Best sunglasses for men: From classic styles to bold shapes
From all-time classic styles to some more bolder choices, we’ve rounded up some of the best sunglasses styles for men.
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The future’s so bright, you gotta wear…
OK, you get the picture. The warmer months are here, although even if they weren’t, optometrists recommend wearing sunglasses year-round to avoid harmful effects of UV. Which is to say, you probably need a new pair of sunnies. And why stop at one? We don’t own only one pair of shoes (right? Please say yes.) Just like with your footwear, sometimes it’s great to mix and match your eyewear to suit what you’re wearing, or the vibe you’re working.
So if you want to expand your sunglass wardrobe, we’ve narrowed the choice down for you to some of the most on-trend styles as well as some classics. These won’t let you down.
BEST BOLD DESIGN MEN'S SUNGLASSES
Quay Australia Makin Moves, $85, at Quay
What you need to know
Do people describe you as shy and retiring? We think not. These animal-print frames take your eyewear wardrobe for a bit of a walk on the wild side, and you’re ready for the safari. Statement frames like this can be the ideal finishing touch for your summer wardrobe. They’re polarised which will reduce glare, but not your spotlight.
Aire CERES V2, $49.95, at The Iconic
What you need to know
Go wide, man! These oval tortoiseshell sunnies from Sydney-based brand Aire (who focus on using recycled materials in their products) are the sort of eyewear you can build the rest of your outfit around. They’re the accessories you throw on when you’re about to meet friends on a late summer’s afternoon, preferably on a yacht. Or maybe just a beer garden.
BEST PRADA SUNGLASSES FOR MEN
Prada PR 17WS, $418.40 at Sunglass Hut
What you need to know
Design powerhouse Prada delivers the epitome of structured cool. These little beauties with the sharp geometric shape of the lens frame, which carries through to the arm design, are the perfect eye architecture to turn heads, without being too extra.
BEST GUCCI SUNGLASSES FOR MEN
Gucci G0528S Silver Polarised Sunglasses, $700 at Myer
What you need to know
Seventies glam is really the calling card for Italian house Gucci, so there’s little surprise to find this style making itself at home among the company’s eyewear repertoire. The fine racing stripes down each arm in the Gucci colours are a nice touch. Very subtle, but still enough to let your mates know who you’re wearing.
BEST VERSACE SUNGLASSES FOR MEN
Versace VE2140 Gold Sunglasses, on sale $232 (down from) $307, at Myer
Versace VE2140 Gold Sunglasses
What you need to know
Sexy rock-star label Versace gives its spin on the icon, and makes it a standout. Gold detailing runs through the veins of this brand, so of course there are some nice metallic moments here, combined with a very streamlined take on the classic shape. We give these extra marks for achieving a level of sultry retro-futuristic appeal achieved by few others.
BEST OAKLEY SUNGLASSES
Oakley Flak 2.0 Latitude Collection Sunglasses XL in Beige, $233 at Myer
What you need to know
If you’re an Oakley dude, you own it. (Fun fact: the New York Times proclaimed last year that the wrap-around specs had finally made it to the cool list.) This take on the eyewear style the brand is known for has some great elements to it, and as always, it is lightweight for guys undertaking all sorts of exertions, while the beloved peripheral view is optimised for the wearer.
Oakley Encoder Strike Vented, $330, at The Iconic
What you need to know
Oakley knows when to amp things up, and this style has been specifically designed for athletes ready to push the envelope. The ventilations are there to encourage maximum air flow, and the all-in-one reflective lens gives them a sleek ultra-futuristic look.
BEST AVIATOR SUNGLASSES FOR MEN
This style has made the best comeback since Liam Neeson decided to do action-thrillers, and is now a staple in the eyewear market.
What you need to know
We have to say, combining the contemporary trend of transparent frames with the retro styling of the aviator is nothing short of a genius move by Ray-Ban. But, then again, it’s Ray-Ban, so are we surprised? There are a few different colour combinations available, but for our money, the dark grey is the sleekest choice.
BEST CIRCULAR SUNGLASSES FOR MEN
Polo Ralph Lauren PH3133, on sale $188.30 (down from $269), at The Iconic
What you need to know
While they flashback to the ’60s and ’70s, the rounded lens shape is really a timeless design choice these days. They’re minimal yet still deliver a dose of laidback California muso chic. At a nice price point, these ones from stalwart label Polo Ralph Lauren – featuring the style’s trademark bottle green lenses – are a great take.
Emporio Armani EA2151, $280, Sunglass Hut
Emporio Armani EA2151
What you need to know
How do you take something so classic and give it a new twist? Let’s ask Emporio Armani. These frames are subtly different, but the black and white of the frames give a surprisingly contemporary and sleek look to them, paired with the dark grey hue of the lens. These are less of a carefree shorts-and-thongs vibe, and more of a serious blazer-and-white-shirt deal. Nice.
BEST WAYFARER SUNGLASSES FOR MEN
Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Classic Polarised RB2140, $292 at The Iconic
What you need to know
You knew it was coming. The original design dates back more than 70 years, and ever since James Dean popped on a pair, they’ve been the ultimate sunglass-style go-to for all the cool guys and girls. Like a great black blazer, a well-cut pair of jeans, or a simple white tee, some things never go out of style.
Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer, $489, at Ray-Ban
What you need to know
There are plenty of modified versions of the original Wayfarer available, all maintaining the sort of effortless cool that the style engenders. However, we particularly like this one with polarised lenses, rendered in any icy pale blue. Definitely a pair to chill out in.
BEST HALF RIM SUNGLASSES FOR MEN
Gucci GG0603S Black, $855, at Myer
What you need to know
You can probably trace the return of this 1950s-businessman style back to the heyday of Mad Men (Google it if you must, kids!) and it’s never left. What may have been geek chic back in the day, is just plain stylish now and shows the wearer to be a gent of distinction. Which is where Gucci comes in, adding a bit of a luxe feel with some bold touches.
Persol PO3319S Tom, $355, at Vision Direct
What you need to know
Stylish Italian label Persol takes this style and gives it a slight upgrade with some wider arms and it’s a design choice that just works. Becoming a bit more solid, it takes the classic half-rim into new, bold territory. These are sunglasses that’ll give you the right hint of swagger.
BEST ROUNDED SUNGLASSES FOR MEN
PERSOL PO3285S, on sale $148 (down from $296), at Sunglass Hut
What you need to know
The rounded shape is a true classic – pop them on and you’re suddenly a dashing man of mystery sipping a coffee beside the French Riviera. Hello, Tom Ripley! This flattering style comes in many variations, but this bronze hue is hard to beat.
Le Specs Rudimentary 51 in Yellow Crayon, $99, at Le Specs
What you need to know
You can experiment with this style if you’re feeling bold. These Le Specs frames take the beloved rounded style and amp them up substantially in a super-bright shade of yellow. We know you – you’re the one people turn to, to liven up the party, right? You will be now, anyway.
How to care for sunglasses
Shoved on top of our head (where they frequently fall off), tossed aside when we get home, left in the car on a hot summer’s day… our sunnies often get a pretty bad deal when they’re not on our face.
But caring for your sunnies isn’t onerous. Most brands will supply a microfibre cleaning cloth when you purchase their product. Here’s a big tip: Use it. It’s way more effective and gentler than using your T-shirt, or a tissue/paper towel. Avoid!
You can always buy a specific lens cleaner, which is great. But did you know that dishwashing soap is also good? A tiny amount with some water is another easy way to clean grime and oil off the lens.
Another thing to note: keeping your sunnies on top of your head can end up stretching, warping and changing the shape of the arms, so while it feels like a natural way to store them, try not to.
HOW DO I CLEAN MY SUNGLASSES?
Washing your glasses in a bowl of warm (not hot) water with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid, before polishing with a microfibre cloth will help to keep your lenses safe and scratch-free.
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Cameron Bayley is a journalist who has worked across fashion, grooming and style during his 15-plus years in publishing, creating content for brands such as Myer and Westfield. He’s been published in the Sydney Morning Herald, Men’s Style and Manuscript, among others, and keeps a discerning eye across everything sartorial and skincare related.
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