How to Wear Statement Sunglasses

how to wear statement sunglasses

I love sunglasses

But you probably knew that already. After all, there’s hardly a picture of me without my sunglasses on. I also have quite a collection of sunglasses (certainly more than I need), in different styles.

For me, sunglasses are a necessity: I have very sensitive eyes. But I also think that a fabulous pair of sunglasses is the ultimate diva accessory that completes the outfit. And that’s why I need more than one pair.

However, for a pair of sunglasses to end up in my collection, it has to be perfect in every way: glamorous or cool, it has to have my name written all over it. A rare gem, that’s what I’m after.

Fortunately, I find sunglasses very easy to shop for. That’s because I can spot the perfect pair of sunglasses as soon as I enter the shop, and I often buy the first pair of glasses I try on.

So, how do I do it? How do I spot the one perfect pair of sunglasses among hundreds of different styles? Well, I follow a set of simple guidelines that I have internalised to the extent that I don’t even have to think about them any more.

  STYLE AND SIZE

The Internet is full of more or less useful advice and all sorts of charts and pictures to help you choose the right sunglasses to suit the shape of your face. Yet, it’s not always so easy to determine what the shape of your face is. That’s because most people don’t fall neatly into categories, whether we are talking about face shape or something else.

For example, I have a rather long, angular face, with a high forehead and prominent cheekbones. Does that make my face ‘rectangular’, ‘oval’ or ‘square’?

Does that really matter? I know what type of sunglasses suit me and what don’t.

Let’s start with what doesn’t suit me: oval, round and rectangular sunglasses. They just make my face look even longer. Also, as much I’d love to wear aviator sunglasses, they really don’t do my face any favours. At best, they just look a bit blah.

Cat-eye sunglasses, on the other hand, suit my face perfectly. Provided that they are big enough, of course. Because when it comes to sunglasses, size matters. Smaller cat-eye styles look perfect on someone with small, delicate features or a heart shaped or a round face. On me, they would just look too small.

statement sunglasses

However, cat-eye sunglasses, whatever their size, also come in many different styles: some are more angular whereas others are rounded. The angular, geometric styles suit round faces with softer features as they provide some contrast. More angular faces, like mine, need more rounded shapes that are wider at the top for the same reason.

And that’s the secret to finding the perfect pair of sunglasses: I always look for cat-eye (or butterfly) styles that are rounded and oversized, and wider at the top.

mirrored sunglasses

DON’T BE AFRAID TO BREAK THE RULES

Whenever I’m shopping for a new pair of sunglasses, I scan the selection for the oversized, rounded cat-eye style that I know will always look good. Yet, every now and then, something completely different catches my eye.

This pair of  Prada sunglasses is one of my favourites, and it couldn’t be further from the ‘ideal’ style I usually go for:

minimalist sunglasses

In a way, it’s a variation of the classic aviator style, but with a twist. The shape of the lenses is triangular, yet rounded, and wider at the top.

Rounded, oversized, wider at the top

That’s the checklist I go through when I’m looking for new sunglasses. And yes, even though it’s not oversized, this pair fits the description.

Similarly, the square sunglasses below are a departure from the ‘ideal’ (= cat-eye) style, yet exactly what I usually look for: rounded, oversized and wider at the top.

square sunglasses

IT’S ALL ABOUT PROPORTIONS

Thus, the style of the sunglasses matters less than size and proportion: the perfect pair of sunglasses must balance out the facial features. In other words, the sunglasses must be in proportion to the width and the length of the face.

What does that mean?

To put it simply, narrow glasses suit a narrow face, whereas a wider face needs wider glasses. Anything too narrow would make a wide face (like mine) look enormous, and too wide glasses on a narrow face would create the bug eye effect. Similarly, shorter glasses look better on a shorter face but would make a longer face look even longer.

So, as I have a wide and a rather long face, the width and the length of the lens should be more or less the same, so that the sunglasses are in proportion to my face. Or, if we take the square as the starting point: we stretch the top a bit to make it wider and give it some shape, then round the corners to soften the look, and that’s how we get the perfect lens shape for my sunglasses.

Your can do the same: all you have to do is look at the proportions of your face and choose sunglasses in a style and size and compliment you features.

wooden sunglasses

Details:
mirrored sunglasses: Nina Ricci / leopard print sunglasses: Dolce and Gabbana /
silver-framed aviator sunglasses: Prada / minimalist square sunglasses: Longchamp /
wooden sunglasses: Woobs

Tiina

Linking up with:

Elegantly Dressed and StylishHigh Latitude StyleA Labour of LifeCurly Crafty Mom, Doused in Pink,  Not Dressed As LambLiving on Cloud NineElegance and Mommyhood, Nancy’s Fashion StyleShelbee on the EdgeA Pocketful of Polka Dots Style SplashAway from the BlueMummabstylish Mutton Years Style and I, Confessions of a Montreal Styling DivaIndependent Fashion Bloggers

10 Comments

  1. 13 August 2020 / 2:48 pm

    Lovely post, really interesting. I’m also a huge fan of sunglasses and have probably too many of them, but I consider them an essential ítem (they are prescription glasses).
    And I’ve realised that the sunglasses I prefer are those round, rectangular or small cat eye ones that don’t suit you!. You totally nailed it, it’s all about proportions and it has taken me years to get it!
    I’ve always loved your sunglasses!, you rock your accessorizing!
    besos

    • Tiina
      Author
      15 August 2020 / 2:58 pm

      Ah, thank you!
      I used to wear prescription sunglasses (that was before I had my eyes lazered), but it was very difficult to get glasses that were big enough, or then they would get very heavy. So, my sunglass addiction got a bit out of hand after I had my eyes fixed; the world was suddenly full of so many sunglasses in all shapes and sizes… It took me a while to realise what suits me and what doesn’t, and that I didn’t need to get sunglasses in every possible shape and style simply because I could suddenly wear them.

    • Tiina
      Author
      15 August 2020 / 3:06 pm

      Thanks!
      Sunglasses are my luxury obsession (yes, I love designer sunglasses, and I spend way too much on them, so I’m trying to limit myself to 1-2 new pairs per year), but I wear them for years, and almost every day. I think it’s because I’ve only been able to wear nice sunglasses since I had my eyes fixed (there’s a very limited selection in prescription sunglasses) and I really love the instant glam factor of a pair of stylish sunnies.
      There are some really cool (and affordable) sunnies around now, with wood frames etc, you should definitely shop around.

    • Tiina
      Author
      15 August 2020 / 3:09 pm

      Thanks Nicole! I’ve has the Prada sunnies for a years, but still wear them several times a week.

  2. shelbeeontheedge1
    18 August 2020 / 6:10 pm

    I love your method of choosing sunglasses! And as a lifelong wearer of glasses, I know that your points are spot on! I love big oversized dramatic sunglasses myself. Because they flatter my face the most. However, because I require prescription lenses in my sunglasses, I am usually only working with about 1 or 2 pairs at a time. My lenses alone cost over $400 so a new pair of sunglasses for me starts there…at $400. So I can’t afford a large collection at all. Which makes me sad. Oh well. Such a great post! Thanks for linking up.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      19 August 2020 / 6:01 pm

      Yes, I remember how expensive it was to get prescription sunglasses! And there was much less choice in frames. I had my eyes lasered years ago (the best decision ever), and since then I’ve gone a bit overboard with sunglasses… I call it taking back all the lost time.

  3. 24 August 2020 / 7:13 am

    You have such a great range of sunglasses! I have a pretty boring sunglasses collection – Rayban Wayfarers and wayfarer lookalikes, I just have them in different colours for something different now and then 🙂 They are a must have here but I need simple and affordable ones most of the time, because kids, and I find the wayfarer style even from the cheaper brands survives best, haha!

    Thank you for joining the #weekdaywearlinkup! Hope that you had a lovely weekend 🙂 We managed to attend two birthday parties, even though the new restrictions made things a little different!

    • Tiina
      Author
      25 August 2020 / 10:23 am

      Thanks, Mica! Yes, my sunglasses addiction got a bit out of hand when I had my eyes fixed and could finally wear anything I liked. I’m trying to rein it in but without much success so far.
      Well, wayfarers are a classic style, can’t go wrong with that.

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