Sunglasses - what to look for? (ETA examples attached @ bottom)

Transcona Shannon

My eyeglass coverage from work has kicked in for this year and I've decided to purchase a pair of prescription sunglasses, which I've never had before. My current glasses are transition, so do go dark outside which I love. But they do not go dark when driving as a car windshield already has UVA/UVB protection which is what triggers the lenses to go dark. I'm finding I need sunnies for driving.

So what does a person look for in sunglasses? Do you basically look for the same style as you would prescription glasses in terms of size, colour, fit and then just picture those with dark lenses? Or do you look for a different style and colour frame altogether? Do you go bigger with sunnies?

Help a sunglass newbie get started please

13 years ago

Shopping

13 replies

Latest reply was from Transcona Shannon

Diana

Veteran

I look for the biggest frames available, and the darkest lenses. I like very oversized sunnies, plus the sun protection is obviously better. Since I have a big head and wide face, this is hard! Otherwise the same shapes/styles that you like in regular specs.

ETA: photo. (This was my old YLF profile photo, actually.) Mine are from Dolce and Gabbana. You can see that they are bigger than normal specs but still have some swoop at the top (important for my face shape/structure).

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13 years ago

Kalli

Active Member

The problem with prescription sunglasses depending on your prescription is that they aren't stylish due to the thickness or just the way the lenses have to be curved for prescription lenses. My optometrist always recommended the transition lenses.

If you are looking for a pair of sunglasses to just keep in the car, they have a sort of stylish kind that my mother uses, called fit overs... they just go over your glasses.

13 years ago

ClaraT

Veteran

I have prescription glasses and prescription sun glasses. No transitions.

In sunglasses, I look for dark lenses and large lenses, because that is what is most comfortable for me. You should pick out sunglasses (not regular glasses in which you replace the clear lenses with colored lenses). I have even bought glasses at Sunglass Hut then taken them to my optician for the lenses.

Ask the optometrist specifically about whether the prescription lenses will be the same color and the same darkness as the lenses that they come with (i.e. as the non-presciption lenses). For example, some lenses have an amber tint or a grey tint, and sometimes the prescription lenses are darker or lighter than the non-prescription lenses. You have to know to ask, and this is also CYA if you don't like what you get (if they are different than the originals that is).

I pay extra for thinner lenses and an anti-glare coating.

Here are my latest pair (LaFont). Expensive (but my last ones were Channel and I wore them for 8 years until my prescription changed...) They are standard tortoiseshell with a hint of blue at the edges.

Good luck (and have fun!)

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13 years ago

Day Vies

Veteran

I love dramatic sunglasses. My prescriptions tend to be smaller and more conservative. I really love a cat-eye style, but that really works for my face shape and eyebrow arch.

Generally I like my sunglasses bigger (but not huge) because there is more coverage and protection from the sun from above and on the side when the lenses cover more surface area. Just my two cents.

13 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

I have had a pair of rx sunglasses for 30 years ( well, not the same pair ) ! I cannot live without them. I go totally different than my eyeglasses. I need BIG protection in the sun and no glare coating ( because I get migraines ). I also want fun and function. This year I got a huge pair in olive green that I LOVE.

Something that I discovered two years ago is that I really like having a non-prescription half moon at the bottom of the lens so that I can read outside. ( But don't spend more than $10 on them..LOL )

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

So I'm getting the sense that I get to live a little on the wild side with sunnies? A bit bigger and more dramatic than my everyday eyewear?

Clara - your glasses are gorgeous and you now have me thinking about tortoiseshell frames. I adore LaFont frames - classic and modern all at once.

Isabel - I'm curious about your comment regarding glare coating and migraines. I suffer from migraines as well and have always gotten the anti-glare coating. Is there a connection? $10 - lol!

13 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Shannon, if _you_ don't get to wear some retro oversized sunnies then I dunno who should!!

13 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I second Aida.

Granted, I am no help. With 20/20 vision, I tend to buy fun inexpensive sunglasses.

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Aida & Thistle - I like your way of thinking! Retro could work here...thanks!

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Here are a few examples of styles I like - the first three are Ralph Lauren and the rest are LaFont. I'm not saying any of these are THE ONES, but I would love your feedback on colours and styles so I have a direction to start with?

And thanks!

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13 years ago

Aida

Veteran

I'm no good at any type of glasses, but I think #3 could be super fun :}

EDIT: I wear ridiculously large sunnies, so uh take that into consideration I guess!

13 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, I love 3, 4, 5. I am like Diana and like to have big coverage for sunnies, which is hard for me because a lot of them end up sitting on my cheekbones, which I can't stand. Anyway, I digress. Drama is definitely ok. You can get away with more, too, I think because the dark lenses don't show your eyes well, while Angie has taught us to center the eye in normal specs.

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Oh I never thought of that Rae - our eyes don't actually show so centering isn't as crucial.

Aida - I love the look of large sunnies, but I will need to be careful because I have a very narrow face.

#3 is actually available at one of my local shops so will go and try those on.

Thanks!

13 years ago

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