For When You Gotta Wear Shades

Wouldn’t it be great if we could smear sunscreen on our eyes? Perhaps in a cartoon we could, but in the real world sunglasses are the best protection.

There are different levels of protection, however. According to www.mayoclinic.com, “Choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Skip sunglasses that are labeled “cosmetic” and those that don’t offer UV protection.”

Choosing larger versus smaller lenses will obviously cover more eye area, therefore the wraparound version is one of the best choices for full protection.  Just make sure that you don’t wear a pair that sits too tight on your face, hits your eyelashes or sits too high off of your nose. 

Consider your face shape and size when looking for great eyewear. Whether you’re face is round, oval, square, oblong, heart, diamond or rectangle, there’s a fantastic pair of sunglasses for you with the correct proportions and style to match your face. 

It can seem daunting to find the perfect pair of sunglasses, but just like buying a pair of jeans, with a little bit of stamina, you’ll find the best pair for you. The great thing is that you can find sunglasses in stores from discount shops to high-end boutiques. Prices range anywhere from $10 to hundreds, depending on the protection and quality of the glasses.  

This season's sunglasses include round frames, cat-eye frames, “Aviators” (such as the Gucci aviator) and the classic “Jackie O” style. Experiment with color, new shapes and lens tints. Vintage styles from the 70s are all the rage with brighter and bolder options. Look for styles like panther, leapard and snake skin. Just remember that it’s all about fun.

We usually wear different clothes for different occasions, so consider wearing different shades for different events. If your look is more casual, you might want to try a pair of Aviators. For a dressier event, you might opt for a classic “Jackie O” style.  

With all of the different places you can purchase eyewear, make sure to check out our local businesses first. Try in Sudbury, where they have sunglasses from designers such as Nautcia, Calvin Klein and Giorgio Armani. Sudbury's offers a variety of sunglasses, including Ray-Ban's cool purple, tortoise glasses. They also carry brands like Versace, DKNY, Converse and Anne Klein. (I realize that many people need prescription sunglasses. Nowadays they come in an amazing array of stylish options).

You can also try the sunglass shops in the Natick Collection such as the Sunglass Hut. The sales associates should have a good idea of which glasses will work best for you.

Tip: You can always take that information and search for a less expensive pair or a great sale elsewhere.

Here are some different samples of sunglasses for the season: 

• Khols: Simply vera, vera wang butterfly glasses for $34.
• Nordstrom’s: Michael Kors "Drake-Oversized" round sunglasses for $90. Marc by Marc Jacobs Color Block Cat’s Eye sunglasses for $120. Halogen Braided Temple Aviator glasses for $78. Obviously there are many more expensive options but I thought I would stick to those under $150.
• Target: All sunglasses are priced from $12.00-$16.99, including bold blues and reds to classic black.
• Sunglass Hut: Purple Coach sunglasses on sale for $150.
• : Designer glasses on sale such as Marc Jacobs sunglasses for $15. Gucci and Kate Spade sunglasses are great finds, as well as Juicy Couture sunglasses for $79.99.

Look stylish while keeping the sun out of your eyes. Just like the rest of your wardrobe, use sunglasses to show your personality. Whether you’re looking at silver aviators or bright red cat-eye sunglasses, let the true you shine through while having fun in the sun.