Guide to Sunglasses
Introduction
In this guide I hope to discuss the basics of buying sunglasses including popular styles, choosing one for you, and cleaning and maintaining them. Things that will not be discussed in this particular guide will be materials.
Terminology
Polarized lenses
Lenses with a special coating that increases visibility by reducing glare. Not the same as UV protection.
UV protection
Lenses with a special coating that filter out UV rays to protect your eyes. Usually will come with a claim of 100% UV protection or UV400 protection.
Companies
As many people are aware Luxottica is responsible for most of the eyewear market and this included popular sunglass brands including Ray-Ban, Persol, and Oakley.
A common recommendation is Warby Parker.
For those looking for a list of independently owned eyeglass makers please see this list compiled by /r/bamgrinus.
Popular Styles of Sunglasses
As in a lot of cases in menswear, the Aviators started in the military. Developed by Bausch & Lomb in 1936 for pilots to protect their eyes. Think Tom Cruise in Top Gun or Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver.
Popularized by Ray-Ban in the late 1970s. Think intellectuals like like Malcolm X, who was played by Denzel Washington in 1992 and Michael Douglas in Falling Down.
Originally produced by Ray-Ban in 1956. Think Harvey Keitel (Mr White) in Reservoir Dogs or Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi in The Blues Brothers.
The oldest style out of all. Think Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter or John Turturro in the Cohen Brother's Barton Fink.
Square frames are generally very geometric, but not actually truly square. Think creatives like Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol and more recently Rihanna to John Mayer. And The Dude in The Big Lebowski.
Choosing one for you
Choosing one for you based on face shape
Infographics
Most often when choosing to buy a pair of sunglasses people consider the shape of your face. Many an infographic has been made about choosing sunglasses based on your face shape.
Visual Guide To Choosing The Perfect Sunglasses
Infographic for choosing the most aesthetically pleasing sunglasses for your face shape.
Face shapes
Each infograph varies on face shape to some degree however the most common face shapes include square, circle (round), oval, rectangular, triangle.
Disclaimer: these are generic rule of thumb recommendations based on face shape and why certain frames may work. These should not be treated as gospel. You should still try on the sunglasses (multiple pairs) and use your best judgment
Disclaimer 2: hair and facial hair changes how you look and that should be taken into consideration when choosing glasses
Square
Circle (Round)
Oval
For the most part individuals with oval faces are capable of wearing any style of frame.
Rectangle
Triangle
But how do I know my face shape?
Stare into the mirror.
Ask a friend or family member (if you trust their judgment). Having references always help.
Post a picture in the Daily Simple Questions thread and ask MFA.
That all being said almost everyone does not fall into perfectly geometric shaped face.
Choosing one for you not based on face shape
The Alternative Method for Choosing the Right Sunglasses without considering face shape was written by /u/themodestman
A great comment by /u/VanDykeParks about the highly prescriptive advice about choosing sunglasses strictly based on face shape:
what should be a very simple (and largely subjective) process of just trying on various styles of sunglasses and seeing what you like best on your face and what best meshes with your personality and style.
Clean and maintain sunglasses
Cleaning
Do not scratch your lenses. Preferably just wipe your glasses with a microfiber cloth. If they have dirt/sand/whatever then you can gently rinse them with water and then dry with a microfiber cloth. Enjoy your clean glasses.
Maintaining
Like most things, just do the bare minimum to try and take care of them. When not in use keep them in a hard protective case or, if in your car, in sunglasses holder. Do not leave your sunglasses in places where they get damaged. This include car dashboards where you may warp plastic components. Do not put them in situations where they may get physically damaged i.e. dropped, stepped on, or sat on.
Lastly, In the words of jdbee
I’m terrible at not losing or breaking them, so I just buy cheap ones from a kiosk at the mall. They have worse optics because they have polycarbonate lenses instead of glass, but provide just as much UV protection.
Sometimes it is best to have cheap backups, especially in places and when doing activities when you have a higher likelihood of breaking and/or losing them. I'm looking at you beach activities.
Resources
Put this On has a fantastic series on sunglasses Come back and do this
A Guide to Glasses (and a Word on Sunglasses)
Visual guide to choosing the perfect sunglasses
Alternative methid for choosing the right pair of glasses for you
TheModestMan: Don't Know Your Face Shape? Here's How to Find Sunglasses (Video)