Sunglasses are too often considered a frivolous investment, mired by diva associations dating back to the golden age of film. This may apply if you’re on your 11th pair (and why not?), but for the majority of us, they’re a functional accessory, protecting our sight from harmful UV rays, from impending crow’s feet around the eyes and allowing us to drive, walk, ski – you name it. They’re a wardrobe staple and there are plenty of shapes and styles to choose from: aviators, round lenses, cat-eyes, oversized, oval, rectangular and, now, lighter lenses for more eye contact. 

Then there’s the aesthetic appeal, framing your best features and working to the shape of your face, hair and dress sense. Rather than sacrificing functionality, the two should work in harmony. 

It’s worth noting that sunglasses are particularly vulnerable to trend cycles. Before indulging, take heed of the face shape rule: opt for a pair that is the opposite of your face shape. A round face suits aviators or wide-set sunglasses, a long face suits cat eyes and is a good canvas for most styles, whereas square faces should stick to curved frames or aviators. Finally, oversized sunglasses or frames with exaggerated bottoms are ideal for heart-shaped faces. 

It’s well worth ensuring that any new pair of sunglasses provides 100% UVA/UVB protection (it will say this on the label). If investing in an expensive pair, rise above the ephemeral trends in the shops and go for a classic shape that will survive the sartorial seasons. Then there are a wide range of colours and materials to choose from, from acetate to titanium. Both must complement your complexion and hair tone, as well as your dress sense (for example, brunettes suit black frames, pale skin tones should avoid pastel coloured frames that wash them out). There are plenty of lenses on offer but these often come as a “whole package” with the sunglasses and are rarely selected separately, unless through an optician. Polarised lenses reduce glare reflected off surfaces, which makes images appear sharper and clearer. Polycarbonate lenses are more resilient and ideal for those with children or leading active lifestyles (it also makes them a great choice of lens for rimless glasses).

Integrating all these factors into your sunglasses hunt might seem slightly daunting, but it’s worth it for the “perfect pair”. Once you’ve found them, they’re your ultimate armour, boosting facial features and most importantly your eyesight. Here’s a little help from us…