How to look good in sunglasses, and the best to buy this summer

Whatever your face shape and whatever your style, we've got you covered with the pick of this season's best shades...

There are few people who don’t look good in sunglasses. Incarnations of cool, these all-important accessories have heightened the style factor of everyone from Barack Obama to the Blues Brothers.

And it’s the worst kept secret in fashion that a pair of shades can take your summer street style from the everyday to the extraordinary. So, of course, it pays to invest in these powerful tools. But which to buy? Everyone may benefit from the right pair — but everyone’s face is a different shape, and therefore we all require a different set of frames and lenses to tease out our best look.

But don’t fear! As ever, Gentleman’s Journal are on hand to help you navigate the complexities of sunglasses style — with a guide to which shape, colour and style of frames will keep you looking cool all summer.

If you have a square-shaped face, go for for round frames

Here’s the thing: finding the best sunglasses is all about complementing your face shape. And there are a finite number of face shapes. Let’s start with those of you blessed with a square face — enjoying your chiselled brows and strong jawlines alongside stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Brad Pitt.

To temper your angular cheekbones, you should be opting for rounder frames — with curves and smaller lenses that will help balance your prominent jaws. This way, your harsher silhouettes will be softened and you’ll achieve a laidback look to ease you into summer.

How to look good in sunglasses, and the best to buy this summer

Ray-Ban Round-Frame Gold Sunglasses

£125

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Cubitts Cromer Acetate Sunglasses

£125

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Oliver Peoples Aviator-Style Sunglasses

£255

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If you’ve got an oval-shaped face, find some wide frames

An oval-shaped face is one of the most common types — and also one of the most balanced. Lucky you, then, as this face type means you can wear the widest selection of frame styles.

But, to maintain the natural balance and order of your face, we’d suggest you go for slightly wider sunglasses. This way, the frames will edge to the side of your face, spanning your head at its broadest point. A big, bold look, you should be wearing these shades as a statement — and perhaps even opting for design quirks like a brow bar.

Kirk Originals Reed Aviator Sunglasses

£425

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Tom Ford Polarised Sunglasses

£260

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Persol Tortoiseshell Sunglasses

£200

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If you’ve got a rounder face, introduce some edge

The round face may not be the classically handsome, carved-from-stone visage of the leading man — but there’s nothing stopping you from turning heads if you accessorise correctly. Just look at Leonardo DiCaprio; the actor has a round face shape, but also some of the most ardent film fans in the world.

So, to counter your curves, introduce some edge with your sunglasses — with geometric shapes that will offset the natural roundness of your lower face. Slip on square and rectangular frames — preferably with outside edges that point slightly upwards.

Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses

£120

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Cubitts Judd Square-Frame Sunglasses

£125

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Berluti Galleria Square Frame Sunglasses

£260

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If your face is heart-shaped, follow the sloping contours

If you have a heart-shaped face, your brow will be broad — but taper down slightly to a narrower chin. Given the focus on the upper half of your face, attention will likely be drawn to your eyes, which will appear larger given the forced perspective.

As a result, the best frames for this face shape — rather counter-intuitively — should point away from your eyes. Go for frames that point downwards, sloping at the edges, as these will elongate your face and create a more rounded, balanced look.