The Coolest Sunglasses for Keeping Your Eyes Safe from UV Rays

2022-10-15 18:20:04 By : Ms. Alice Ji

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Sunglasses strategy: accentuate your best features — and keep your eyes protected. We break down the best shades for every face shape.

Choosing new sunglasses for everyday wear isn’t exactly rocket science, but there are a few things to consider before investing in your next pair. First, decide on the functional elements you need — like polarized lenses, tints or coatings that combat reflections, water, oil or fog — then pick out a frame shape that complements your face shape. The goal is to accentuate your best features, and the most surefire way to do that is to wear frames that contrast your own unique structure.

Not sure what your face shape is? Look at yourself in the mirror and decide if your face is round, square, oblong, heart, diamond or triangular. (It may also be helpful to use a picture to help you better visualize the shape). Below, we break down the more technical definition of each popular face shape (i.e. dimensions, what to look for, what one looks like), and offer recommendations that will highlight your best qualities.

A round face shape implies your dimensions are roughly equal up and down and across. Plus, your jawline is soft, and your cheekbones are wide.

Stay away from circles, unless you want to over-accentuate the round shape of your face. Aim high with aviators or stick to square, angular frames.

When you think of sunglasses, Ray-Ban’s likely are one of the first to come to mind. Its list of iconic styles is impressive, thanks in part to its classic Aviator which are made in Italy with glare-blocking lenses.

This lightweight acetate Krewe frame comes with polarized, prescription-ready lenses that offer 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Its finished with 18K stainless steel hardware to ensure durability.

These frames are inspired by pairs worn by Italian racing driver Alberto Ascari. They're Japan-made, angular, brown and pink and feature sterling silver finishing touches. They're true accessorial art.

The oval face shape is characterized by dimensions that are longer than they are wide — but not drastically so. You're an oval if your face is longer than it is wide and your forehead is wider than your jawline.

It’s hard to go wrong with an oval face — most sunglasses will look great on you. Just make sure the frames aren’t wider than your face.

Handmade in Japan, David Kind’s debonair Richmond sunglasses come with quality five-barrel hinges, hand-polished acetate and a range of colors.

LA-based eyewear brand Akila elevates the classic black acetate pattern by applying it to their unique Apollo frame. It's fun, west coast-centric and finished with engraved branding on both arms. Plus, the lenses are tinted blue.

Moscot is a legendary name in the sunglasses game. They've been in business since 1915, and family-owned the whole time. The Vilda II is a newer style, but it carries the same craftsmanship: Italian acetate, engraved branding and a complimentary leather case.

The square face shape, like the round, is defined by nearly identical measurements all around — with one exception: your jawline is sharper and your sides straighter.

Rounded corners are key to success if you’ve got a square jaw. Look for frames sized to match you in width, but with soft lines. Too many hard angles won’t do you any favors.

Huckberry's in-house sunglasses are a good pick. Why? They're polarized; you can get two pairs for $60 dollars; and they fit snugly so they won't fall off your face.

These circular frames by Cubitts – called Herbrand — will cut up even the boxiest of faces. Plus, the keyhole bridge is cool looking, and the translucent green acetate frame goes well with most outfits.

Like Huckberry's in-house line, Sunski sunglasses are also fairly affordable — but they hold their own. The lenses are polarized, while the frame is made from 100 percent recycled materials. That makes them lightweight and flexible, thus less likely to break.

The oblong face shape lends a long, vertical look. Here, the dimensions going up and down are undoubtedly more so than those going side to side.

Similar to our square-faced friends, you want to go with softer lines and rounded corners. Wayfarer styles work well but avoid small frames.

One of Garrett Leight's best-selling frames, the Hampton Sun is a summer signature. It comes in 9 colorways, each with a cured cellulose acetate frame and a stainless steel core wire, UV protective lenses and real rivets.

Warby Parker’s Beale Sunglasses are reminiscent of Buddy Holly and are classically cool. They come in a range of color options, all at a great price.

These shades feature rich brown gradient lenses and thick acetate temples in a similar hue. Made from cured cellulose acetate, the frame has five-barrel hinges, real rivets and stainless steel core wires — they’re the perfect match of laid-back vibes and quality construction.

A heart-shaped face means your cheeks and forehead are wider than your jaw, which proves pointed.

Square frames complement a narrower chin, adding different angles that add a layer visual of visual interest. Avoid anything oversized or teardrop shaped, and reach instead for something with a sharper corner.

The quintessential aviator sunglasses are hard to beat, in a cockpit or on the street. If you’re a purist, look no further than Randolph Engineering’s sky-ready aviators.

This isn't your typical tortoise frame. The pattern's oversized, and the lenses are green polarized ones by Carl Zeiss, plus the fit is wider. They also offer 100 percent UVA and UVB protection.

Made in Japan, these unique shades feature lightweight, hypoallergenic frames and CR-39 lenses with an anti-reflective coating. The style has a traditional keyhole bridge that’s appropriate for a range of faces, and unconventional angles that set them apart.

Just like a diamond, this face shape proves wide at the middle — across the cheekbones — but pointed at the forehead and jaw.

Most frame shapes will work well for diamond faces, so long as they’re in keeping with your proportions. Anything wider than your cheekbones will make the widest point of your face appear even wider (and, in turn, make your chin and forehead appear smaller than they actually are).

LA-based brand Akila has been making some of the coolest sunglasses at unbeatable prices and its Legacy sunglasses are proof that good sunglasses don’t have to hurt your wallet.

The classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer will work well with a diamond-shaped face's proportions. But, truthfully, the iconic style works well with most others, too. The black iteration is a nice from over-the-top shades, too.

The Lemtosh is a perennial favorite and a staple for family-owned brand Moscot. It’s been spotted on the faces of celebs like Johnny Depp, but you can rock it just as easily.

For those with a triangular face shape, the forehead is the widest part. The rest leads into the chin, which is pointed, and accentuated by an angular jawline.

Frames with more going on up top are your friend. Anything teardrop-shaped will emphasize dimensional balance. Square frames with deep lenses are simple and effective.

This angular frame features crystal black acetate with five-barrel hinges and Dark Smoke CR-39 lenses from Carl Zeiss Vision. Available in narrow and wide sizes, the Aren frame comes in four understated colors fit for any occasion.

Persol’s classic aviator-style sunglasses feature the brand’s signature Meflecto technology for a fit that’s as comfortable as they are stylish.

Handmade in France, these thick eye-catching frames are almost sculptural. They feature a keyhole bridge and vintage-inspired curved shape that is both timeless and modern at once.