8 Popular Men’s Sunglass Styles Every Man Should Own

Every now and then it's a good idea to assess the style in your wardrobe and see what changes you would like to make. Ideally, you want to review your wardrobe each season but even once a year is helpful to keep a clean, streamlined closet and hone in on your signature style. This shouldn't be confined to just clothes though, make sure you're editing accessory options as well. Sunglasses are an often overlooked element that can make an outfit pop in an unexpected way when styling them correctly. 

While some men just have one pair for everything, why not try out a few different eyewear options to set the right tone for the occasion? If you’re in the market for new sunglasses, keep reading to learn more about the best sunglasses styles to add to your repertoire.

Square Frames

Square frames came onto the scene in the 1960s, first made popular by French singer-songwriter Francoise Hardy. While these started as mostly oversized frames for women, nowadays both men and women alike continue to enjoy a classic square look.

Best Shades for Guys With Round Faces

If you have a round face, then a pair of men’s square frame sunglasses are best for you. Round faces tend to lack angles, so you'll want sunglasses that give you clear, defined lines. This will help your face look longer and provide some definition that you’re otherwise lacking. 

Who Should Avoid This Style

Women love a man with a strong jaw, but if that’s you, square sunglasses are not your friend. Typically this style will put too much emphasis on your jaw making it look even more bulky. Instead, try for aviator frames with rounded bottoms to balance out a square chin.

Popular Square Framed Sunglasses

Some popular men’s square-framed sunglasses from WMP Eyewear include Wesley, a modern retro pair of polarized frames. With colors including crystal brown and rich black, Wesley will work with any outfit in your wardrobe. The distinct nose bridge offers a timeless style that will catch every eye in the room. 

Another polarized option, Nick offers a square, minimalist style that’s comfortable for all-day wear. With bold colors including emerald green and glossy clear, you can stand out in a crowd, or you can choose to go with black for a more classic look. Either way, your eyes will thank you with the maximum UV protection both Nick and Wesley offer.

The Upgraded Classics

Sometimes, old styles need new upgrades. If you’re the kind of guy who wants to be on forward-facing trends, then look into frames that modernize vintage styles like aviators or wayfarers.

Perfect for Men Who Want the Latest Trends

When you want to rock new trends, then you’ll love the upgraded classics. These offer new, intriguing features like a double-nose bridge and a flat, pronounced brow line. If you’re looking for sunglasses that don’t just protect your eyes, but also work as a statement piece, then upgraded classics are for you. 

Avoid This Style if You Like the Basics

If you’re not a big fan of trends or statement styles, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to what you know. When you prefer a classic pair of aviators that look like the ones pilots wore in the late 30s, then skip on the upgraded classics to grow your wardrobe.

Popular Upgraded Classics

If you want a pair of sunglasses that make you feel like you’ve stepped out of the future, then shop cool shades like these Emerson frames. Emerson elevates the standard Aviator frames with a more rectangular shape, striking browline, and innovative color combinations.

Two are better than one, and no pair of sunglasses define that statement better than Lance. With a unique double-nose bridge and mixed material frame, Lance offers an updated, minimalist style on wayfarers and aviators that’s sure to turn heads wherever you are.

Horn-Rimmed Eyewear

Horn-rimmed eyewear is one of the first styles to become popular after a famous actor named Harold Lloyd wore them in the 1917 comedy film Over the Fence. Men and women alike wore them throughout the 20s, and they became popular again in the 50s to wear at work (and have stayed popular since!).

Made for Men With Oval Faces and Heightened Style

Men with oval faces look great in horn-rimmed glasses. The defined, square shape help give your face some texture and shortens the feel of your long face. However, even round or square faces can look good in a pair of horn-rimmed glasses because of the sharp points at the top and the curvature at the bottom of the lens.

Avoid This Style if You Like Minimal Looks

Because this style is so pronounced, those who prefer more minimal looks may not like the attention horn-rimmed glasses draw to their face. If you gravitate toward more understated accessories, then you may want to buy simpler square or round frames.

Popular Horn-Rimmed Styles

Horn-rimmed Jaxon frames offer a combination of wire and acetate for a sleek, modern look. With adjustable nose pads and polarized lenses, these offer comfort and functionality all day long.

If you need horn-rimmed sunglasses that work as hard as you do, try WMP Eyewear’s Ocean sunglasses. These quality, polycarbonate frames come with shatter-proof lenses so they can handle wear and tear. Try the tortoiseshell for a new look that ups your current wardrobe.

Cool Aviator Shades

Aviator frames were popularized by pilots in the 30s and have continued to be in style ever since. Worn by celebrities like Tom Cruise and Robert Redford, aviators are the best men’s sunglasses for those who appreciate classic style.

Best for Oval, Square, and Heart-Shaped Faces

Aviators look great on anyone with oval, square, and heart-shaped faces. These shades work well in any setting, from a casual backyard BBQ to a formal outdoor wedding event. Aviators are an ideal way to elevate an outfit without completely stealing the show.

Avoid This Style if You Have a Round Face

Men with round faces need square frames to give them definition. Unfortunately, a classic aviator simply has too many curves and tend to be oversized meaning that they’ll swallow your face rather than shape your best features. However, a rectangular shaped aviator can be a good option for round faces.

Popular Aviator Styles

Try out a modernized aviator like Harvey, which offers a double nose bridge and defined browline. These work great in the outdoors because they have an extra thick frame with side shields to block blinding rays even on the hottest summer days.

If you want something more in line with the classic aviator style, look no further than Maxwell. These stainless steel wire frames match the original men's sunglasses styles because sometimes there’s no reason to improve a timeless classic.

Polarized Round Frames

Groovy round frames were popularized in the 60s and 70s when worn by the famous John Lennon. Now worn by hipsters and traditionalists alike, round frames offer a gentle look that can balance out strong male features.

Best for Prominent Facial Features

Round frames are the best sunglasses for people with pronounced jaws, cheekbones, or browlines, common characteristics of men with square, oblong, or oval faces. Balance out your strong features with simple and stylish round frames.

Avoid This Style if You Have a Soft Face

If you have a soft or round face, or just lack prominent facial features in general, then you need a stronger style than round frames. Try a subtle cat-eye or horn-rimmed men's sunglasses to bring some edges and style to your face and outfits.

Popular Round Frames

If you want more solid round frames, check out WMP Eyewear’s Tate style. These round, acetate frames will never go out of style thanks to their timeless design and come in modest colors like black, brown, and blue.

When you want to channel your inner hippie, Nevada is an obvious choice. These retro metal frames look just like the ones that were popular in the 60s and 70s, adding a vintage look to your closet.

Clear Frame Sunglasses Trends

Clear frames made a resurgence in 2021, and they’re a fun, modern addition to every outfit. Because they match everything, clear frames are a simple and must-have pair of sunglasses for your collection.

Clear Frames Work For Everyone

No matter what your face shape or skin tone, clear frames work on everyone. These offer a more unique appeal than a tortoise frame but offer the same effect of additional style.

Buy Styles That Match Your Face Shape

Not every pair of clear sunglasses look good on every person. Just like with shopping for any other style, you need to pick a pair of clear frames that matches your face shape. For example, if you have a square face, then you should look at round or oval clear frames.

Popular Clear Frames

Try out Nick in clear, which offers a cool green lens with tortoise patterns tips for flair. This retro-square frame will look great on round faces and help your face pop in any outfit.

If you’re looking for clear frames with just a slight tint, check out Abner in champagne crystal. These square sunglasses are made from sturdy acetate, so you can wear them all day at a job site without missing a beat.

Colorful Fashion Frames

If you want your sunglasses to show a bit of your personality, try wearing more colorful frames. While you can look into the deeper meaning of colors and what they say about you (like if you wear red, that means you want to stand out), what matters most is that you pick a color that you feel comfortable in!

Perfect for Bold Looks

When you want something bold, colorful frames are perfect for you. Colorful frames tend to be the centerpiece of the outfit, so if you need to spice up a wardrobe that feels dull, these sunglasses are the perfect place to start.

Avoid This Style if You Like Low Key Looks

Sometimes, you just want to go about your day and avoid extra comments. Colorful sunglasses aren’t for you if you're more laid back and prefer subtlety. Instead, pick something classic and unassuming, like tortoiseshell or a simple pair of black square sunglasses.

Popular Colorful Frames

Try bold lens and frame color combos with Prescott. This single-bridge aviator comes in fun color combinations like whiskey brown tortoise with a blue gradient lens or crystal sand brown with a smoke green lens.

If you want a retro feel, try Nick in emerald green. This rich color adds depth to your wardrobe, and people won’t be able to take their eyes off you.

Mirrored Lenses

Popular off and on throughout the last few decades, mirrored lenses offer a pop of style on any pair of frames. And they’re not just in fashion; they can also help you see better by reducing glare.

Benefits of Mirrored Lenses

Mirrored lenses give you a sense of mystery. People can’t see your eyes, so they can’t tell where you may be looking at any given time. Plus, they reduce glare when you’re outside, making it easier to drive or play a pickup game with friends.

Avoid Mirrored Lenses if You're Rough with Sunglasses

The biggest issue with mirrored lenses is that they can be prone to more scratches. If you’re the kind of person who tends to drop your sunglasses or throw them around without using a protective case, you’ll either want to add a quality scratch-resistant coating or choose a more durable lens.

Popular Mirrored Lenses

Check out Jaxon for flashy mirrored sunglasses that look good on anyone, men or women. These gender-neutral frames offer a pop of rich jewel-toned purple that makes any outfit more exciting.

Regardless of your style preferences and accessory needs, at WMP Eyewear we have affordable options for everyone. With dozens of both on-trend and classic frame styles, you're sure to find something you'll love.