How Your Face Shape Affects Your Wardrobe

Have you given much thought to the shape of your face? Did you know there are styles that are definitely more or less flattering because of your face shape? Yes, it’s true. I learned a long time ago that because my face is oval that a V-neckline looks much more flattering on me than a crew neck. In fact, it was yesterdays post that prompted me to do this one.

First lets find out how to determine your face shape, keeping in mind that no ones face falls perfectly into one of these categories. It’s not an exact science, but more of a general guideline. It’s also not a hard, fast rule that just because your face might fall into a certain category, you can’t wear a style you like.

So how do you figure out what shape your face is? Birchbox gives the instructions below on how to determine the shape of our face and they have a video here you can watch.

Step 1: Take a picture of yourself straight on, with your hair pulled away from your face.
Step 2: Print out the picture.
Step 3: Place dots at the top, bottom, and sides of your face. Trace between the dots to get a clear sense of your face shape.

Oval face shape: Your face is longer than it is wide. You have a curved jawline slightly narrower than your forehead.

Heart face shape: Your forehead is wider than your jaw line. Your chin is pointed and you may have a widow’s peak.

Diamond face shape: Similar to a heart face shape but with a tapered hairline.

Square face shape: Your face is roughly as long as it is wide. Your forehead and jawline are also roughly the same width. Your chin is less pointed than other face shapes and your jawline is squared.

Round face shape: Similar to a square face shape but with a rounded jawline.

Now that you know your face shape, here are the NECKLINES that will be the most flattering.

Image via Inside Out Style Blog

Round-shaped faces: Go for cowl-necked, scooped-neck, square-necked, V-necked, mock turtlenecks
Heart-shaped faces: You’ll want boat-neck and jewel-neck tops
Long-shaped faces: Get the turtlenecks and jewel-necks
Oval-shaped faces: You’ll look great in almost anything!

Here’s a good example of how a neckline can look totally different. (and now that I’m looking at these side by side like this, I’m thinking maybe I like the first dress better? Oops, looks like I need to order it again….what do you think?)

Of course if you don’t want to go to all the work of printing out a picture, you could probably just outline your face in/on the mirror with a dry-erase marker or better yet one of those lipsticks in the drawer you never use. HA!

You also just know “there’s an APP for that”. Just go to the App store and type in find your face shape. There are a lot of different options. I downloaded one and gave it a try. Oddly, it told me my face was heart shaped, which I feel like it’s really oval. So I wouldn’t say they are 100% accurate. Maybe they tell everyone they have a heart shaped face. If you use it, let me know what it says. ?

While doing research for this post I came across a pot of gold at the end of the blogging rainbow and found the Inside Out Style Blog. Let me just tell you that this lady has a ton of good information on dressing for your face and body shape. You really need to visit her and read for yourself.

So what other things are affected by the shape of your face? The style of glasses you should wear. (sorry about the resolution on the image, it didn’t blow up very well but you get the idea)

image via Google

There are several other factors that the shape of your face affects like hair styles and earrings. You can Google any of these and find numerous articles, pictures, and blog posts with information to help in these decisions. There are also apps for choosing hairstyles based on your face shape and I imagine some of them are a real HOOT if you are looking for entertainment.

So are you throughly confused now? I hope not. Just remember, half the battle is wearing what YOU feel GOOD in. It’s great to have some guidelines, but it all comes down to how you feel.