How to Choose Sunglasses for Men

 

A great pair of sunglasses is essential in any stylish man’s wardrobe. Not only do they protect your eyes from UV damage, but they also help prevent wrinkles because you won’t be squinting so much. Like the rest of your clothing and accessory choices, they reflect your style, hobbies, and personality. There are thousands of designs from hundreds of excellent brands and designers. Opt for a cool and classic pair of aviators, laidback wayfarers, sophisticated round lenses, or a fashion-forward, statement pair of oversized sunglasses. Picking the perfect pair is about finding the right shape for your face, materials for your needs, and the right price for your budget. Below, we explain what to look for when buying sunglasses so you will buy the perfect pair every time.

 

What to Know When Buying Sunglasses

Choose the Right Fit

The key to getting the perfect fit for sunglasses is understanding your face. The first step is to establish what shape you have. The seven options are triangle, oval, round, oblong/rectangle, diamond, square, and heart. Knowing this will help you choose the right shape sunglasses, with aviators, round, and square the most common. Gents with angular faces, like hearts, rectangles, or squares, can soften their look with the curves of round or aviator glasses. Meanwhile, round faces look great with larger, more angular styles, and ovals are blessed in that they can pull off any design. Ideally, your frames will be the same width as your face in terms of the right fit. They’ll also feel snug but not tight around your ears and nose without excessively touching your face or leaving marks when you take them off.

 

 

Lens Colours

Sometimes, looking at sunglasses options is like looking at a rainbow – there can be dozens of lens colors to choose from! However, the different hues are more than just an aesthetic choice; each offers benefits. Grey lenses are the best if you want to see the world as it is, just without squinting in the bright sun. Rose-colored glasses won’t necessarily make the world a better place, but they can enhance contrast and reduce eye strain, as can green lenses. Yellow and brown are both great for depth perception (and therefore activities like skiing), and blocking blue light, however, can distort color and may not filter the brightness as much. Finally, blue enhances contours and color perception.

 

 

Lens Materials

Optical glass and various plastics are the most common lens materials used in sunglasses for men. Each has pros and cons, so you’ll need to consider your intended use. Glass is strong, scratch-resistant, and gives the best distortion-free worldview. However, it is heavier and prone to smashing if you drop them. Regarding plastics, acrylic is common in fashion sunglasses as it’s inexpensive, light, and relatively durable. On the other hand, polycarbonate is even more lightweight, durable, and a great alternative to glass and acrylic. It’s one of the most commonly used solutions and is perfect if you know your sunnies are likely to take a beating. Next is a material called CR-39, which is generally used for polarized lenses, while NXT Polyurethane/Trivex is essentially an upgraded version of polycarbonate but comes with a higher price tag.

 

 

Frame Materials

Just as crucial as lens material is the frame material. This will impact not only the look but also the fit, comfort, safety, and functionality. The cheapest options are plastics such as acrylic, polyurethane, and acetate. These are generally light, reasonably strong, and versatile. If you want something a bit tougher, polycarbonate is impact-resistant and great for kids and sports; however, it doesn’t have much flexibility. Then there are metal frames, which make it easy to tailor the fit but can be more expensive and heavier. Titanium is also an excellent metal option that’s more durable, scratch-resistant, and pricier. Nylon frames are commonly found in sports glasses thanks to their stress resistance, flexibility, strength, and lightweight. Many companies refer to nylon frames by their brand name. Finally, you can find wood and hardened fabric materials in a small market corner.

 

 

Lens Technologies

One of the leading sunglasses technologies you must look for is ultra-violet (UV) protection. After all, protecting your eyesight is one of the key functions of sunglasses (other than looking cool and stylish, of course!). Most modern sunglasses provide full protection from UV light but will vary by the protection index. This rates the amount of light that gets through on a scale of zero to four. Zero is a clear or very light tint that lets in most of the light. At this point, you’re only making a fashion statement. At the opposite end is a rating of four, with a light transmission of only three to eight percent. As such, when browsing, it’s best to look for lenses with at least a score of one to three.

 

 

Sunglasses Lens Treatments

Next up is advanced sunglasses technology or treatments. This takes your specs to the next level, increasing functionality by protecting your eyes from UV damage. First up and most common is polarization. This helps reduce or eliminate reflective glare, which causes eye fatigue and even restricted vision in some circumstances. Polarization is excellent for outdoor activities such as running, skiing, or water sports, where the sunlight reflects off the ground or water. Then, photochromic lenses adapt to changing sunlight, giving you more protection on sunny days than overcast ones. Mirrored lenses (or flash coating) are another treatment that reflects the sunlight away so it doesn’t reach your eyes. Finally, some sports brands, such as Ryders, offer even more advanced features, such as anti-fog and color-boost, to increase clarity and vision.

 

 

Choose a Reputable Brand

Like any product, buying from a reputable brand will give you the best balance of style and quality when it comes to sunglasses for men. Luxury brands such as Gucci, Prada, and Versace are at the forefront of fashion, leading the trends and setting the standard for high-end sunglasses. Then, there are accessory and eye-wear-specific brands like Ray-Ban and Carrera, whose sole focus is creating excellent sunglasses. Finally, if versatile functionality is your primary selling point, brands such as Oakley and Ryders, who manufacture elite sunglasses for active lifestyles, are the best choice.

 

 

Choose the Right Fame for Your Face Shape

RELATED: How to Choose Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

 

Round

Round-framed sunglasses were a major craze in the 1920s and 1930s when sunglasses were diverging from their primary use as protection from the sun. Technology began to advance during this time, and eyewear became accessible and appealing. The round frame trend is guaranteed to provide a vintage look with a hint of eccentricity. It is versatile enough to complement all fashion occasions, from formal to casual. Your facial features are accentuated since it doesn’t take up the entire face (as opposed to big aviator sunglasses). As such, you’re provided with a kinder and softer look, which can be helpful, especially if you’re trying to impress that special someone.

 

 

Wayfarer

Iconic label Ray Ban made the wayfarer style a revolutionary trend in fashion when it emerged in the 1950s. The design and aesthetics provided a refreshing change from the common metal eyewear that pervaded this era. Since then, its popularity has fluctuated, but from recent runway shows, it seems the style is returning with a vengeance. A faintly colored rim or lens usually accompanies this retro look and perfectly suits any casual wear or spring/summer outfit.

 

 

Aviator

Aviator sunglasses are a style of sunglasses that was developed by Bausch & Lomb. The original Bausch & Lomb design is now marketed as Ray-Ban Aviators, although other manufacturers also produce aviator-style sunglasses. They are characterized by dark, often reflective lenses having an area two or three times the area of the eyeball and very thin metal frames with a double or triple bridge (so-called ″bullet hole″) and bayonet earpieces or flexible cable temples that hook behind the ears.

 

 

D-Frame

Creating a contemporary and retro look, D-frame sunglasses have been renowned for their precision in design and unique perspective on the eyewear trend. While other styles retain an oval look, D-frame sunglasses are instantly recognizable from the sharp, straight slice across the top of the rims, radiating a futuristic feel while still oozing sex appeal.

 

 

Mirrored

What sets mirrored sunglasses apart from the other styles is that they are so reflective that those around you can use them as a moving mirror. What we love most about this style is how brilliant they look when photographed – it’s attention-grabbing and exudes a mysterious but confident persona. Suppose you’re a man who wants to show others that you mean business; mirrored sunglasses are the way to go. A primary example of this style is aviator sunglasses.