How Can Women With Round Heads And Faces Use Clothing To Improve Their Proportions?
During the fall and winter months, a good deal of clothing covers the neck, collarbone, and chest, while thick jackets often have multiple hoods and scarves on top - this is typically not a very flattering choice for women with larger heads or heavier necks.
A head or face with a seemingly larger proportion typically comes down to broadly two reason; large head circumference, and narrow shoulders.
Nevertheless, you can easily improve your proportions quite a bit if you can learn to optimize some visual illusions and contrast.
I. Choosing a Coat
Neckline Selection
First, women with round heads and faces should avoid collarless hooded coats or coats with excessively high necklines.
When choosing a neckline, the inner neckline should be wider than the face, which helps make the head appear smaller.
V-necks and deep U-necks are particularly flattering for square or round faces.
For hooded winter coats, choose ones with large fur trim or a high brim - these are much more flattering to the face.
II. Extending the Shoulder Line + Waist Definition
Use clean, structured lines to improve the head-to-shoulder ratio.
When selecting a silhouette, choose coats with wider shoulders and a strong, defined shoulder line.
The most flattering coats are those that are loose overall but fitted at the waist.
A clean-cut design, a large turned-down collar to broaden the shoulders, and a cinched waist are a godsend for women with larger heads or fuller faces.
Avoid coats with an unclear built-in waistline - these neither follow the principle of looseness nor effectively define the waist, and can make the head and face appear even larger.
III. Opt for Light-Colored Coats
Choose light colors, which have a visually expanding effect.
In winter, when your head connects directly to your clothing (unlike in summer, when more skin is exposed), wearing light-colored outerwear can make your head appear smaller by contrast.
IV. Choosing Inner Layers
If you have a larger head or round face shape, and you still want to be able to wear a turtleneck in the winter, then consider a loose and exaggerated neckline, versus a fitted or snug neckline.
A loose draped turtleneck is not going to constrict at the neck, but it is more likely to softly frame the face, and diminish the size of the head and face.
Wear turtlenecks in lighter colors especially when wearing a dark coat.
A lighter color around the neck provides the eye with a visual "barrier" to balance the big contrast of the head with the clothing.
Another useful tactic for fall/winter wear is layering. Layering gives depth and diverts visual attention away from the head and shoulders.
For instance, it works well to put a shirt under a turtleneck - the idea is to select a shirt color that is a bit brighter than the inner layer for the elongating visual effect.
Horizontal stripes can also be helpful, reducing the perceived width of the upper body and making the head look smaller in proportion.
V. Choosing Bottoms
Since individuals with large heads can appear top-heavy, the bottom half of the outfit is important to balance proportions.
Loose-fitting pants are a solid option - it lowers the center of gravity which balances the appearance overall.
For example, wide-leg trousers create a more casual and everyday style that doesn't feel too complicated. You can also select skirts with a radially expanding trajectory (A-line skirts, flared skirts), where the optical illusion will be the appearance of a smaller top and larger bottom.