How Should Sunglasses Fit Your Face?
January 10, 2025 ⢠1:29 PM
Choosing the perfect pair of sunglasses can feel like a challenge, but it doesnât have to be. With a little helpful info, youâll know exactly how your sunglasses should feel and fit. That way, you can focus on finding a style you love and know will fit just right.
Below, weâve put together all the information you need about how sunglasses should fit. Weâll cover the signs that sunglasses donât fit well, how to get the right fit, and more.
Why Does a Good Fit Matter?
Sunglasses needto fit well to be comfortable and functional. Thatâs more true than ever when it comes to prescription sunglasses.
If your shades donât fit correctly, you might experience multiple forms of discomfort. For example, you could deal with headaches if your glasses are too tight. On the other hand, parts that fit too loosely may make your sunglasses slide down your face.
What's more, a poor fit can make your sunglasses less functional. When a pair of shades is too loose, it might not cover your eyes fully, which can lead to eye health risks in the long run. A perfect fit should provide 100% UV protection for your eyes and the skin around them.
If youâre wearing prescription sunglasses, they need to fit well so that your vision isnât distorted. Thatâs especially true if you wear bifocal or progressive lenses, which provide different magnifications at different points. Make sure your prescription is accurately ported into your glasses order to avoid uncomfortable issues.
With Pair, itâs easier than ever to lock in your prescription. All you have to do is upload the card you got from your optometrist at your last eye exam. Weâll take it from there, using those exact numbers to make lenses that work perfectly for you.
Does Your Face Shape Matter?
Youâve probably heard of different face shapes â round, oval, square, heart, and so on â and you may have even figured out which one matches your own. While itâs not an exact science, it can be very helpful when choosing a pair of sunglasses.
Some face shapes are more versatile than others. For example, if you have an oval-shaped face, you can rock many styles of eyeglass frames. On the other hand, you might want to explore more specific options if you have a round, rectangular, or square face shape.
How To Determine Your Face Shape
You can figure out your face shape by looking in the mirror without wearing any accessories âincluding your glasses, if possible. If your prescription is strong and you canât see clearly without your glasses, try having a friend or family member take a photo of you instead.
Look at yourself closely. If you have more balanced proportions, you may have an ultra-versatile oval face shape. This shape is characterized by a gently rounded jawline and a slightly narrower profile.
On the other hand, if you have a wider forehead and rounded cheekbones, you might have a round face shape. Meanwhile, your face may be closer to a square shape if your features are wide and angular.
A heart face shape is characterized by a wide forehead, narrow chin, and high cheekbones. In contrast, the diamond face shape has a narrow forehead, narrow chin, and wide cheekbones.
Finally, a rectangular face shape is long and narrow â it often works best with smaller pairs of glasses.
What Makes a Pair of Sunglasses Right for Your Face Shape?
This isnât a hard-and-fast rule, but we often recommend choosing a pair of sunglasses with a frame shape that contrasts with your face shape. For example, if you have more rounded features, consider square frames or rectangular frames for a flattering look that creates balance.
On the other hand, if you have more angular features â diamond-shaped faces come to mind â you might love the way you look in round frames. Classics like aviator sunglasses can be an especially flattering frame style for diamond, rectangle, or square faces.
How Do Frame Size and Face Width Fit In?
Finding the best glasses or sunglasses for your facial features is only part of the process. Youâll also need to figure out the ideal frame width for your face to get the best sunglasses possible.
In general, your sunglasses should be about the same as the width of your face, with a few exceptions. For example, oversized frames are popular right now, and if they fit your personal style, they might be perfect for you.
To find the right sunglasses, youâll need to measure the width of your face. You can do this in seconds using a tape measure. Alternatively, you can also use our virtual try-on feature to estimate how different types of sunglasses will look on your face.
Our favorite way to determine whether a sunglasses shape will match your face is by using precise measurements. We list all of the dimensions for each of our sunglasses frames in the Pair Shop â that way, you can quickly figure out if a pair matches your face type by comparing the dimensions to the width of your face. Itâs as simple as that!
How Should the Bridge Fit?
Every pair of sunglasses has a bridge, which connects the two lenses and rests on top of the nose. This part of your face is arguably where your fit matters the most.
Sunglasses can come with either a high or low bridge, and one option might be better for you than the other. For example, a high bridge may look best and feel the most comfortable if you have a higher nose and high cheekbones. On the other hand, if you have a flatter nose bridge, a low bridge might suit you best.
Additionally, depending on the style of sunglasses you choose, your bridge might come with adjustable nose pads. These pads can dramatically change the functionality of the bridge. However, they donât always guarantee a better fit.
Nose pads are a common feature on metal eyewear frames, and some glasses wearers swear by them. That said, they may not be the most comfortable or practical option. Nose pads can bend and warp with everyday wear, leading to unintentional changes in the fit of your shades.
To avoid an inconsistent fit, we recommend picking a pair of sunglasses without nose pads âideally, one made from a durable plastic like acetate. This way, you wonât have to worry about your nose pads squeezing the bridge of your nose or coming loose and making your glasses slide down your face.
What Is Lens Coverage?
The perfect pair of sunglasses should also provide plenty of UV protection to your eyes and the skin around them. For this reason, we recommend shades with lenses big enough to fully cover your entire eye area â without being so big that they feel cumbersome and uncomfortable.
As a general rule, sunglass lenses should span from the area between your browline and your eyes to the top of your cheekbones. Larger, wider lenses like the ones in aviators or cat-eye sunglasses can be beneficial for getting full coverage, especially if you have a wide, long face.
What Is the Ideal Arm Length?
The arms are the parts of your sunglasses that sit on your ears and hold the shades in place. A precise fit is always important for the arms â if theyâre too short, your sunglasses might slide down your face. However, if theyâre too long, they might feel uncomfortable.
You might need to try on a pair of glasses in person to determine whether the arm length is right for you. Luckily, Pair offers free returns on any order, so you can always swap your sunglasses for a new set if needed.
What Role Does Lens Color Play?
Sunglass lenses can come in different colors, and the shade you choose can significantly affect how your shades feel.
If youâre looking for a pair of polarized sunglasses, the color of the lenses is important to consider. More specifically, the color of polarized lenses can change how your glasses block out light waves, with certain colors lending themselves to low-light or high-light environments.
We recommend gray lenses if youâre looking for a pair of sunglasses that reduce glare, lower brightness, and keep your eyes comfortable without changing how things look. Alternatively, tinted lenses might be better for specialized glare blocking and increasing color contrast.
What About Sunglasses for Sports?
If you play sports or other high-intensity forms of exercise, youâll need sunglasses with special specifications for the best possible experience.
If your current sunglasses often fall off while youâre working out or playing sports, you might want to consider wraparound frames. These frames have arms that go all the way around the back of your head, keeping them snug and secure. However, wraparound frames arenât always trendy â theyâre about functionality, not form.
Additionally, some sports sunglasses have easy-to-adjust bridges that sometimes feature nose pads. While weâre not huge fans of metal frames with nose pads, they can occasionally be helpful during intense physical activity.
Finally, if you need an extra-secure fit, you might want to consider sports glasses with rubberized temple tips. These specialized sunglasses stay securely in place without the need for wraparound arms and tend to be more comfortable during high-intensity workouts and sports.
If you need sunglasses for low-intensity exercise like walking or jogging, a durable pair made from acetate will do the trick. Acetate is easy to clean, making it perfect when you break a sweat while exercising.
Discover the Perfect Sunglasses at Pair
If youâre looking for a pair of sunglasses that looks and feels fantastic, youâve come to the right place.
Our wide selection has something for everyone, including stylish, vibrant patterns that are sure to stand out in a crowd. In addition, our Sun Tops snap seamlessly to your base frames, turning your regular eyeglasses into instant shades.
With a perfect blend of style and functionality, Pairâs Sun Tops are ideal for anyone. Our lenses can be polarized or non-polarized, and they come with scratch-resistant coatings at no extra charge.
If youâre ready to pick up your next pair of shades, simply upload your prescription and place your order. You can always send them back for free and exchange them for a new pair.
Shop our full selection of Sun Tops today!
Sources:
Ultraviolet (UV) protection | AOA
About Common Eye Disorders and Diseases | Vision and Eye Health | CDC