How to choose the right sunglasses (hint: look beyond just style) | Canada Voices

This summer, mid- and oversized sunglasses are back in fashion. In recent runway shows for Balmain, Elie Saab and Thom Browne, bigger was better when it came to shades. Marisa Mangafas, a product manager at BonLook, a Montreal-based eyewear company, says she’s noticed “a mix of retro and futuristic” sunglasses trending this year. Frames in milky white and tortoiseshell are popular choices, as are lenses in light blue and orangey tints, she notes. Also having a moment? Sunglasses with photochromic lenses that get darker in sunlight.

Whichever style you prefer, try them on in person and walk around a bit to ensure a comfortable fit that doesn’t slip. You want to see how the frame fits as well as how it moves with you, says Kathy Tran-Riese, founder of Winnipeg-based KayTran Eyewear. Her brand focuses on glasses with a low-bridge fit ideal for her predominantly Asian clientele. In general, she adds, you don’t want anything that pinches or feels heavy on the crest of your nose.

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The bridge type matters when choosing glasses – common styles include low bridge, keyhole bridge, saddle bridge and the adjustable nose pad bridge, which is used on metal frames. If you have a narrow or lower nose bridge, Mangafas recommends a keyhole style because it offers more support on the sides of your nose, rather than on the crest. If you have heavier glasses, or a larger or wider nose, a saddle bridge fit helps distribute the weight of your glasses more evenly.

She says to look for lenses that offer defence from UVA and UVB radiation; for sufficient sun protection, look for category three lenses. Categories range from zero to four and indicate how much light will pass through your sunglasses. Level three will give you just below the highest level of UV protection, without being too dark.

Tran-Riese notes that lenses with a gray tint are good in dimming light, such as during sunset or cloudy weather. Brown-tinted shades provide better contrast for playing sports on grass such as golf or outdoor soccer. If your budget allows, she recommends investing in polarized lenses that can help cut glare.

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Additionally, take a close look at the materials and construction of the glasses you buy. Both Tran-Riese and Mangafas agree that it can be worth spending more on premium materials that will last longer and perform better.

Acetate, Mangafas points out, maintains its colour, has an attractive sheen and is bendable without being as breakable. Tran-Riese also recommends acetate frames, especially those made with an internal wire core.

“A lot of cheaper frames skip that step,” she says. “There’s no metal wire running through the arms, and that’s another reason why people’s frames are always breaking and snapping.”

In terms of metal frames, Mangafas says titanium glasses are lightweight and suitable for people with allergies to different metals.

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In addition to style, look for upgraded lenses that offer protection from the sun but are still suitable for everyday wear.