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What’s This About
For a long outline with softer corners, you can add width at the temples and cheekbones, show less length with a fringe, or keep your length deliberately; your own hair decides how each cut turns out.
This guide covers the choices that shape the result, such as:
How a fringe and temple volume change how much length shows
Where layers and waves add width at cheekbone level
Checking where a textured bob actually finishes on your face
Beard pairings that keep fullness at the sides rather than the chin
What you style each day and what your barber maintains
and many more!
We also cover a more angular or mixed jaw and how to brief your barber.
Key Points
01Adding width and reducing apparent length is a common aim for an oblong outline, not a requirement; keeping your length is also a valid choice.
02Width is placed at the temples and cheekbones, while height at the crown adds length, so check where each cut puts its volume.
03Waves and curls build width more easily than straight hair; a styling product defines texture you already have rather than creating it.
04A crisp fade or taper needs regular barber visits whatever the top is doing, while daily styling time depends on the top.
Men with oblong face shapes have elongated features with similar widths across the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline, characterised by softer, more rounded corners.
Choosing a hairstyle for your face shape is one useful input among several; for an oblong outline, one common aim is to add width and reduce apparent length, but it is a choice rather than a rule.
Length and jaw corners are separate observations. If your jaw looks more angular than curved, the rectangle haircut guide covers a neighbouring outline, and cuts from either guide can work depending on the effect you want; an angular jaw does not by itself call for more or less length.
Explore all face shapes and style ideas
If you choose that aim, the cuts below add volume at the sides, keep height low and often use a fringe to cover part of the forehead; if you would rather keep your length, look at how each cut handles the crown and leave out the forward fringe.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to ten hairstyles for men with an oblong outline.
If you are unsure which description fits, our guide to men’s face shapes explains each one by visible features, and our face shape analysis quiz can offer a starting suggestion; neither is required before choosing a cut.
Match This List to Your Actual Hair
These checks apply across the ten cuts below.
Texture and density: the layered and side-swept styles rely on density to create width; fine, low-density hair usually needs a volumising mousse and outward blow-dry, while thick hair may need thinning so the layers do not look bulky.
Curl pattern and growth direction: the wavy textured cut and shaggy layers depend on natural wave or curl to build width; a curl cream defines wave or curl you already have but will not create it in straight hair, so straight hair is better served by layering and blow-drying outward for width than by the wave-dependent entries. Cowlicks near the crown affect how the fringe and temple volume entries sit.
Hairline: several of these cuts route a fringe across the forehead to reduce apparent length; an uneven or receding hairline changes how this looks, so point it out to your barber.
Upkeep: separate what you style each morning from what the barber maintains.
The tousled fringe and messy crop need a few minutes of daily styling to sit forward and outward, depending on how your hair behaves.
The low fade, low taper and French crop have closely cut sides whose crisp edge softens as the hair grows, so how often you return depends on how sharp you want that perimeter to stay and how quickly your hair grows, not on the style name. Longer, layered cuts such as the textured bob grow out more gradually at the edges but usually take longer to style.
Two routes: most cuts here add width at the temples and cheekbones while reducing visible length. If you prefer to keep your natural length, a longer style worn straight back, without the forward fringe, is a reasonable alternative to explore with your barber; the shape of your jaw corners does not by itself decide between these routes.
Brief your barber: describe your hair’s density, curl pattern and how it grows at the temples and hairline, and say whether reducing length or adding width matters more to you. Ask how the cut will need adjusting for your own hair, and how often the sides will need tidying, before agreeing on a style.
Mirror check: once the cut is dry and styled as you will wear it, look straight on: if width is your aim, the widest part of the hair should sit at the temples or cheekbones. Then check in profile that the crown has not been lifted higher than you wanted, and that a fringe falls where you expected once dry.
1. Tousled Fringe with Temple Volume
This contemporary cut features a textured fringe and carefully crafted volume around the temples, a combination suited to adding width while showing less length.
Why it works: The fringe covers part of the forehead, so less length shows, whilst temple volume adds width at the upper sides of the face.
Styling Tips: Apply volumising mousse to damp hair, blow-dry whilst directing hair forwards and outwards at temples, finish with lightweight texture cream.
Beard Pairing: A short, well-maintained beard with rounded edges complements this style.
2. Low Fade with Textured Top
A modern interpretation of the classic fade that maintains length control whilst creating width through texture.
Why it works: The textured top adds width without height, whilst the low fade maintains a clean silhouette.
Styling Tips: Work a matte clay through slightly damp hair, style outwards rather than upwards.
Beard Pairing: Light stubble adds a little texture to the lower face without adding length below the chin.
3. Side-Swept Cut with Layered Sides
This sophisticated cut utilises layering to create horizontal volume whilst maintaining a professional appearance.
Why it works: Strategic layering adds width at cheekbone level, whilst the side-swept style prevents vertical emphasis.
Styling Tips: Apply sea salt spray to damp hair, blow-dry whilst brushing sideways, finish with light-hold pomade.
Beard Pairing: A medium-length beard with softened edges enhances the natural look.
4. Messy Crop with Forward Styling
A textured crop styled forward to reduce visible face length whilst creating natural-looking width.
Why it works: Forward styling shows less of the forehead, and choppy, textured ends add movement.
Styling Tips: Use texture powder for volume, style forward and slightly to the sides for optimal effect.
Beard Pairing: Clean-shaven or very light stubble works best with this youthful style.
5. Shaggy Layers with Side Part
A versatile cut that maximises width through strategic layering and side-parted styling.
Why it works: Multiple layers create substantial width whilst the side part adds asymmetry that breaks up length.
Styling Tips: Apply volumising mousse before blow-drying, use fingers to style for natural movement.
Beard Pairing: A full beard kept fuller at the sides and shorter at the chin adds width without adding further length; if your growth is patchier at the sides than the chin, a shorter, even beard will suit the layered top better.
6. Textured Bob
A longer style that creates width through careful layering and strategic cutting techniques.
Why it works: Length that sits at cheekbone level can add width, but where it actually falls depends on your hair’s length, density and curl pattern once cut; ask your barber to check the finished length against your cheekbones rather than assuming a set number will land there.
Styling Tips: Use curl-enhancing cream on damp hair, blow-dry with a round brush for movement.
Beard Pairing: A shorter, well-groomed beard keeps the lower face neat beside the longer hair.
7. French Crop with Textured Sides
A modern take on the French crop that emphasises horizontal volume whilst maintaining a strong fringe.
Why it works: The fringe covers part of the forehead so less length shows, whilst textured sides add width.
Styling Tips: Apply matte clay to damp hair, style the fringe forward and create texture at the sides.
Beard Pairing: Medium stubble complements this contemporary style.
8. Medium Length with Side Volume
A medium-length cut that creates width at cheekbone level through careful layering and styling.
Why it works: Length and layers placed at cheekbone level add volume there, whilst the top is kept low so the crown does not add height.
Styling Tips: Use sea salt spray for texture, blow-dry whilst directing hair outwards at the sides.
Beard Pairing: A graduated beard that’s fuller at the sides and closer at the chin adds width without extra length, where your side growth allows.
9. Wavy Textured Cut
A style for men with natural waves that maximises horizontal volume through texture.
Why it works: Natural waves create width when properly styled, whilst avoiding additional length.
Styling Tips: Apply curl-enhancing cream to damp hair, scrunch whilst drying for natural texture.
Beard Pairing: A short, neat beard complements the natural wave pattern.
10. Low Taper with Swept Fringe
A sophisticated style that combines length reduction with professional aesthetics.
Why it works: The swept fringe covers part of the forehead so less length shows, and the taper keeps clean lines at the sides.
Styling Tips: Use lightweight mousse, blow-dry whilst directing the fringe diagonally across the forehead.
Beard Pairing: A well-maintained short beard enhances the polished look.
Conclusion
If you want an oblong face to read wider and less long, focus on cuts that place volume at the temples and cheekbones and bring a fringe forward; if you prefer your length, choose the crown and fringe options that let it show.
These 10 hairstyles cover short, medium and longer options for either aim.
If you are unsure which description fits, a face shape quiz can offer a starting point, but your mirror, your hair and your preference matter as much; take a photograph of the cut you like to a professional barber and ask how it would adapt to your hair.
Style Like A True Gentleman
Before you go, here is a simple order to follow, whether you work alone or with an image consultant.
Professional styling usually starts with knowing your body shape and seasonal colour palette, which help you choose well-fitting clothes in colours that suit your skin, eyes and hair.
Then you can plan outfits for each occasion, location, season and time of day, with garments, footwear, and accessories from heritage fashion brands that fit the way you want to look.
Take our three quizzes below, then book a paid consultation if you would like personal help:
1. Find Your Body Shape
Different garments flatter different silhouettes, so knowing your body shape is a useful first step.
To check your body shape, take our body shape quiz for men.
Next, take the second quiz to check your colour palette.
2. Find Your Seasonal Colours
Remember, the garments that compose your outfits come in various colours, and it helps to choose shades that suit your natural colouring.
To do that, find your seasonal colour palette by taking our seasonal colour quiz for men.
3. Find Your Fashion Style
Once you know your body shape and colour palette, the next step is to find your personal fashion style.
You can start with our fashion style quiz for men; it gives style suggestions, outfit ideas, relevant fashion brands, and much more.
Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU
If you would like personal help, you can book a paid consultation with our expert image consultants and fashion stylists.
Our styling services for men are paid consultations; the shop page lists what each one includes.
Remember, wearing luxury brands isn’t enough (see logo-heavy luxury brands and how to wear them); it also helps to know your body shape, colour palette, and ideal personal style, and then to dress by occasion, location, season, and time of day.
Contact us if you would like to book a paid consultation.
Mandy Meyer’s focus at The VOU is men’s body-shape styling, garment fit and outfit proportions. Her coverage addresses the practical questions behind a wardrobe choice: how a jacket sits across the shoulders, how trousers fall and how different cuts change the silhouette a wearer wants to create.
Her subject areas include the triangle, inverted triangle, rectangle, oval, trapezoid, hourglass and diamond labels used in body-shape styling. These provide starting references for comparing visible proportions; they do not capture every body or prescribe one correct way to dress. The focus connects those observations with garment shape, construction, length and the relationship between the upper and lower parts of an outfit.
Mandy’s editorial coverage combines visual comparisons with fit checks for comfort and movement. Readers can consider whether a cut gives them the room they need, where clothing pulls or gathers and which changes might support their preferred look. The aim is to make menswear choices more understandable while keeping personal preferences and the wearer’s own styling goals central.