Your Step-by-Step Guide to Picking Sunglasses

The best part about the strong summer sun shining on your face is being able to block it out. If you're psychologically allergic to bright light and have seriously considered the possibility of being a vampire in a previous life, you need a sturdy pair of shades. Besides, going beyond the utilitarian factor, a trendy pair of sunglasses can really go a long way in enhancing your style quotient, especially if your idea of accessorising is "less is more".

 

Here comes the inevitable but...picking a flattering pair of sunglasses isn't exactly a child's play. Of course, we want to help! So here's a guide on how to pick the best sunglasses, that look ultra-trendy and enhance your style. 

 

Step 1 - Figure out the shape of your face 

The general rule of thumb while sunglass shopping is to pick a shape that's opposite to the shape of your face. But before we get there, you need to figure out what your face shape actually is.

 

There are five general face shapes, and you're most likely one of these:

• Oval
• Square
• Round
• Triangle
• Heart.

 

If you aren't quite sure where your face fits, all you need is an old lipstick or a temporary marker.

1. Go up to the mirror, and using your lipstick or marker trace the outline of your face
2. Start from the chin and end at your hairline

 

 

Step 2 - Pick sunglasses that flatter your face shape 

Back to the general rule, the shape of sunglasses you want should soften your face shape. We've curated a round-up of what will work for which shape. 

 

1. Round

If you have a round face, your face is most likely symmetrical, with almost the same width and length. A round face is typically the widest across the cheekbones, and identically narrow at the hairline and chin.

 

What shape should you pick in sunglasses?

Rectangular, square, pointed, and angular like cat eyes, or wayfarers will work the best on a round face. These sunglass shapes tend to visually lengthen your face and give you sharper proportions. 

Image Courtesy: Coastal 

 

2. Oval 

The oval face is longer, with a rounded chin and jawline. Your facial features are likely to be fairly even, and the width of your forehead is slightly more than your jaw. 

 

What shape should you pick in sunglasses?

An oval face is one of the most versatile, in terms of sunglass styling, which means both square/rectangle and round-shaped sunglasses can work well for you. Aviators and cat-eyes can also be flattering. However, you need to be mindful of that the proportion of your sunglasses does not distract from your face's natural symmetry.

Avoid very big or very narrow sunglasses for your face and ones with very sharply defined edges. 

Image Courtesy: Coastal 

 

3. Square 

Square faces typically tend to be identical in width and length, with a strong jawline and wide cheekbones. The forehead and jaw will likely be of similar width, and your face is sharper than rounded. 

 

What shape should you pick in sunglasses?

The most flattering sunglasses for your face should be in a shape that softens your sharp angles and features. Rounded frames can help you achieve that, and you should avoid square shapes with sharp corners. Sunglasses with soft lines or rimless edges can work really well. Oval, tear-dropped, aviators, and browline shades are also great options. 

Image Courtesy: Coastal 

 

4. Triangle

If you have a triangle-shaped face, your face length will be slightly more than your face width. A triangular face tends to be the widest at the jaw and narrow towards the temple. Your chin will typically be wide and sharply angular. 

 

What shape should you pick in sunglasses?

Since your face is the widest towards the bottom and narrow at the top, you need a mirror-opposite shape of sunglasses to flatter your face. Choose sunglasses with a broader upper part, and avoid sharp square outlines. Rounded shapes will work well for you, along with aviators, and cat-eye sunglasses. 

Image Courtesy: Coastal 

 

5. Heart 

A heart-shaped face is usually the widest at the forehead area, with the length of your face being slightly more than the width. The narrowest part of your face will be the chin and the jawline. 

 

What shape should you pick in sunglasses?

Heart-shaped faces also fall in the category of the most versatile, in terms of sunglass styling and shape. Rounded, smaller frames that are just a tad bottom-heavy can work well for you. Avoid oversized sunglasses, and pick a pair that draws attention downwards. Aviators, Wayfarers, rimless frames and d-frames are great options. 

Image Courtesy: Coastal 

 

 

Step 3 - Pick something that's more classic than trendy 

Sunglasses are usually quite an investment, so you want a pair that lasts for a while, and through trend shifts. Within the category of shapes that flatter your face outline, try to pick something slightly less experimental, and likely to stand the test of fashion changes. Unless you're trying to build a collection, it's advisable to go for classic shades as your go-to pair. 

 

Step 4 - Pick a colour 

The colour you pick should also be flattering for your face. Rectangular faces are typically advised to steer clear of bright, colourful frames, but that's general advice we'd give to most. Again, much like the shape, classic colours are your best bet. Blacks, muted browns, deeper reds and neutral shades like beige always look great. Tortoiseshell sunglasses look very classy if you don't want a solid colour. 

 

 

Step 5 - Factor in the sun protection

All said and done, if your sunglasses aren't protecting you from the harmful UV rays, it kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it? So, check the extent to which the lenses you pick will protect your eyes, from ultraviolet light and the glare of the sun. Another important thing to remember is that polarized sunglasses feel great because they're mostly keeping the sun glare away, and not the UV rays. So go for something that gives you 100% UV protection. 

Image Courtesy: Pexels

 

 

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"Future's so bright, I gotta wear shades!"

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