Sunglasses Guide
Selecting the Right Shades
Protect Your Eyes In Style For a Shade Less Than You’d Think
What would summer be without a pair of shades? Whether you’re going to the beach, picnicking in the park or just taking in the city sights, make a bold statement and keep your vision vital with these quintessential symbols of the season! Originally developed merely in order to reduce glare, sunglasses quickly became a classic Hollywood fashion accessory - and now play a key role in protecting sun worshippers from the harmful effects of prolonged exposure to their glowing idol.
In Canada, we don’t see a lot of our glowing friend - at least not up close, the way they do in equatorial climes. Naturally, when the warm weather hits, we rush out to greet it with open arms - and eyes! With your new sunglasses on, you’ll be able to participate in this joyful ritual without fear - and look great doing it!
Everyone who spends a significant amount of time in the sun needs sunglasses - but that doesn’t mean that everyone needs the same sunglasses (or that one pair will be suitable for all aspects of a varied lifestyle). There’s quite a gap between a beach volleyball game and an outdoor summer gala - and just as with any other item of apparel (footwear, shirts, etc.), you’ll want to choose the right shades for the occasion.
High-end designer sunglasses are rarefied, delicate items - intended to add luster to your appearance (while, of course, providing much needed protection from the sun). You wouldn’t wear an expensive watch or ring onto the playing field or bike trail, and designer shades don’t belong there either! If you’re going to be doing something physically demanding - make sure to get a sturdy pair of sport sunglasses (which come in a wide range of price points, from quasi-disposable models to ultra-stylized Oakleys). If you’re going to be spending a lot of time on the water - or dealing with highway glare - a pair of polarized specs will provide the most complete protection.
And no matter what model (or models) you choose, make sure to investigate the warranty protection offered by manufacturers and retailers - sometimes paying a little extra up-front (for lifetime guarantees on lenses and frames) can save you a lot of money in the long run!
Women’s Sunglasses
Women’s sunglasses come in a remarkable array of styles and price ranges - so it’s important to begin your search with a clear idea of what you want. If you’re looking for pure functionality, you’ll want to scroll down to the sport section. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to build your feminine mystique this summer, you might want to peruse the designer section for styles that will really turn some heads on the boardwalk!
Whichever option you choose, remember that sun safety is the primary goal! Look for glasses that protect against both UVA (long-range ultraviolet) and UVB (short-range) rays - and keep your eyes peeled for models that block HEV rays as well. Despite their crucial protective role, sunglasses are unquestionably fashion accessories - and fashion has rules (which you can choose to follow or break at your discretion!) Sophisticates agree that the most important criterion for choosing your shades is the shape of your face.
Sunglasses enhance your look through contrast - balancing out your more pronounced features to create a vision of symmetrical loveliness. Here’s the accepted wisdom on performing this balancing act for each of the 5 female facial types:
a.) Square: If you’re the Jackie O type, add some curvy, round-framed shades to your look - or take a page from the ex-First Lady’s book and go for an outrageously oversized model.
b.) Heart-Shaped: Like the square-shaped face, a heart-shaped face can look rather angular - so round or cat-eye frames provide the perfect contrast.
c.) Oblong (rectangular): Make your face seem wider with thick, round lenses - and spice things up with decorative frames.
d.) Round: With facial curves to spare, your mission is to add some angularity to the picture. Classic tortoiseshell frames are just the ticket!
e.) Oval: Considered the most versatile facial type, you can pretty much go any way you like!
1. Women’s Designer Sunglasses
As a fashion accessory that occupies a privileged position on the bridge of your nose, sunglasses have attracted the attention of just about all of the world’s most talented designers. Some of the more incredible styles by Fendi, Tag Heuer and Salvatore Ferragamo can cost anywhere from $1000 to $3000. Why are these items so expensive? Well, it should go without saying that these shades are invariably constructed of the finest materials available - but even that wouldn’t quite account for some of the highest price tags on the market. In the final analysis, what drives the prices up is the contribution of the designer him or herself. These artists pull out all of the stops in order to deliver fashion accessories that will make an unforgettable impact - and they are well paid for their efforts. Is the unique elegance of Christian Dior or Porsche worth nearly $3000? Only you (and your budget) can decide! That’s not to say that you have to be ready to spend in the 4-digit range in order to look spectacular! You can pick up beautiful Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Yves St-Laurent or Calvin Klein models in the $200 to $500 range - and many Ray-Ban and Oakley sunglasses (which combine stylishness and sport functionality) won’t cost you much more than $100. The choice is yours!
2. Women’s Sport Sunglasses
If you’re just looking to keep your eyes safe this summer, you can do it for as little as $4 with a huge selection of colourful models from Go Jane! Slightly more sophisticated styles by Vans and Fashion Jewelry can be purchased in the $10 to $20 range. And if you’ve already got a pair of regular glasses, you can convert them into sun-fighters with some clip-on shades for around between $12 and $22!
Men's Sunglasses
Men’s shades come in just as wide an array of shapes and prices as their female counterparts do. As in the previous section, the primary question male shade shoppers ought to ask themselves is: form or function? If you’re picturing what your sunglasses will look like as you pull up in your brand new sports car, scroll directly to the designer area. If you’re the kind of guy who goes through a few pairs of specs every summer (because you’ve got a tendency to misplace them - or sit on them!) the sport section is a much surer bet. Remember, for optimum protection, make sure that your glasses are able to defend against UVA and UVB rays (and HEV rays, if possible!) Meanwhile, a little thought to looks never hurt even the most single-minded summer athlete, so consider the following fashion-world suggestions before choosing the shape of your new frames (it all has to do with the structure of your face):
a.) Square: If you’re the rugged, strong-jawed type, you can accentuate this classically powerful look with sharply angled frames.
b.) Triangular: If you’ve got more of a pointed chin, you can balance things out with frames that feature a wide lower edge. Also, avoid straight lines on the top of the frames.
c.) Oblong (rectangular): As with female faces of this type, an oblong face complements oversized or decorative frames very nicely.
d.) Round: Men with round faces can add a pleasing dash of angularity with extremely narrow or high-templed shades.
e.) Oval: Oval faces tend to go well with almost any style of frame, so embrace your freedom and pick whatever catches your eye!
1. Men’s Designer Sunglasses
There is an extraordinary range of choices available to men who are looking to land some high-impact summer eyewear! The most important consideration is your budget. If the sky is the limit (i.e. you’ve got anywhere from $1000 to $3000 to spend), you’ll be blown away by the incredible items offered by top designers like Christian Dior, Porsche, Bottega Veneta, Fendi and Tag Heuer. If the $500 to $1000 range is more your speed, you’ll find great buys on spectacular spectacles by Swarovski, Giorgio Armani, Orvis and Dolce and Gabbana. There are literally hundreds of stunning models (by respected names like Roberto Cavalli, Mont Blanc, Gucci, Prada and Adidas) to be had for between $200 and $500 - and many snazzy (not to mention sturdy) Oakley, Quicksilver and Ray-Ban models go for $100 or less!
2. Men’s Sport Sunglasses
At the other end of the tinted spectrum, you’ll find a host of perfectly functional sunglasses for less than the price of a bottle of suntan lotion! Bargain hunters will spy a rainbow-coloured range of shades for less than $10 from brands like Eyeride and Hip Hop Accessories - and if you’re able to spend up to $50, you can even purchase polarized glasses (scroll down to the polarized section for details) by the likes Axtion and Castello!
Polarized Sunglasses
If you’re planning a nautical adventure this summer - don’t miss the boat on polarized shades! These specially-treated sunglasses are equipped with vertical polarization filters which cancel out the horizontal polarization which refracts the sun’s light and causes the blinding glare that comes off the surface of the water. These glasses can also be extremely useful to drivers - or, in fact, to anyone who has to deal with reflected glare on a regular basis! The most affordable models of polarized sunglasses check in at less than $20, while higher end designer models can range up to $500.
Corrective or Protective Sunglasses - The Best of Both Worlds
If you wear glasses all year round, why not get a back-up pair of corrective lenses that are specially tinted for the summer? Orvis leads the way in providing summer-safe reading glasses in a variety of styles, all for less than $70! Meanwhile, Clearly Contacts offers a fantastic deal ($40) on safety sunglasses to keep your peepers protected in the wild or on the playing field!
Kid's Sunglasses
Sunglasses are essential equipment for anyone who plans to spend a fair bit of time outdoors this summer - but they’re especially important for your kids. Youthful eyes are far more receptive than their adult counterparts. This may sound like a good thing, but in fact it means that they take in a great deal more harmful high-energy visible light (HEV). Keep them safe with a wide range of colourful options from Carrera, Ray-Ban Junior, Julbo or Body Glove, priced anywhere from $10 to $200!
Your Eyes are the Prize!
Canadians are duty-bound to get the most out of the precious few summer weeks that we are given, and part of that duty lies in protecting your eyes - so you can take in breathtaking sunsets for decades to come! So go ahead and spend every minute you can under those wonderfully warm rays - just make sure you’ve got the right equipment on the bridge of your nose. Besides, you’ll look cool and mysterious - and that’s important too! Remember, no matter what type of sunglasses you choose, you’ll have it made in your shades this summer!
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