Hexagon Glasses: The Six-Sided Shape Between Round and Square

Hexagon glasses have six flattened sides instead of a continuous curve, so they read softer than a square frame and sharper than a round one. That in-between character is why the shape flatters a wide range of faces: the angles give soft features some definition, while the near-round outline keeps strong jaws and cheekbones from looking harder. If round frames feel too gentle on you and square frames too severe, a hexagon is usually the shape to try next.

What counts as a hexagon frame?

Picture a round lens with its curve trimmed into six short, straight edges. On most frames the top and bottom edges run roughly horizontal, and two angled edges on each side meet in a soft point near the temple and near the nose. Designers vary the recipe in three main ways:

• Regular hexagon: six edges of similar length. The most recognisable version, and the one that looks most "geometric".
• Stretched hexagon: wider than it is tall, with longer top and bottom edges. It behaves almost like a rectangle with clipped corners.
• Rounded hexagon: the corners are softened so much that the frame only reveals its angles up close. A quiet option if you are moving on from round glasses.

You will also see the shape described as six-sided or hexagonal, and it sits in the wider family of geometric frames next to its eight-sided cousin, the octagon.

Hexagon vs round vs square: how the three compare

	Round	Hexagon	Square
Overall impression	Soft, bookish	Modern, a little playful	Structured, serious
Effect on soft features	Repeats the curves	Adds light definition	Adds strong definition
Effect on angular features	Softens clearly	Softens slightly	Repeats the angles
How noticeable it is	Low to medium	Medium, depends on colour	Low to medium

The middle column is the point. A hexagon rarely works against a face, because it never fully repeats either its curves or its corners.

Which faces suit six sides best?

Round and full faces gain the most. The short straight edges interrupt the curve of the cheeks without the boxy weight of a square frame. Choose a stretched hexagon that is slightly wider than your cheekbones.

Oval faces can wear any version. Use the shape for character and pick by size rather than by rule.

Square and angular faces do well with rounded hexagons in thin metal. The frame still looks crisp, but its corners are far gentler than your jawline, so the two do not compete.

Heart-shaped faces should look for a lower edge that is not much narrower than the top one, which keeps the frame from pointing down towards a narrow chin.

Not sure which group you belong to? Our face shape guide walks through it in a couple of minutes.

Thin metal or acetate: two very different hexagons

Material changes this shape more than most. In thin wire, the six edges are drawn like a fine pencil line. The frame looks light and precise, and colour becomes the main statement. Zola is a good example: a slim metal hexagon in a large fit that comes in black, red, purple and blue. Cipher takes the same idea into titanium with adjustable nose pads, in rose gold, silver, gunmetal and black. Mist softens the angles further into something between a circle and a hexagon.

In acetate, the corners get thicker and rounder, and the frame turns from graphic to friendly. Wolcott shows the difference well: a medium-fit acetate hexagon offered in tortoise, black and crystal clear. If you find wire frames too delicate for your features, this is the route to take.

Herbert sits in a category of its own. It pairs a hexagon lens with the emphasised top line of a browline frame, in red or pink metal, so the upper edge carries the weight while the lower angles stay light. Browse more options in our metal and titanium collections.

Getting the size right

Angles make sizing mistakes more visible than curves do, so check three things:

1. Width: the outer corners should line up with the widest part of your face, or sit a touch inside it. Corners that stick out past the temples make the shape look like a costume.
2. Eye position: your pupils should sit close to the horizontal centre of each lens. If they drift towards the nose, the frame is too wide for you.
3. Height: the top edge should follow just under your brow line, and the lower corners should stay clear of your cheeks when you smile.

Compare the numbers on a pair you already own with the product measurements using our frame size guide. Frames with adjustable nose pads give you extra room to fine-tune how high the hexagon sits.

Styling a hexagon without overthinking it

• Let one thing lead. A coloured hexagon is already a statement, so keep earrings and necklines simple on the days you wear it. A black, silver or tortoise version can handle busier outfits.
• Match metals loosely. Rose gold and gold frames sit well with warm jewellery, silver and gunmetal with cool tones.
• Use it as a second pair. Many people keep a classic frame for formal days and a hexagon for creative work and weekends.
• Try it with sun lenses. The shape has a relaxed, retro feel with a tint, and Zola, Herbert and Wolcott can all be ordered with sun lenses.

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Frequently asked questions

Are hexagon glasses just a trend?

Six-sided frames have come and gone in fashion for decades, usually alongside other retro metal shapes. A thin metal hexagon in a neutral colour is subtle enough to wear for years, while bright colours feel more of the moment.

Can I get prescription lenses in a hexagon frame?

Yes. Every frame in this guide can be ordered with prescription lenses, which are made to order. You pick the lens type in our lens selector.

Do hexagon glasses suit men?

They do. The frames shown here are designed for men and women. Darker colours such as black and gunmetal, or tortoise acetate, tend to look the most understated.

What is the difference between hexagon and octagon glasses?

A hexagon has six edges and an octagon eight. With more, shorter edges, an octagon looks closer to a circle; a hexagon shows its angles more clearly.

Find your six-sided frame

If you are curious about the shape, start with a size close to your current glasses and decide between fine metal and softer acetate. See every angular style in our geometric glasses collection, or compare with classic round frames. Add your prescription in a few clicks with our lens selector.