The 19 Best Sunglasses to Buy Right Now
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Including every style from cat-eye to round to oversized.
InStyle / Alli Waataja
Sunnies, in all their wonderful shapes, sizes, and colors, are to summer what boots are to winter: needed, wanted, and desired. Not only are they a necessary fashion accessory, they’re also functional, serving the same purpose as sunscreen to protect against UV rays. “You have to be wearing them to be protected, though,” as board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, puts it.
To ensure you actually wear your sunnies, it’s important to find a pair that you love. Dr. Hilal-Campo says that comfort, style, and durability are the three things you should look for. “Looking forward to wearing your sunglasses will increase your likelihood of putting them on and protecting your eyes,” she says. So with that said, read on for the best pairs that will check all the boxes.
Related: The 7 Best Bucket Hats for Every Summer Look
Best Overall: LensDirect Holly Sunglasses
What We Love: The classic frames are inspired by Breakfast at Tiffany’s and come with a variety of eye-protecting perks. What We Don’t Love: Purchasing additional features, such as a prescription or blue light protection, is costly.
Even if you’re not actually having Breakfast at Tiffany’s, you can pretend with these beautifully crafted LensDirect sunglasses. Timeless and contemporary, the oversized, rounded design draws inspiration from the specs worn by Audrey Hepburn’s character, Holly, in the film. Similar to Hepburn’s memorable soft-wing eyeliner, these sunglasses enhance facial symmetry thanks to their slight lift at the temples and high saddle bridge.
The frames are also super lightweight and comfortable despite their large size, and look great on every face shape. Available in classic black, dark tortoise, and hot pink, the Holly sunglasses come with UV protection, and a hydrophobic coating. They're even scratch and impact resistant. InStyle Commerce Editor, Mary Honkus, recently wore these on a beach vacation and says they still looked brand new by the end of the trip. “At one point the sunnies got knocked off my face by a rogue wave, but when I pulled them from the water they were still in pristine condition — no scratches or damage in sight.” As an added bonus, LensDirect customers can select an Rx type and lens color for an additional cost, so you can customize the frames to your style and needs.
Price at time of publish: $94
Colors: 3 | Shape: Cat-eye | Material: Acetate
Best Budget: Sojos Round Classic Polarized Sunglasses
What We Love: They’re polarized. What We Don’t Love: The plastic material doesn’t make for the sturdiest of sunglasses.
Sojos has a bit of a cult-like following on Amazon, and one of those followers includes InStyle senior commerce editor Chloe Anello, who appreciates how reasonable the price is for trendier pieces. “I own nicer, more timeless designs, but I can easily follow some sunglasses trends with this brand without needing to spend too much,” she says. This pair of sunglasses, for example, can be worn on multiple occasions (think outdoor sports, shopping, driving around), thanks to its versatile fit. Plus, for only being a $15 pair, they’re polarized. Customers also confirm that they sit very comfortably on your nose. The frame is made of plastic, however, which makes them a little flimsier than some other options. It’s what makes them so affordable, so if you ask us, you have to pick your battles.
Price at time of publish: $15
Colors: 7 | Shape: Round | Material: Plastic
Best Splurge: Anine Bing Highland Sunglasses
What We Love: They’re polarized with UV400 Protection. What We Don’t Love: They’re only available in one size.
More from Honkus’ vanity, the Anine Bing Highland sunglasses have been repeatedly making it into her outfits. They take inspiration from the classic aviators, but with a vintage, more rounded-out touch, giving them a shape that’s unique to Anine Bing. “They look and feel luxe. When I wear them I feel like a badass because they have a cool-girl vibe to them that always attracts compliments,” says Honkus. The brand kindly sent her a pair, and they arrived in a leather pouch equally as opulent as the glasses themselves. You can expect to find UV400 protection in the lenses, available in three different colors. What it doesn’t come in, however, are different sizes.
Price at time of publish: $200
Colors: 3 | Shape: Aviator | Material: Acetate
Best Multi-pack: Tskestvy 4-Piece Retro Sunglasses
What We Love: The four-set of rectangular frames is trendy and practical. What We Don’t Love: They don’t have the most powerful UV protection.
Need a pair or two of sunglasses? How about four? If you’re the kind of person that likes to match their sunnies to every outfit (or tends to lose them — it happens) this affordable set is for you. At just $19, you get four pairs of sunnies in every essential shade, ranging from a soft cream to a classic black, to pair with every part of your wardrobe. Although they’re non-polarized, they do have a UV protection coating, along with reinforced metal hinges and plush nose pads for added comfort.
Price at time of publish: $19
Colors: 4 | Shape: Rectangular | Material: Plastic
Best Cat-Eye: Gentle Monster Terra Cotta T1
What We Love: You can add a prescription. What We Don’t Love: You can’t adjust the sizing.
Trends come and go, but cat-eye sunglasses have been, still are, and will always be iconic. The sultry look was first introduced in the '30s, but they experienced their prime glory days in the '60s. We continue to adore the pointy shades, and the Gentle Monster T1 series keep the classic look relevant, thanks to the many trendy colors it comes in. Not only that, but you can add your prescription, right on the product page as well. You can’t, however, adjust the sizing in any way, so read the measurements before you purchase.
Price at time of publish: $320
Colors: 6 | Shape: Cat-eye | Material: Acetate
Best Polarized: Quay Polarized Level Up Sunglasses
What We Love: You can try them on virtually. What We Don’t Love: They may be too large for smaller faces.
Leave it to the country of sunshine to create effective ways to block out the sun — in style, of course. Australian label Quay has quite the collection of sunglasses, but it’s these polarized ones that we’ll be reaching for in the summer. The extra large brim covers a good chunk of the face, adding to the protection. It’s true that the large frame might not suit small faces all too much. But thanks to their virtual try-on camera, you can test them out before committing to them. And if you’re not absolutely in love, you can return them within 30 days.
Price at time of publish: $85
Colors: 7 | Shape: Square | Material: Acetate
Best for Large Heads: Warby Parker Beale Sunglasses
What We Love: You can try on several sizes for free with their at-home testing service. What We Don’t Love: This style is only offered in this width.
Found under Warby Parker’s “wide frame width” section (also available in extra narrow, narrow, medium, and extra wide), the Beale glasses are ideal for anyone with a larger head, which they measure at 142 mm in width (be aware that they are only offered in this size). If you’re unsure what size you are, however, the brand offers at-home try-ons, where you can select a few sunglasses for free and return the ones you don’t want to keep. Once you’ve settled on your decision, you’ll be happy to find your lenses to be polarized and scratch-resistant. And of course, at Warby Parker, you can always customize your order to include your prescription.
Price at time of publish: $95
Colors: 3 | Shape: Square | Material: Cellulose acetate
Best for Small Heads: Knockaround Vintage Rose Sunglasses
What We Love: Despite the popular style, they’re very affordable as well. What We Don’t Love: You have to surf their site a little to find the other color options.
Knockaround also lets you shop by head size, providing options from small, medium, to large. We particularly liked these universal wayfarers, and if you’ve been struggling to find the well-loved style on your petite frame, we’re pleased to introduce you to these ones. While we love this dusty rose color, they’re of course also offered in a more traditional black (amongst other colors spread across the site). Not only are they polarized and cute, but at $32, they’re affordable as well.
Price at time of publish: $32
Colors: 29 | Shape: Wayfarer | Material: Plastic
Best Aviator: Banbé Eyewear The Hosk
Buy at Banbe-eyewear-us.pxf.io
What We Love: Despite the sophisticated design, the sunglasses remain affordable. What We Don’t Love: It’s only offered in one color.
If you were wondering where all the Instagram girlies are getting their sunnies from, the answer is Banbé Eyewear. They have a plethora of trendy yet sophisticated-looking sunglasses that look like they’re in the $200 range but are usually under $80. And while we love their wide range of stylish designs, you can truly never go wrong with some aviators. The menswear-inspired look always looks sleek and just plain cool. These ones come with thin frames to keep things lightweight and retro-looking. We only wish it came in more color options.
Price at time of publish: $60
Colors: 1 | Shape: Aviator | Material: Metal steel
Best Prescription: Warby Parker Callum Sunglasses
What We Love: The sunglasses are expertly hand-crafted and made from durable, light-weight materials. What We Don’t Love: These ones are so lightweight, that they might not feel particularly substantial in the hand.
Yes, we've already talked about this brand, but Warby Parker has arguably one of the best craftsmanship when it comes to prescription glasses. Their styles are hand-crafted in-house with special materials — like ultra-lightweight TR90 nylon, a dense, durable, and flexible thermoplastic material — to provide better quality and appearance. The Callum sunglasses, in particular, are perfectly round with soft rubber pads along the nose bridge for a more comfortable fit. This feature alone makes the prescription sunnies ideal for those with active or performance-based lifestyles. The lenses are also made from impact-resistant polycarbonate – a material that blocks out the sun’s rays and provides maximum clarity. Be aware that these ones are extra lightweight, and might not have that substantial, traditional sunglasses feel.
Price at time of publish: $175
Colors: 3 | Shape: Round | Material: Nylon
Related: The 12 Best Packable Sun Hats, Tested and Reviewed
Best Oversized: Chimi 08 Black Sunglasses
What We Love: They’re scratch resistant and UVA and UVB protected. What We Don’t Love: They may take a little longer to ship.
Dial the mystery up a few notches with oversized sunglasses. These ones from Chimi also come with extra dark lenses (for added discreteness), that are scratch-resistant and UVA and UVB protected. In other words, the sun doesn’t stand a chance at blinding you. The Swedish brand is already a celebrity favorite, with stars like The Weeknd and Kendall Jenner sporting their pieces. It’s one of those if-you-know-you-know brands, allowing you to fulfill your quiet luxury dreams. Considering that they need to be flown in across seas, it’s likely they will take a little longer to arrive.
Price at time of publish: $160
Colors: 8 | Shape: Rounded square | Material: Acetate
Best Designer: Saint Laurent Slim Oval Acetate Sunglasses
What We Love: The thicker frame will ensure they’re sturdy and long-lasting. What We Don’t Love: They’re not the most effective in blocking out the sun.
The sunnies that Hailey Bieber can’t. stop. wearing. Seriously, she's worn them about seven times to our count. I mean can you blame her when you look this good in them? The ultra-slim shades you constantly see her in are these oval acetate sunglasses from Saint Laurent. Yes, they’re a splurge, but seeing how sleek and stylish they are, it’s likely you’ll get tons of wear out of them (like Hailey is). The thicker frame ensures they’ll also last all your excessive wear, and you can proudly show off your purchase thanks to the designer logo on the sides. Of course, the very slim oval shape might not be the most ideal in blocking out the sun, but hey, you’ll at least look very cool.
Price at time of publish: $420
Colors: 1 | Shape: Oval | Material: Acetate
Best Retro: Le Specs Unreal! Sunglasses
What We Love: They’re unisex. What We Don’t Love: They’re not polarized.
Say, Saint Laurent is not exactly in your price range, we'd love to introduce you to this similar, more affordable option as an alternative. The retro sunglasses aren’t quite as slim but definitely have that narrow, peeking-over-the-rim appeal. They function wonderfully as a fashion accessory for both men and women, with a sleek design and dark lenses. They aren’t, however, polarized, and are therefore maybe not the best option for someone sensitive to bright lights.
Price at time of publish: $78
Colors: 1 | Shape: Rectangle | Material: Plastic
Best for Low-Bridge Noses: Covry Maia Black Sunglasses
What We Love: With a flat-front design and adjustable nose pads, these are sure to stay secure on your face. What We Don’t Love: The frames might be too large for petite faces.
Something we can all agree on is that we do not want our sunglasses sliding down our noses. Covry, therefore, made sure all their sunglasses go through a smile test to ensure that the sunglasses don’t rest on your cheeks when you laugh. Combined with adjustable silicone nose pads and a flat front design, these shades, which come with either polarized or non-polarized lenses, are ideal for people with a low-bridged nose. Even with such large frames, you can expect these not to slip and slide on your face.
Price at time of publish: $145
Colors: 1 | Shape: Cat-eye | Material: Acetate, metal
Best Sports: Alo Yoga Speed Sunglasses
What We Love: They can be worn on both sporty and stylish outings. What We Don’t Love: They don’t have a security strap at the back.
Sporty sunglasses, albeit functional, never really appealed to us in terms of style in the past. That is until these retro sunglasses were reimagined, revamped, and reintroduced as a futuristic, sporty-chic look. Now you can find these on every it-girl, both as a fashion statement and as fantastic tennis accessories. It makes sense, therefore, that movement lifestyle brand Alo engineered and perfected the look with these Speed sunglasses. The only con? It doesn’t come with a security band to hold them in place at the back, but you can always buy one separately just in case.
Price at time of publish: $150
Colors: 1 | Shape: Oversized | Material: Nylon
Best Square: Crap Eyewear The Downtown Purr
What We Love: They’re made sustainably. What We Don’t Love: It’s not meant for people with smaller faces.
These sunglasses make a serious statement. With its square shape that commands attention and the oversized fit, the pair will stand out amongst others. The brand recommends them for mid to larger faces, as the shades might be a little too much for smaller visages. If you fit in this category, you will love how protective (100 percent UVA and UVB blocking) and well-constructed (we're talking stainless steel hardware) they are. Did we mention they’re also sustainable? The brand crafted these with biodegradable, plant-based materials, so you can feel good about wearing them, too.
Price at time of publish: $76
Colors: 2 | Shape: Square | Material: Bioacete
Best Lightweight: Jins Amber Sunglasses
What We Love: They look like any other sunglasses, but feel much more lightweight. What We Don’t Love: You need to be a little careful with how you handle them due to their thin and lightweight nature.
If you want the exact opposite of the previous option, then these thin, round, and lightweight glasses are just for you. The Tokyo-based designer created these frames from an airframe material, which is a combination of aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber. Known for its strong yet lightweight characteristics, they have a barely-there feel that might be hard to beat. But optically, the glasses look just like any other — you'd never know they feel weightless. Because of the lightweight design, however, make sure to store it in a safe place so as not to accidentally deform the glasses.
Price at time of publish: $90
Colors: 3 | Shape: Round | Material: Airframe
Best Round: Privé Revaux The Maestro x Classic Sunglasses
What We Love: Despite the affordable price, they’re constructed really well. What We Don’t Love: Not all color options are priced the same.
Co-founded by Jamie Foxx, Privé Revaux has an abundance of smart and stylish sunglasses to shop for. Their pieces are so well designed and constructed, that you would never believe they’re under $45. We particularly love these classic round sunnies, as they’re offered in nine colors (at different price points), are polarized, and come in a beautiful case complete with a cleaning cloth. It’s a shape that doesn’t go out of style either, so even though it’s not a splurge piece, you’ll still be able to wear it for years to come.
Price at time of publish: $40
Colors: 9 | Shape: Round | Material: Tritan plastic, cellulose propionate
What to Keep in Mind
Shape
Protection is key, but you also want your sunglasses to flatter your face shape, too. Whether you’re into cat eye or rectangular frames, the key to selecting the right shape is finding what works best for you and what is practical with your usual attire. “If you're purchasing an everyday style, I'd go with something classic and versatile — like an aviator, or a round or rectangular acetate frame,” recommends Silberman. Think Banbé Eyewear The Hosk, Privé Revaux The Maestro x Classic Sunglasses, and Le Specs Unisex Unreal Sunglasses. “If you're going for something a bit trendier, be sure to think about what you'd wear them with. Maybe a pair of vintage fire-engine-red cat eye sunnies look cute in theory, but think about if you actually have things you'd wear them with.” You can skip the fire red color, and still have fun in these cat eye sunglasses from Gentle Monster.
Price
“Sunglasses vary in price depending on the materials, style, and designer, but the most important aspect to consider when purchasing sunglasses is the quality of the lenses,” explains Dr. Hilal-Campo. “Polarized lenses, in addition to UV 400 protection, use a special film to further filter reflected light and reduce glare. Investing in a good pair of sunglasses is very important to protect your eyes from the harmful ultraviolet rays which can cause skin cancer of the eyelids, cataracts and promote macular degeneration.” She also says that sunglasses with built-in UV protection “are an absolute must” to invest in. Options like the Crap Eyewear The Downtown Purr and the Quay Polarized Level Up Sunglasses are great examples of such.
Size
While the style of frames you choose is important, their size is critical. “The larger your sunglasses, the more area you can cover and protect,” says Dr. Hilal-Campo. This means that there is no harm in investing in an oversized pair of sunglasses, as they offer more coverage and protection from UV rays.
Tint
“Lens colors affect how much visible light reaches your eyes, how well you see colors, and how well you see contrast,” explains Dr. Hilal-Campo. “When choosing a lens color, it is wise to select the color based on your lifestyle.” Dark colors like brown, gray, and green are ideal for everyday use and outdoor activities because they cut glare and reduce eye strain in moderate to bright light conditions. While light colors like yellow, amber, and rose are better for moderate to low light conditions.
Your Questions, Answered
How do you find the best sunglasses for your face shape?
“It's all about trial-and-error and getting to know what you like and don't like,” says Silberman. “Try on the sunglasses you currently own, or go into a department store with a robust eyewear section. Take a selfie wearing each pair, look at the photos, and ask yourself which looks the most flattering. Then, lean into that shape. I have a rounder face, and I've learned that aviator styles and oversized cat-eye shapes are the most flattering on me.” Warby Parker offers try-at-home services, where you can select a few to test at home and send back the ones you don’t like.
How do you clean sunglasses?
Use a soft, microfiber cloth (they usually come with the sunglasses on purchase) or rinse with warm water and then wipe gently. Though you may be tempted to use your clothes to quickly wipe away any smudges, it’s best not to because some fabrics can leave lenses blurred or scratched.
Should I buy a case for my sunglasses?
A sturdy, hard-bound case is recommended to protect your sunglasses from scratches, dust damage. But the good news is many of these cases are compact and can easily be popped into your handbag. Plus, a well-built case ensures that the sunnies are safely stowed, preserving their shape and lens.
Why Shop With Us
Madison San Miguel is a contributing writer for the commerce team at InStyle and has covered everything from fashion week to beauty product reviews. Her work has been published in Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, Bustle, Elite Daily, V Magazine, and other lifestyle publications. Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer at InStyle, covering the best fashion and beauty finds. Together, they selected the best sunglasses currently on the market. In addition to their research, San Miguel contacted styling experts, Maxine Wylde and Lindsay Silberman, and ophthalmologist, Dr. Diane Hilal-Campo, MD to find the best sunglasses for every face type.
Related: The 18 Best Sun Hats For a Stylish and Protected Summer
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