Sunglasses provide more “cool” bang for your buck than any other fashion accessory. However, it’s critical to remember that sunglasses are more than eye baubles. If the sun is shining, you need the protection that sunglasses provide. You need to shield your eyes from invisible ultraviolet rays as well as from the full force of visible light. (That is, after all, why sunglasses are dark.)
Do all fashion sunglasses provide what you need? Absolutely not. Many cheap knock-offs, and even some expensive designer sunglasses emphasize flair over clarity, pizzazz over protection. They may claim to be UV protective, but they only meet minimum standards. Good sunglasses provide 100% protection from UVA and UVB, and they will say so on the box and in their literature. No box? No literature? No specifications? Don’t buy them.
It’s a good idea to utilize reputable online resources to get information about sunglasses. A good search term to enter is “sunglasses buyers guide.”
Here are some key things to look for in fashion sunglasses:
- 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. For sure. No compromises.
- A bit of wrap prevents light intrusion from the sides. Look for 6-base or 8-base wrap: a nice face-hugging curve looks sexy, too, compared to flat sunglasses.
- Plastic frames are the rage, although wire frames and aviators are fine for street wear. But bold plastic frames allow more creativity and flair, including splashes of color. And those broad temples add frame strength and extra side protection.
- You need adequate visible light transmission (VLT)-something in the 10 to 20 percent range is good. Any lighter and you’ll develop a permasquint.
- Polarization is popular, but not mandatory. Its chief attribute is protection for your eyes from glare off water or pavement. It’s really a matter of personal preference. You can buy outstanding sunglasses that are not polarized.
- Plastic or glass lenses? At a given price point, glass is likely to offer better optical acuity. But lenses made from good plastics-polycarbonate, CR-39, SR-91, NXT, or Evolution-can also offer fine optics. Be sure they’re hard-coated to prevent scratching. Cheap shades won’t have hard coating.
- Gray/green or brown/copper base tint. Base tint is what you see from the back side of a lens, not the front. Gray or green are restful tints that make you utter a blissful “Ahhh…” Brown/copper are high-contrast tints that elicit a “Wow!”
- Big lenses. Happily, these are in fashion and offer lots of protection. The Yoko Ono look is out.
A final word of advice. Different frames and tints suit different seasons. Owning a single pair of sunglasses is like owning a single pair of shoes. Be creative. Allow your sunglasses to express something about you.
Robert Earle Howells is a veteran journalist who established to become the Web’s most thorough and accurate resource for information about sunglasses. He brings an unbiased eye and an entertaining voice to the endeavor.