Oval glasses: history, proportions and independent designer models
Where the oval shape comes from, why it suits almost everyone, how to choose it and six optical and sun models by independent designers from the OCCHIO selection.
By OCCHIO
The oval is a round that follows the face. It widens towards the cheekbones and narrows beneath the brow. That is why it is the shape you can wear longest without tiring of it.
A shape made to work.
Before glasses became fashion, there were few possible shapes and all were practical: round, oval, panto, rectangular, octagonal, square. The oval was already there: a lens slightly wider than it is tall, leaving the view free at the sides.
In the eighteenth century the way glasses were worn changed. Around 1727 London optician Edward Scarlett introduced frames with iron or steel arms that gripped the sides of the head. They did not yet hook over the ears, often hidden under a wig, but glasses no longer sat on the nose alone.
The twentieth century brought categories. In the 1930s women’s and sports eyewear emerged as families of their own; then plastic brought colours and finishes metal never had. The oval became a base: fine in metal, solid in acetate, elongated in sunglasses.
Three different ovals.
The word is the same, but ovals do not look alike. What matters is the material, the ratio between lens width and height, and the line of the bridge.
03 / The models
Six oval frames.
Four optical and two sun, from Japanese titanium to Italian acetate. Lenses from 47 to 53 mm.
How to choose them.
The oval works on almost every face because it contradicts no line: it softens a square face and, when thin, does not weigh down a round one. Size matters more than face shape: the lens should reach roughly the end of the eyebrow without going much beyond it.
Then look at the ratio between lens width and bridge. A wide oval with a narrow bridge sits higher on the nose; a small one with a wide bridge sits lower. Compare the numbers with a frame that fits you well, as we explain in our guide to frame sizes. If you are torn between oval and round, we compare them in round or oval.
Frequently asked questions
Before you choose
Who do oval glasses suit?
Almost everyone. The oval softens square faces and, in thin metal, stays light on a round face too. Size matters most: the lens should be in proportion to the eyes and brow.
What is the difference between oval and round glasses?
A round frame is a circle; an oval is wider than it is tall and follows the line of the cheekbones. We compare them in round or oval.
Are oval glasses suitable for progressive lenses?
It depends on the lens height: with a very shallow oval the reading zone is smaller. Each product page lists the lens width and measurements, and we can check them with you before you order.
Small or large oval?
A small oval looks sharper and more intellectual, a large one softer. Start from the width of your face: the front should reach the temples.
Can I try them before buying?
Yes, at our boutique in Crema, Italy. Online you will find photographs, measurements and availability for each model, with international shipping.
OCCHIO · Crema
The shape that follows the face
Optical and sun, in titanium and acetate. Each model in a single piece.
Sources and images
Glasses, Wikipedia · Edward Scarlett, Wikipedia · College of Optometrists, The history of spectacles · Eyevan 7285. Official brand photographs, used editorially for products sold by OCCHIO.