Choosing sunglasses can be a bit of an adventure. These days, sunglasses come in so many options it can be hard to choose. You’ll find everything from classic silhouettes in sleek, neutral colors to bold and brash frames in vibrant, head-turning hues.
In the market for a pair of sunglasses but not sure where to start? We sympathize, and we’re happy to lend a hand.
Here, we’ll outline what to look for in the perfect pair of sunglasses. Then, we’ll dig deeper into how to pick sunglasses that fit your lifestyle and fashion sense at the same time.
What Makes a Good Pair of Sunglasses?
Good sunglasses protect your eyes in several ways, but especially from harsh and potentially damaging sunlight. As a result, high-quality sunglasses often include:
- 100% protection from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light
- High-quality frame and lens materials
- Useful lens features, like polarization and scratch resistance
If your sunglasses tick these boxes, you’re off to a good start. Then, you get to move on to the fun part—matching your lifestyle and fashion sense.
But if you need a bit more help, we’re happy to get you started with a simple step-by-step breakdown of how to choose the right sunglasses.
Step 1: Consider When and Why You’ll Be Wearing Your Sunglasses
The right pair of sunglasses should fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. Consider yourself the active type? You’ll likely want sporty frames made of durable yet lightweight materials that won’t slow you down on the go. You may even prefer sunglasses designed specifically for your favorite activity (like cycling, boating, etc.).
If fashion is your focal point, you might lean toward an eye-catching frame shape (like cat-eye and oversized frames) in a bold color. Or maybe you’re looking for something simple, so a basic round or square frame style in black or gray might be the perfect fit.
Step 1a: Decide Whether You Want Prescription Sunglasses
If you prefer glasses over contacts and want to protect your eyes from the sun, getting prescription sunglasses could be a wise move. Fortunately, you don’t have to do anything extra to get sunglasses with a prescription—you can simply order a pair of sunglasses with prescription lenses using your traditional eyeglasses prescription.
Step 2: Pick Your Sunglasses Frame Style
Once you’ve got an idea of how you’ll be using your sunglasses, you have to begin thinking about the look you’re going for. This often starts with frames.
Common sunglasses frame shapes include round, square, and rectangular, along with cat-eye and aviator-style sunglasses.
Wondering which is best for you? There’s no hard-and-fast rule. You can pick what naturally appeals to your fashion sensibilities or use your facial structure as a point of reference (more on that in a sec). It’s totally up to you.
How To Choose Sunglasses for Your Face Shape
If you’re intent on selecting sunglasses that pair effortlessly with your facial structure, there are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind while you’re browsing. Let’s walk through several common face shapes:
- For round faces, consider frames with straight lines that contrast the smoother curves of your faces, such as square and rectangle frames.
- For oval faces, it’s tough to go wrong with any frame style, though wider frame styles, like aviators and cat-eyes, can help deliver a balanced look that complements the length of your face.
- For heart-shaped faces, try aviators, cat-eye sunglasses or round frames, all of which pair well with a semi-angular facial structure.
- For square faces, rounder frames of all sorts are a natural fit, including basic round frames, oversized frames and aviators.
- For triangle faces, the flowing curves of round sunglasses frames work just as well as a square or rectangular frame’s straight lines.
- For diamond-shaped faces, round frame styles are often a good bet since a diamond facial structure tends to feature straighter lines.
Remember, your first priority when selecting frames should be your own taste. Pick something that makes you happy, and you’re good to go.
Step 3: Choose Your Colors
Sunglasses frames are available in a seemingly limitless range of colors, which makes it simple to fit ‘em into your everyday getup.
If you’re after something that’s easy to coordinate, consider a straightforward black frame. Tortoiseshell is another versatile option that offers a touch more flare without sticking out too much amid a formal ensemble.
Or, if bright colors are more your thing, that’s fine too. You can choose colors that match your favorite outfits, grab several frames in various colors to change as the seasons pass or simply select colors that complement your skin’s undertones, whether cool or warm.
Step 4: Identify Must-Have Lens Features
Lenses are arguably the most important part of your sunglasses since they’re doing the hard work of protecting your eyes from harsh sunlight. But there’s lots more than sun protection to consider.
Lens features may include (but aren’t necessarily limited to):
- UV protection: The ideal pair of sunglasses should, first and foremost, help protect your eyes from harsh sunlight. To ensure they get the job done, look for sunglasses lenses that provide 100% UV protection. Spoiler alert: That includes all Warby Parker sunglasses.
- Polarization: Polarized sunglasses lenses help reduce glare created by reflective surfaces, like a shimmering lake or a shiny car, while adding contrast. That makes polarized lenses a sensible choice if you spend lots of time outdoors, whether driving, boating, playing sports, working or anything in between.
- Lens material/construction: Lens material options vary by provider but commonly include various plastics, such as durable polycarbonate, and glass. High-index lenses are another option, generally for stronger prescriptions.
- Lens color: Lens color isn’t a game-changing feature in terms of function, but it can certainly spice up the look of your sunglasses. And there are perks to some colors—red, gold and brown lenses, for example, enhance contrast, while darker neutrals, like black and gray, help preserve natural colors.
- Mirrored lenses: Mirrored lenses, for the most part, are more for appearance, though they do help reflect bright light, cutting down on the light that enters the eye.
- Photochromic lenses: Photochromic lenses remain clear indoors but darken outdoors when exposed to the sun’s UV rays, creating a convenient two-in-one eyewear solution. Indoors, your eyeglasses are just that: eyeglasses. Outdoors, they “transform” into sunglasses.
That covers the basics. Beyond that, options may vary by provider.
Now That You Know How to Pick the Right Sunglasses…
It’s important to remember that the best sunglasses for you are the ones you love.
Just keep in mind that sunglasses do have a functional purpose: to protect your eyes from the sun. So, as long as you make sure your sunglasses lenses offer thorough UV protection, the sky’s the limit.
