The best sunglasses for men and women: 27 favourites with UV protection. From minimal to cat-eye, these sunglasses, all with UV protection, will see you through summer and beyond.
Trying to find the right sunglasses can be overwhelming – after all, they’ll be on your face for the rest of this summer and hopefully several of the next ones. They take centre stage, and as such, can be a daunting thing to shop for. But their main-character energy is also part of the fun. Sunglasses might serve a practical purpose, but they’re also a great chance to add a pop of colour or a note of interest.
What You Need to Look For
The Right Shape for Your Face
When it comes to finding the right sunglasses, face shape is important. “For a square face, we’d say to go for an oval or a softly rounded frame with soft edges,” says Katie Jennings, senior brand and PR manager at Jimmy Fairly. “Choose a frame that’s slightly narrower than your face.” For rounded faces, Jennings suggests “slim frames with pronounced angles, such as the cat-eye, to elongate and add definition”. And “if you’ve got more of a triangular or pear-shaped face, we’d recommend oversized square or round frames – bigger frame choices to balance out your features”. For oval faces, “most frames work really well”, although “rectangular frames or rounded frames will add softness”, while “more rectangular [ones] have a more confident look”.
Features are important too. Jennings has a general rule: if you have softer features, you should generally pick a more angular shape, and vice versa: “You basically choose glasses of the opposite shape.” Perhaps it is why, for people of the pointy-nose gang like John Lennon and me, round styles work better. Helpfully, many sunglasses brands offer their own guides online, such as this one from Izipizi. But there’s no better way to tell than by putting them on your face for real. So if you can, always try before you buy.
UV Protection
Exposure to the sun can cause damage to the eyes, just as it can to the skin, with frequent exposure having a potentially negative impact on sight. But not all sunglasses come with the right level of protection to keep eyes safe from harmful UV rays. There’s a common misconception that the darker the lens, the greater the protection, but it’s not so. Dark lenses can offer zero protection and even make damage more likely because they cause pupils to dilate and therefore potentially let in a larger dose of harmful UV radiation. Category 3 lenses, for instance, which are the most common, filter 82-92% of visible light, but that doesn’t mean they filter the detrimental effects of the sun’s rays.
To tell if sunglasses have the right level of protection to keep peepers safe, check to see if the frame features the CE, UKCA or UV400 mark. If in doubt, contact the brand and ask. Some brands state that their frames offer “100% UV protection”, but this doesn’t always guarantee the 400nm protection recommended by the World Health Organization, though. And be especially careful about buying from an unknown source given that the counterfeits market is full of sunnies that lack the protection we need.
What Are Polarised Sunglasses?
Stated bluntly, polarised lenses are designed to reduce the sun’s glare, or rather the reflection of its glare from horizontal surfaces such as water and snow – skiers have known their benefits for years, but nowadays anyone driving a car in sunny conditions could do with being savvy about their pros. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “because of this, they improve vision and safety in the sun”, reducing eyestrain. While it recommends them as a good choice for most everyday situations, it especially rates them for anyone fishing, boating, golfing or spending time at the beach. Some of the sunglasses listed above come with polarised lenses (Meller, Percival, some of the Le Specs), or with that option available at least (Jimmy Fairly, Izipizi, Finlay and so on) – but always do your research, as they don’t come as standard.
The Best Women’s Sunglasses
Cos oversized square-frame aviators – £75 at Cos. If fashion pied piper Phoebe Philo is doing supersized frames – and she is: super supersized – it tells you that you won’t look like you’re stuck in 2002, other than perhaps ironically. This pair from Cos works a charm.
Mulberry Mara – £250 at Mulberry. Mid century and oh so classic, these are the kind of sunglasses Audrey Hepburn might have worn on a Roman holiday. Made from biodegradable and recyclable cellulose acetate, they might be more towards Tiffany’s in budget than others, but they’re also kinder to the planet than most.
& Other Stories angular cat-eye – £32 at & Other Stories. For those after something more angular, this pair of sunnies will look smart with a trenchcoat on the commute. The black is classic, but the tortoiseshell has the edge. The shape belies their high-street origins even if the price tag doesn’t.
Le Specs Outta Love – £44 at John Lewis, £55 at Le Specs. Jess Cartner-Morley recommended this pair of minimal 90s sunnies, so need I say more? But just to reiterate: if you are one of the gazillion people who watched Love Story and thought it was time to add Carolyn B-K to the mood board, these are the sunnies to help you do that.
Greenwich Social Club Temple – £99 at Greenwich Social Club. Available in tortoise, black or, most fun, pony, these round frames feel vintage and very 2026 at the same time. A brand based in south-east London, with many of its frames named after areas of the city.
Folc Mika – £255 at the Eye Place. If you’re serious about your sunnies, like them to come with personality rather than wallflower energy and don’t mind spending on them, then Folc is a brand to know about. This grey, sagey-green pair is designed in Barcelona and made in Italy, and while it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, it might be yours.
Meller Oba – £49 for two pairs at Meller, £35.99 for a pair at Lentiamo. These are just a really great pair of sunnies. They’re not at all boring and not super pricey, relatively speaking, especially since Barcelona-based Meller was, at the time of writing, doing 2-for-1. Might I suggest going wild/bright with a second pair if you have your workaday staple sunnies covered?
Damson Madder Faye Eyelet – £80 at Damson Madder, £80 at Fenwick. From the brand beloved by the girlies comes a pair of sunnies that is quietly, decidedly on trend. Eyelets have been punctuating bags, belts and ballet flats, so trust Damson Madder to bring them to sunglasses. You’ll either swoon or swerve.
Estella Bartlett Milan square – £29.95 at Estella Bartlett. If you like a frame that takes up space, look no further than these oversized square frames from affordable brand Estella Bartlett. Accessorise with a tiny handbag and an even tinier chihuahua if you want to go the full 00s distance.
Monokel Molly – £150 at Toast. Dramatic and glamorous, these sunnies won’t suit smaller faces, but they bring a lot to the table, plus they’re made from organic and biodegradable acetate. The work of Stockholm-based brand Monokel, they’d be as great propped up on a head as keeping the midday sun out of eyes.
Me+Em D Frame – £150 at Me+Em. If you’re after a pair of sunnies that will look smart and keep the sun out of your eyes, then maybe this sophisticated pair from the brand beloved by female Labour politicians will be right for you. Plus, it’s nice to know that they’re made from a combination of recycled plastic and wood pulp.
Sun Buddies Pyle – £70 at Couverture & the Garbstore. Sturdy but chic, these California-poppy orange sunglasses are the work of Swedish fashion retailer Très Bien’s eyewear brand. A perfect pop of colour, and the more rectangular frame shape feels quietly confident.
The Best Men’s Sunglasses
Le Specs Bandwagon polarised – £50 at Feel Good Contacts, £65 at Le Specs. For the man more bothered about not committing a fashion faux pas with his sunglasses than about breaking any new sartorial ground, these are a safe bet: innocuous but not uncool. Just promise not to wear them with flip-flops, otherwise all your hard work will be undone.
Ray-Ban x A$AP Rocky Wayfarer puffer – £99 at End, £164 at Ray-Ban. The sunglasses version of a puffer, these are very daft. But if you relish daft, they might be the best thing to happen to your face in years. Just don’t go for the black or white – sunglasses this silly shouldn’t pretend to be sensible.
A Kjærbede Marvin round – £30 at the White Company. If you’re after a pair of undemanding sunnies that you can chuck on with anything and everything and not worry too much about scratching, then this simple, quiet pair from Copenhagen-based sunglasses brand A Kjærbede, via the White Company, is a good bet.
Vans Wheeling – £22 at Vans. I can’t help finding these berry-red sunglasses from skatewear brand Vans charming. They don’t take themselves too seriously, which lots of frames, especially for men, do. But they’re also not so silly – they’re sartorially quirky in a Brad Pitt rather than Timmy Mallett way.
Ace & Tate Oshin – From £125 at Ace & Tate. A classic Wayfarer shape given some drama. Made from bio-acetate, these frames are lovely in cinnamon, and fiesta is also a bit of fun. Ace & Tate sunglasses are well made and feel it.
Next black preppy – £15 at Next. Preppy is still doing its thing, making high streets look like US college campuses. If you want to enrol, this pair of inexpensive sunglasses looks more than a little like the much more expensive Ray-Ban Clubmasters (a classic cultural stalwart thanks to the likes of Mad Men and Reservoir Dogs).
Finlay Audley – £160 at Finlay. If you’re after tradition with a twist, this might be the pair for you. While the frames are based on a classic panto shape, the geometrical edge adds interest. The turtle colourway is particularly smart.
Cubitts Boudica – From £175 at Cubitts. If you want your eye candy to pop, consider these Boudicas, named after the warrior queen. They’d be perfect worn with a seersucker suit to a wedding or just every day, anywhere, if you’re bold enough. The quartz colour is the one that really shines.
A Society x Universal Works Stanley – £125 at End. A collaboration between Hong Kong-based sunglasses brand A Society and independent Nottingham clothing brand Universal Works, this pair has a lot going for it. The shape is just the right side of classic, and the colour adds warmth and lightness.
Izipizi Sun #M light tortoise – £48 at Lentiamo. Everyone I know seems to currently have an Izipizi pair of sunglasses plastered on their face. And I know why: they’re perfect for those who are style- but also budget-conscious. The brand makes simple but effective frames in fun colours – these are particularly lovely in honey yellow.
Uniqlo narrow – £19.90 at Uniqlo. A man in a cat-eye is not not a statement, but if that feels like you, then go for it. This pair from Uniqlo comes cheap, so while that doesn’t mean you should be any less careful not to lose them in a park this summer, it will also mean that the hand-wringing might be a little less if you do.
Percival olive green – £130 at Percival. Men of a certain age and (dare I say, Guardian-reading) demographic are likely to own a Percival suit. These sunglasses, designed by Percival and made by Marseille-based eyewear brand Waiting For The Sun, do exactly the same thing as the suits: lending something classic a bit of a twist. Plus, they’re made from biodegradable, sustainable bio-acetate.
Ray-Ban Zuri pillow frame – £130 at Selfridges. If you tend to go for classic tortoiseshell in a standard shape but want something a little different, why not try these subtly more interesting frames from Ray-Ban? They’re in no way outlandish but are doing something a little more out of the ordinary.
Barbour Joe round – £100 at Barbour. Better known for its wax jackets to keep the British drizzle at bay, Barbour also has a nice line in sunglasses. This round but angular pair in ochre will have a nice glow when the sun’s going down.
Bloobloom the Perfumer – From £99 at Bloobloom. With a large lens but thin rims, this frame from London-based eyewear brand Bloobloom offers a clean look. The darker-coloured frames are classic, but the soda and midnight are more fun. For every pair the brand sells, it gives a pair via Vision Action to someone in need.
Ellie Violet Bramley is a writer who has been delving into style and what it means for nearly a decade – mostly for the Guardian’s fashion desk.
