A good pair of designer sunglasses does two jobs at once: it protects your eyes on bright winter days and it finishes an outfit in a way few other accessories can. Choosing well is less about following a trend and more about matching frame, colour and lens to your face and your wardrobe. Here is a simple guide to getting it right.
Start with your face shape
As a general rule, frames look best when they contrast with the shape of your face. Rounder faces tend to suit frames with defined angles, while angular or square faces are softened by curved, rounded frames. If your face is oval, you have the most freedom, so choose the frame you simply love. Try a pair on, look straight ahead, and check that the frame is not wider than your temples and that your eyebrows sit just above the top edge.
Acetate or metal: what is the difference?
Acetate frames have a bold, sculpted look and come in rich colours such as black and brown, which makes them a dependable everyday choice. Metal frames are lighter and more delicate in feel, and they suit a refined, understated style. Both are available in our collection: Black Acetate Sunglasses at £335, Brown Acetate Sunglasses at £336, Gold Metal Sunglasses at £348 and Silver Metal Sunglasses at £400.
If you wear sunglasses every day, acetate is a sensible place to start, because the thicker frame feels substantial and looks polished with both casual and tailored outfits. If you prefer something lighter on the nose that you barely notice, a thin metal frame is worth trying first.
Pick a colour that works with what you already own
Black is the easiest to wear and pairs with nearly everything, from a charcoal coat to a tailored blazer. Brown and tortoise-style tones add warmth and look particularly good with camel, navy and olive. Gold metal brings a touch of glamour to evening looks, while silver reads cooler and more modern. If you are buying one pair, black or brown acetate is the safest investment.
Do not forget the lens
Look for lenses that carry proper UV protection information from the maker, and check the product description before you buy. Darker lenses are comfortable in bright sun, but a pair you can wear comfortably in low winter light will get far more use between now and spring. Low winter sun can be surprisingly harsh when you are driving or walking, so sunglasses are not just a summer accessory.
A quick checklist before you buy
Ask yourself four questions. Do the frames sit comfortably without pinching behind your ears? Do they stay in place when you look down? Does the colour work with at least three outfits you already own? And will you wear them often enough to justify the price? If the answer to all four is yes, you have found your pair.
How to care for them
Store your sunglasses in a case when you are not wearing them, clean the lenses with a soft microfibre cloth rather than your sleeve, and avoid leaving them on a car dashboard in the heat. A little care keeps the finish looking new for years.
Browse the full collection at jagcouture.com. Enjoy free UK delivery on orders over £75 and a 14-day returns period. For more style guides, visit our Journal.