What You Need to Know About Wearing Sunglasses

Did you know that sunglasses were invented over 2,000 years ago?  They have been traced back to Inuit Eskimos native to Alaska, Greenland, Siberia, and other Arctic regions. As you can imagine, they protected those ancient residents from the sun’s glare. The Inuit used walrus ivory, leather, or wood to create goggles that had small slits to look through.

During the 12^th century, the ancient Chinese used smokey quartz called Ai Tai, which means “dark clouds.”

In 1752, an English optician named James Ayscough designed tinted sunglasses with side pieces.

Christian Dior was the first fashion brand to license its eyewear.

The Italian company Luxottica makes most designer sunglasses. They manufacture Armani, Chanel, RayBan, Burberry, and other top brands.

Polaroid sunglasses that protect the eyes from UV rays were invented in 1936.

Pilots made Ray-Ban’s Aviator with tinted green lenses popular in the 1930s to protect them against high-altitude glare. They have remained among the best-selling sunglasses of all time.

Swiss luxury brand Chopard makes the most expensive sunglasses costing up to $400,000. They are made with 60 grams of 24K gold and decorated with 51 diamonds.

I doubt you’ll be wearing Chopards anytime soon. I won’t because I’m notorious for breaking my shades. In the U.S. alone, sunglasses break every 14 minutes so affordable sunglasses are more practical.

Here are five reasons you need to wear sunglasses for women over 50.

1. They protect your eyes against sun damage that can contribute to eye health conditions such as cataracts, skin cancer, and macular degeneration. This can happen when the weather is sunny, foggy, or the snow is blindingly bright.
2. They shield your eyes from weather conditions such as wind, sand, or dust that can harm your cornea.
3. They eliminate or reduce the need to squint which can cause wrinkles over time.
4. They keep dangerous glare from distracting you while driving which could cause accidents.
5. They can reduce incidents of headaches and migraines that can be caused by light sensitivity.

What to look for when you purchase sunglasses.

1. 99-100% UV blockage with Polarized lenses – It pays to purchase high-quality sunglasses.
2. Choose lenses with the correct level of darkness so you can see clearly and are protected.
3. The proper level of color balance. Rose-colored glasses may look cool but can distort what you see around you.
4. A frame that fits your face and is comfortable. I prefer plastic frames to wire rims for this reason. However, Randolph Aviator wire rims are amazingly comfortable and last for years without bending.

Warby Parker sells a wide variety of affordable and stylish glasses and sunglasses and is a company that gives back to the community.

These Burberry Penelope sunglasses are available on Amazon and come in a Beige/Brown gradient. They also come with a cleaning kit.

I love these Costa Gannet Pillow Sunglasses on Amazon look as well. They are Polarized, and come in a shiny black-gray fade/ gray tint, with a cleaning kit, and a 2-year warranty.

You can’t beat these Original Wayfarer Sunglasses from RayBan. They are an iconic design.

Kate Spade also makes edgy sunglasses like these square-shaped New York Women’s Akira shades.

The best sunglass frames for your face shape

Oval

Oval faces are well-balanced so most sunglass styles will be flattering. However, if you have a small face large frames will be overwhelming. Opt for aviators, wayfarers, or cat-eye sunglasses to compliment your symmetrical features and look elegant.

Round

A round face looks best with angular frames to contrast and create structure. Square or rectangular frames work well for this. Round faces can also get away with oversized sunglasses as they help elongate the face and look modern.

Square

Contrast the angular shape of a square face with soft and rounded frames. Oval or round with curved edges will soften the sharp lines of an angular face. Try round aviators or butterfly-shaped frames.

Heart-shaped

A heart-shaped face has prominent cheekbones and a narrow chin and forehead. The best frames for this face shape have a wider bottom and narrow top. This mimics the shape of the face. Good styles include cat-eye or butterfly frames.

Diamond

A diamond-shaped face is wider at the cheekbones and smaller at the forehead and chin. Oval or rimless frames with gentle curves will accentuate the cheekbones and complement the contours of the face.

What are your favorite brands of sunglasses? Please leave a comment below.