Sunglasses Buying Guide
Sunglasses are eye protection first and a style choice second. A cheap pair with poor lenses can be worse than none at all, because dark lenses open your pupils and let more UV in. Here's how to buy a pair that protects your eyes and suits your face.
UV protection is non-negotiable
The single most important spec is UV protection. Look for UV400 or '100% UVA/UVB' — that blocks the wavelengths that damage your eyes. Tint darkness is not the same as UV protection; a light lens can fully protect and a dark one might not.
Bigger, wrap-around frames shield more of the delicate skin around your eyes and stop light sneaking in at the sides. That's protection and style working together.
Polarised or standard?
Polarised lenses cut glare bouncing off flat surfaces — water, roads, car bonnets — so they're brilliant for driving, the beach and bright days. Everything looks crisper and your eyes relax.
The trade-off: polarised lenses can make some phone and dashboard screens look odd at certain angles. If that bothers you, a good standard UV400 lens is still a solid, cheaper choice.
Frames for your face
The classic trick is to contrast your face shape. Round faces suit angular frames like rectangles and wayfarers; angular faces soften with round or aviator styles; oval faces suit almost anything.
Whatever the shape, the frame shouldn't be wider than your face, and your eyes should sit roughly in the centre of each lens. Comfort on the nose and ears matters — a pair you keep pushing back up is a pair you'll stop wearing.
Ready to shop with this in mind?
Shop sunglasses & accessoriesFrequently asked questions
What does UV400 mean on sunglasses?
UV400 means the lenses block all light up to 400 nanometres — effectively 100% of UVA and UVB rays. It's the level of protection to look for, and it's separate from how dark the tint is.
Are polarised sunglasses worth it?
For driving, water and bright glare, yes — they cut reflected light and reduce eye strain. The only downside is some screens can look odd through them.
How do I pick sunglasses for my face shape?
Contrast the shape: angular frames flatter round faces, rounder frames soften angular faces, and oval faces suit most styles. The frame shouldn't be wider than your face.