Staring at Six Sunglasses: Help, please?

Yeah, I'm getting pretty desperate between migraines and lost sunglasses and a budget. The stores with a larger selection don't seem to stock the lower-budget items in interesting non-blinged styles. (I'll scream if I see another rhinestone or gilt frame.) Which is why I'm considering an online discount store for a quick replacement --- meaning I don't get to try these on!

This is, yes, a stopgap solution; but not a temporary one, as I won't be able to upgrade anytime soon. (To be honest, I have bought sunglasses 'blind' before, with not terrible results; and right now, the ability to be mobile during the day is starting to trump ultimate face flattery.)

my priorities are:
* medium-dark lenses
* lower edge of frame rounded or tilted upwards to minimize droopiness
* angular or softly angled on top outside corner to match my eyebrow shape (so not entirely round nor bar going horizontally across)
* broader arms/sides for protection and to balance my, um, sturdy jawline and chins
* high, narrow bridge since I have a short, broad nose
* must not be too narrow, but can be oversized (ie very wide) instead (as long as not wider than my nose length!)
* ideally should be a little unexpected, in terms of pattern or colour

My favourite so far is #1: http://www.fastrack.in/product/p198br1f
I like the patterned arms and the versatile pattern, which should work with most outfits... I think? Only drawback is the open fretwork sides, but think the curvature of the frame should protect most of the eye (unlike flat-in-front frames, like #4 ... if I'm making any sense?!)

Most versatile and safest choice is #2: http://www.fastrack.in/product/p153br3pf
Drawback is that it doesn't meet the criterion for 'interesting'; but shouldn't fight with anything

The compromise and a pretty happy one is #3: http://www.fastrack.in/product/p153br4f
Same shape as #2, but not polarised; less striking than #1 and a slightly heavier bridge, but still both colourful and versatile (I hope!)

Nice but may not be me at #4: http://shop.fastrack.in/beach-.....7pr3f.html
Like the geeky shape and frame colour, as dark works well with my black hair and, uh, not-so-delicate features but small scale unlikely to overwhelm; doubtful versatility of patterned (not in terms of colour, but the vibe...) and thinner sides/arms.

Highest curvature and frame height for max protection, but wrong colour shown at #5: http://shop.fastrack.in/catalo.....tegory/13/
The one I'm considering is dark chocolate brown frame, rather than black, with purple lenses. Could look a little heavy or overpowering, being an unisex style? Matches my brow shape best but has deepest bridge too. Maximum side curvature and widest arms should allow least light leakage.

Last choice is also NOT #6: http://shop.fastrack.in/beach-.....4br2p.html
The same shape, but arms also black on the outside rather than turquoise, and the inside of the frame dark pink-y purple (magenta?) with a print of small confetti squares in muted blue. Heavens, that's challenging to the imagination! But I like the geeky look as with #4, with a little discreet hint of colour.

Got any thoughts for me?

I have a day, at most two, to make up my mind if I want one of these before the sale ends. Though of course they could sell out before that!

Thanks for any and all advice!

ETA: Yet another contender. A hybrid of #2 and #3 with tortoiseshell pattern and tiger stripes: http://www.fastrack.in/product/p153pk5f

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14 years ago

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Mandipa,

My favorites are #2 and #3. As a fellow migraine suffer (sorry to hear that you have these), I'd strongly recommend you pick the polarized option. If you can only buy one pair, go with the most versatile and practical pair.

ManidipaM

Amy, thanks for adding a fellow migraineur's perspective! I've never had polarized before, so it's good to know it actually makes a difference. A year ago, I would've chosen the polarized as the hands-down winner at this price point --- and should probably do just that still!

ETA: Ulp! Spoke too soon. Turns out #2 is NOT polarized. Editing original post to reflect that, and to add a new contender. :-/

Mander

I like 2 the best as well. I don't have migraines but I do often work outdoors, and I always go for practicality over fashion in such cases! Well, I compromise between the two as much as possible, but in this case I think the practical aspects trump the style ones, especially since they are all cute to start with.

Inge

Moderator

I am pretty clueless when it comes to sunglasses, but I like 2, 3 and 7 and also love the turquoise on 6.

I'm sorry to hear about the migraines, Manidipa, hang in there, and I hope the new sunnies will bring some relief.

Mona

Here is another vote for #2

Sveta

I love the zebra one (pic.3) - this is what I would go with. They all seem to be a similar shape though and if it worked for you before you should be safe in terms of flattery.
I prefer my sunglasses to have thicket rather that thinner sides because they offer more side protection from the sun. This is the reason I would not go fro number 1 as these cutouts don't offer any side eye protection.
pictures 2 and 7 would be my second choice and I also kind of drawn to picture 5 for their tougher edge...

Diana

I like 1,2 and 7. I dislike the style of 4/6 in general, and think that 5 is a little too sporty for everyday. I like the zebra in 3, but would personally not consider it because of the colored lenses. The color distortion from anything but grey personally bothers me a lot.
Of course it also depends on how they sit on your face. I am of the opinion that when it comes to sunglasses, bigger is better. I love giant, oversized sunglasses, plus obviously they are more protective. (You do not want to know how long it took me, as a wearer of prescription sunglasses, to find a pair that were satisfactorily large.)

Deborah

Mani it's tricky not seeing them on you, but I think my preference is for #7. They seem to meet your main criteria. They look versatile and should provide the protection you need.

Diana, I can believe it! It took me ages in my teens, when there was basically one reliable choice around here --- Raybans --- to get a pair with 100% UV protection that actually *sealed* around the eye over the brow and cheekbone. I'd have gone spare if I had to add prescription lenses to the equation.

And indeed my poor SO, who does wear prescription lenses, hasn't found a satisfactory pair within his budget --- and he's not even too fussed about stylishness, just that it shouldn't look plain ridiculous --- in I think the last decade. He's got snow goggles, snorkelling and swim goggles, but no sunglasses but for my old aviators that look asinine on him. (They'd be my fallback now, if it weren't for the fact that they're parked in the wrong city!)

Suz

Another vote here for #2 or #7 and polarization. You definitely want that if you get migraines. While the fretwork in #1 is pretty, I actually think the solid sides add some protection.

I wish we could see them on you, though. Shape is so important!!

Meredith1953

I like 2 and 7 the best. I'm so sorry your migraines are giving you problems. My younger sister gets the pretty frequently.

christieanne

2 and 7 would my choice for me. I don't like interesting details on glasses - it can date them too quickly and any sort of metal seems to fade or scratch. Polarized really makes things clear and true - no distortion at all. If you find something similar to 2 with polarized lens, go for it!

Hmm, with this many votes, maybe I *should* wait and see if I can track down a polarized pair from this brand? Especially now that I know #2 actually *does* come in a polarized variant...!

If I wait another month or so, I'd have a better budget to throw at it, maybe enough for a polarized pair at full price --- and possibly several months (years? only if I don't lose them again!) of reduced discomfort is worth one more month of moaning after all? Migraine's apparently not only interfere with clear vision and cause distortion, but also make me a little short-sighted

CocoLion

I love #3! They stand out as most chic yet not too "2012." Of course #2 would stand the test of time a little better but I like the way the black would look with your killer black hair. My second favorite is #6. You can't go wrong with classic Ray Ban styling.

Isabel

Manidipa, I haven't have the whole post..I will do that right after I comment that I also get migraines and I NEED really dark, big sunglasses AND it drives me bananas that non-blinged out, large logo glasses are sooooo hard to find. ( OK....I got that out..back to your post. )

Denise, Thanks for weighing in with the relatively unpopular option.

I have to confess I am rather militating against the 'safe' choice that is #2 with #1, #3, and as a further compromise, #7. I feel like I've made too many safe and ultimately unflattering choices in the past few years --- and I can't decide whether #2 is 'safe= versatile' or 'safe=frumpy', and whether #3 is 'interesting=unexpected' or 'interesting=pushing the limits of practicality'

I wish I could stop second-guessing myself!

Isabel, I SO hear you.

Sylvie

You given us a very clear list of requirements but it's still so hard to judge these without seeing them on you. Is it at all possible for you to try on some sunglasses locally and post photos, even if they're out of budget? If you can post sunglasses on your face along with their stock photos, we'll be able to better imagine what these sunglasses would look like on you.

Having recently tried on several eyeglass shapes, I can visually pick out a certain shape that really works from me instantly when I see a picture of it.

Of your list above, I like 1,2, 5 and 7. I dislike 4&6 because they won't give you any side protection.

Scarlet

I like 1. Classic, modern, feminine.

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