With the promise of quite nice weather on the horizon (we're getting desperate), it's now perfectly acceptable to have sunglasses perched on your head at all times. Swimwear, sandals, summer dresses, all need to be brought out of hiding, but the most important piece of the puzzle is a pair of shades.
Sunglasses aren't the easiest things to buy because so much depends on your face shape (are you round, oval, heart, square?) not to mention your preferences (do you gravitate towards chunky or slimline?) This means many of us stay in our sunglasses comfort zone, and while that's fine, why not try something different for summer 2024?
How Do I Find The Best Sunglasses For My Face Shape?
This is actually somewhat of an art form. We spoke to Dan McGee, director of ophthalmics at Vision Express, to get his top tips on how to help you find the best sunglasses for women to suit every face shape. You're welcome!
'Finding a perfect-fitting pair of glasses can be tricky. Sunglasses should distribute pressure evenly to the nose, head width and ears, meaning you'll avoid an ache behind your eyes and the red marks you often find on the top of the nose.' According to McGee, there are some very simple steps that you can follow to ensure you find a pair that fits well.
1. Make sure the width of the frames isn't wider than the width of your face at the temples
2. The top of your frames should be no higher than the line of your eyebrows
3. The bottom edge of the frames shouldn't sit on your cheeks otherwise, they will start to rub against your skin and can cause irritation
4. Make sure you're choosing frames with lenses that offer 100% UV protection
Oval Face Shape: With a rounded chin and forehead, the proportions of your face are perfectly balanced. This means that most frame shapes will look great on an oval face, which typically appears longer than it is wide. To maintain this natural balance, choose frames that are as wide, or slightly wider, as the broadest part of your face. Also consider oversized or bold shapes, such as aviators.
Square Face Shape: With an aim to soften your strong jawline and make your face look longer, go for narrow frames with more width than depth, particularly oval and round styles. You should avoid square styles, which will look out of balance with the rest of the face. And instead of darker acetate frames, perhaps opt for metal frames with a thin profile.
Heart-Shaped Face Shape: A broad brow with a narrow chin defines this face shape. Therefore, choose frames that elongate your look, direct attention downward and even out proportions. Go for light-coloured or rimless glasses, or, to broaden the lower part of your face, frames which are bottom-heavy. Rounded frames or cat-eye style are also a good choice.
Diamond Face Shape: Diamond-shaped faces are narrow at the eye line and jawline, and have broad cheekbones that may be high and dramatic. You want to make sure you’re drawing attention to the eye area as this will offer more width and balance to your face. Choose top-heavy styles like semi-rimless frames, rectangle and oval. Upswept frames like the cat-eye will emphasise and soften your cheekbones, but remember to avoid narrow frames.
Round Face Shape: With characteristic full cheeks and a rounded chin, the aim when choosing frames for a circular face is to create as much definition as possible. To make your face appear narrower and longer, go for angular, narrow frame styles. A clear bridge will also help to emphasise your eyes, while frames that are more rectangular and wider will balance the shape of the face.
The Best Aviator Sunglasses
A classic, with a fan club that includes Ashley Graham, Angelina Jolie and, naturally, Tom Cruise, the aviator always goes the distance.
Net-A-Porterwww.net-a-porter.com
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Aviator sunnies, has to be Top Gun. Worn by Tom Cruise in both movies, these sunglasses were originally designed for U.S pilots, but have since become a staple shape.
Sunglass Hutwww.sunglasshut.com
These Gucci sunglasses offer a high bridge fit that makes the glasses more secure for those with higher nose bridges and lower cheekbones. They also look best on almost all face shapes. Plus, there's a great saving on them right now. What's not to love?
Ace & Tatewww.aceandtate.com
Although not the same shape as traditional Aviators, Ace & Tate have added a modern twist to the classic style. Featuring hexagonal lenses and an angled effect, we couldn't not include these beauties on our list.
The Best Oval Sunglasses
Irina Shayk et al’s go-to is the small (and slightly squashed) oval; a great multi-tasker that works just as well off-duty as with occasionwear.
Selfridgeswww.selfridges.com
Le Specs are most definitely a Grazia-approved brand (and well as the rest of the world) as people LOVE them. This oval pair has a tortoiseshell pattern that makes them perfect for pairing with summer linen in earthy and neutral colours.
Sunglass Hutwww.sunglasshut.com
Similar to the metal-framed design of the much-loved Celine Triomphe Metal sunglasses, Miu Miu have created this stunning pair with dark brown lenses. Our favourite part? The brass gold 'Miu Miu' detailing on the side.
H&Mwww2.hm.com
The high-street often has a whole host of oval sunglasses, at great prices too. Take this pair from H&M, it offers UV protection in a staple colour, for under £10.
The Best Coloured Lens Sunglasses
Coloured or tinted lenses, as well as frames in playful shades, are having their moment in the sun.
Zarawww.zara.com
A cheaper alternative to the LOEWE Flower sunglasses, Zara have also created a version mimicking that floral-shaped acetate frame. These glasses are really great at elevating even the most basic outfit, into something super on-trend.
& Other Storieswww.stories.com
To inject a pop of blue into your outfit, you're going to need these & Other Stories sunglasses to accessorise with. Originally popular in the 80s, they're still on-trend now so they make for a great investment piece.
Sunglass Hutwww.sunglasshut.com
With a purple lens colour, these sunglasses from the brand headed by the one and only Jonathan Anderson are perfect for injecting some colour into your current sunglasses collection. The chunky black frames also add a playful touch.
The Best Cat-Eye Sunglasses
Audrey Hepburn’s favourite sunglasses have perennial appeal, especially when given a new-season twist with half-moon or triangular lenses.
End Clothingwww.endclothing.com
Cat eye sunglasses are a staple for a reason, and that's because they're nothing short of iconic. These ruby red sunnies from Kimeze add a pop of colour to any outfit, and can be worn both in the summer, and during those bright-but-cold winter days as the colour is transitional.
& Other Storieswww.asos.com
If thick-framed cat-eye sunglasses aren't your thing, you might want to try something a little more delicate. These gold framed ones from & Other Stories are a great pair as they feature a classic cat-eye shape, and a classic gold frame - the best of both worlds.
Sunglass Hut www.sunglasshut.com
Saint Laurent sunnies, loved by A-listers like Hailey Bieber, couldn't not be mentioned when on the topic of cat-eye glasses. Its design, with black shiny acetate frames, is a staple you'll find yourself reaching for again and again (and again).
The Best Wrap-Around Sunglasses
Kim Kardashian loves a 'sporty' pair of shades when she's watching football. Practical and playful, they go perfectly with a leather bomber jacket.
13.
PRADA PR A 14S
Sunglass Hut www.sunglasshut.com
Prada have released its very own pair of the on-trend 'dad' cycling glasses (except they're a lot cooler than the ones your dad probably wears). Featuring the trademark Prada engraving on the side, these glasses are described as having 'a bold attitude.' If the shoe fits, we suppose.
Urban Outfitterswww.urbanoutfitters.com
These sunglasses from Urban Outfitters are probably the most Y2K-looking you'll see this year. To lean into those golden days of the early 2000's, style the sunglasses with a mini skirt and a graphic baby tee.
GANNIwww.ganni.com
In the second drop of the GANNI X Ace & Tate collab they released these futuristic sunglasses. Made using recycled acetate and Renew Bio acetate, these sunnies are designed in a wing shape inspired by the GANNI Butterfly logo. They also have a shield-style frame (one that Kim Kardashian loves).
What Are The Best Designer Sunglasses?
Sunglasses are always a great entry-point accessory for designer labels. Dior's sunglasses are always popular with the A-list, and it has an impressive range of shield-style sunglasses and chunkier frames, as are the classic frames from Ray-Ban (Jennifer Lawrence, Nicole Richie and Olivia Wilde are all repeat-wearers). Gucci's sunglasses are also famously head-turning - Rihanna is a fan of its neon frames - while Prada's are a mainstay on the front rows at fashion week.
Looking for a quality pair of shades without the price tag? Le Specs is a celebrity (and fashion editor) favourite - with prices starting from around £40. On the high street, & Other Stories, H&M, COS and Mango, which has a host of great styles as well as sunglasses chains, have plenty of purse-friendly options.
What Are The Biggest Sunglasses Trends For 2024?
Thanks to Y2K, we're seeing a lot of frameless, tinted shades (think Anastacia) as well as wrap shades (think Kim Kardashian), which are flooding TikTok.
Natalie Hammond is Grazia’s Senior Fashion News Editor. She loves winter, hates summer and can often be found writing about the weather (and what on earth to wear).