There is something that immediately transforms your look when you don a pair of sunglasses. Whether you want to come across as hip, mysterious, intellectual, sleek, or creative, it’s easy to do with the right frame. You don’t have to spend a fortune to own your favorite designer brand nor do you have to worry about fitting into your favorite sunglasses because you got a little crazy over the holidays.
Sunglasses are one of the most versatile accessories that have defined generations and brought luxury style to the masses. With over two billion dollars in sunglasses sold last year and thousands of styles to choose from in the stores, the task of finding the perfect pair can be daunting. When selecting sunglasses, you want to take into consideration your face shape, hair color, eyebrows, and nose as well as your individual style. Choose frames that complement your own personal coloring and that balance your face shape. Working with a trained optician or eyewear stylist will help you make the right choice.
Selected are the Best of the Best with regards to style, fit, and comfort. Because of the popularity of the following styles imitations are everywhere, so make sure you are purchasing from an authorized retailer.
Chanel Wraparounds
The Chanel wraparound glasses are quintessentially classic and fit so beautifully that you won’t want to take them off. Whether you’re channeling Jackie O or Anna Wintour, these iconic glasses are for a woman who loves a bit of mystery.
Each season, designers introduce a new take on a core style. With Chanel’s wraparound style, they tweak it each season with different details and colors so that it remains fresh and modern. The large plastic frame has the interlocking double C at the temple in either exotic leather or mother of pearl. Along with 100 percent UVA/UVB protection, they conform to the head comfortably to achieve maximum sun protection.
Chanel Wraparounds
Gucci Rimless Shield Sunglasses
Coming in at a close second is Gucci’s shield sunglasses for their amazing fit and full wrap-around coverage. These large rimless sunglasses have the double G motif at the temple and are outfitted with grey gradient lenses. You can’t protect your eyes more stylishly than with these. Comprised of silver or brown metal hardware, the frames are truly amazing because they are lightweight yet substantial.
Gucci 2797 sunglasses
Oliver Peoples Ilsa
Oliver Peoples is considered one of the finest eyewear designers out there. Co-founded by Larry Leight in 1987, Oliver Peoples eyewear has been at the forefront of creating quality, vintage style frames. Rather than rely on the bigger companies like Luxottica or Safilo to manufacture their wares, as some of the other brands do, they handcraft their frames in Japan.
One of the more notable styles this season is the Ilsa. The upswept shape of the frame works on almost all face shapes. It’s an easy-to-wear, sophisticated style that offers coverage without being overwhelming. The plastic frame is highlighted by a metal ring at the temple. The gradient polarized lenses are high quality CR-39 which is light and less breakable but not as impact-resistant as polycarbonate. Polarized lenses however, provide advanced protection from the glare of the sun and increases visual clarity.
Oliver Peoples Ilsa
Tom Ford Whitney Sunglasses
After Tom Ford left Gucci, he launched his namesake eyewear brand one year later. Introduced in 2006, the entire line left the masses drooling with their modern yet retro feel. Big sunglass frames convey a jet-set attitude and the Tom Ford Whitney has adorned many jet-setters such as Gwen Stefani, Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, and Jennifer Lopez. The Whitney style was named after his dear friend and loyal assistant. It’s wonderfully oversized yet does not overpower the face, making it perfect for most face shapes.
The Whitney is unique with contoured lenses, a crisscross detail at the bridge and rose gold metal detail at the temple. It comes in ten different colors but the champagne frame with the light brown gradient lens is extremely elegant. Other great styles by Tom Ford are the Jennifer, Anouk (great for Triangle + Square faces), and the Marissa.
Tom Ford Whitney Sunglasses
RayBan Rimless Aviator
The RayBan Aviator is a timeless style that is considered a classic and remains popular today for both men and women. Developed over 70 years ago for the US Air Force, the Aviator has a slightly bulging lens that is designed to cover the entire eye and prevent as much light from entering as possible. Not only is the aviator style timeless, they look especially great on triangle and square face shapes because the bottom angles inward to soften the wider cheek and chin areas of the face.
The Aviator is super lightweight due to the thin metal frames and polycarbonate lenses that are known to have the highest impact resistance of any lens material available in a sunglass. They also have UVC protection, which means that if you live in an area where the ozone layer is being compromised, you are protected from the carcinogenic UVC rays, which by the way, do not penetrate the earth’s ozone.
RayBan Rimless Aviator
Foster Grant Marcia
For this price, get all their styles! Foster Grant became famous in the '60s with such icons as Elvis Presley who was rarely seen without wearing his signature Foster Grants. With the company undergoing a revitalization this past year, they have launched a new line of stylish and affordable styles including the Marcia and Red Carpet.
Incredibly comfortable and with 100% UV protection, Foster Grants are a great value.
Foster Grant Marcia
MARC by Marc Jacobs Square Shield
Launched in 2006, the MARC by Marc Jacobs sunglass line ranges in prices from $80 to $120. These rimless shield glasses are a clear stand-out as they are incredibly comfortable and lightweight.
Giving Gucci’s shield glasses a run for the money, these sunglasses are outfitted with gradient lenses and have wide plastic arms to help block the sun.
marc square sunglasses
MICHAEL Michael Kors Rectangle
Mr. Jet Set himself, Michael Kors, launched the MICHAEL Michael Kors line in 2004 with much fanfare. Now everyone can feel like a jet-setting VIP with his great line of sunglasses. These slightly oversized frames have a goldtone logo at the temple and provide an amazing fit.
michael kors rectangle sunglasses
A|X Armani Exchange Large Round
Round frames can be perfect on square faces and these oversized sunglasses from Armani Exchange are perfect for creating an air of mystery. The injected plastic frame has gradient lenses and the Armani Exchange logo detailed at the temple.
armani exchange round sunglasses
Banana Republic Morgan
Banana Republic launched their sunglass line at the end of 2007 and the styles are a perfect mesh between classic and modern. The Morgan style is the classic aviator and comes in various colors. The metal frames hold gradient lenses and provide 100% UV protection. The polarized version is $98 and comes in black and gold.
banana republic morgan sunglasses
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