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
Call to mind whichever gentleman you consider to be your greatest style inspiration. Got it? Now, answer a second simple question: Is he wearing sunglasses?
From James Dean to Daniel Craig, we’re betting he is. 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, from mundane to mysterious — from commonplace to cool.
"Get to know the shape of the face you see back in the mirror, and learn how to craft him into a leading man.."
All of this means that your sunglasses are powerful tools, and an important investment. However, choosing the right frames can prove something of a minefield, requiring you to get to know the shape of the face you see back in the mirror, and learning how to craft him into a leading man.
As ever, GJ are on hand to help you navigate the complexities of stylish optometry with a guide to shape, colour and style of frames you should be investing in this summer.
For a square-shaped face, opt for round frames
If you have been blessed with a chiseled brow and strong jawline, you are in the happy company of some of the world’s most famous men, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Brad Pitt.
However, with great cheekbones comes great responsibility, and a higher risk of getting your frames wrong. Opt for curved and round shapes, like oval frames and pilots. Semi-rimless styles will also help balance a prominent jaw.
Berluti + Oliver Peoples Rue Marbeuf Round-Frame Acetate Photochromic Sunglasses
£305
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Cubitts Cartwright Round-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
£125
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Cutler and Gross Round-Frame Tortoiseshell Acetate Sunglasses
£300
Buy NowFor an oval-shaped face, go for a wider style
Congratulations, with your balanced proportions and rounded chin, your oval-shaped face will lend itself perfectly to a much wider selection of frame styles than any other.
To maintain this natural balance, frames that are as wide as or slightly wider than the broadest part of the face are the best choice. Alternatively, ‘walnut’ shaped frames that are not too deep or narrow also suit an oval face.
Saint Laurent D-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
£230
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Gucci Aviator-Style Tortoiseshell Acetate And Gold-Tone Sunglasses
£560
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Bottega Veneta
£310
Buy NowFor a round-shaped face, be edgy
Round faces possess a height and width that are roughly equivalent — think Kanye West and Leonardo DiCaprio.
If you are looking for frames to give yourself a more distinguished look, try offsetting your facial contours with geometric shapes like horizontal frames, Wayfarers and rectangle shapes — as these will give your face a longer, edgier appearance.
Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Acetate Sunglasses
£120
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Oliver Peoples Heaton D-Frame Two-Tone Tortoiseshell Acetate Sunglasses
£315
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£245
Buy NowFor a heart-shaped face, go long
A gentleman with a heart-shaped face has a broader brow and a narrower chin, which will often lend itself naturally to prominent, striking eyes.
Seek out frames that elongate your look, even out proportions, or direct attention downward. If you’re wanting to make more of a statement, coloured frames and frames with thin temples or embellished bottoms can take your look to the next level.
Gucci Round-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
£240
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Moncler Round-Frame Gold-Tone And Tortoiseshell Acetate Sunglasses
£235
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Cutler and Gross Aviator-Style Silver-Tone Sunglasses
£280
Buy NowLooking to complete your James Bond look? Here ‘s how to shake up your formalwear…
Further Reading
