I have a lot of sunglasses and I mean A LOT! I like buying them, and I love getting them for a steal. I’ve never invested in sunglasses that cost very much because I’m a clumsy person, and as a result of my clumsiness and cheap sunglass purchases, I have a whole lot of broken sunglasses to my name.
One of the reasons I have so many is I tend to fall in love with a style and then want every pair I can find them in. Here’s something I’ve learned recently: THERE ARE A LOT OF STYLES!
There are a lot of different categories to consider when you’re trying to find the glasses you want, and I guess some of you reading this are in the same predicament as me. So, I decided to put this buying guide together so you won’t end up without drawer space!
Style, Shape, Coating and More
As I said, there are a host of different styles on the market and they all offer something different. Many of them overlap as well, so you may realize that a single pair of glasses has a bunch of different features you didn’t know were possible.
Aviators
Aviators are a classic style hailed from the look that old school pilots wore. They have teardrop lenses and the frames are usually metal. There are also plenty of variations on the style including slightly different lenses as well as plastic frames.
You can see our best picks for this category here.
Wayfarers
Wayfarers have been in and out of style for decades, but they’re back now and plastered on the faces of people of all ages. They have fairly large, rounded lenses with flat tops and big temples.
You can see our best picks for this category here.
Cat Eye Glasses
These represent one of the oldest styles on my list, and they’re a definite throw back to 1960s chic. They have a fusion of pointed and round frames however, modern incarnations soften the edges to make them more current.
You can see our best picks for this category here.
Round Glasses
Round glasses are best for square faces, and they’re available in sizes both large and small. Oversized round glasses look very glam, while smaller ones tend to promote an older type style and prestige.
You can see our best picks for this category here.
Square And Rectangular
If you have a circular face, you need to find square or rectangular lenses. The angles are great for a glamorous look, and they’ve been popular for as long as sunglasses have been in production.
You can see our best picks for this category here.
Shield and Wrap Sunglasses
To get the protection most people need for extreme sports or a lot of activity, shields and wraps are the way to go. With one continuous or two separate lenses, shields cover your peripheral vision and make everything easier to see when you take to the tennis or basketball court.
You can see our best picks for this category here.
Rimless and Semi-Rimless Sunglasses
The smallest glasses to be found forgo the frame for a simpler style. They just have temples and a bridge that’s connected within a hidden frame that goes across the top of the lenses.
You can see our best picks for this category here.
Polarized
Polarized sunglasses have a special coating to combat glare that can cause visual problems. They’re used for fishing because of the reflection created by water, and they have a home in snow sports because of bright white snow (again, think reflection). Some people love them, but I’m not a big fan.
You can see our best picks for this category here.
Non-Polarized
Non-Polarized sunglasses are regular glasses with UV protection. They’re still better for your eyes than walking around without any covering, and they provide just as much protection as their polarized counterparts. However, this option is better if you don’t have a need to counteract glare.
So Many Options
There are so many categories and brands of sunglasses that it’s nearly impossible to discuss them all in one place. However, most sunglasses fall in at least one of the above mentioned categories, so why not start your search based on your favorite style?!
