Summer is the preferred season for wearing sunglasses. The strong light at the beach or in the city can cause great discomfort and lead to headaches and eye fatigue. It becomes important to protect ourselves with dark lenses that can screen the rays and make our vision more comfortable.
But which glasses to choose? And then, should we base our choice only on the elegance and shape of the frame, or should we pay particular attention to the lenses? And on what occasions will we wear the glasses?
Buying sunglasses can be difficult. We are here to clear up any doubts and give some advice on how to choose the perfect pair for the shape of your face and style preferences. And, if that’s not enough, we look forward to seeing you in our stores or online to give you all the suggestions you want!
How to choose glasses
There are 3 aspects to keep in mind when choosing sunglasses, namely:
- The lenses
- The frame
- The use.
Based on these three parameters, we can determine which are the best sunglasses to choose.
But let's start with a question: how many types of sunglasses are there?
Types of sunglasses
How to choose sunglasses
The lenses are the fundamental part in choosing sunglasses. There are now all kinds available, and each of these can serve to protect the eyes on one hand, and adapt to our style on the other.
In the meantime, it is essential that the lenses are of good quality and certified. The first characteristic to consider is UV400 protection.
What is UV400 protection
The ultraviolet light coming from the sun rays can have beneficial effects, such as stimulating tanning, but in large quantities, it can cause damage to both the skin and the eyes. Without adequate protection, the adverse effects can be mild, such as redness, eye fatigue, and headaches, or more serious, such as burns and problems with the cornea and pupil.
To adequately protect the eyes, it is necessary for the sunglasses to be of good quality, such as Zeiss lenses chosen by us Mondelliani, and have UV400 protection that blocks most UV rays and allows the eye to see without excessively straining it.
In fact, if you want to look for alternatives, you should look for sunglasses with at least 100% UVA protection. This means that the lenses block 99% of harmful ultraviolet rays.
Polarized lenses
Often, we also hear about polarized lenses. Polarized lenses have a “screen” that blocks concentrated and reflected light, for example from snow, the sea, and asphalt. Through a special treatment of the lenses, polarized light is reflected, and the eyes have greater protection.
Can the lenses be both polarized and have UV400 protection?
Certainly! One thing does not exclude the other, quite the opposite. Our advice is to look for lenses that have both solutions to ensure that the eye is adequately protected.
Color of sunglasses lenses
In the meantime, let's debunk a myth: darker lenses do not necessarily provide greater eye protection. In fact, in the case of particularly dark lenses, the pupil dilates to let in more light and thus absorbs more UV rays.
Today there are colored lenses of every type, from amber yellow to the darkest black. If equipped with an adequate UV filter, we can choose the lenses based on our personal taste and the comfort we feel while wearing them. We can even dare to wear sunglasses with pink lenses, to have an even more paradisiacal view of the most beautiful season!
Mirrored sunglasses: how they work
Through a special mirroring technique, it is possible to have “mirrored” lenses. The lens is treated to have a completely reflective surface on the front, almost completely preventing UV rays from reaching our eyes.
It is therefore not just an aesthetic issue, but also a matter of safety.
For this reason, mirrored sunglasses are often used by athletes. If we think of skiers or cyclists, they often use these glasses for greater comfort.
Not to mention the undeniable style that mirrored lenses provide!
How to choose the frame of sunglasses - a matter of look!
To choose the frame, one almost always relies on personal taste, and we choose glasses that are most similar to us. This is certainly a correct attitude, and at Mondelliani we know well how important it is for the glasses to be an accessory that matches our look, but there are also other aspects to consider.
There are three main shapes of frames: rectangular, round, and aviator. Rectangular frames are generally more suitable than round ones. Aviator frames are usually the least flattering because they make the eyes appear smaller. Round glasses tend to make the eyes look larger.
The shape of the face
We have already seen how the shape of the face is fundamental to decide on the frame. Even though it is allowed to be bold, having some guidelines allows for a reasoned choice of which glasses to wear.
Light or heavy frame?
In this case, the answer is: it depends. Bold frames are certainly impactful but over time they can become uncomfortable. Especially if we think about using glasses on the beach and love to bask in the sun for hours, having glasses with a very large frame can lead to frequently taking them off and not using them.
And how to choose between a steel frame and one in acetate or plastic? In this case, the answer is very simple: you have to rely on personal taste.
Square, round, or rectangular glasses?
The shape of the glasses not only influences our look, but also the vision. Using wraparound glasses that fit well on the nose and do not slide down, especially when we sweat from the heat, becomes important to have maximum comfort and greater protection.
There is nothing more annoying than glasses that slide down, or that do not allow you to look sideways without having an excessive gap between the direct vision and the lateral vision. For example, if rectangular glasses perfectly protect our eyes, it does not necessarily mean that they are suitable for our face shape or that they are comfortable for the whole day.
Before choosing a pair of glasses, it is important to see if it fits our style but also our needs. In fact, a good rule is to try them on before purchasing. This way you can get an idea of the fit and comfort. Or if you really can't, check the 3 measurements of the glasses (you will find them on the side arm) to ensure they match those of the glasses you wear comfortably.
What color to choose for the frame?
Finally, the color. It certainly does not affect the protection provided by the lenses, but it is essential for our look.
Sunglasses with black frame
A great classic. Blues Brothers look, goes well with everything and doesn't create problems in matching. We might even say that everyone should have a pair of sunglasses with a black frame available.
Sunglasses with cool colors (blue frame or green)
Cool colors denote confidence, tranquility and are of great elegance. Recommended for those who care about style and maintaining a certain composure even during warm summer evenings or days at the beach.
Sunglasses with warm colors (yellow fuchsia frame or red)
Warm colors denote eccentricity, a desire to stand out and live everything to the fullest. Recommended for those who are not afraid to expose themselves and show the world their full personality.
But even more important is to think about how we will use the sunglasses. Will we wear them just to give ourselves “more charisma and symptomatic mystery,” or will we often need to drive with sunglasses? Let's see how to choose them.
When should sunglasses be used?
With the use of increasingly refined lenses, wearing sunglasses even all day long is no longer a problem. The eyes remain protected and we can comfortably wear them without straining our vision. Even those who need prescription glasses can now choose from a multitude of models with correction.
Let's see some uses and some suggestions.
Prescription sunglasses
For a long time, those who needed corrective glasses had to adapt and could not choose suitable sunglasses. Today, it is possible to have prescription sunglasses, which combine protection from the sun's rays with the ability to see better in any condition.
Sunglasses on the beach
They are definitely everyone's favorite occasion: the sun, the sea, relaxation, and a nice pair of sunglasses to protect us.
The reflection of the sun and sand amplifies the effects of the rays, our advice is to choose a pair of comfortable sunglasses to wear all day, and perhaps have a second backup pair, always of good quality, to use in a hazardous environment like sand, saltwater, or the sea.
Sunglasses in the car
An environment where sunglasses become almost indispensable for many is the road. The asphalt reflects during the day, and at sunset or early in the morning, the direct sunlight can cause glare and discomfort, jeopardizing safety as well.
It becomes essential to have comfortable sunglasses, with good protection, that can reduce rays to allow for safe and comfortable driving.
Sport sunglasses
As we saw earlier, many sports disciplines involve prolonged exposure to sunlight, especially in disciplines like cycling or, during the winter months, skiing. In this case, we recommend specific, polarized sunglasses with high protection.
Red carpet sunglasses
Sunglasses are not only for practical use. They become an essential accessory for an aperitif with friends, a trip, or a gala evening. In this case, our advice is: get creative with your choice. Frame color, lens color, extravagant shapes, anything goes as long as you don't go unnoticed and become the life of the party!