Best Types Of Sunglasses For Every Face Shape On Earth
Sunglasses are an essential fashion accessory these days. But if you want to avoid a fashion disaster, you need to make sure you have the right sunglasses for your face.
How do you know what styles will look fabulous on you? Easy:
It all comes down to the shape of your face.
Unfortunately, that answer probably leaves you with more questions rather than the answer you were looking for.
But don’t panic just yet. We’re gonna break it down for you:
Sunglasses are one of the most important accessories you own.
The best types of sunglasses for every face shape are easy to find. Sunglasses are the ultimate fashion accessory.
Just as fashion is always evolving, so too are sunglasses. Here’s what Miuccia Prada had to say about fashion:
“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.”
~Miuccia Prada
Prada Minimal Baroque Swirl Sunglasses Spring 2011 Collection Italy Periwinkle, 1stDibs
So how do you present yourself to the world?
Thankfully there is never just a single fashion that’s in style. There are usually multiple trends going on at the same time.
In 2019, we are lucky enough to have four different sunglasses trends going on. That’s four of the best types of sunglasses for every face shape.
Oversized Sunglasses
The best types of sunglasses for every face shape are often oversized sunglasses.
When you think of oversized sunglasses, you might tend to picture a chic Italian fashion model strutting her expensive wares on the streets of Milan.
Actually, you wouldn’t be too far off the mark.
Oversized sunglasses, or shades, are the most popular style of sunglasses for women around the world.
Italy included.
In fact, oversized shades remain popular even after two decades.
There are plenty of styles to choose from, like these sleek SOJOS.
And it’s not just the women who are wearing them now. Men are also getting in on the sun-blocking trend. More and more, we’re seeing oversized sunglasses for them, too.
There are the Donna Cool oversized flat sunglasses for men. Just add a mustache and some bell bottoms, and you’ve gone retro, man.
But wait, there’s more:
2019 fashion oversized sunglasses. Image view: www.dhgate.com
Special for 2019 comes a new take on oversized sunglasses. We’re talking about SUPER-oversized sunglasses.
Because it’s 2019, and oversized isn’t good enough anymore.
Fun Sunglasses Fact
During WWII, the first polarized aviators became standard issue for U.S. aircrew, who spent long hours flying above the clouds over Europe or the Pacific.
They needed to protect their eyes from the bright sun.
Aircrew loved those sunglasses, and the style boomed after the war, leading to the Ray-Ban Wayfarer ten years later.
Super-oversized sunglasses first appeared in January 2019 at Fashion Week, with Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel all introducing models in Star-Wars-esque supersized sunglasses.
Super-oversized sunglasses, or super-shades, feature a wrapped frame with huge lenses and some bling along the sides.
Sports Sunglasses
Believe it or not, but there are also super-oversized sports sunglasses. You heard it here first.
The best types of sunglasses for every face shape are all different, but only one of them gets used for performance.
Sports sunglasses get their name because they’re designed to wrap around your head, offering a greater peripheral vision.
They’re often made of composite materials rather than metal and glass, which makes them flexible and less likely to break under stress.
Oakley’s; designed for optimal function wrapping around face, offers fun color – Image by fielperson on Pixabay
Also, they grip your head so that sweat and quick movements won’t knock them off. In short, they’re made for sports.
And it’s been that way since the Tour de France in 1975 when Greg Lemond wore the first pair of Oakley’s and showed athletes around the world that sunglasses can be practical and cool at the same time.
However, you don’t need to playing sports in 2019 to look slick in a pair of sports sunglasses.
At Fashion Week, MSGM and Roberto Cavalli introduced feminine casual sports sunglasses for the urban woman.
Expect to see oversized sports sunglasses become a thing.
In the meantime, the sporty look never goes out of style, and you won’t go wrong wearing a pair of Oakley’s or these slick-looking JiMartis.
It used to be that the rich would adorn their sunglasses with diamonds and gold flakes and “bling,” but in 2019 it’s trendy for everyone to do it.
Bling and Patterns
If you want to stand out from the crowd, and show the world that you’re something a little extra than most ordinary people, sunglasses with bling is one way to do it.
Dolce and Gabbana showcased several pairs of extra large sunglasses covered in bling at Fashion Week, and fashion watchers are already seeing the trend appearing in the subways of New York City and on the streets of European cities.
Expect to see lots more, like these Gucci oversized sunglasses covered in gold stars.
GUCCI Gold STAR Stud GG3870S Oversized Ivory Lime Mirrored Sunglasses 3870, Image via Gucci
Vox Sunglasses, Image by Vox
Of course, you don’t have to be rich to own some of these best types of sunglasses for every face shape. These Vox rhinestone sunglasses will make any woman stand out on a crowded bus.
Wait a moment…
What about price? Bling is expensive. That’s why it’s called bling.
If you can barely afford rent let alone a limo, don’t fret, because thanks to the wonderful world of online shopping and affordable Chinese brands, you can look like you hang out with Camilla Alves.
Your best friend will probably mock you out of jealousy, so buy her a pair too.
Red Frames
Of all the styles for 2019, we like the trend towards red frames the best.
It’s only fitting.
The red iPhone XR is the most popular color in that particular lineup.
According to Pantone, bright, playful colors are the trend for expressive fashion in 2019.
Here’s what they had to say:
Image by Samba
So it is that red frames make their first comeback since the 1950s.
Most of the red frames you’ll see in the next year or two will be bright, shiny plastic, such as these Samba Frames (which look stunning) or these elegant, bright, yet subtle Gucci sunglasses.
Why do we love red frames?
There’s something bright and playful and confident about red frame sunglasses, and we’re excited to see them at the beach and out and about in the city.
Best of all, red frames go with anything!
These are some of the best types of sunglasses for every face shape, and they’re fun and lively.
Summer Color Inspiration
“The mindset for Spring/Summer 2019 reflects our desire to face the future with empowering colors… colors that are uplifting; joyful hues that lend themselves to playful expressionism.”
September 5th, 2018
Pantone Fashion Color Trend Report
Laurie Pressman
Best Types Of Sunglasses For Every Face Shape
Everybody has a unique face, but most faces can be lumped together into one of several shapes.
There are the oval-shaped faces and the square-heads. The delicate heart-shaped faces look good in a multitude of sunglasses.
Glasses for heart shaped face:
Small
Rounded
Browline
Wayfarer Sunglasses
Glasses for long shaped face:
Aviators
Cat’s Eyes
Rectangular
Glasses for round shaped face:
Pointed
Rectangular
Square
Glasses for square shaped face:
Oversized
Aviators
Teardrop
Round
Glasses for triangle shaped face:
Oversized
Browline
Avoid small frames.
Glasses for oval shaped face:
Stick to rounded frames.
Thin frames
Butterfly frames
Stay away from over-sized.
Face illustrations
by LinaTruman with modifications
The best types of sunglasses for every face shape are easy to find once you figure out what your face shape is.
To do this, simply take a washable marker (or cheap lipstick), stand in front of a mirror, and trace the outline of your face on the mirror.
Start at the chin and finish with your hairline. Then, step back and take a look.
What shape is that? That’s your face shape.
Once you’ve figured out what shape your face is and noticed that you used permanent marker on the bathroom mirror, you can check out which type of sunglasses suit you best.
But first, use a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol to remove the permanent marker from your mirror.
So, what glasses are the best choice for you?
Round Face
Do you have a round face?
That means your face is nearly as wide as it is long.
You have a tiny chin and a smooth hairline.
With a round face, you need angular sunglasses. We’re talking pointed, square, and cat’s eye sunglasses.
A good pair of wayfarers won’t do you wrong, especially if you’re a guy.
You also want to make sure your sunglasses have narrow bridges. At the same time, you’ll look great with thicker frames, and a bit of bling won’t hurt, either.
Avoid round sunglasses at all costs. Also, stay away from thin frames.
Speaking of upper hands, did you know that modern sunglasses entered our culture thanks to syphilis?
During the late 19th Century, doctors prescribed sunglasses for people with syphilis because sensitivity to sunlight is one of the symptoms.
Oval Face
If you have an oval face, the width of your face is slightly less than the length, and you’ve got those adorable rounded cheeks to show off a beautiful smile.
If that’s the case, leave everything alone. Don’t take away from the beauty you were born with.
Go with smooth glasses and thin frames.
Oval face shape with thin, rounded frames. Image by unknown on Pixabay
You can pull off aviators or butterfly-shaped glasses, and anything with rounded edges works for you.
Whatever you do, stay away from oversized glasses.
Also, remember that geometry is not your friend, so make sure you avoid rectangles and ridiculous triangle sunglasses.
Square Face
If you have a square face, then you join the ranks of Rihanna, Natalie Portman, Brad Pitt, and Tom Cruise.
All of them have a stoic, strong, square face. That means the width and length of your face are nearly the same.
Meanwhile, your chin is broad, and your jaw is angular. You also probably have a straight hairline, so you look good in a bandana.
Do you know what else you look good in?
Oversized sunglasses. Also, glasses with colored frames and round glasses like aviators and wayfarers.
On the other hand, you look horrible with thin rims or small and narrow sunglasses. Also, stay away from square and angular sunglasses. Don’t try to fit a square peg inside a square face.
Did you know that people have been wearing sunglasses for thousands of years?
Of course, these weren’t your average everyday people.
The Inuit wore flattened walrus ivory to block the glare off the ice and snow, and Roman Emperor Nero wore polished gems when watching gladiator fights in the Coliseum.
Heart Shaped Face
What do all heart-shapes have in common? Rush, Nirvana, and Dwight Yoakam all sang songs about them. Some other people did too, we’re sure of it.
If you have a heart-shaped face, then that makes you a little bit famous.
Your face is longer than its width, and your chin is the narrowest part of it all. Your head basically looks like an inverted triangle. That means you need to balance it all out with your sunglasses.
You want to make the bottom part of your face look bigger than it is, and you can do this with small frames and narrow bridges.
Round sunglasses suit you best, such as aviators and wayfarers. Frameless glasses look really good on you, too.
Do you know what Nirvana never sang about? Oversized glasses. So stay away from those, and while you’re at, avoid butterfly glasses and anything with bright, flashy colors.
The best types of sunglasses for every face shape are wayfarers, including heart-shaped faces, so go ahead and treat yourself to a pair.
National Sunglasses Day is June 27. On this day, we remember how important it is to protect our eyes from harmful UV rays.
Protect your eyes from the sun. Image by silviarita on Pixabay
Colors And Styles For Different Uses
Now that you know what’s trending in 2019, and you know the best types of sunglasses for every face shape, you’re almost set to stock up on shades.
But face shape isn’t everything:
Sunglasses are like shoes. Sure, you can wear the same pair of sneakers for a walk in the park and then work, but chances are that you won’t wear them to a wedding.
The best types of sunglasses for every face shape are a lot like that.
When you’re jogging or biking through the woods, you want a good pair of shatter-proof sports sunglasses.
Yet those same sunglasses look out of place when you’re dressed to the nines and strolling through downtown. In that case, you want a confident pair of oversized sunglasses or wayfarers.
Turquoise swimsuit and aviator sunglasses. Image By margostock
That is why it’s usually best to have two or more pairs of sunglasses. That way you’ll be ready for every situation.
At the beach
The best types of sunglasses for every face shape on the beach are polarized. They’re also practical.
You don’t want to wear oversized sunglasses on the beach when you’re barely wearing anything else.
Another thing to avoid is super-flashy sunglasses covered in bling.
The idea of beach sunglasses is to protect your eyes from harmful rays while balancing the top of your body with the rest of it. So whether you’re in a bikini or swim trunks, keep your beach sunglasses simple.
A great pair of wayfarers will go a long way on the beach. Cat’s eyes work great too.
Sports sunglasses are fantastic on the beach and do a great job, especially because most are scratch-resistant so the sand won’t hurt them.
You can always slap on a pair of aviators too.
Downtown
When you’re downtown or in any urban setting, the best types of sunglasses for every face shape are usually oversized, glamorous, and expensive.
Here is where you want to show off your style.
Whether you go with red frames or a lot of bling, you want your shades to stand out. Downtown in a big metropolis is one place where wayfarers don’t stand out.
You’ll want to go with something a little flashier. There’s a reason hipsters wear the best accessories. They’ve got urban style mastered.
Another no-no for urban sunglasses is sports sunglasses. People who wear sports sunglasses in the middle of the city look like bicycle cops, and they never look cool.
At Work
Depending on the job, the types of sunglasses for every face shape vary wildly.
For instance, if you work downtown, simply wear your urban sunglasses, whether those are oversized shades or red-framed cat’s eyes.
“Wearing sunglasses at night hurts your eyes after a while” – Corey Hart
However, if you’re digging ditches all day or putting up frames or policing the citizenry, a strong pair of sports sunglasses is all you need.
That’s especially true if you live and work in the country. You don’t need much else for work except for a good pair of Oakleys.
Oakley Sports Sunglasses. Image via: Oakley on amazon
Just like with city slickers, avoid aviators when you’re at work (unless your work involves driving, which we’ll get to).
You can pull off wayfarers, but you had better look like Tom Cruise in Rainman to do so.
The Ray-Ban Wayfarer first appeared in 1956 and remains the best-selling style of sunglasses for more than 60 years later!
Driving
The last time anybody bothered to check (in 2016), there were nearly three million people with full-time driving jobs in the United States. There were 222 million active driver’s licenses.
That’s a lot of drivers, and all of them should be wearing a decent pair of polarized driving sunglasses.
Because you’re concentrating harder when driving, even subconsciously, your eyes remain more focused. That lets more light into the cornea, which means you can damage your eyesight.
Then there’s the matter of harmful ultraviolet rays, which your wide-open eyes are soaking up.
Avoid all of that with a great pair of polarized aviators.
These are perfect for driving. Not only will they keep your eyes safe, but they look great, too.
If you’re more of a round face type of person, then a square pair of frameless sports sunglasses will do the job nicely.
It doesn’t matter who you are, because the best types of sunglasses for every face shape behind the wheel are the ones that are polarized and not tinted too dark.
Woodies Red Cat Eye Wooden Frames, Polarized. Image via Woodies
Timeless
Despite changing tastes and changing fashions, some things are eternal. The city of Rome is one of those things. So is pizza.
Also, sunglasses.
There’s simply something classic about a good pair of aviators that can’t be described.
They looked good on pilots in the Second World War, and they looked good on cops in 1970’s TV dramas. They still look good today.
The thing about timeless and trendy sunglasses is that you can buy a pair today, and they’ll still look great when you’re old and hobbling down the street.
Whether you’re sporting a pair of oversized shades at age 90 or lounging in wayfarers on your way to the Bingo hall, your investment in these sunglasses is long-term.
You won’t find that with some wild styles. There’s no way cat’s eyes or bling-covered sunglasses can last for 60 years, right? Right?
Image of Celine Cat Eye glasses via Barney’s New York
The Aviators
Way back in the early days of the Second World War, an ambitious new company set out to ban rays from hurting the pilot’s eyes.
That company was Ray-Ban, and they’ve been responsible for setting more sunglasses trends than any other.
They introduced the aviator to the world, and we’ve been thankful ever since.
Robert DeNiro helped keep the aviator alive in almost all of his movies, and Micheal Jackson sported a pair in dozens of interviews.
There’s something unique, utilitarian, and cool about the aviator sunglasses.
That is why they won’t be going out of style in the future. They’ve lasted over 80 years as a style piece, and thanks to their functional design and cool factor, they will last for many more.
Chopard is the world’s most expensive sunglasses brand, with a price tag of around $400,000!
The Wayfarers
Ray-Ban had a hit with the aviators, and just when you thought they couldn’t top that, they gave us wayfarers.
James Dean made the wayfarer famous, and they quickly caught on with the hottest celebs of the day. Bob Dylan, JFK, and the Blues Brothers (Dan Akroyd and John Belushi) rocked these classic shades.
Today, the quintessential cool and casual wayfarer is still going strong.
If you’re traveling, or heading to the beach, or doing anything remotely exciting, a good pair of wayfarers are perfect.
Unless, of course, you have a round face.
Andy Warhol in Wayfarers. Image via Wikipedia
“I started to wear sunglasses all the time at school, hiding behind them.” – R. Kelly
Jackie O in Gucci over-sized glasses. Image via newpn2000
Oversized
We’ve talked a lot about wayfarers and oversized sunglasses. That’s because of the best types of sunglasses for every face shape, these two feature prominently.
They’re trendy, and they’re timeless. Also, they serve multiple functions.
Even people with round faces can get away with a good pair of oversized shades. Best of all, they’ve been with us forever and aren’t going anywhere for a long time.
If John F. Kennedy helped to make wayfarers popular, then it was his wife, Jacqueline Onassis Kennedy, who inspired millions of women with her famous oversized sunglasses.
Since the early sixties, the oversized look has been synonymous with luxury, confidence, power, and sex appeal.
Wraps
The most recent member of the timeless sunglasses club is the ubiquitous wrap-around sunglasses.
These are often sports sunglasses, but they don’t need to be made of strong composites. Many wraps are stylish metal and glass.
You can find wraps for every budget.
They are most popular with men and look best on guys with round or oval faces. The man with a heart-shaped face can get away with it, too, although he’ll have to be picky about the size and color.
Wrap sunglasses appeared on the world’s radar sometime in the 1980s, probably after sports sunglasses got so popular.
Oakley’s Radar Pacer, has headphones, Image via Oakley
Then they started appearing on the heads of doctors and lawyers and people who play golf.
Also, guys who own sailboats really love wraps.
But you don’t need a lot of money to look like you have a lot of money. A sensible pair of timeless wraps will do the job just fine.
Companies That Sell Affordable Sunglasses
Gucci, Chopard, Dulce, and Gabbana. When you hear these names, you can’t help but think of dollar signs.
But wait:
You don’t need to fork out your life savings for a pair of sunglasses, especially not since the age of eCommerce arrived.
Thanks to eBay and Amazon, hundreds of unknown brands popped up, and you can find plenty of imitators for a good price.
RIVBOS Polarized Sports Sunglasses, Unbreakable Frame for Cycling & Baseball around $20. Image by RIVBOS
Most of these brands can be found in China, and often they’re nothing more than a factory that makes up a couple of different brand names and starts selling sunglasses.
But we don’t care about that.
GAMMA RAY Polarized UV400 Classic Style Sunglasses. Image by Gamma Ray
That’s because some of these sunglasses are good looking and do the job. Many offer polarized sunglasses, which you want when you’re driving or at the beach.
The fact is that the best types of sunglasses for every face shape are completely affordable today.
Popular Affordable Sunglass Companies:
- EyeBuyDirect
- RAEN
- MVMT
- Warby Parker
- Grey Jack
- Obsidian
- SOJOS
There are many more. We can’t list them all here, and many of them aren’t good enough to bother you with, anyhow.
But the ones we did list are excellent companies, and they’re incredibly affordable. They offer the best types of sunglasses for every face shape at prices anyone can afford.
So, here are your choices when you’re ready to buy:
Buying Online vs In Person
Believe Blue Sunglasses for Women, Online Purchase via Eye Buy Direct
When you’re in the market for a pair of sunglasses, there are really only two places to shop. You can buy online, or in-person at a store.
Both methods have their pros and cons, and often the best one comes down to personal choice.
Just as the best types of sunglasses for every face shape depend on a variety of factors, so too do shopping habits.
As an example, some people are mistrustful of e-commerce and will only purchase products at a store.
Then there are those who can’t stand waiting in line and making small talk, and so online shopping is much more preferable.
Most people fall somewhere in the middle.
The great thing about 2019 is that there are so many choices when it comes to spending money that you don’t have to worry about missing out.
Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of buying online and buying in-person.
The convenience of browsing many options and purchasing online. Image by DigitalMarketingAgency on Pixabay
Buying Online Pros and Cons
We decided to look at buying online first because there are so many types of sunglasses for every face shape on Amazon and eBay.
Seriously, if you shop online, you’re going to find something you like at a price you can afford.
Goods from overseas, Image by Julius_Silver on Pixabay
Remember those affordable Chinese brands we told you about?
The world of e-commerce is where they exist — which means you’re not going to find three-quarters of the selection at a store that you can find online.
Best of all, you’ll only find prices this affordable online, so if you’re working with a tight budget, then Amazon is the place to find your next pair of sunglasses.
Pros
- Unlimited selection
- Easy to find the right style
- Super affordable
- Don’t need to leave home
- Amazon is fun
Cons
- You can’t try them on first
- You need to wait to receive them
- Can get lost in the mail
- You can’t tell the quality until you receive them
- Who are these companies anyway?
As you can see, there are plenty of good things about buying sunglasses online, but there are enough bad things to make you think twice.
While Amazon protects you from bad quality or lost packages with an excellent refund and replacement policies, there’s a bigger issue with shopping online.
You can’t try them on first. That means you need to hope that they fit perfect and look good because sending them back is a real pain and you’re still out of a pair of sunglasses.
So, you should buy in-person, right?
Buying In Person Pros and Cons
Hold it right there.
Do you think buying in-person is better than buying online?
Well, you’re in for a surprise, because while there are plenty of upsides to visiting a store and walking away with the perfect pair of sunglasses, there are plenty of downsides, too.
But do they matter if you can find the best types of sunglasses for every face shape at your local Sunglasses Hut?
For starters, you can try them on and make sure they fit right and look good. Also, many store staff is trained to help you select a good pair of sunglasses.
Of course, this doesn’t apply if you’re shopping from the local Rexall sunglasses turnstile thingy.
Aside from that, you can feel the build quality, ask questions, and make an informed buying decision.
Best of all, you get to take them home with you that same day. Now that’s a concept we can get behind!
Pros
- You can try them on before buying
- You can feel the build quality
- Bring them home with you
- Super affordable
- Ask questions of knowledgeable staff
- You get out of the house for an hour or two
Cons
- Much more limited selection
- Prices are a lot higher
- Favorite affordable Chinese brands aren’t available
Ray Ban shop. Image via: ray-ban
So shopping in-person isn’t all it’s made out to be after all.
For starters, there’s a much smaller selection available. If you’re someone with a big head, you probably won’t find the right pair at a lot of shops.
If you’re looking for the best types of sunglassses for every face shape, you might have to search really hard.
Worst of all are the prices.
Even cheap Walmart sunglasses start at $25.
Forget saving money if you go Sunglasses Hut or a specialty mall boutique.
There’s no way you can find a pair of jewel-studded oversized shades for $15 at the mall. If you can, kindly let us know.
Fashion Summer Sunglasses For Women, Image via Max Pixel CC)
So Which is Best?
Figuring out where to buy the best types of sunglasses for every face shape is impossible.
If you prefer shopping online and don’t mind sending pairs of sunglasses back until the right ones finally fit perfectly, go for it.
On the other hand, if you’re okay with paying premium prices and you have a regular-sized head, then shopping in-store might be best for you.
We love walking away with something we just bought instead of waiting a week to get it, but we also love having a huge selection and saving money.
See? It’s an impossible decision to make!
Italian brand Luxottica owns nearly every major sunglasses brand you know, including Oakleys, Ray-Ban, Tiffany & Co, and more.
Handmade, unique round Diva glasses. Image via BabesLoveShades CC0
The best types of sunglasses for every face shape comes down to a huge variety of factors.
What shape is your face? What’s trending right now? Where do you plan to wear these? How long do you want to own them? Do you have syphilis?
At the end of the day, most of the familiar sunglasses styles are timeless.
If you’ve been paying attention, then you’ll have noticed that oversized sunglasses, wayfarers, aviators, and sports sunglasses feature prominently in nearly every discussion.
That’s because these sunglasses continue to dominate sales and the fashion world. They are timeless, and you can’t go wrong buying a pair.
Everybody should have a good set of sports sunglasses anyways, which explains why they’re so popular.
And we all know how attractive oversized shades look on a sophisticated and successful woman. Jacquie O hit a home run with that trend.
Get yourself a pair of sunglasses that fit your face shape best, and if they’re legacy sunglasses, they’ll serve you well for years to come.
Best of all, if they’re affordable online sunglasses, you’ll be laughing every time you wear them because they look so darn good and save you so much money!
Dazzle in the sun! Image By SolisImages
You’ll find the best types of sunglasses for every face shape online, and be happier for it.
What do you think about 2019’s styles? Also, what shape is your face and which sunglasses look best on you? Let us know in the comments!
Wowza! look what I just found… Over-sized Aviators!
Oversized Aviators, Image via BabesLoveShades
