How To Choose The Right Glasses For Bald Men

How to choose glasses frames for bald men

While it may not seem like it, there are some similarities between losing your hair and eyesight.

Aside from the obvious sense of loss, both of these entities were once surrounded by considerable stigma, which was underpinned by aesthetic concerns and how others would perceive us if we lost our hair or began to wear glasses.

Fortunately, the landscape has shifted considerably in recent times, with the advent of bald Hollywood icons and designer frames central to this evolution.

However, if you’ve only recently started to lose your hair, you may feel like the glasses you used to wear don’t suit you as well as they once did. So if you’re bald and are looking for your next pair of frames, here’s how to find out which glasses look the best on you.

Get Started by Identifying Your Face Shape

There’s no doubt that there’s a significant visual difference between a shaved scalp and a full head of hair, while this undoubtedly alters the shape and way in which you perceive your face.

This principle is something that has underpinned female hairdressing trends for decades, with contoured roots and the introduction of volume often used to elongate a round or square face.

Similarly, a flatter style and feathering technique can soften more angular faces, while a small veil can also give the optical illusion of hair lightening to soften the look.

So, although your corporeal face shape is defined by your jawline, chin and forehead, a sudden lack of hair can alter your perception when you stand in front of the mirror.

Regardless, you’ll need to determine your precise face shape before even considering the procurement of glasses. Here are some of the main face shapes:

An Oblong Face

This is one of the most striking and eye-catching face shapes, which is broadly defined by an elongated and narrow bone structure.

This is similar to an oval shape, although it will typically boast a little more length and less width. Similarly, an oblong face may be characterised by a tall forehead and sharp angels on your jaw, while the cheekbones will be the widest part of your visage.

Similarly, the width of your forehead is likely to be smaller than that of your cheekbones, creating a stark and unique look that’s hard to mistake for another.

Stanley Tucci wears rounded square glasses to complement his long face shape
Style icon Stanley Tucci wears rounded square glasses to complement his long face shape

A Rectangular Face

Rectangular face shapes are arguably a little more common amongst men, while they tend to be approximately one-and-a-half times longer than they are wide.

As for the cheek lines, these tend to be clean and run straight from the temple to the jawline, while they boast a considerably more angular jaw than oblong faces.

You may also find minimal curves to your cheekbones with this face shape, while the total width of your forehead should match that of your cheekbones and the corners of your jaw.

A Round Face

A round face is typically defined by a wide hairline and pronounced fullness beneath the cheekbones, so it’s very easy to define from the first two entries on this list.

Your forehead will also be most likely rounded at the hairline, with such curves becoming more pronounced and visible once you’ve shaved your scalp.

With this type of face shape, you’ll also notice that the width of your face is essentially the same as its length, while the jawline will be softly rounded with very subtle and smooth angles.

A Square Face

As you can imagine, a square face type boasts considerable similarities with rectangular alternatives, as the hairline will follow a straight trajectory and the forehead will measure roughly the same width as the jaw.

You’ll also notice minimal curves on the cheekbones, while the jawline will be strong, pronounced and joined to the forehead by straight, angular lines.

Overall, your face will be as long as it is wide, with this creating a relatively harsh look that may also be amplified by shaving your head.

Samuel L Jackson in rounded glasses
Actor, Samuel L Jackson has sported a range of glasses shapes, like these rounded frames from 2014

A Diamond Face

Diamond face shapes tend to be quite small and petite, with this defined by instances where the width of your forehead is smaller than that of your cheekbones.

To this end, your angular and prominent cheekbones are also likely to be wider than your jawline, which will also be characterised by a relatively narrow chin with a strong and clear point.

With this face shape, its length is also likely to be roughly the same as its width, creating a symmetrical look that’s quite pleasing on the eye.

A Heart Face

We close with the classic heart-shaped face, where the forehead is noticeably wider than the jawline and the hairline is neatly rounded at the edges.

Prior to shaving your head, you may have also noticed a widow’s peak (or V-shaped point in the hairline at the centre of the forehead).

With a heart face shape, the cheekbone width will roughly match that of the forehead, while both entities will stretch wider than your jawline. This narrow jawline will also boast a tapered chin with a strong point, which elongates the face ever so slightly.

What Frame Shapes Suit Each of These Face Shapes?

Once you’ve determined your precise face shape and understood how this may have changed since shaving your scalp, the next step is to find suitable and compatible frames.

This choice should be underpinned by a single, basic premise; which is that the frames you select must seek to compliment your face shape and introduce a greater sense of balance where necessary.

In general terms, this reasoning is similar to why bald men are often encouraged to grow facial hair. More specifically, this can balance out the visual changes caused by a sudden loss of hair and (in some instances) draw attention away from your recently shorn scalp!

So, what does this mean in practice? We’ll break this down below while suggesting the best types of frame for the face shapes we referenced earlier in the piece.

The Best Frames for Oblong Faces

Oblong and oval faces are arguably the most adaptable, with only square frames really unsuitable for such visages. However, round-style glasses are particularly compatible with oblong faces, as they help to soften the sharp angles of the jaw and add some much-needed width and volume to your face.

Rounded Frames: Our Top Picks

amillet retro glasses frames

Amillet Retro Reading Glasses

  • Classic rounded frames
  • Available in black tortoiseshell and black and brown
Buy it on Amazon
Mudder round frames

Mudder Rounded Metal Frames

  • Fine metal frames give a vintage look
  • Available in black, silver and gold
Buy it on Amazon
DAUCO round frames

DAUCO Unisex Round Retro Glasses

  • Spring hinged temples help the frames fit your face
  • Available in black, brown, silver and gold metal frames
Buy it on Amazon

The Best Frames for Rectangular Faces

Round glasses are also suited to those with rectangular faces, for many of the same reasons. Once again, they help to soften an angular jawline and introduce some subtle curves to your face, while simultaneously redressing the slight imbalance between the length and width of your visage.

The Best Frames for Round Faces

As you can imagine, round frames do little for circular-shaped faces, so in this case you should consider investing in square glass frames. These angular glasses feature sharp corners that overhang your cheeks, introducing some shape and contrast while balancing your face in the process, Rounded corners are also OK, but be sure to avoid circular or round-eye frames.

Square Frames: Our Top Picks

Firmoo square frames

Firmoo Square Glasses Frames

  • Classic square shape suits any face
  • Available in black, burgundy, patterned or clear
Buy it on Amazon
RAR Square aviator frames

RAR Retro Square Aviator Frames

  • Square aviator frames for the ‘Tony Stark’ look
  • Available in a range of colours
Buy it on Amazon
Modfans frames

MODFANS Square Frames

  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • Available in black, tortoiseshell, black & clear and clear
Buy it on Amazon

The Best Frames for Square Faces

Square faces tend to boast wide and angular jawlines, so in this case, you may choose to invest in taller frames that can narrow your visage and lengthen the appearance of your face. Tall. boxy frames with rounded corners are ideal in this respect, but try to avoid slim and rectangular glasses that will widen your face noticeably.

The Best Frames for Diamond Faces

At their core, diamond shaped faces tend to be noticeably angular, particularly at the point of the chin and the cheekbones. So, we’d recommend a round-eye frame style to directly contrast these sharp angles, although square frames with rounded corners also work by broadening the midsection of your face. Just avoid browline frames or those that are rectangular in their nature.

The Best Frames for Heart Faces

As we’ve already touched on, heart-shaped faces are defined by prominent cheekbones and a relatively narrow facial appearance, which can be embellished and neatly contrasted with round-eye frames. Ideally, these frames will have rounded corners to soften the most angular features, with this type of seemingly small design feature capable of making a big difference.

There’s a clear trend when identifying the best frames for different face shapes, while we can also see that round glasses tend to suit most of the shapes listed in this piece.

Jason Statham wearing aviators
Jason Statham is often seen wearing a pair of his iconic aviators

If you have a hybrid face shape that’s relatively unique, you should also know that aviator style frames should offer a flexible and compatible option (but we’ll expand more on this in the next section of the article).

A Look at the Latest Eyewear Trends

At this stage, you should have a good idea of what you’re looking for, so the next step is to appraise the latest eyewear trends and ensure that you’re investing in glasses that are as stylish as they are functional.

After all, there’s little point in seeking out the best glasses for bald men if they’re ultimately outdated or lacking in style, as we all want to look our best and make the most of our physical characteristics. So, here are some of the latest eyewear trends to keep in mind:

Black Rectangular Frames

In general terms, rectangular frames are favoured most by bald men, particularly those with rounded faces and subtle angles located at the jawline.

The reason for this is simple; as they combine a bold and masculine design with an iconic sense of style that can really catch the eye.

When combined with a vivid printed shirt and tie, this can create an incredibly complimentary look that’s ideal for those looking to redefine their sense of style after shaving their scalp.

Thick Paddle Temple Glasses

When searching for glasses for bald men, you’ll see thick paddle temple frames featuring prominently.

Make no mistake; this type of chunky and significant eyewear is ideal for newly-shorn men, particularly those who are still adjusting to their new look and recovering from the initial impact of losing their hair.

More specifically, these eye-catching glasses can draw attention away from the additional bare skin above your shoulders, while simultaneously adding a unique edge to your look!

Transparent Frames

At the other end of the spectrum are transparent frames, which offer an altogether more subtle look for bald men.

Not only this, but transparent glasses are also immensely stylish and serve as a window into an outgoing and fun personality.

As a result, they can help you to maintain a youthful visage, which may be augmented further by shaving your scalp after a sustained period of male pattern baldness.

Metal Aviator Glasses

We spoke earlier about aviator frames, which are incredibly versatile and capable of suiting most face shapes (particularly when combined with a shaved head).

The metal and iconically shaped frames are modern and stylish, while they also tread the fine line between being slimline and clearly visible.

So, you can definitely make the most of aviators regardless of your face shape, with this type of frame particularly ideal for brunch dates and casual business meetings.

Aviator Frames: Our Top Picks

Ray-Ban aviators

Ray-Ban Unisex RB3025 Aviator Polarized Sunglasses

  • Classic Ray-Ban aviator
  • 62mm lens width
  • Available in a choice of colours
Buy it on Amazon
Memoryee aviators

Memoryee Aviator Sunglasses

  • On-trend thick aviator frames
  • Black frames with your choice of lens colour
Buy it on Amazon

Rounded Square Glasses

Many of the best glasses for bald men tend to be rounded, with this type of frame suitable for multiple face shapes.

Rounded square glasses are particularly suitable if you have a shaved head, with their unique combination of sharp angles and gently rounded corners creating a subtle contrast that offsets the contour of your scalp.

On a similar note, this type of frame is also incredibly popular in 2021, so you can look good and trendy when wearing eyewear for the first time.

Tortoiseshell Glasses

We close this section with a quaint and relatively new trend, with the intriguingly-named ‘tortoiseshell glasses’ available in interesting and sharply contrasting colour palettes.

This innovative accessory is great for bald men with extroverted and outgoing personas, as well as those who are hoping to reinvent themselves and create an eye-catching look having shaved their head.

Such frames won’t be for everyone, of course, but now is the ideal time to experiment with them as they’re clearly in vogue.

How to Choose a Colour

Lastly, you’ll need to ensure that your desired frames are in the ideal colour. This can be deceptively challenging, particularly as there will be restrictions depending on the type of frames that you buy.

Arguably the most important element here is your skin tone (especially as your scalp is now on show and more skin is exposed above the shoulder), and we’ll provide a little more information on this later in the piece.

However, there are some universal rules to consider when choosing the colour of your frames. Firstly, black and similar dark frames (such as dark brown or tortoise shell) are more striking, contributing to a sleek and dominant look that reflects a strong sense of confidence.

As we’ve already touched on, bright or multicoloured frames are reflective of more outgoing and flamboyant personalities, while these glasses will make a genuine statement and are ideal if you want to introduce more colour and life to your wardrobe.

But what impact does your skin tone have on the colour of glasses that you buy? Let’s find out!

Pale Skin Tones

If you have a pale skin tone, you’ll most likely prefer black, dark or earthy coloured glasses. More specifically, you’ll favour single colours such as black, brown or amber, while tortoise acetate patterned frames are also ideal if you have a more flamboyant sense of style. Just try to avoid lightly coloured frames, as they’ll wash you out and leave you looking ashen faced!

Medium Skin Tones

If you have a medium skin tone, you’ll know that this is far more versatile and compatible with a wide array of bright and diverse frame colours. Certainly, your choice is far broader as your skin isn’t particularly pale or dark, enabling you to wear dark glasses or bright green and blue shades with relative ease. In this instance, most frames should suit you so long as you’re able to select the most suitable shape.

Dark Skin Tones

For dark or deeper skin tones, your best bet is to sport shiny metal frames (such as aviator glasses) or pale, milky-coloured acetates. Similarly, transparent or semi-transparent acetates are a great option here, especially when they come with smart features such as rivets, wire and nose pads. These compact components will contrast your skin as they catch the light, introducing a sense of sophistication to your look. Although, brightly coloured or rich toned frames will also look great on you, so you have a whole range of colours to choose from.

Colourful Frames: Our Top Picks

Navy blue frames

Navy Blue Square Reading Glasses

  • Deep blue to add colour naturally
  • Lightweight
  • Also available in black
Buy it on Amazon
BOSAIL coloured frames

BOSAIL Rounded Frames

  • Available in red, blue, green and pink, as well as black and tortoiseshell
  • Lightweight
Buy it on Amazon
Opulize green frames

Opulize Green Tortoiseshell Frames

  • Rounded shape to suit most face shapes
  • Available in a range of bright and neutral colours
Buy it on Amazon

The Last Word

While there was a time when the combination of hair and eye loss would have placed a huge psychological burden on a man, it’s now possible to embrace these physical changes as part of a bold and exciting new look!

The key is to choose the right type of glasses after you’ve lost your hair or first shaved your scalp, depending on factors such as your face shape, skin tone and the very latest eyewear trends.

Hopefully, this article will guide you on your way as you try to identify the best glasses for bald men, while helping to leverage a trend accessory to amplify your brand new look.

Paul Inman

Paul Inman is the founder of The Bald Gent. As the main contributor to TBG, Paul has years of knowledge, experience and stories to share with our users. His insights, advice and blogs form the backbone to everything we do and what makes being a true gent so important to the ethos of TBG.

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