Which Sunglasses Should You Buy? The Ultimate Guide to Sunglasses Styles

There are very many ways to rock sunglasses and look fabulous.

Think J. Lo with her '70s-inspired rectangular sunglasses. The mesmerizing purple tint added a touch of glam to her gorgeous patterned azure attire from Fendi.

Or Meghan Markle with her oversized cat-eye sunglasses that added elegance and sophistication to her black quarter-sleeve peacoat and black skinny jeans outfit.

Or Jamie Foxx with the stylish and functional Square Alton sunglasses with a medium fit that means business.

But it's very easy to go wrong with sunglasses and ruin your overall look.

I mean, a pair of cat eye sunglasses donned with a sleek, monochrome athleisure outfit will have you looking like you lost a bet. And a pair of classic aviator sunglasses with a formal ball gown will put you right at the intersection of high fashion and confusion.

To ace the sunglasses game, you need the right sunglasses for your face shape and the look you're going for. This ultimate guide will help you decide which sunglasses to buy by discussing the best sunglasses styles for both men and women, and whether they are right for you.

The best sunglasses styles

You wouldn't hike  a mountain for the first time without checking the trail map? No. Not even if  you're channeling your inner Dora the Explorer.

In the same way, diving into the world of sunglasses is like opening a treasure chest of styles, colors, and coolness. Aviators, wayfarers, cat-eyes, oversized divas, round ones, sporty ones ... the gang's all here. And each has its own vibe, aura and occasion. You must know all the available styles to pick the best one for the look you're going for.

Knowing the available styles isn't just about looking cooler than a cucumber on a hot day (which, by the way, is a huge plus). It's also about what you need. Are you a city slicker looking to rock a sleek urban look? Or a shore aficionado craving a pair of sunnies with polarized lenses to match your seaside swag?

Let's explore your options.

1. Cat eye

Cat-eye peepers are the ultimate sass-o-meters—the fashionspeak for "I'm here to slay, darling!". Their softly rounded lenses and upswept temples give them that retro-cool, a dash of Audrey Hepburn elegance mixed with some modern-day pizzazz.

You might hear them referred to as "butterflies," which is fitting because it highlights the graceful and elegant nature of the design. They are incredibly versatile and complement almost all face shapes, but they are more flattering on faces with a more angular or squared-off shape because they provide a nice contrast to the structured features.

Cat-eye glasses can add playfulness, refinement, and a touch of Hollywood glam to any outfit. While they have historically been associated with women's fashion due to their feminine and elegant design and the fact that stars like Marilyn Monroe made them popular in the '50s, even men can rock cat-eyes and look fabulous.

2. Wayfarer

If you ever catch me outside without my wayfarers from PopShady, check my pulse—I might be experiencing a style emergency. They are more than just sunglasses; they are my daily dose of cool. Wayfarers have got that 'je ne sais quoi' that elevates all my outfits from "meh" to "OMG!"

Seriously though, these gaze guards go with everything and anything. Whether you're rocking a casual tee and jeans or dressing to impress, wayfarers are there to add that extra touch of flair. They are to sunglasses what the 501 is to denim.

They've got that timeless coolness that says, "Hey world, I've arrived and I'm looking fabulous!" It's like having a personal hype squad for your face.

Ray-Ban introduced them in the '50s, and they've been a hit ever since. Well, they did kind of all but disappear in the late 60s and 70s, but their appearance in shows like The Breakfast Club brought them back to the style stage with a vengeance. Suddenly, everyone wanted a piece of that classic coolness, and we still do now.

The classic thick frame, angular lines, and subtle curves can give you that iconic Hollywood edge – think James Dean meets TikTok star, a fusion of timeless and on-trend.

3. Aviator

Quick question: what do Tom Cruise in Top Gun, Michael Jackson at the 1984 Grammys, and Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver have in common?

Aviators. They all rocked aviators. And they made them one of the most popular sunglasses styles in the world.

Adorning aviators is like having an instant Insta-filter for your face. It's like wearing a piece of time-traveling fashion with that sleek, metallic, and oh-so-bold frame with a teardrop shape that gives off a bit of that retro yet modern mash-up.

The metallic edges flow seamlessly into double-bridged noses in an angular design that complements the natural contours of oval or heart-shaped faces, giving off an edgy yet sophisticated vibe.

By the way, did you know the aviators were designed to protect pilots' eyes from the sun's rays from all angles? Neat. That means they are perfect for soaking up the summer rays or watching the rolling blue ocean waves crashing against the majestic sandy shore.

When you aren't out on the beach, you can pair them with a leather jacket and jeans if you want the all-out Maverick from Top Gun look, a casual t-shirt and shorts for that effortless swag, or a sundress or button-up shirt and chinos for a laid-back chic style.

4. Round

Fun fact: a pair of round glasses that John Lennon wore were auctioned for almost $200,000. He actually once thought they weren't "cool enough" for a rock star before popularizing them. So, if John Lennon, the rock 'n' roll legend, couldn't resist the allure of round glasses, how dare you?

The round shape of these dazzle defenders provides a soft, harmonious look that accentuates the cheekbones well and can help fill out the lower half of your face. They are perfect on square and rectangular faces, softening the angular features to provide a balance and give off a cool, artistic, and a bit bohemian vibe.

These babies have a way of making all your outfits pop.

Throw on your favorite jeans, a tie-dye shirt, and some groovy sneakers, and these shades will tie the look together like a vinyl record in a digital age.

Rock a flowy, bohemian maxi dress and messy beach waves with these fabulous style sunglasses, and suddenly, you're the star of your own summertime music video.

You can even match them with a tailored suit for a fashion-forward, edgy twist!

Most round sunglasses are a fashion statement, but there's always something for you if you want to protect your eyes.

5. Rectangular

Go for rectangular sunglasses if you adore clean lines and want to turn heads with a hint of retro-cool sophistication.

They are more wide than tall with sharp or rounded corners. The straight, bold lines can frame your face like a work of art and read as classy and understated.

The lines provide a nice contrast to the curves of a round or oval shape, creating a balanced and flattering look. They also look great on longer-shaped faces like Ferb from Phineas and Ferb.

Let's talk outfit pairings to elevate your style game with rectangular sunglasses:

• Casual chic: Simple white tee, distressed jeans, and a leather jacket with black rectangular sunglasses. Instant coolness.
• Business casual: Tailored blazer, crisp button-down shirt, and tailored trousers with brown or tortoiseshell rectangular sunglasses. Professionalism and style on point.
• Boho beauty: Flowing maxi dress, bohemian jewelry, and a floppy hat with oversized rectangular sunglasses. A balanced outfit with a dash of drama.
• Athleisure adventure: Leggings, a graphic tee, and some fresh white sneakers with blue or red rectangular sunglasses. An active, trendy edge.

Throw them on, and the world becomes your own urban catwalk.

6. Square

What would I do if I had over 250,000 pairs of sunglasses, you ask? Mostly wear the square ones like Elton John did, of course. One, because they are versatile, and two, because, as all fashion icons know, it's hip to be square.

Ba dum tss

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

But I don't think they'd look good on my square face. The clean lines and crisp corners make them perfect for oval and round faces. They define the soft curves of round faces and complement the natural symmetry and grace of oval features.

Calling them "square" is actually wrong because these sunglasses aren't completely square. Only the top is squared. The bottom is more rounded, giving it a softer look. But they are as wide as they are tall.

Pair these sunshields with a black leather jacket, distressed jeans, and some chunky sneakers, and you've got that "cyber street chic" look going. Add in a neon-hued crop top for that pop of color, and boom! You're stepping out like you just walked out of a high-tech video game.

7. Browline

Colonel Sanders and Clark Kent. Two men who changed the world. Okay, maybe not that last one or the first one. But they both rocked the browline, and they looked dreamy .. okay, maybe not that first one.

Browlines, also called clubmasters, have a thick top frame that runs along the eyebrows and an extra thin or absent lower rim. They remind me of Anthony Davis when he played for the Pelicans. They give the wearer a distinguished edge with a sense of vintage charm and sophistication.

A pair of browlines would look perfect with a crisp white button-up shirt, tailored denim jeans, and brown leather loafers or oxfords. You can throw in a well-tailored blazer and a statement piece of jewelry like a chunky bracelet or stylish ring.

8. Oversized

Picture your regular sunglasses, then crank up their fabulousness by, like, a thousand percent. Suddenly, they are not just your regular sunglasses, they are your oversized regular sunglasses—all about boldness, drama, exaggeration, and a splash of Hollywood glamour.

With oversized lenses that could double as a solar eclipse, these optiorbs shield not just your eyes but a significant portion of your face from those relentless UV rays. It's like having your own personal sunshade that's as chic as it is protective.

Adorn yourself with these Shade Grandmasters to channel Jackie O vibes and enshroud yourself with an air of mystery. Rock them with a white, flowy boho maxi dress and some chunky sandals, a wide-brimmed sun hat, and a woven tote bag, and you'll look like you just breezed in from a glamorous vacation.

But don't try them with an already busy, patterned outfit. It might clash and overwhelm your overall look.

Types of sunglasses lenses

Choosing a frame may seem like the hard part of selecting a new pair of sunglasses. But you ain't seen nothing yet. The decision on the type of lens to choose is creeping in like that Jason Momoa and Henry Cavill meme. If you know, you know.

You must consider the types of lenses because they're the window to your sunglasses' soul, dictating how you see the world while keeping you looking effortlessly cool. And if you're among the 1% that wears sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays and not to stare at people comfortably like the rest of us, you need them to actually do that.

Here are the types of lenses to choose from:

• UV protection lenses prevent the sun's harmful rays from reaching your eyes. UV radiation can cause vision loss, macular degeneration, cataracts, and even cancer.
• Polarized lenses block light that reflects off flat surfaces. They are perfect for a beach day when you want to see the rolling blue ocean waves and not be blinded by that bald sunbather's shiny dome reflecting sunlight like a disco ball at high noon.
• Mirrored lenses look shiny on the outside (duh, it's in the name) and reflect most visible light. That makes them useful for extra bright conditions, like snowsports or fishing on sunny days, and not for overcast days. In my circles, they're called pervert glasses because they prevent others from seeing your eyes completely. You can stare at anyone anywhere.
• Photochromic lenses adjust their level of tint automatically. Indoors, they appear and function like a regular pair of glasses, but they darken when exposed to sunlight. The only problem is that they use UVB rays to darken, so they don't darken when driving a car. You'd need another pair for driving.
• Gradient lenses have a denser tint at the top, which gradually becomes less dense as you move to the bottom. The bottom allows more light than the top, allowing you to see the road and your dashboard more clearly as they protect your eyes from sunlight. Some are less tinted in the middle and heavily tinted at the top and bottom.
• Blue light blocking lenses prevent blue light from the sun and electronic devices like smartphones to reduce eye strain.

The best type of lens for you is that which caters to your specific needs and preferences. So, choosing the right one depends on how you use your sunglasses.

How to choose the best sunglasses

Round face

Best styles: Square or rectangular frames
Avoid: Round frames

Oval face

Best styles: Aviators or wayfarers
Avoid: Oversized frames

Square face

Best styles: Round or oval frames
Avoid: Square frames

Heart face

Best styles: Aviators, cat-eye, or bottom-heavy frames
Avoid: Top-heavy frames

Diamond face

Best styles: Oval or rimless frames
Avoid: Overly narrow or boxy frames

Rectangular/long face

Best styles: Oversized frames or aviators
Avoid: Small frames

I am not the fashion police (I could be, though), so these rules aren't set in stone. Personal style and confidence matter most! You should try on different styles to see what you love and what makes you feel fabulous.

An offer you can't refuse

The line between a sunglasses sensation and a fashion faux pas is ensuring the frame, lens, color, and style of your sunglasses match your face, outfit, occasion, and time. It's a delicate dance of finding those sunnies that make you look like the star you are, not like you raided a prop closet.

Check out the PopShady collection to find a pair that speaks to you. Do it now, and you can take advantage of the offer to BUY 2 GET 1 FREE! Who doesn't like free stuff? I know I do.