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Sunglasses – everyone’s got a pair. But we have dug through thousands of online reviews, tried on many pairs, and arrived at the best sunglasses.
From Ray-Ban’s to Dolce & Gabbana to Cartier – we’ve got ’em all. So whether you’re headed to the beach this summer, or you live in sunny Los Angeles all year long – here are our top picks.
Our Top Pick
Ray-Ban RB2132 New Wayfarer Sunglasses
The Wayfarer was the sunglasses choice of the 1980s. But this new model is better constructed, with better protection – and comes in at a great price point. On top of that – the old, classic look still remains.
Other Great Picks
Tifosi Pave T-I436 Sunglasses
These are great for running or any activity – and they block harmful rays. Stylish, lightweight, and ultra-comfortable – these are our pick for any athlete out there. Our staff liked the orange-yellow tint, but more colors are also available.
ROKA Oslo High Performance Modern Sunglasses for Men and Women
One of the most beautiful pairs of sunglasses we’ve ever seen, these uni-sex glasses will work great for a man or woman, and come in at a great price point. If you want to look like you broke the bank (but you really didn’t) – these are our recommendation for you.
Louis Vuitton Mascot Sunglasses Z0936E
These statement sunglasses from Louis Vuitton are the ultimate eye-catcher. Certainly not a budget option, but we think they are worth every penny, if you’re ready to be bold and noticed.
SUNGAIT Vintage Round Sunglasses for Women Classic Retro Designer Style
With over 3,700 (!) glowing online reviews, this great budget pair of sunglasses from Sungait is a complete steal. You can get 10 pairs for the price of one 1 pair of some designer brands – and yet the quality still holds up. Highly recommended.
Dolce & Gabbana D&G Sunglass Unisex
This great unisex pair of sunglasses from Dolce & Gabbana is certainly a luxurious choice. While not everyone’s style, we think the bold, minimalist design (not to mention the amazing craftsmanship) – is worth it.
Gucci GG 0144 S- 002 AVANA / GREY Sunglasses
This bold pair of sunglasses from Gucci will attract people to you – and they certainly are well-made. While not a budget choice, if you have money to invest in a great-looking, long-lasting pair of sunglasses – these are a fine choice.
Cartier Men’s CT0163S002 Gold Metal Sunglasses
The French luxury goods company Cartier is very adept at making stylish products – and these men’s sunglasses are no different. Finely crafted, sleek and minimal – and a quiet, upscale statement – these were the men’s staff favorite pick.
MERRY’S Unisex Polarized Aluminum Sunglasses Vintage Sun Glasses For Men/Women S8286
With over 3,800 online reviews – this great budget pair of sunglasses from Merry’s are a terrific choice. Since they are unisex – anyone can wear a pair – and with a great price point, you can stock up for 10 summers, right now!
Polarspex Polarized 80’s Retro Classic Trendy Stylish Sunglasses for Men & Women
If you love Ray-Ban Wayfarers – but don’t want to spend more than $25 – these are our pick for you. A great budget choice (while still looking cool) – stock up for summer, and grab some pairs for gifts, too!
Serengeti Volterra Sunglasses
This luxury pair of sunglasses from Serengeti Volterra is one of our favorites. We prefer the polarized gold color, but they are also available in black and gray stripe. Not a budget pick, but if you want one pair of sunglasses for the rest of your life – may we recommend these?
What Are Sunglasses?
Sunglasses, which are sometimes called “shades”, are glasses designed to block sunlight, high-energy visible light, and often, ultraviolet radiation, from your eyes. The frames of sunglasses vary by designer, but what remains the same is their darkened, colored, or polarized lenses, which is what keeps the sun from damaging your eyes when sunglasses are worn properly.
Since the 1940s, sunglasses have been a favorite accessory, and since, have been made by a plethora of designers across the globe. If you stroll across the beach or visit a park, there’s a good chance you’ll see a number of people wearing this useful but chic accessory.
What Does Polarized Sunglasses Mean?
Polarized sunglasses are a recommended type of lens used in sunglasses. This specialized design reduces light reflection and glare from flat, shiny surfaces, such as water and glass. While polarized sunglasses come in a range of colors, it is said that the darker the colors, the higher the polarization.
Polarized lenses only allow vertically oriented light to pass through, meaning any glare or reflection that is caught by your eye looking straight, will be blocked by polarized lenses. Sunglasses with polarized lenses are great for reducing eye strain, improving visual clarity especially outdoors, improves visual comfort, and more. If you are someone that has a sensitivity to light, polarized sunglasses are especially useful.
Are Sunglasses Prescription Glasses?
Sunglasses and prescription glasses are a bit of a different breed. Sunglasses are a universal product in the sense that anyone can wear and see through standard sunglasses. This is why sunglasses are sold easily in stores and online. Unlike prescription glasses, you do not need to consult an eye doctor before purchasing sunglasses.
That being said, if you have problems seeing and have not yet checked in with a doctor, you should get an eye exam for prescription glasses or contacts. Sunglasses can also be made with specialty prescription lenses, but these are only available through your eye doctor.
Do All Sunglasses Protect Against UV Rays?
Sunglasses that protect against UV rays (ultraviolet radiation) are great to have and can improve your visual comfort and health immensely. UV rays are the types of rays that cause sunburn, so it’s no wonder that they can be harmful to your eyes as well. Not all sunglasses protect against UV rays and the amount of color or darkness to your lenses is unrelated to UV protection.
When purchasing your new pair of sunglasses, check to see if it notes ‘100% UV protection’. Larger lenses or close-fitting wrap-around lenses (check out Tifosi Pave T-I436 sunglasses on our list!) are also known to provide good protection against the sun, but may not all protect against UV. Many of the sunglasses on this list offer 100% UV protection.
Are All Sunglasses Unisex?
The type and style of sunglasses you choose is totally based on personal preference, like many fashion items and accessories. Since sunglasses are very versatile when it comes to completing an outfit, many designers opt for making unisex or gender-neutral sunglasses, which have a universal fit. However, not all sunglasses are deemed unisex and some are designed with a specific gender in mind.
The label of sunglasses, whether it be Men, Women, or Unisex, is primarily based on overall size (and sometimes style). Based on the average size of faces, some sunglasses are designed with a smaller frame for women and a larger frame for men. Sunglasses designed for women also tend to have more decorative elements, but as we said, the choice is yours!
How Much Do Sunglasses Cost?
Everyone from high-end fashion designers to active outdoor and sports brands has jumped on the sunglasses wagon, creating pairs of sunglasses with every style and purpose in mind. Because there are so many sunglasses on the market, there is also a very wide range in price.
Depending on which brand you choose, sunglasses can cost anywhere from $10 to thousands of dollars. The truth of the matter is unless you are aiming for a high-fashion look, you do not need to spend thousands on a new pair of sunglasses. Many high quality, polarized, stylish sunglasses will average around $100 a pair. Purchasing with quality in mind is a good idea when it comes to sunglasses because they are in fact, protecting your eyes.
How Do I Measure My Face For Sunglasses?
By all means, go ahead and try on back-to-back sunglasses, but you can also measure your face to see if a particular pair of sunglasses will fit properly. In really simple terms, you have to measure your head. The width of the sunglasses will provide you with a number to match once you measure your face, starting at one temple and measuring with the other.
Take the millimeter side of a ruler, and measure from temple to temple (right to left or vice versa). This will be the easiest way to measure your head so you can estimate the fit of frames for sunglasses. A measurement for prescription eyeglasses is a bit more in depth, requiring eye size, bridge size, and temple size to find your fit.
How Do I Clean Sunglasses?
Sunglasses are pretty easy to clean, and you will probably be wearing them quite a bit especially in the summer months, so it’s important to know how to clean them. You don’t want to scratch your lenses, after all. Using a t- shirt is not the best method of cleaning. Although convenient, you may have some dirt or grit on your shirt that can make its way onto your lenses.
Warm water, a tiny bit of dish soap, and a lint-free cloth are the best tools for a clean pair of sunglasses. Wet the lenses just a bit, add a drop of soap, rub with your fingers, rinse, and dry with the cloth. Many new pairs of sunglasses also come with a microfiber cloth for lenses, which are great to keep with you for on-the-spot cleaning. You can also purchase additional cloth online.
How Do I Fix Scratched Lenses?
Finding a scratch on your sunglasses is certainly no fun. Especially if you are carrying your sunglasses around with you, it is best to always have them in their case for safety. But there are a few tricks to help salvage a scratched lens.
One DIY trick to fixing a scratched lens is to apply a tiny bit of baking soda-based toothpaste to a cotton ball and run onto the scratch gently in a circular motion. Rinse with warm water and dry with a lint-free cloth. Other tricks you may find on the internet involve fillers or buffing of the lense, which is not a great recommendation since many lenses have a protective coating that can be ruined with this method.
Consulting the brand of sunglasses before mending a scratch may provide you with specific instructions to get the best results.
Where Can I Buy Sunglasses?
Sunglasses are a very popular accessory and can be found almost anywhere! If you look online for sunglasses, you’re more than likely able to spot almost every pair out there. If you like what you see on our list of best sunglasses, click the link to the pair to be directed to its purchase page.
There are also many department stores and specialty stores that offer a select number of sunglasses. Some specialty designers, such as Louis Vuitton, opt for selling both online and in-store. If you measure your face, you can get a better idea of the way they would fit, making online shopping for sunglasses a whole lot easier.
How Do I Choose The Best Sunglasses For Me?
Sunglasses are a versatile, useful, incredible fashion accessory, but they are also used for protection against the sun and will mitigate the risk of harming your eyes. Investing in a pair of quality sunglasses is not a wasteful purchase, but if you have a smaller budget, you can certainly find a very affordable pair that will get the job done. Consider cost, style, size, and the type of protection they provide.
Consider your activity as well. If you are planning on wearing your sunglasses for outdoor activity or sports, larger lenses that wrap-around will offer a great range of visual protection, including protection on the sides. If your sunglasses are strictly used to make your outfit even chicer, hone in on your personal style, and go with a pair that matches your everyday aesthetic!
The Best Sunglasses
There you have it – our picks for the best sunglasses. The world of fashion and accessories is certainly not limited to just these – make sure to take a look at our other picks, in the fashion category.