How-to-guide
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Women's Sunglasses Buying Guide
This women's sunglasses buying guide will help you figure out which type of sunglasses are best for your face shape, complexion, and budget. So whether you're looking to update your shades or just want some advice on how to pick the right pair, keep reading and let us do the hard work for you.
Choosing the right pair of sunglasses goes further than style and frame colour. Several factors should be considered when buying your next pair of sunglasses including the right fit for your face, lens technology and which brands to buy from that suit your budget and purpose. With so many women's sunglasses on the market, choosing the right pair for you can be tricky. In this guide, we cover the main things to consider when buying the perfect pair of sunglasses for you as well as our picks for the best sunglasses for women.
Choosing Sunglasses for Your Face Shape
Anyone who's ever gone into a sunglasses store and felt utterly overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices on offer knows that finding the perfect pair of shades isn't always easy. However, a little bit of knowledge about face shapes and which styles suit them best can go a long way in helping you to find a flattering pair of sunglasses.
For example, people with round faces tend to suit aviator or cat-eye styles, while those with square faces often look good in wayfarers or oval-shaped frames. And if you're lucky enough to have a heart-shaped or oval face, then you'll suit just about any style of sunglasses. Of course, knowing your face shape isn't the be-all and end-all when it comes to choosing sunglasses - ultimately, it's all about finding a pair that you feel confident in.
But armed with this information, you can narrow down your search and make the process of finding the perfect pair that little bit easier. Here's a quick guide to face shapes and the most flattering eyewear styles for each.
Round face: If you have a round face, you want to avoid sunglasses that are too round or too small, as they may make your face appear even rounder. Instead, try a pair of aviators or Wayfarers. Their more angular shape will help to elongate your face and make it appear thinner.
Square face: A square face is characterised by a sharp, defined jawline. To balance out your strong features, you'll want to go for softer, more rounded sunglasses. Cat-eye shades are a great option as they help to soften the angles of your face.
Oval face: An oval face is considered to be the ideal face shape for all sunglasses because of its balanced features. Luckily, this means that almost any style of sunglasses will look good on you. From aviators to cat-eyes to Wayfarers, there's no wrong choice when it comes to choosing sunglasses for an oval face.
Heart-shaped face: If you have a heart-shaped face, you likely have a wide forehead and a narrow chin. To help balance out your features, try a pair of sunglasses that are wider at the bottom than they are at the top. This will help to elongate your face and make it appear more balanced. Cat-eye shades and aviators are both great choices for heart-shaped faces.
Choosing the Best Sunglasses for Your Hair Colour and Skin Tone
These two things can make a big difference in which frames will look best on you. Just like clothing, what might look good on you might not suit the person next to you.
If you have a darker skin tone and hair colour, black frames are generally a good choice. They provide a contrast that can be very flattering. Tortoiseshell frames are also a good option for this skin tone and hair colour combination. They add a bit of warmth and depth that can really complement your features.
If you have a lighter skin tone and hair colour, then tortoiseshell, brown or beige frames are usually the best choice as they help to add some dimension and depth to your face. Black frames can also be flattering, but they can sometimes be a little too harsh. If you do choose black frames, make sure to get ones with thinner temples so they don't overwhelm your face.
If you're eager to try a new pair of coloured sunglasses but aren't sure if a block-colour frame will be too much, go for a pair with tinted lenses that will add a pop of colour.
All About Lenses
The two most common lens materials are polycarbonate and glass, and while they visually look the same inside a pair of sunglasses, there are key differences between the two. Polycarbonate lenses are lightweight and offer excellent visual clarity, while glass lenses tend to be slightly heavier with higher visual clarity, and are also more scratch-resistant and distortion-free.
Choosing which lens to go for depends on your lifestyle or the purpose of your eyewear. We recommend going for polycarbonate lenses for sports due to their higher impact resistance over glass lenses. Both lens materials come in a range of tints and lens technologies with each colour serving a different purpose.
Grey or black lenses are the darkest tint available and are best in bright, sunny conditions where UV rays are at their brightest and strongest. Providing a natural lens colour to look through, grey tints are favoured by those who are sensitive to light or colour enhancement.
Brown, amber and green tints are also great in bright light conditions as well as low light, as the warm tint has colour-enhancing properties that make details easier to see in compromised environments.
Rose or red lenses have a pink tint which not only intensifies and warms colour but is also a great lens for compromised lighting, making it great for driving. Yellow lenses are not recommended for bright light environments, however, work well to increase contrast in foggy or low-light conditions.
Polarised Lenses
Sunglass lenses come in both polarised and non-polarised lens options, as well as photochromic technology that adjusts to surrounding light. Polarised lenses have an extra filter built into the lens that blocks glare that reflects off of flat surfaces, while non-polarised sunglasses only filter UV light.
While both lenses offer excellent protection against the sun, polarised lenses have added benefits to make your vision more comfortable and glare-free. Choosing between polarised and non-polarised lenses really comes down to your environment and the intended purpose of the sunglasses. If you're an avid beach lover or spend a lot of time on the water, polarised lenses might be the right choice for you.
What are the best sunglasses for women?
While all sunglasses that offer high protection against UV rays are a good choice, there are a few standout women's brands and styles we recommend. All sunglasses sold on Just sunnies meet the Australian standards for eyewear, however, not all sunglasses withhold the same quality. Understanding the difference between common frame materials, price point and unique sunglass features will help make an informed decision on your next pair of protective and stylish sunglasses. Check out our picks below for the best designer, everyday fashion, and sports sunglasses.
Best designer sunglasses for women:
For high-end, fashionable frames, look to renowned designer brands like Prada and Versace who continue to release innovative, trend-setting styles like the Prada PR17WS and the Medusa Biggie VE4361 sunglasses. These stand-out styles not only maintain their popularity and demand but their high-quality lenses and frames are also unmatched. Although at a higher price point than some other women's brands, their unique style that appeals to all fashion lovers reflects this price.
Best fashion sunglasses for women:
For fashion-forward frames at a lower price point than designer labels, look to affordable favourites like Le Specs and Epokhe which continue to release on-trend sunglass styles like the Le Specs Unreal! sunglasses and the highly sought-after Epokhe Guilty. These are the brands that start or tap into trends, bringing you fresh eyewear options and seasonal colourways to keep your style in check without blowing out of budget. With high-quality lenses and frame materials to match, these sunglasses are an everyday essential.
Best sport sunglasses for women:
There is a huge range of women's brands with eyewear to cater to every sport, with top brands like Oakley and Spotters with specific lenses to enhance your performance. For the best women's cycling sunglasses, go for the Oakley Sutro S sunglasses, a smaller version of the original shield style that offers an expansive peripheral view and comfortably lightweight fit. For the best women's sunglasses for golf, the Bolle Bolt Small sunglasses with a special lens made specifically for golf are the perfect pair to wear on and off the green.
So, what are the best sunglasses for women? The answer really depends on a few factors such as lens material, frame colour and sunglass brand. However, in general, we recommend choosing a pair of sunglasses that fit your personal style and provide good UV protection. By considering your needs and preferences, as well as the key factors that affect sunglass selection, you’ll be able to choose a style that not only looks good but also offers the best protection for your eyes. Happy shopping!