Determine Your Face Shape for the Best Sunglasses Fit
You're standing in the sunglasses section completely overwhelmed. With so many styles and options, how do you even begin to pick the perfect pair? Don't worry, we've got your back. Choosing shades is about way more than looks - you've gotta consider fit, features, and face shape too. In this article, we'll walk you through how to pick sunglasses for your face, choose lenses for UV protection and visibility, select durable and comfortable frames, and find the right fit so your shades stay put. With the scoop on the latest trends and features, you'll be able to rock stylish shades tailored to you. Let's get started so you can pick out the coolest sunnies this season!
Lens Color Matters: Which Tint Is Right for You?
To find sunglasses that complement your features, you first need to figure out your face shape. Look in a mirror and determine whether your face is oval, round, square, heart-shaped or rectangular.
Oval Face
If your face is slightly longer than wide with a narrow jawline, you have an oval face. Oval faces can pull off almost any sunglasses style, so go with a shape that you like. Cat eye, aviator and wayfarer styles tend to look especially chic.
Round Face
Round faces are about as wide as they are long with a rounded chin and jawline. Angular sunglasses like cat eye or square frames help balance out roundness. Styles that add height to the face, such as aviators also work well.
Square Face
A square face has a wide forehead and jawline with similar measurements. To soften square angles, choose rounded styles like aviators, wayfarers or oval frames. Cat eye shapes that point upwards also help make a square face appear longer.
Heart-Shaped Face
Heart-shaped faces are wide at the forehead and narrow at the jawline. Choose styles that add width to the lower face like aviators, wayfarers or cat eyes. Oval and square frames also work nicely for heart-shaped faces.
Rectangular Face
Rectangular faces are longer than wide with a narrow forehead, cheekbones and jawline. Styles that add width like cat eye, round or oval frames help balance rectangular faces. Wayfarers and aviators also work to make the face appear shorter and wider.
With the right sunglasses for your face shape, you'll be stylish while protecting your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays. Now get out there and pick the perfect pair of shades!
Frame Materials: Weighing Durability, Style and Cost
Choosing the right lens color is key to getting sunglasses that suit your needs and style. The tint you pick depends on what you'll use the shades for and how much light you want filtered.
For general day-to-day use, gray lenses are a classic choice.
They reduce glare without distorting colors, so the world still looks natural. Gray lenses come in different darkness levels, so you can choose lighter ones for partly cloudy days and darker ones for super sunny skies.
Want to enhance color perception? Go for brown lenses.
They heighten contrast and make it easier to see details. Brown lenses are great for activities where you need to spot small objects, like driving, golfing or biking on trails.
Prefer a high-tech look? Mirrored lenses reflect light and hide your eyes.
They come in flashy metallic hues like silver, gold or rose gold. While mirrored lenses reduce glare, some tints can distort color perception. They're really meant more as a fashion statement.
For the most UV protection, choose darker tints like green or amber.
They block a higher percentage of blue light and UV rays. Green and amber lenses are suitable for very bright conditions like snow sports, boating or the beach.
In the end, the lenses you pick come down to a combination of your needs and personal style. Think about when and where you'll wear the sunglasses and choose a tint that suits your activities and enhances your natural coloring. With so many options, you're sure to find shades that are as functional as they are fashionable.
Features for Comfort: Adjustable Nose Pads, Arm Length and More
When choosing sunglasses, consider how long you want them to last and how much you’re willing to spend. The frame material has a big impact on both.
Plastic
Plastic frames are lightweight, inexpensive, and come in a variety of styles. However, they’re not the most durable. Plastic can warp or crack over time and exposure to heat or chemicals. If you're rough on your specs or want a pair to last more than a couple of seasons, plastic may not be the best choice.
Metal
Metal alloy frames, like stainless steel or titanium, are strong, long-lasting, and corrosion-resistant. They tend to be more expensive, but also very stylish. Stainless steel frames have a silver-toned finish, while titanium comes in darker metallic hues. For metal specs that will stand the test of time, a metal alloy is the way to go.
Combination
For the best of both worlds, look for frames that combine metal and plastic or nylon. They have the strength and style of metal with the lighter weight and lower cost of plastic. Many brands now offer metal frames with plastic or nylon temples and nose bridges for maximum comfort and durability. These hybrid frames offer a great balance of fashion, function and value.
In the end, choose a frame material based on how much you can spend and how long you want your shades to last. And of course, pick a style you love! Your sunglasses should fit your face, your lifestyle, and your budget. With all the options out there in 2024, you're sure to find a pair of shades as unique as you are.
Don't Forget UV Protection! How to Choose Polarized or Non-Polarized
When looking for sunglasses that you’ll wear all day, comfort is key. Several features can make a big difference in how comfortable a pair of shades feels on your face.
Adjustable nose pads
Nose pads that can be adjusted for width and angle help ensure a custom fit. Pads that are too narrow or sit at an odd angle on your nose will quickly become irritating. Adjustable nose pads allow you to position the glasses so they sit evenly and securely on your nose.
Flexible, adjustable arms
Arms that are too short or too long for your head size also lead to discomfort. Look for sunglasses with arms that can be slightly bent or adjusted to the perfect length and angle for your head. Memory metal arms that retain the shape you bend them to are ideal.
Lightweight yet durable
A lightweight frame is more comfortable for all-day wear, but it still needs to be durable enough to last. Look for frames made of titanium, aluminum, or a high-quality polymer. These provide a barely-there feel yet can withstand repeated use and the occasional drop or sit.
UV-protective, polarized lenses
The lenses themselves also contribute to comfort. Dark lenses that block 100% of UVA/UVB rays protect your eyes from sun damage and glare that can cause eyestrain. Polarized lenses go a step further by eliminating reflected glare, allowing for crisper, clearer vision.
When trying on different pairs of sunglasses, pay close attention to how they feel on your nose and behind your ears. Minor pressure points or pinching can become highly irritating over hours of wear. The most comfortable sunglasses for you will provide full sun protection customized to fit your unique face and needs. With the right features and a perfect fit, you’ll forget you’re even wearing them.