Decoding What Your Sunglasses Say About You

Whether you mean to or not, what you wear says something about you. 55% of first impressions are based on what people see. So even if you didn’t mean anything by rolling out of bed and hitting the grocery store in your pajamas, people will still judge you for that.

And that’s okay— at the end of the day, what matters most is how you look and feel about the clothes you wear. But it’s always good to know the implications of what you’re wearing, so we’re digging into how to decode what your sunglasses say about you. 

What Your Sunglasses Say About You

Sunglasses are at eye level. If you’re meeting someone new, or checking out someone from across the room at your favorite outdoor patio, odds are you will look at their eyes first. It’s what you’ll naturally be drawn to. Eyes are only second to smiles, which is the first quality that people notice.

So, if you want to give off the perfect vibe to match your personality, here are some hot tips on what your sunglasses say about you. 

Gas Station Shades

If you buy your sunnies at the gas station, you’re a carefree spirit and follow your heart. You don’t want to worry about the small things in life, like your sunglasses, and you often break them. That’s why you don’t want to spend over 200 bucks on those fancy polarized Ray-Bans when you could accidentally lose them in the ocean on your next beach day.

The only thing you want to be careful of with those cheap gas station sunglasses is UV protection. Make sure that there’s a sticker or tag that says they cover 100% UVA/UVB or are rated up to 400nm. If not, then those sunglasses aren’t protecting your eyes from cancer, macular degeneration, or vision loss over time.

Affordable Sunglasses

For the folks who don’t believe that something has to be expensive to be the best product, you fall in the affordable sunglasses category. You know you can find a bargain and receive a quality item.

This is especially true with sunglasses. Big brands markup their sunglasses up 1000% because one company (Luxottica) owns 80% of the market. Instead, you shop at places like WMP Eyewear for classic aviators for under $40.

Overpriced Glasses

If you are more than willing to drop $250 on a pair of sunglasses, then that means you don’t know about the eyewear monopoly. Overpriced sunglasses aren’t better quality than more affordably priced ones at WMP Eyewear or Warby Parker, so why pay for them?

Some people care about wearing name-brand products so they’ll pay extra money for the label. But if what you’re getting isn’t worth the cost, then you should save that money for a different product where the price does.

Fast Fashion Frames

Fast fashion is where you buy a cheap version of a style that’s fresh from a catwalk and then throw it away after a few wears. People who shop for fast fashion frames want style over quality. Fast fashion products are not made to last; they’re made as cheaply as possible.

While this idea can seem fun, it’s harmful to people and the planet. 97% of clothes are made overseas, so the workers there do not have the same protections as ones made in the United States. Plus, these sunglasses end up in landfills, where they will take 20 to 500 years to biodegrade.

Top Sunglasses for Your Own Personal Style

Instead of buying on the far ends of the budget spectrum for sunglasses, opt for well-made pairs that are within your budget and built to last. So many sunglass frames are timeless, so they’ll never fall out of style.

Try one of these four styles of top sunglasses to elevate your personal brand.

Classic Square Sunglasses

For the person who doesn’t fix what isn’t broken, stick with a tried and true style of classic square sunglasses. Square sunglasses have stood the test of time as the go-to style for men and women alike. A pair of square sunglasses adds a cool vibe to any day, whether you’re cruising on the lake or hanging out on the deck.

To add a retro twist to the classic square sunglasses, check out Abner. These square shades feature acetate frames with the option of four cool transparent colors. Wear them for a boost of confidence at work or a day out with friends. Plus, they’re polarized and affordable at only $39.

With Abner in your wardrobe, you’re ready for wherever life may take you. 

Bold Cat Eye Frames

If you love fast fashion but care about the environment, then get a pair of bold cat-eye frames. Cat eyes came out almost 100 years ago but became mainstream once Audrey Hepburn wore them in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

These glasses have been popular ever since. So, make a statement of your own with Sophia. These modern cat eyes are bigger and bolder than the original, so you’ll catch the attention of every person in the room. 

They even come in mirror-pink lenses, which enhance visual clarity and are perfect for a sport like snowboarding. And at only $40, you can get a pair for all your stylish friends too!

Retro Round Sunglasses

If you’re cheerful and youthful, get yourself a pair of retro-round sunglasses. Round sunglasses imbue the vibe of the 70s when people were happy that the Vietnam War was finally over. Those triumphant vibes still make them a top choice for people today.

Bring out your hippy side to your next park hang with Tate. These tapered round sunglasses feature a crystal brown made from Grade AAA Acetate. The gradient lenses offer exceptional clarity and help relax your eyes even on the sunniest of days. And at only $39, these are the perfect fit for any woman’s wardrobe.

Modern Aviator Shades

If you subscribe to Architectural Digest, then odds are you may be a big fan of modern looks. And why stop at modern home decor when you can add modern accents to your wardrobe as well?

For the person who digs everything contemporary, try a pair of modern aviators like Emerson. These gender-neutral aviators feature a single nose bridge and acetate frames for a thicker spin on the original. 

With polarized lenses that offer 100% UVA/UVB protection, Emerson is the perfect fit for your company’s next outing on the golf course.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Choose the Right Sunglasses for My Face Shape?

When choosing sunglasses for your face shape, you want to look for features that are the opposite of your face. If you have a square face and a strong jaw, then you’d want a pair of round sunglasses to soften that out. But if you have an oval face, then you’d want a pair of wider square sunglasses to accentuate your features.

Why Do Some People Look Good in Sunglasses?

Some people look good in sunglasses because of their face shape. If you have a heart-shaped face or an oval face, odds are most sunglasses look good on you. Heart-shaped faces have a narrow, smaller chin yet wider face at the temples. Oval faces are longer than they are wide.

Next time you see that friend who looks good in every pair of sunglasses they try on, check if they have an oval or heart-shaped face.

What Sunglasses Are Universally Flattering?

Square frames and aviators tend to be universally flattering. They both offer a mix of lines and curves so that they can complement any face shape. The only time these sunglass styles look unflattering is when they’re too wide for someone’s head and dwarf their face.