven assumption, but the truth supported by the fact that almost all frames can be adjusted to fit like a glove.

Frame Temples

Frames fit on your face at two points: ears and bridge. For the ears, it is worth remarking that temple lengths are relatively universal and can be adjusted and tailored to your individual needs. Standard frame temple lengths run from 143mm to150mm. Temples are flexible and can be adjusted by opticians to rest comfortably on your ears, and help keep your frames from sliding. A temple curve can be heated and regulated by an optician to guarantee a comfortable and safe fit.

Nose Bridges

As far as the nose bridges are concerned, frames typically have bridges between 19mm to 23mm. Pay attention to how different bridges sit on your nose. For instance, saddle bridges fit a variety of nose bridges, but adjustable nose pads allow for an even more customizable fit, especially if you have a low nose bridge. Too far back, and they will slip down the nose. Too early, and you will feel discomfort at the top of your ear. Acetate frames have saddle bridges that are part of the frame shape. While this bridge style is immobile, some consider it more comfortable. Metal frames have adjustable nose pads that are almost infinitely customizable to suit any bridge shape.

Frame Width

The corners of the frame should fall just outside the cheekbones; it keeps things looking proportional and ensures the temples will not squeeze the sides of the head, which exaggerates a small fit. The average lens width is from 46mm to 49mm. A small, tailored frame fit will be 45mm and under, and an oversized or larger frame fit is usually 50+ mm.

A crucial part of finding out the frame that fits you the best is where your eyes sit in the frame. Your eye should sit in the middle of the lens both horizontally and vertically when testing out different frame sizes. Avoid having your eye sit too high in the lens or too close to the bridge. If your eye sits high, the frame looks droopy and wrong. In case your eyes sit outside of the center, the frame seems small, even when it fits the overall face. If you have a hard prescription, round and tailored is a good rule of thumb.

"Putting on a new pair of glasses or sunglasses is a simple way to completely transform your look - just like a new hairstyle." Brad Goreski

Achieve the perfect fit without a trial

Balance

Eventually, after you have identified your face shape, balance, is your holy grail. Let’s be a little more specific. Look for eyeglass frames that contrast with your facial features. Namely, round frames fit great on square-shaped faces, and top-heavy structures fit great on heart-shaped faces with angular jawlines, and so forth. The rule is you want to go the opposite way to distract those features. This rule will bring the coveted harmony and elegance aesthetics-wise. Oval face shapes seem to be lucky while they are regarded compatible with wearing square, round, rectangular, oversized in general.

As we already mentioned, your frames should fit on the outside of your cheekbones, not wider than your face so that it feels loose, but not so narrow that it feels tight. Most sunglasses for sale on the internet have all their measurements referred to on the “Detail” or “Fit and Size” section.

In particular, we at The Project Garments, trying to make it as easy as possible, we have integrated the measurements on the details tab on every pair of sunglasses, referring on the three most important numbers.

Lens diameter/width.
Bridge width.
Temple arm length.

So if you are already sure that the shape is compatible and you are one step before buying, check the width of the temple by measuring your face and add a couple of millimeters for the desirable pair.

Color

We shouldn’t deviate from the golden rule when it comes to color. Keep in mind the contrasts and the opposites. Black is the strongest color for sure. Notice the full range of the blacks as well as the differences between matte and glossy acetate. A light tortoise would do a great match with darker skin and a dark brown tortoise with a lighter one.

Crystals are going to be a little hard or look awkward on a fair face. But a pure, clear crystal would look the best on a fair-skinned person.

Thick or Thin

Avoiding to repeat ourselves, it’s all about balance one more time. A general rule is that if you choose a thick frame, do not do such a bold color, and the opposite.

"I think sometimes when you want attention you can wear sunglasses and people are like "Who is that?.” Katerina Graham

Style Matters

We welcome you to the best part of all. Style. It is an entertaining procedure full of play and experimenting, but it may turn out to be shady if you don’t know what to look for.

We all feel the need to smash the status quo once in a while and this is more than welcome. There are some loose guidelines, however, that we shouldn’t deviate from, especially when there is a vast range of similar versions and iterations out there of both tried-and-tested classics to retro-futurist attention-drawing, designs, that are found suspicious of disorientating us.

However impressive an eccentric, cutting-edge pair of shades might be, you still can’t fight the classics. Plus, it is possible that it is not going to be sustainable for most of us, in contrast with something that feels contemporary without straying too far from guaranteed, well-loved, classic shapes.

Here at The Project Garments, we strongly recommend investing in a pair of sunglasses that will stand the test of time and this is why we have selected Garrett Leight California’s three different types of shades, recognizing that it stands out between the numerous eyewear brands not only because of the exquisite design given and the top-end craftsmanship but as far as timelessness is concerned.

"A man can never have too many pairs of sunglasses or too many guitars.” Richie Sambora

Garrett Leight California Opticals philosophy

When you first take a look at GLCO glasses, you instantly realize that all of their eyewear styles are inspired by emblematic movies, influential music and art. This nostalgic spirit is miraculously blended with high-quality lenses, designed and produced especially for GLCO.

This striking combination results in eyewear, which is easy-going, with brilliantly sophisticated lines, bringing the stories of California, where GLCO was founded in 2011. Every GLCO eyewear model is named after an avenue in the LA neighborhood.

Garrett Leight Clune Prosecco Oval-Framed Sunglasses

Fitwise

Hey, round-shaped faces. Along with triangular, not to mention oval-shaped, this is your ideal spectacle. The oval silhouette remains one of the most universally flattering shapes in eyewear — particularly harmonious on round, triangular, and softly contoured oval faces. The Garrett Leight Clune Sunglasses in Prosecco reinterpret this timeless profile with subtle Californian elegance.

Crafted from premium cured cellulose acetate, the frame offers balanced proportions and a lightweight yet structured feel. The Prosecco hue — a luminous, champagne-infused neutral — enhances the softness of the oval design while maintaining quiet sophistication. Best suited for small to medium faces, the Clune offers a tailored, refined fit that feels considered rather than oversized.

Specifically:

Lens Diameter | Width: 47mm.

Bridge width: 212mm.

Temple arm length: 145mm.

Stylewise

Understated yet unmistakably elevated, the Clune in Prosecco is designed for those who appreciate nuance. The delicate warmth of the acetate pairs beautifully with sun-kissed skin and neutral wardrobes — think fluid linen tailoring, silk shirts left slightly undone, or an impeccably cut summer suit.

Minimal in statement yet rich in detail, this oval frame embodies effortless luxury. A frame that does not shout, but quietly defines.

Mr Leight Square Cacao Tortoise Sunglasses

Fitwise

Square frames are defined by their structure — ideal for oval faces and those seeking to introduce definition to softer contours. The Mr Leight Square Cacao Tortoise Sunglasses deliver presence without heaviness.

Slightly wider in stance, this silhouette suits medium to larger faces comfortably. The precision construction ensures stability and balance, while the acetate structure provides both durability and fluid elegance.

Specifically:

Lens Diameter | Width: 48mm.

Bridge width: 21mm.

Temple arm length: 146mm.

Stylewise

Cacao tortoise is a study in depth and warmth — rich brown tonalities layered with amber undertones create visual texture that feels both heritage-driven and contemporary.

The square profile communicates quiet authority. It pairs seamlessly with structured blazers, cashmere outerwear, or sharp resort tailoring. Where black feels absolute, cacao tortoise feels cultivated — expressive yet disciplined. This is not trend eyewear. It is permanence, articulated through detail.

Garrett Leight Round Charcoal Sunglasses

Fitwise

The perfectly balanced round frame remains a design classic. Particularly complementary to square and diamond-shaped faces, the Garrett Leight Round Charcoal Sunglasses soften angular features while enhancing bone structure.

The charcoal acetate introduces depth and modernity to the traditional circular silhouette. Meticulously crafted with precise curvature and harmonious proportions, this frame achieves that rare equilibrium between vintage reference and contemporary clarity. Available in sizes that accommodate both smaller and larger face shapes, the fit remains tailored and comfortable.

Specifically:

Lens Diameter | Width: 46mm.

Bridge width: 23mm.

Temple arm length: 145mm.

Stylewise

There is something intellectually refined about a round frame. Historically rooted in early 20th-century design, the silhouette carries cultural resonance while remaining eternally modern.

In charcoal, the mood becomes urban and sophisticated — less nostalgic, more architectural. Pair it with sharp tailoring, monochrome ensembles, or textured knitwear for a composed, curated presence. This is eyewear for the aesthete: subtle, thoughtful, and enduring.

The Best Seller: Hampton Collection

Among the brand’s most sought-after lines, the Hampton collection represents a refined evolution of classic American eyewear. Clean lines, balanced proportions, and elevated materials define its character.

What makes Hampton enduring is its versatility — each frame transitions effortlessly from understated daywear to polished evening styling. Whether rendered in timeless acetate shades or nuanced tonal variations, the collection embodies modern heritage.

Now you have all the knowledge acquired to find the one, according to the guidelines. At the end of the day, the only person entitled to tell you what you should and should not wear is yourself. So if a pair of eyeglasses feels excellent and fills you with confidence, please ignore tips and advice and break the rules (just them, hopefully not your shades). After all, only beyond rules is where real style begins.

"With my sunglasses on, I'm Jack Nicholson. Without them, I'm fat and 60." 
- Jack Nicholson