Ecclesiastes 11:7: “Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.”
One size does not always fit all. You know that to be true about clothing, but it also applies to other things. With the more pleasant weather, many of us are venturing outdoors. And you may be realizing that it’s time to update an essential part of your summer wardrobe––sunglasses. But before rushing out to the store to grab the cutest, trendiest pair, consider which ones will best work for you.
Comfort matters
Obviously, one of the first things to consider when buying a new pair of sunglasses is comfort. I’ve bought many pairs that were perfect in the store, but when I got home and started wearing them, they were awful. They were too tight, giving me a headache. Or they seemed to sit crookedly on my face, bothering me the entire time I wore them. Even though I don’t pay a lot for sunglasses, if they are not comfortable to me, they are never a good deal. Make sure you spend a decent amount of time wearing the glasses in the store to get the best idea of how they’ll fit. Wear them home with the tags on so that if you notice that they start to get uncomfortable during the ride home, you can take them back. If you’ve already removed the tags and find yourself cringing every time you have to put them on, offer to give them to a friend who might have better luck with them.
Price matters
Yes, there are $150 pairs of sunglasses out there that are great. And stylish. And come in a cute case. And cook dinner. But, consider how worth it they are if you accidentally sit on them in your car. Or lose them at the mall. I have friends who are constantly ruining sunglasses by leaving them on the seat of their car and then sitting on them later. It’s much easier parting with the $10 sunglasses than it is the $100 pair that was so necessary just weeks before.
Style (kinda) matters
I say “kinda” because, while there are certain sunglasses that look better with specific face shapes, you can certainly buy whichever glasses you like best. Style might matter to you, but it shouldn’t be our ultimate objective. But since it’s nice to have a place to start, here are some tips for shopping for sunglasses for your face shape.
Start by looking in a mirror. Using a lipstick or lip liner pencil, trace the shape of your face. You should come up with an oval, circle, square, or triangle.
If your face is oval:
Congratulations! You have a very versatile face shape. More sunglasses look good with this shape than any others. You could go with round or square frames. Just make sure the size of the frames is proportionate to your face size. Meaning: If you have a small face, don’t buy oversized frames, or your face will get lost behind them.
Sonoma oval sunglasses, available at Kohl’s
If your face is round:
To minimize the fullness of a very round face, opt for frames that are more angular. Square frames or ones with straight lines are your best bet.
Vera Wang rectangular sunglasses, available at Kohl’s
If your face is square:
Opposite rule applies here: To soften a square, angular face and jawline, go with frames that are slightly curved. A square or rectangular frame will make your face look harsh.
Merona small oval sunglasses, available at Target
If your face is triangular:
This face shape is defined by a broader forehead and narrow jawline and chin. Go with thinner frames to balance the bottom part of your face. Avoid heavy, thick frames, or very bold colors.
Adi Designs frameless sunglasses, available at Target
Time to go shopping!
For more on sunglasses for your face shape, search online or visit Frames Direct.
Having a friend along will help you to judge which sunglasses work best with your face. Don’t just consider frame size and shape. The color of the lenses is also important when thinking about your complexion. So, grab a tactfully honest friend and head out to accessorize your face.
By Lisa Grimenstein
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