Sunglasses: how to choose

How to choose sunglasses

Begin with the line of the frame and how it sits against your features. A cat-eye shape lifts the face and brings structure to softer features, and the Cat Eye Gradient Sunglasses use a 50mm lens width and 28mm lens height for a defined fit. A faceted metal frame gives a sharper, more architectural line, while a wide, minimalist pair brings calm proportion. If you prefer a retro note, a metal frame with motifs drawn from lightning, waves and stars changes the mood without losing the shape.

Think about the lens for the light you are in. Gradient lenses fade from deeper at the top to lighter below, which softens bright days; polarised tinted lenses quiet glare for driving, travel and long afternoons outside. Clear lenses keep the view natural in low light, on overcast mornings and along shaded tracks, which is why they suit riding glasses. The Oversized Polarized UV400 Sunglasses carry UV400 and ANSI Z80.3 protection, and the cat-eye pair also uses UV400 lenses.

Weight and use matter as much as shape. A plastic cat-eye frame stays light between 16g and 30g, the polygonal metal frame weighs 21g and the oversized pair weighs 39g. For a wedding party, the heart-shaped set pairs one clear frame for the bride with nine green frames and a bridal sash. For commuting, smart sunglasses bring Bluetooth calling, a voice assistant, music playback, touch controls and camera capture by touch or remote control.

Materials, details and fit

Frame materials set the tone. Plastic appears in the cat-eye and oversized frames, and both stay light on the face. Metal gives the polygonal frame its faceted geometry and the retro frame its clean line. The sport styles use black plastic frames with polycarbonate lenses, and the heart set uses lightweight, flexible frames made to resist everyday knocks. Lens materials and frame details are noted on each product page; use those notes as your guide rather than assuming a material from the look of a frame.

Cases and pouches use leather, PU leather and EVA. The Magnetic Flip-Open Leather Sunglasses Case has a leather exterior, a magnetic lid and a pressure-resistant shell. The PU Leather Sunglasses Pouch is a slim PU leather piece with a smooth finish, and the Zip-Top EVA Sunglasses Case uses a lightweight EVA shell with a zip closure and a weight of 44g. These are practical details to check if your sunglasses live in a tote, a backpack or a drawer.

Fit is mostly about the temples and the bridge. Our frames are made to a standard fit, so have your optician adjust the temples for an even, steady hold. Place the frames gently on the face and adjust the arms behind the ears; when the frames sit close to the face, the lenses stay steady once the arms are settled. The cat-eye pair has a 50mm lens width and 28mm lens height, which gives a defined fit without a wide, oversized line.

How to style them

Let the frame do one clear job. A cat-eye line looks poised with a tailored coat or a simple knit, and its lifted shape brings structure to a soft feature. The polygonal metal frame sharpens a plain tee as neatly as tailoring, so it works with a pressed white shirt and little else, or against dark tailoring. The oversized pair has a clean, minimalist line that suits driving, travel and a bright city afternoon.

Colour can shift the mood without changing the shape. The retro metal frame comes with grey, blue or yellow lenses; silver and gold pair with grey lenses, bronze brings blue or grey, and black offers grey or yellow. Its motifs drawn from lightning, waves, sun, moon and stars make it a decorative choice for outings, driving and parties. For a celebration, the heart-shaped set puts one clear pair on the bride and nine green pairs on the party, with a bridal sash to finish the group look.

Keep the rest of the look quiet when the sunglasses are the focus. Smart sunglasses suit a commute or a walk when you want Bluetooth calling and music playback without reaching for a phone. A slim PU leather pouch keeps frames separate in a tote, and the EVA case or leather case gives them a dedicated home in a backpack, car or drawer. The case colours, from deep green to bright orange or black and green, can be chosen to suit the bag you carry most.

Care and storage

Give lenses a soft, clean cloth and avoid pressing hard on the surface. Keep frames away from keys, coins and the loose bottom of a bag, where scratches happen. A case or pouch is the simplest habit: fold the arms, settle the frames inside and close the lid or zip before the bag is moved.

The Zip-Top EVA Sunglasses Case has a zip closure around a lightweight EVA shell and weighs 44g; its colours include black, dark blue, orange, light green and dark green. The Magnetic Flip-Open Leather Sunglasses Case uses a leather exterior, a magnetic lid and a pressure-resistant shell for a packed bag or crowded drawer. The PU Leather Sunglasses Pouch is a slim PU leather home for sunglasses or reading glasses, with a smooth finish and six colours: black, pink, green, grey, burgundy or brown.

At the end of the day, place the frames gently on the face and adjust the arms behind the ears rather than forcing them. If a frame feels uneven, have your optician adjust the temples for an even, steady hold. Store the pair folded in its case or pouch, and keep the case in a regular spot in your bag so it does not end up under everything else.

Standout pieces

• Cat Eye Gradient Sunglasses: A defined cat-eye with gradient lenses, UV400 protection and a light plastic frame between 16g and 30g.
• Polygonal Metal Frame Glasses: A faceted metal frame at 21g, with an angular line that sharpens a plain tee or tailoring.
• Oversized Polarized UV400 Sunglasses: Wide, lightweight plastic frames with UV400 lenses, a polarised tint and ANSI Z80.3 protection for driving, travel or a bright city afternoon.
• Retro Metal Frame Sunglasses: A metal retro frame with grey, blue or yellow lens choices and motifs drawn from lightning, waves and stars.
• Magnetic Flip-Open Leather-Look Sunglasses Case: A leather case with a magnetic flip-open lid and a pressure-resistant shell to keep a folded pair protected in a bag or drawer.