Finding the right pair of sunglasses can be a challenge. With countless styles, shapes, and colors to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But don’t worry – choosing sunglasses that look good and perform well isn’t rocket science. It comes down to two key factors: your face shape and what you’ll be doing while wearing them.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to find sunglasses that complement your face shape and meet your needs for different activities. Whether you’re driving, playing sports, or just hanging out, the right shades can make all the difference in both comfort and style.
Understanding Your Face Shape
Before diving into sunglasses styles, you need to figure out what face shape you have. This might seem complicated, but it’s actually pretty straightforward.
To determine your face shape, stand in front of a mirror and take a good look. Pay attention to the width of your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline, as well as the overall length of your face. You can even trace the outline of your face on the mirror with a dry-erase marker if that helps.
Most men’s faces fall into one of these basic categories:
Oval Face
If your face is longer than it is wide with a rounded jawline and your forehead is slightly wider than your chin, you have an oval face. Consider yourself lucky – this face shape can pull off almost any style of sunglasses.
Good choices for oval faces:
- Aviators
- Wayfarers
- Square frames
- Rectangular frames
Just avoid frames that are too wide, as they can throw off your natural balance.
Round Face
A round face has soft features with a rounded chin and no sharp angles. The width and length of your face are roughly equal, with full cheeks and a rounded hairline.
Good choices for round faces:
- Rectangle or square frames (add definition)
- Wayfarers
- Angular frames
Avoid circular frames, as they’ll only emphasize the roundness of your face. The goal is to add some angles and definition to balance your softer features.
Square Face
If you have a strong, defined jawline, a broad forehead, and the width and length of your face are about equal, you have a square face. Your face has clear angles and straight lines.
Good choices for square faces:
- Round or oval frames
- Aviators
- Curved styles
Avoid angular or geometric frames that will make your face look too boxy. You want to soften those strong angles with rounded frames.
Heart-Shaped Face
A heart-shaped face (sometimes called triangular) has a broader forehead and cheekbones with a narrower chin. Think of an inverted triangle.
Good choices for heart-shaped faces:
- Aviators
- Rectangular frames
- Frames with low-set temples
These styles will help balance the width of your forehead with your narrower chin.
Diamond-Shaped Face
Diamond faces have narrow foreheads and jawlines with prominent, wide cheekbones. This is one of the less common face shapes.
Good choices for diamond-shaped faces:
- Oval frames
- Rimless styles
- Cat-eye shapes
Look for frames that are no wider than your cheekbones.
Oblong/Rectangular Face
An oblong face is longer than it is wide with a long, straight cheek line. Your face is similar to an oval but more elongated.
Good choices for oblong faces:
- Oversized frames
- Wayfarers
- Frames with thick temples
These styles will help make your face appear wider and more balanced.
Remember, just like with haircuts, these are guidelines, not strict rules. Your personal style and comfort are equally important.
Choosing Sunglasses for Different Activities
Now that you know which frames complement your face shape, let’s talk about how to choose sunglasses based on what you’ll be doing while wearing them.
Everyday Casual Wear
For daily use like running errands or hanging out with friends, you want comfortable, versatile sunglasses that look good and provide decent eye protection.
Key features to look for:
- 100% UV protection (essential for all sunglasses)
- Polarized lenses (reduces glare)
- Comfortable fit
- Classic style that matches most outfits
Popular options: Wayfarers, aviators, and classic square frames work well for most casual situations. These styles have stood the test of time and complement a wide range of outfits.
Driving
When you’re behind the wheel, vision clarity and glare reduction are your top priorities.
Key features to look for:
- Polarized lenses (crucial for reducing glare from the road and other cars)
- Brown, copper, or gray lenses (these colors improve contrast and don’t distort colors)
- Anti-reflective coating
- Frames that don’t block your peripheral vision
Avoid very dark lenses (tint category 4) as they can be too dark for safe driving. Also steer clear of blue, green, or pink lenses as they can distort traffic light colors.
Sports and Outdoor Activities
For high-energy activities like running, hiking, biking, or playing sports, you need sunglasses that stay put and protect your eyes from wind, dust, and debris.
Key features to look for:
- Lightweight, durable frames
- Rubber nose pads and temple tips for grip when sweating
- Impact-resistant lenses
- Wraparound style for wind protection
- Secure fit that won’t bounce or slide off
Many sports sunglasses come with interchangeable lenses for different light conditions, which is helpful if you’re active in various environments.
Water Sports and Beach Activities
For fishing, boating, or beach days, you need maximum glare protection and frames that float (or at least come with a strap).
Key features to look for:
- Highly polarized lenses (essential for reducing water glare)
- Floating frames or a secure strap
- Full coverage to block light from the sides
- Water-resistant coating
Amber or copper lenses are excellent for water activities as they enhance contrast and visibility in bright conditions.
Snow Sports
If you’re hitting the slopes, you need serious protection from snow glare and UV rays, which are more intense at higher altitudes.
Key features to look for:
- Wrap-around style
- High UV protection
- Polarized lenses
- Side shields for blocking peripheral light
- Yellow or amber lenses for flat light conditions
Some snow sport sunglasses even have special venting to prevent fogging when you’re working up a sweat.
Understanding Lens Colors and What They Do
Different lens colors aren’t just about style – they actually serve specific purposes.
Gray Lenses
Gray is a neutral color that doesn’t alter colors. It reduces overall brightness and works well in most conditions. Great for driving and everyday use.
Brown/Amber Lenses
These enhance contrast and depth perception. They’re excellent for variable light conditions and activities like golf, fishing, or driving. Brown lenses make everything look sharper and more defined.
Yellow/Gold Lenses
These dramatically increase contrast in low light or hazy conditions. They’re not great for bright sunny days but perfect for overcast days, dawn/dusk, or foggy conditions.
Green Lenses
Green offers good color balance and contrast. They reduce glare while keeping colors true, making them good for general use and water activities.
Red/Rose Lenses
These enhance detail and improve depth perception in partly cloudy or foggy conditions. They’re popular for snow sports because they improve visibility in flat light.
Blue/Purple Lenses
These are mostly for style but can help reduce glare in moderate to bright light. They’re not recommended for driving.
When adding the right accessories to your look, remember that correctly matching accessories is an art – sunglasses included. Choose lens colors that not only serve their function but also complement your usual wardrobe.
Additional Features to Consider
Beyond face shape and activity, there are a few more things to think about when choosing sunglasses:
Polarization
Polarized lenses filter out horizontal light waves, dramatically reducing glare from reflective surfaces like water, snow, and roads. They’re worth the extra cost for driving, fishing, and snow sports. However, they can make it difficult to read some LCD screens and can affect how you see your car’s dashboard in some cases.
UV Protection
This is non-negotiable. Always choose sunglasses that provide 100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Even cheap sunglasses can offer full UV protection, so there’s no excuse to skip this feature.
Frame Material
Common frame materials include:
- Metal (durable but can get hot in the sun)
- Nylon (lightweight and good for sports)
- Acetate (good for style but less durable)
- Composite (balance of durability and style)
Lens Material
Most sunglasses use one of these lens materials:
- Polycarbonate (impact-resistant, good for sports)
- Glass (best optical clarity but heavier and can break)
- CR-39 plastic (good all-around option)
Fit
No matter how good sunglasses look, if they don’t fit well, you won’t wear them. Your sunglasses should:
- Sit comfortably on your nose without pinching
- Not press too tightly against your temples
- Not touch your eyelashes when you blink
- Stay in place when you move your head
Finding Your Personal Style
While face shape and activity are important considerations, your personal style should also guide your sunglasses choice. Classic styles like Wayfarers and aviators have endured for decades because they look good on most people and work in most situations.
Don’t be afraid to try on lots of different styles. Sometimes a pair that doesn’t match the “rules” for your face shape might still look great on you because of your unique features.
Consider having at least two pairs of sunglasses: one for everyday wear and another specialized pair for your favorite activity, whether that’s driving, sports, or outdoor adventures.
Caring For Your Sunglasses
Once you’ve found the perfect sunglasses, take care of them:
- Clean lenses with a microfiber cloth and proper lens cleaner
- Store them in a hard case when not in use
- Don’t put them on top of your head (this stretches the frame)
- Don’t leave them in a hot car (this can warp frames)
Conclusion
Choosing the right sunglasses isn’t just about looking good – though that’s certainly part of it. The right pair should complement your face shape while meeting the functional demands of your lifestyle and activities.
Remember that the best sunglasses are the ones you’ll actually wear consistently. If they’re uncomfortable or you don’t like how they look, they’ll end up gathering dust instead of protecting your eyes.
Take the time to find sunglasses that fit well, look good, and meet your needs. Your eyes will thank you, and you’ll be more confident knowing you’ve made a smart choice that works for both your face and your life.
