For men's eyes
Tips to choose functional yet fashionable sunglasses
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Tom Ford’s latest aviator-style sunglasses “TF9306” / Courtesy of Sewon I.C.T
By Yoon Sung-won
Like women, most men have the desire to look good. Unlike women, however, men don’t have many options for accessories that make them more attractive. For that reason, wearing the “right” sunglasses is an important matter for stylish men sensitive about grooming, and this becomes more evident as summer approaches.
But don’t rush. Choosing a pair of sunglasses simply because they look “cool” or are made by a luxury brand may likely see you end up with an ill-matched and even look funny. As sunglasses are sold on the basis of fashion and healthcare, several factors should be considered beforehand. For those who are thinking of buying new sunglasses for the upcoming summer, here are some tips to have it both ways.
Police’s new rectangular-style sunglasses “S1827” / Courtesy of Sewon I.C.T
UV protection
Basically, sunglasses are designed to protect eyes from harmful ultra-violet (UV) rays. When exposed to UV rays for a long period, you might suffer from serious eye diseases.
UV rays are divided into three different types — UVA, UVB and UVC — according to the length of their waves. Among them, doctors commonly point out that UVA is the most prevalent and detrimental and causes skin problems such as freckles.
To protect from all three types of UV rays, sunglasses should have lenses that provide enough visible ray transmittance and ultraviolet protection. Check whether products that you are about to buy has a label that indicates the level of UV protection. For example, a “UV-400” mark guarantees sufficient UV protection.
Skin color
Like attire, sunglass frames should also be chosen according to the wearer’s skin color.
If your skin is white and bright, try vivid and primary colors for your sunglass frames. For those who have yellowish skin, choose those with a darker color such as deep brown, than your skin to make your face appear to be brighter. Avoid excessively bright colors unless you want to look distracted. Lastly, pick a black frame or a leopard-patterned one if your face color is relatively dark.
Sunglasses with angular-frames are well-matched for round faces. / Courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar
Wide, thin sunglasses help to make the length of a face less apparent. / Courtesy of Sewon I.C.T
Over-sized sunglasses work well with egg-shaped faces. / Courtesy of Esquire
Lens colors
Though most sunglass lenses appear to mostly be black and dark from a distance, if you look closer, their colors vary from green to gray; and so do their functions.
Green lenses soothe fatigue in your eyes because green is one of the least provocative colors to the human cornea. Therefore, these lenses are recommendable for those who mostly wear sunglasses in urban areas.
Yellow lenses are especially good for UV protection. But their infrared ray absorption may be insufficient under strong daylight. For this reason, they are a better choice for those who wear sunglasses often while driving during the night.
Meanwhile, gray ones are popular for their ability to transmit the natural colors as they are. But be aware that lenses that are too dark may hamper your visibility.
Facial shape
As sunglasses are one of the most eye-catching accessories for men, choosing one perfectly harmonizing with the shape of the face of the wearer is very important. Well-chosen sunglasses can cover your shortcomings while emphasizing the most attractive points.
Try wide rectangular-framed sunglasses if you are round-faced. These sunglasses cut off your rounded face line from both sides, making your face appear to be slimmer and more balanced.
For those with slightly square faces, models with rounded bottoms or circular frames are recommended. Those with upward edges, the so-called “cat eye” types, are also good for angular faces because they make the jaw lines appear to be less evident.
If your face is relatively long, both circular and rectangular framed sunglasses look good. But avoid overly narrow ones or those with upward edges because they are likely to emphasize the length of your face.
You don’t have to worry much about the shape of sunglass frames if you have an egg-shaped face, because almost all types of sunglasses match well egg-shaped faces. For a classier look, try over-sized sunglasses.
Latest design trend
“Retro-vintage,” which has been popular in recent years, maintained its presence among men’s sunglasses this year. But this year’s retro-vintage is different from that in previous years.
“Though the retro style has been popular for several years, this year’s style is clearly different from that of two years ago,” said Shara Jung, a marketing manager at Sewon I.C.T, importer of global sunglasses brands including Tom Ford, Ermenegildo Zegna, and Police. “The ‘aviator’ style, which was inspired by pilots’ sunglasses in World War II, enjoyed massive popularity in 2010 and 2011. But this year, the horn-trimmed rectangular style restored its presence among male customers.”
Another keyword that explains the design trend of men’s sunglasses in spring and summer of 2013 is “minimalism.” Influenced by the recent trend, many brands of sunglasses are rushing to remove elaborate decorations from their products. For example, smaller printing on the inside of frames is replacing brand logos that once decorated the outer surfaces.
But at the same time, bolder and more diverse colors and patterns are being adopted for frames, giving more options to those who want to express individuality.
For businessmen who usually wear suits, Jung recommends sunglasses that have simple and “minimal” designs.
“Minimalism connects the formality of businessmen’s suits with sunglasses, helping male customers harmonize sunglasses with their work attire more easily,” Jung said.