Nothing makes you look cooler than the right pair of sunglasses. They’re the mark of distinguished gentlemen, fast handed hustlers, straight shooting rangers, and paparazzi plagued celebrities. But looking that slick isn’t just a matter of throwing on any old pair of shades. You have to know how to pick the right frames for your face shape, your personal style, and your budget. You don’t know how to do that, do you. So here’s an easy guide that will show you how to pick out the right men’s sunglasses.
TYPE: Horn Rimmed
Pioneers of the horn rimmed style include chic nerd Woody Allen, lady killer Johnny Depp, and ‘50s rocker Buddy Holly. The frames should sit above your cheekbones and span slightly wider than your face. They’re well suited for round or oval faces because their sharp square edges create a complementary contrast to a circular face shape. This style is a more subtle look than a loud fashion statement and has that vintage feeling that gives the wearer a heir of classic, timeless sensibility. To add a modern twist, try them out in an unconventional color.Oliver Peoples NDG SUN cedar tortoise ($430). Zara also has a wide selection of horn-rimmed frames for around $40.
TYPE: Aviator
Aviators may well be the most notorious style of sunglasses. Dating back to the 1930s, this style has leaked out of the military and into the general public, being picked up by badasses with a penchant for statement pieces. Tom Cruise immortalized them in Top Gun, and they’re a favourite among both male and female celebs for the fact that they sit long on the face and block out that pesky camera flash! Aviators are well suited for most face shapes because they’re usually hefty and don’t leave much of the wearer’s visage revealed. To send your statement through the roof, try them with reflective lenses.
Ray-BanOutdoorsman Craft Aviators ($310). Also get them on ASOS for around $40 and from just about any street corner vendor for $5.
TYPE: Round
Circular sunglasses have made a resurgence this season, but have been cyclically in style since John Lennon put them on the map in the 60s. To be on trend this season, try round glasses if you have a heart shaped face. This style doesn’t usually have much of a frame and so gives the illusion of two floating circles sitting closely on either side of the nose. They’re quirky yet refined, and are sure to set you apart from most of your friends donning eye wear this season. To personalize this artist favorite, sport the style with colorful lenses.
Paul Smith brushed silver “Clarefied” sunglasses ($400). Or buy 20 pairs with different color lenses on AliExpress for $75.
Grab a few pairs in a lower price range if you’re still testing your look – you never really know how much you’ll like a pair of sunglasses until you’ve tried them on and worn them outside. But if you’re well versed in this niche of couture then invest in a timeless pair that will mark the start of this sun-drenched season with you year after year.
Now try this quiz to see which type is right for you.
