Best Sunglasses for Oval Face Shapes

Reading time: approximately 7 minutes

Oval faces are proportionally balanced, which means most frame shapes work. The frames that look best tend to add definition rather than balance – something with a stronger line or a distinct shape.

What Defines an Oval Face Shape?

An oval face has a forehead that is slightly wider than the chin, with the face tapering gently toward the jaw. The length is roughly one and a half times the width. The cheekbones are the widest point, sitting between the forehead and jaw. The overall silhouette is balanced and elongated without sharp angles.

Oval is often cited as the ideal face shape in style guides because it lacks the extreme proportions that make certain frame choices problematic. The balance built into an oval face means a wide range of frame styles are compatible rather than a narrow subset.

How Do You Identify an Oval Face Shape?

Measuring your face accurately takes about two minutes with a flexible tape. Take four measurements: forehead width (at eyebrow level), cheekbone width (from outer edge to outer edge), jaw width (from hinge to hinge) and face length (hairline to chin tip).

For an oval face, the cheekbones are the widest measurement, the forehead is slightly narrower, the jaw is the narrowest, and the length is noticeably greater than the width – typically a ratio of around 1.5:1. If your measurements don’t fit neatly into oval, see our full guide on how to choose sunglasses for your face shape.

What Frame Shapes Work Best for Oval Faces?

Wayfarer and square frames create a clean horizontal line across the brow that works well against the soft curves of an oval face. The contrast in geometry – angular frame, curved face – is aesthetically interesting without being jarring.

Round frames echo the oval face’s smooth lines. The result is a harmonious, soft aesthetic. Larger round frames work particularly well – they fill the face area proportionally without looking oversized.

Aviator frames suit the length of an oval face by adding width at the top and tapering toward the bottom, mirroring the face’s own proportions. A classic shape for oval faces that rarely goes wrong.

Oversized frames can be carried by oval faces in a way that would overwhelm other shapes. The balanced proportions provide a stable visual anchor for larger, bolder eyewear.

Cat-eye and butterfly frames add drama and height. Cat-eye suits everyday wear; butterfly is more fashion-forward. Both work on oval faces because the upswept geometry contrasts pleasantly with the face’s smooth lines.

How Do You Get Frame Size Right for an Oval Face?

The outer edges of the frame should align with or slightly extend beyond the cheekbones – the widest point of an oval face. Frames significantly narrower than the face look pinched; frames that extend far beyond look too large. For most adults this falls between 130-145mm for a medium frame width.

Frame height is the secondary concern. Taller frames add apparent length – for oval faces, which are already on the longer side, medium-height frames are often better than very tall ones. Wide, lower-profile frames balance an oval face’s length more effectively. Use the size guide to match your measurements to frame dimensions before ordering.

What Frame Shapes Should Oval Faces Avoid?

Very small frames look undersized when noticeably smaller than the face’s widest point – this reads as an error rather than a style decision. Frames with extreme geometric shapes (very pronounced hexagonal or novelty cuts) can clash with the smooth curves of an oval face in a way that looks discordant rather than intentional. Very tall frames that add apparent face length should be tried carefully before committing.

Beyond these, the constraints are minimal. Oval is the most forgiving face shape for frame choice – which makes it the most practical for online ordering. According to the American Optometric Association, getting the right fit matters as much as UV protection – a frame that doesn’t sit correctly on the face leaves gaps that reduce protection.

How Do You Choose the Right Frame Color?

Warm-undertoned skin suits tortoiseshell, amber and warm brown frames. Cool-undertoned skin suits black, dark grey and silver-toned frames. Neutral undertones can wear most frame colors. Beyond undertone, consider contrast: dark frames against fair skin create high contrast – the frame is very visible, which is a style choice. Frames closer in tone to the skin read more softly. Both approaches work on oval faces.

“I was worried about ordering sunglasses online without trying them on, but I used the size guide on the website and the frame fits like a glove. The lenses are super high quality and comfortable on the eyes.”