More Than Sun Protection: How to Accessorize With Sunglasses

Once limited to practical necessity, sunglasses are now a fashion staple capable of enhancing a wearer’s personal style while still providing essential eye protection.

Sunglasses are first and foremost practical devices. Nobody wants to struggle with glare while driving under the summer sun, but recent developments in materials, colors, and shapes have made sunglasses an accessory worth considering for anyone who may find themselves in need of shielding their eyes while still looking stylish.

Whether it means finding a sturdy pair of Oakley sunglasses for active lifestyles or choosing more delicate frames for more casual outfits, accessorizing sunglasses is about balancing functionality, outfit coordination, and personal expression, all of which start with identifying your face shape.

Choosing Sunglasses That Match Your Face Shape

For anyone serious about coordinating their outfit with their sunglasses, an essential part of picking the right sunglasses is understanding their face shape and the frames that may suit it best. Pairing the two factors is a matter of proportionality; specifically, sunglasses should enhance the wearer’s existing features to create a more balanced look overall.

There are many different ways to categorize face shapes, but they often boil down to at least four main categories: round, oval, square, and heart-shaped. These shapes are then paired with frames that enhance certain features while softening others.

To start, round faces are those with soft, rounded edges and full cheeks. This means no sharp angles and a face whose width and length are almost equal. In general, the frames considered optimal for round faces are navigator, square, and cat-eye frames, as these can provide structure or contrast that helps give the wearer’s face more definition.

Oval faces generally feature balanced proportions with a slightly narrower chin than the forehead. They also sport high cheekbones, making oval faces versatile. As such, it is recommended that those with oval faces try rectangle, oversized, or square frames that maintain the face’s overall balance.

Square faces, whose face length and width are nearly the same, are characterized by a strong jawline and a broad forehead. To soften these angular features or add length to the face, people with square faces might consider round, pilot, or oval frames.

Lastly, heart-shaped faces showcase a wider forehead and cheekbones that taper down to a narrow chin. These faces may benefit from pilot, cat-eye, or butterfly frames since they can help with balance by adding width to the lower part of the face.

Pairing Sunglasses With Different Outfit Styles

Part of what makes sunglasses great as an accessory is their ability to adapt to various styles. There are many different kinds of sunglasses, making it possible to find the right pair for any occasion. With that being said, knowing which glasses are best for different looks is an art unto itself, requiring some guidance early on.

For casual everyday looks featuring denim, sneakers, and other forms of relaxed attire, you might consider wearing similarly relaxed frames with a neutral color like gray or brown to add some subtle nonchalance to the overall vibe. Conversely, you might instead want your glasses to stand out as a statement piece, in which case you will want a bold color like green, orange, or yellow on bulkier frames capable of showing that color off.

Meanwhile, business and smart-casual styles tend to benefit from sleek, minimalist frames that add some elegance and professionalism without coming across as ostentatious. These frames should work well with professional attire like suits, ties, blouses, dresses, and so on.

On the more expressive end of the spectrum is vacation and beach fashion, which often emphasizes oversized, mirrored, and colorful frames that give off an air of fun and freedom. Consider coordinating these sunglasses with hats, swimwear, and resortwear to reinforce a carefree aesthetic.

Tips on Caring for Your Sunglasses

Sunglasses tend to only look as good as you allow them to, and that responsibility often comes down to effective cleaning, storage, and handling.

When it comes to cleaning your sunglasses, one vision expert recommends that you “Start with clean, dry hands. Rinse your glasses under warm water, and soap up your fingers with a few drops of mild dishwashing soap, without harsh detergents or moisturizers. Rub the soapy water gently on the lenses, and rinse off. Then dry them with a microfiber cloth.” It is important to emphasize the use of a soft cloth here, as using rougher materials like paper towels or even your shirt could scratch the lenses.

When not in use, sunglasses should ideally be stored in a hard case somewhere where they will not be exposed to intense temperatures for too long, as this could warp the frame over time. That means keeping them out of the car when possible. It is also recommended that you try not to grab your glasses by the arms, as doing so could cause them to bend to the point where they no longer fit as well as they originally did.

Be Willing to Experiment

Although the aforementioned fashion advice is popular for a reason, you should still be willing to experiment with different frame styles, colors, or complementary accessories. Sometimes going against the grain makes for a statement in itself, so you should try a wide variety of sunglasses until you find the ones that best reflect your personality.

Thoughtful styling can make sunglasses one of the most impactful finishing touches to any outfit, but wearers should keep in mind that they are both a protective necessity and a versatile fashion accessory. Balancing these factors just right is what can make a good pair of sunglasses great.

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