How to Shop for Sunglasses

I hate picking new sunglasses. Almost as much as I hate posting selfies of selecting said shades on the internet.

Almost.

While my friends are looking all glamorous in their summer shades, I feel like I’m trying too hard. And being incredibly picky, every pair I try on has an “issue”: they’re too wide, come down too far on my cheeks, perch too far up on my head when I use them to hold back my hair, and so on and so forth etc., etc.

After moving the desert, however, something had to give. For one thing, having several pairs of sunglasses on hand is a need, because the Arabian/Persian Gulf sun thing is no joke and because sunglasses break at the least opportune times. For another thing, sunglasses are the penultimate accessory (next to handbags) for a culture of women who cover their outfits in black robes when they’re out in public.

Through attempts both more and less successful, here’s what I’ve learned about shopping for sunglasses:

• Spend the money to get polarized lenses (you’ll be amazed at the relief to your eyes)
• But pass on designer frames (unless it’s the name that is important to you, of course.) According to this article from WSJ, “For about $40… you can get a pair that offers 100% protection against ultra-violet rays. If you spend maybe $70 you should be able to get a pair with decent quality polarizing lenses that cut out glare. Beyond that, the medical benefits tail off pretty fast.” I suspect the quality of the plastic does, too.
• Use the front-facing camera on your phone to see what you really look like in the shades. You won’t be viewing yourself through tinting, and it’s easier to conceptualize what other people see. (I imagine this would be especially helpful for those shopping for prescription sunglasses.)

For me, this list has landed me regularly shopping the 25% off section at the Sunglass Hut at Macy’s, especially eying Nine West and Steve Madden frames that have polarized lenses. The retail prices are generally $45-$70, but the discount makes most pairs come in under $50.

For those with a Macy’s card, you know those 20% off coupons you get in the mail? Those are also valid on full-priced Sunglass Hut glasses. Which opens up the entire selection at a similar discount.

And though I know Sunglass Hut is owned by “the man” of the sunglasses world, using the above criteria to buy frames from them is still my current M.O. Not only have I been really happy with the pairs I’ve purchased from them, but they will do lifetime adjustments and detailed cleaning for free.

How do you shop for sunglasses? Have any favorite stores or brands or tips?