How to Wear Sunglasses When You Don't Have Them On

It's a problem anyone who wears sunglasses has encountered: what should you do with your sunglasses when you’re not wearing them? If you’re at home, you can put them away, and if you’re in your car, you can stash them in the glove compartment. But if you’re out and about, you may not have a convenient, safe place to put them.

Most people want to keep their sunglasses handy even when they aren't using them. As you walk in and out of the shade or into buildings, you’ll need to be able to easily put them on and take them off, so it’s helpful to know how to wear your shades when they’re not busy shielding your eyes.

The following tips are helpful for women’s sunglasses, men’s sunglasses, unisex sunglasses, and any popular sunglasses styles.

Wear Them On Your Head

This is probably the most common way to wear your sunglasses when they’re not on your face. Wearing them on your head seems like the most natural thing to do. If you’re going to wear your glasses on your head, however, you need to be aware of a few potential problems you might run into:

• Chemicals from hair products may cause damage to your sunglasses. If you wear hairspray or hair gel, keep a close eye on the plastic parts of your sunglasses to see if you notice any chemical changes, scratches, or other wear and tear.
• Certain head shapes can cause sunglasses to stretch. Depending on the shape of your skull, wearing your sunglasses on top of your head may cause them to stretch out. When this happens, they're more likely to slip down your nose or fall off when you look down.
• Your hair can get caught in the frames. This is particularly true of sunglasses styles such as aviators and other styles that feature nose pads. Not only can it be painful to get your hair caught in your sunglasses, but the snags--and the tugging required to free your sunglasses--can also bend the frames.

Use a Neck Strap

Sports suppliers have created handy neck straps for keeping your sunglasses at the ready when you’re not wearing them. These holders keep your sunglasses fairly close to your body when they’re not on your face. They’re excellent for sports because they won’t fly around like they would on a longer lanyard.

Use a Lanyard

Of course, if you’re not participating in running, cycling, or team sports, a lanyard can be a great way to wear your sunglasses when you don’t have them on. With a lanyard, the arms of your sunglasses stay open, so they’re always ready to put back on your face. This is helpful if you’re busy and don’t want to have to think about your sunglasses. Gardeners, for example, are great candidates for lanyards because they can easily put their glasses on and take them off as they move between sun and shade.

Hang Them On Your Shirt

Another easy way to wear your sunglasses when they’re not on your face is to hook them onto your shirt. This is a stylish look for both men and women, although it may not be the best choice if you’re participating in any kind of physical activity.

If you’re wearing a button-down shirt, you can increase your sunglasses’ security by hooking the arm through a buttonhole. Otherwise, it's best to use this strategy when you’re not moving around a lot.

If you’re ready to buy sunglasses online, take a look at our many fashionable wooden sunglasses styles. You’ll find styles in various shapes and colors, and you can select polarized lenses or even mirror polarized lenses. Our sunglasses are made in a small independent factory, and our lenses are created in our New York City lab. You’ll love the quality, style, and comfort of Tabulae Eyewear. Contact us with any questions!