Oblong face, frame guide
Glasses for an oblong face
An oblong face is longer than it is wide, so frames should be wider than they are tall. A wayfarer, an oversized round or a browline adds a horizontal line and shortens the face visually.
Narrow, tall lenses do the opposite: they repeat the length of the face. A frame that sits low on the nose can also shorten it, so check the fit as well as the shape.
Measure first
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What works, and where it sits
An oblong face needs horizontal lines. Every pick is wider than it is tall or adds a strong top bar, and every avoid is narrow or tall, which adds to the length.
- 1
Wayfarer
A wayfarer is wider than it is tall and has a strong top line. It adds the horizontal weight an oblong face needs.
- 2
Oversized round
A large round frame covers more of the face vertically and adds width at the sides. Choose a frame that reaches past the cheekbones.
- 3
Browline
A heavy brow bar adds a strong horizontal line at the top of the face. It also draws attention away from the length of the jaw.
- 4
Soft rectangle
A rectangle with rounded corners adds width without a hard edge. Keep the lens shallow rather than tall.
- 5
Aviator with a wide top bar
An aviator can work if the top bar is wide and the lens is not too deep. A very deep teardrop adds length instead.
Less useful
What works against it
None of these is a rule. They are the choices that tend to undo the balance the rest of the page builds.
Narrow, tall lenses
They repeat the vertical line of the face. Choose a frame that is wider than it is tall.
Small frames
A small frame leaves a lot of face visible and makes the length more obvious. Oversized frames work better here than on most shapes.
In practice
Glasses for an oblong face: fit notes
Choose a deeper lens than you might otherwise. A deep lens covers more of the face and shortens it, while a shallow rectangle leaves a lot of face visible above and below and makes it look longer.
A frame wider than the cheekbones adds width, which is the other thing an oblong face usually needs. Round and square frames with a strong brow and a lower rim keep the eye from traveling down the length of the face.
Avoid a very narrow rectangle, even if it is fashionable. It can look like a strip across the middle of the face and leave the length exposed. If you want a narrow frame, choose one with a thicker top rim. A clip-on sun lens is another way to add depth without buying a second frame, and it keeps the fit you already know works.
The bridge position changes how much face is visible below the frame. A frame that sits low leaves more forehead above it, which makes the face look longer. A frame that sits a little higher, with a deep lens, covers more of the midface and shortens the reading. Adjustable pads help here, because a fixed bridge either sits where it sits or slides down the nose.
Questions
Questions about glasses
What glasses suit a long face?
Wide frames with depth: wayfarers, oversized rounds, browlines and soft rectangles. Avoid narrow, tall lenses.
Can an oblong face wear oversized glasses?
Yes, more easily than most shapes. The extra width breaks the length of the face. Just check that the frame does not sit on the cheeks.
Do aviators suit an oblong face?
A wide aviator with a shallow lens can work. A very deep teardrop adds length and makes the face look longer.