How to Choose a Pair of Sunglasses

With thousands of pairs of fashionable sunglasses out there, how do you choose the right one for you? The right pair of sunglasses is a powerful thing. It can turn an outfit of jeans and a t-shirt into a work of art. It can give you confidence when you’re walking into an awkward social situation. It can keep your eyes comfortable and protected even when you're spending many long hours in the sun.

Let’s get started finding the perfect pair of sunglasses for you! There are several important things to consider, starting with face shape.

Consider Your Face Shape

Not all popular sunglasses styles look good on every face. This is one of the biggest mistakes people make when they shop for sunglasses. They see a pair of sunglasses that looks great on someone else (usually a celebrity), and assume it will work for them, too.

While no two faces are exactly the same, there are several common face shapes, and if you know your general face shape, you can choose a pair of shades that will complement your unique good looks. Be sure to check out our infographic to see which sunglasses are best for your face shape.

Square Faces

Square faces--those with a strong jaw that’s about the same width as the forehead--look good in rounded frames and aviator frames. Rounded frames like the Eros balance out the natural geometric lines of your face, and aviator frames create a classic look.

Round Faces

Round faces, with the widest part at the cheeks, look great in rectangular frames. Avoid rounded frames, because they emphasize the roundness of your face. Instead, choose frames with straight lines and crisp angles.

Long Faces

If your face is significantly longer than it is wide, look for frames that break up your face and don’t extend past the widest part of your face, because otherwise you'll only emphasize the slimness of your face. Odin does a great job of breaking up long faces because of the heavy horizontal browline, and rounded shapes are also attractive on long faces.

Triangular Faces

Triangular faces--those with a wider forehead and narrow chin--look best in rectangular sunglasses. Triton and even the Odin with less-prominent browlines can help to balance out triangular faces.

Consider Your Lifestyle

If you spend a lot of time driving, consider choosing sunglasses with polarized lenses. Polarized lenses help to reduce glare and are especially helpful at improving visibility during morning and evening commutes.

Polarized lenses are also beneficial for people who spend time fishing, boating, or pursuing water sports. They help you to see below the surface of the water with greater clarity.

If you’re especially active, you’ll want to choose sunglasses that are both comfortable and suitable for the activities you regularly participate in.

Lens color is another important factor when it comes to lifestyle considerations. Pink or red lenses are good for snow sports, while orange or amber are great for golf. Neutral-colored lenses like brown and grey are helpful for driving, whereas blue lenses are great for tennis.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you’ll want to make sure your sunglasses provide excellent UV protection. Not only will this protection prevent damage to your vision, but it will also protect the sensitive skin around your eyes, which is especially prone to skin cancer.

Think About Coatings

Some sunglasses have special coatings, like mirror optical coatings. These lenses reduce the amount of light passing through the lenses by 10 to 60%. If you spend a significant time outside or in the car, you might want to consider buying sunglasses with mirror coatings.

Now that you've considered all of these options and styles, you’re in a great position to choose the right pair of sunglasses for yourself. Browse through our online store and check out the great styles we have for women’s sunglasses, men’s sunglasses, and unisex sunglasses. And be sure to visit our pop up shops if you want to check out our sunglasses in person!