Men of style, you’ve found yourself here for a good reason. You’re in the middle of a big problem. HUGE.
Those sunglasses you loved because they made you look so cool? Gone! Lost. Nowhere to be found. Maybe in the cafe from that date on Thursday, or in the crevice of your car seat, where you don’t dare dig your hands down.
So, you came here for advice on a style that will look just as good. Or even better! Well, for starters, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. But don’t despair. By the end of this post, you should be confidently clicking “Add to Cart” on a new pair of shades.
A Simple Tip To Get Started
I’ve got a bit of a pop culture obsession and spend an obscene amount of time reading about fashion, style, and everything in between, so you don’t have to.
After studying thousands of photos, I have seen how all kinds of eyewear looks on people’s faces. Not everyone has chiseled features like Brad Pitt. But with the right frames, you will look and feel like a million bucks!
Want to look cool in your sunglasses?
Start with a round-ish shape. I don’t mean John Lennon-style tiny round shades. I mean sunglasses with curved lenses.
Why? Harsh angular sunglasses can be hard to pull off and don’t do justice to most face shapes. If you have a round or oval face, the contrast with the angles might be too blunt. If you have a sharp bone structure, they might be too much.
Examples
When Face Shape Matters
In the examples above, the guy on the left has a heart-shaped face, a strong jawline, and a narrow forehead. Those shades look good on him because they are a nice mix of rectangular and round. They balance his features and look stylish.
The guy in the middle pushes the envelope in transparent frames. But notice how the round frames are not too big or too small. Plus, the curved shape balances out his square face.
The last guy picked great glasses for his face. Curved, not too big, and wide enough, and the brown frames go with his beach vibe.
Breaking the Rules
There are even more dos and don’ts when it comes to face shapes. You may have read that you shouldn’t wear round sunglasses if you have a round or long face, or narrow frames with an oval face. Sure, some of those rules have merit, but I get how they can be confusing. My rules are even simpler:
The man on the left has a round-ish face, yet he looks cool in those round sunglasses because they are wide enough, and the frame reaches the edge of his face. They give him enough coverage from the eyebrows to two-thirds of the way down his nose. The black color also goes with his hair and overall look.
When a pair of sunglasses matches your vibe and brings out your style, your personality and confidence come through. Short on confidence? They’ll give you a boost!
The man on the right is an excellent example of a perfect fit. While his sunglasses might be too flashy for some tastes, look at how they suit him. Again, they are wide enough, land about two-thirds of the way down his nose, and the rectangular shape highlights his jawline. Above all else, they match his vibe and style.
So, if you find glasses that fit my rules, you don’t have to worry about all the other stuff. The ultimate goal is to find a pair that works with the width of your face, brings out your best features, and suits your unique style.
What Doesn’t Work
Sorry to put this guy on the spot, but someone has to be made an example. Don’t get me wrong; there’s nothing wrong with the way he looks. But his sunglasses don’t fit him all that well.
They cover his eyebrows, go too far down his nose, and are slightly too narrow at the sides. It’s not just about the shape of his face. The size and style of those sunglasses don’t do him justice.
Props to this guy who decided to step outside the box and try some orange sunglasses. But (you knew the “but” was coming), they are way too big for his face. They overwhelm his features!
Plus, if I’m being brutally honest (and I am!), orange doesn’t do him any favors. He could have chosen blue rectangular shades or slightly smaller metal round frames.
The Difference the Right Sunglasses Can Make
If you’re still unconvinced about the power of sunglasses, here is a side-by-side of the same guy in two pairs.
The frames on the left are too small and don’t suit his style or face shape. But look at the transformation on the right! These shades are the right size, and the frames complement him.
Styles That Suit Most Men
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, these styles work for most face shapes and fit in with a wide variety of wardrobes:
- Aviators: Loved by guys worldwide for decades, aviator eyewear is inherently cool. Pop a pair on and look like a movie star. Choose metal frames, or my favorite, tortoiseshell aviators.
- Curved Rectangle Sunglasses: Rectangular sunglasses with curved lenses generally flatter most faces. You can choose any frames you like, as long as you don’t go too narrow or too wide.’
When in doubt, rounded is the way to go!
Ready to Look Cool in Your New Sunglasses?
You heard it here first: ALL men can rock shades. It’s all about picking a pair that fits your face shape, features, and style.
Remember: The top of the frames should extend as far as the edge of your face, and the lenses shouldn’t go any lower than two-thirds of the way down your nose.
Go forth with this newly bestowed wisdom and choose wisely.
