Daniel RidingIt has now become that time of year when the sun shines bright and we all start wearing sunglasses to protect our eyes and obviously to look cool as well. Here at MFM it is clear that we all take great pride in our appearance, which means that making sure we find the right pieces to suit our body shape is top of the list. The same goes for accessories and making sure you find the right fit for you is so important, and this thought process needs to be taken into account when looking to buy sunglasses.
Not everyone has the same shaped body, or the same shaped face so here is a guide on what to look for in terms of styles and how to find the right pair to fit your face. Also we will be looking at some of the more classic sunglasses styles, so you have a better idea of what to go for this summer.
Perfect Fit
There are a number of things to take into account when looking for sunglasses, for example the shape of your face or even your facial features. Men with round or oval faces should opt for square or rectangle frames. On the other hand, gents with square faces should look to purchasing rounded or oval shaped frames.
If you have a wide nose then rimless and metal frames will fit better because they allow the nose to blend in nicely with the lenses. Alternatively, plastic frames will make wide noses look smaller and more pinched. If you have a long nose then we suggest opting for a straight, horizontal, plastic frame with a low bridge as this will help break up the lines of your face quite nicely. If like me you have a skinny nose then you were definitely born to wear sunglasses. The great thing about this is that you can pretty much get away with any style of sunglasses, obviously taking into account the shape of your face as well. Men with small button noses should go for metal framed glasses with high bridges, which will help expose more of the nose.
It’s In The Eyes
Even though you may not be able to see your eyes behind your shades, how your eyes are set on your face is another thing that affects the style of glasses you can wear. For example if you have close set eyes you can camouflage this but selecting a smaller pair of glasses because this will allow your eyes to be nicely centred within the lenses. Alternatively if you have eyes that are set wide apart, then you should purchase a pair of larger rimless shades or plastic frames. The wider frame will help conceal the wider distance between your eyes.
Classic Styles
As we are sure you are already aware, the market is inundated with a million and one variations of sunglasses in different shades, styles and colours. Here in the world of Men’s Fashion Magazine, we do like to be advocates for the more classic styles. So here is a quick guide to some of our favourite classic sunglasses styles.
Aviators: aviators are traditionally recognised by their oversized teardrop shaped lens. They are offered in mirrored, coloured and wraparound styles. They were popular eyewear from the 1960’s well into the 1980’s and they again became popular in the 21st century with the renewed interest in retro fashion. Their metal frames are sturdy and give you a more masculine appearance. This is a classic style since 1936 when ‘Ray-Ban’ issued the first aviator design to the U.S. military.
Wayfarer: this is the best selling sunglasses design to date; wayfarers were most popular in the 1980’s usually with a black plastic rim. They were associated with the style of being ‘cool’, think Tom Cruise in ‘Risky Business’. A classic style since the 1950’s when fashionable celebrities like Dean Martin made them popular.
Wraparounds: you can never go wrong with a classic style like the wraparound; black ones in particular add a subtle sophistication to your look. The sleek frames are flawless for any outfit that you have to gussy up that little bit extra. This classic style arrived a little later than the others, only becoming popular in the 1990’s. Make sure you don’t wear a pair of these with a long leather coat, we are not trying to recreate a scene from the matrix, this is a huge style don’t that I have seen more times than necessary.
Looking Good
So there you have it, a few classic styles to inspire you to look good in the sun. We also recommend that you find yourself a decent sunglasses case to carry them around in your bag. We don’t mean one of those flimsy fabric ones, a good sturdy one is what you need. This is taken from personal experience where I have reached into my bag to pull out the favourite pair of sunglasses and either they are broken or a lens has popped out. This is most definitely not a flattering look. Now it’s over to you, can you recommend good sunglasses or is there a particular style you swear by? Let us know in the comments below and then get yourself out in the gorgeous sunshine.