How to Choose the Right Shaped Sunglasses


When you’re standing in front of a display of sunglasses, deciding which to buy can be a daunting task.  While many may look appealing, which of them are really going to work for you?  Which will land you the job, get you the girl, make a passerby look twice? You could spend hours trying on each pair that catches your eye, narrowing down your selection, then retrying the best remaining, but after all of that you still might walk away with a pair of shades that just don’t look quite right.  The right pair of sunglasses for you is largely dependent on your individual features: your head and nose size, your face shape and your usual color scheme.  The following tips will help you to narrow down your options and pick the perfect pair of sunglasses for you.

Head and Nose Size:

This is easy, yet extremely important.  You want to find a pair of sunglasses that matches the size of your head.  Anything too big or small will look disproportionate.  There is one exception: that is if you are looking to balance large facial features.  A large nose, for example, will look smaller with bigger sunglasses, but always go wider not taller.  You’re sunglasses should always come up to meet your eyebrows.  Look for sunglasses with a low bridge if you would like your nose to appear shorter.  Now that you’ve got the right size frames in mind, take a look at the shape.

Face Shape:

In general, it’s a good idea to choose frames that contrast the shape of your face.  For example, if you have a round face, rectangular glasses will look great on you.  For a square face, round glasses work better.  Ovular faces tend to be the most versatile in that they can pretty much go with any shape of sunglasses, but rectangular glasses look especially good as a contrast for them too.  One exception to this rule is for people with heart shaped faces, who should actually look for sunglasses that match the shape of their face.  Aviators or frames that angle upward are a great choice for them and even the old school cat eye glasses work well.

Color and Material:

Contrast is a good thing to consider when you’re thinking of color and material too.  Subtle contrasts with your skin and hair will look great, but make sure to also consider your usual wardrobe.  Choose colors that will match well with what you normally wear.  Earth tones are always great as they can mesh with any outfit.  Don’t forget to consider the material that is used for the frames as this can really send a message.  Wood based frames have jumped in popularity as they tend to offer more uniqueness and variety.

Comfort:

Don’t forget to try them on!  A cool pair of shades can give your confidence a boost, but only if they feel as good as they look!  You don’t want to end up with a pair of sunglasses that keep sliding down your nose or that brush up against your eyelashes.  Plastic frames can be heavy and even leave a mark from digging into your nose.  Bamboo frames offer a lighter option and a more natural feel.

Now that you’ve considered all of the angles, you’re ready to pick the right sunglasses!  Keep these tips in mind in the future and you’ll always come out looking great in a new pair of shades.