With many styles on the market, designer sunglasses offer something for everyone. Although some may need to look harder to find a preferred style, the types and sizes are designed to compliment everyone’s face shape and appeal to various senses of style. Nevertheless, when you go to pick out a pair of designer sunglasses, you should look for various qualities – not only style but also practicality. The purpose of wearing a set of sunglasses is not only for fashion but to protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays, and, first and foremost, any lenses should be equipped with this protection.
When you’re looking at designer sunglasses in a store or online, the first thing to look for is if the lenses offer 99 to 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Typically, a set of sunglasses will be labeled as “UV 400” or the amount of protection will be stated. Additionally, consider the color of the lenses, as certain shades absorb and reflect light better than others. Grey lenses, for example, reduce brightness, while amber or brown reduce glare. Sunglasses, particularly designer brands, come in other colors, and yellow lenses, one option, reduce haze and rose colored lenses enhance contrasts.
The material for the lenses and frames is another factor to consider. Typically, designer sunglasses have polycarbonate, a lightweight plastic, lenses. Prescription lenses, on the other hand, are often made from CR-39 and glass is another option for all types of sunglasses. The lenses may have an anti-reflective coating, much like standard eyeglasses, or they may be polarized. This also reduces the glare from light bouncing off other objects in view. Additionally, consider lenses that are scratch resistant. Plastic is often harder to scratch than glass, although any lenses with an added mirror tint are more likely to become scratched.
A combination of functionality and style make a quality pair of designer sunglasses. When looking for a pair for yourself, think of protecting your eyes first and style second.