Face Shapes & necklines and other sewing tips

What has face shape got to do with dressing well, you may ask. Everything, I say!

First you have to determine your shape, then de-emphasize the most prominent feature that you want to change – usually length, width or angularity. You may also want to bring your shape to one that is your ideal – usually an oval with its symmetrical shape. 

Determining THE SHAPE

You can be scientific about it or simply wing it. To be scientific, you need some measurements.

Tie your hair back fully. Take the tape measure and do the job yourself. Measure.

I. From the top of the forehead (hairline) to the tip of the chin

2. Across the forehead

3. Across the cheekbones.

4. Across your jaw

Write it all down. Compare the measurement to what I have given below. And you will know your shape.

If you find it difficult to take measurements of your face by yourself, get the outline of your face in a mirror – this might seem juvenile but it works. Stand in front of the mirror absolutely still and using a marker ( a sketch pen would do) try to draw the outline of your face on the mirror. You have got an approximate shape of your face

FINDING CLOTHES

Here are the different faceshapes and some pointers to dress for the shapes. 

Round Face 

As the name tells you rather obviously, it is rounded all over – rounded cheekbones, round chin, round shaped forehead. It is as wide as it is long – but the width makes it look much shorter than it is. Even the features of this face will be rounded or rather subdued.

Any neckline that will elongate the wide face is good with this shape – v neckline is the absolute choice; Scoop neckline, draped neckline with a deep cowl, wrap neckline, plunge neckline are all good.

Avoid – anything round in the clothing around the face; this will make the face rounder. This includes round scallop edge necklines, round fabric flower brooches, round pendants.

High necklines like a crew neckline, jewel neckline can further shorten the look of this face. So would a closed square neckline.

International Celebrity – Selena Gomez

Square face

To know if you have this shape take the forehead and jawline measurements – they will be almost equal.

• The length and width of the face will be somewhat the same.
• The forehead will be wide and broad, the jawline almost flat.
• The forehead will be almost a straight line.
• A strong hairline and a strong jawline – intimidating combination.

The result is that the whole face will look like a square.

You need a neckline that will make your angular face more soft. Deep V neckline, U neckline, scoop neckline, cowl neckline are good. 

Avoid – A square neckline is to be avoided at all costs as the angularity is emphasized.

International Celebrity with Square Shape – Keira Knightley 

To have this shape, your face should have the length of the face much more than the width measurements of your face.

The width measurements of your face ( across forehead, cheekbones, jaw) will be almost the same, with the jaw slightly narrower and mostly rounded.

You can have a narrow face or one with a broad forehead and wide jaw. People will say you have a long face, to you or behind your face. 

You need necklines that would make the length of your face seem not so disproportionate. Try round necklines like U neck, crew neck or slash necklines like a boat neckline, bateau neckline.

Avoid – Do not go for deep necklines like deep Scoop necklines or V necklines which will make the face look longer. Break the lines with a jacket if you want to wear the V neck.

International Celebrity – Meryl Streep

Triangle Face

This is an angular face with a narrow pointed forehead (usually low hairline) and an almost flat chin. The chin area may be prominent in some or very negligent in others.

When the jawline is very prominent and the chin area is significant, this shape has been called a Pear shape. Some people may not have a prominent jawline (low) but still, have a triangle shaped face because of the width there.

Scoop necklines, sweetheart neckline, Sabrina neckline, off shoulder necklines, cowl necklines are all good choices.

Avoid – Extra embellishments like frills and ruffles. People with this kind of shape should avoid all necklines that would further enhance the angularity of their features –  they need to create a balance by recreating curved lines that their face lacks.

International Celebrity – Minnie Driver 

Heart shape

This comes with a wide forehead, narrow jaw line and a pointed chin- looking like a heart; usually high cheekbones. The face is widest at the forehead than anywhere else.

Scoop neckline, Sabrina neckline, Jewel neckline and all other necklines which will soften the angular inverted triangle kind of look of this shape is appreciated.

Avoid – V neckline if your chin is very pointed.

International Celebrity – Scarlett Johansson

Diamond shape

Diamond shaped face has a narrow forehead and narrow jaw with wide and high cheekbones – infact the face is widest at the cheekbones. They have cute prominent cheekbones.

As this one is characterized by sharp lines you will have to soften the look with rounded necklines, like a deep scoop neckline, wide V neckline. 

International Celebrity – Halle Berry

Oval shape 

You have an oval shaped face if the length of your face and the width of your face is in a certain proportion – Length is 1.5 times the width ; Forehead measurement will be slightly more than the jawline measurement. And everything is slightly curved like an egg.

Oval face is said to be the ideal kind and those blessed with this shape can carry any type of neckline framing their face.

It is also said to be the most common of all face shapes. But to my personal knowledge very few are lucky to have this. I see a perfect circle as I mark my face – the people around me are all triangles, oblongs, squares etc. Where are the ovals?

The balanced proportion of this shape makes it suitable for high, low and collared necklines equally well. You are one of the lucky ones with a face that suits all the necklines available. A V neckline is a favorite, though. 

International Celebrity – Natalie Portman.

Conclusion

One way to go about is to study the celebrity with your shape and follow her style if it suits you.

I will also write a disclaimer to say that there are a lot of ‘in-between’ shapes – give me a break, there are close to 8 billion people in the world. It is impossible to box them into 7 categories and go home. But it is fun, so indulge yourself.

Another point is to check your body shape – this can change everything. Check out your body shape here or your body type according to kibbe among the 13 different types according to Kibbe. All these can teach you a lot more about what fashion style to choose.

Related posts : How to dress according to your bodyshape 

If you are getting interested in the topic and want more knowledge than I can provide, you can check out this youtuber who has some interesting points https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvRBuj5m8TQ. Another detailed resource is – https://bespokeunit.com/face-shapes/identifying/