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Sunglasses double as a fun fashion statement and protective eyewear. You could just get a cheap pair that'll break in a week, or you could go all in on a nice pair of sunglasses that will last for years if not decades.
Summer's just around the corner, which means it's time to bare your shoulders and your legs, but not your eyes. Even as you let the rest of your body soak up the sun, you'll want to be sure that the windows to your souls remain closely guarded, and that means buying a great pair of sunglasses for the sunny days to come.
Before you decide that the $5 pair of shades you found in the street stall will serve your purposes, you'll want to do a little bit more research about what it really takes to protect your eyes and help you look great all summer. While you don't have to spend a fortune in order to get quality sunglasses that provide adequate protection from the bright rays of the warmer seasons, you'll want to ensure that the glasses you ultimately select not only serve a fashionable purpose but a functional one as well. To that end, select shades with UV protection so that you can spend long summer days in the out of doors without worrying about damaging your retina.
You'll also want to get sunglasses that can withstand your fun in the sun. Be sure to select lenses that are scratch resistant. After all, you won't be able to see out of your protective eyewear if they're totally marred by evidence of all the good times you're having.
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And unless you plan on buying a new pair of sunglasses every season (not that there's anything wrong with that), it'll probably behoove you to choose styles that are fun, yet timeless. While this isn't to say that you should shy away from new aesthetics, it will also be beneficial to have a pair of sunglasses that you'll love and use forever. The sun will always be there, after all.
Regardless of which of our favorite women's sunglasses you select, we're confident that your eyes will be well taken care of, and that you'll be in vogue all season long. You can also check out our top picks for the best men's sunglasses.
Here are the best sunglasses for women you can buy:
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The best thing about buying sunglasses from a company dedicated to athletes? You know that these shades were built to perform. While Under Armour manufactures plenty of protective eyewear for fun in the sun, my favorite pair is undoubtedly the brand's new Road Getaway Sunglasses.
Whether you're engaging in a competitive game of beach volleyball or just lazily throwing around a ball on the beach, these newest Getaways keep your eyes safe while keeping you in vogue. The new Under Armour Tuned Road lenses offer contrast enhancement, which helps you see your surroundings more clearly even in the brightest of days.
The classic aviator frames are flattering on just about any face shape, but more importantly, the shades will keep your eyes shielded from 100% of the sun's harmful UVA/B/C rays. The lenses feature "multiflection" coatings, which means that even if you take a tumble on the sand or any other surface, you'll be guarded against scratches and smudges. Plus, the coating protects against intense sunlight, which means that you can wear these quite literally all day long.
Of course, if you're planning on keeping a pair of glasses on your face for hours on end, you'll need to make sure they're comfortable. While I often struggle with glasses staying on my nose (life can be so hard), this isn't the case with the Getaways. Because these shades come with an adjustable nosepad, you can effectively customize the fit of your shades, and make sure that they're resting comfortably all the livelong day.
Should you need to loan these sunglasses to a friend, she'll be able to adjust the glasses to her specifications as well. The arms of these shades are also quite flexible, so I've never had an issue with feeling as though the sidings were digging into my face.
All of Under Armour's products are clearly meant for performance, and its sunglasses are no exception to this rule. The Road Getaway sunglasses will keep you sharp no matter what summer or winter activity you may find yourself engaged in.
Pros: UA Tuned Road lenses provide great contrast enhancement, flattering frames, good sun ray protection, unisex
Cons: Adjusting the frames to get the perfect fit may take a little bit of trial and error
MVMT offers a wide range of stylish, protective, and wallet-friendly sunglasses that will keep you in style and on budget.
You may know MVMT best for its line of simple yet sleek watches, but the brand has since taken its popular aesthetic to another accessory — sunglasses. MVMT began making sunglasses for the masses in 2016 and hasn't stopped since with its huge selection of creative and stylish lenses that are as varied as your moods.
The sunglasses themselves range in price from $60 to $90, though if you elect to add the polarized lens option, you could be looking at a top price of $105. Still, that's quite a reasonable price to be paying for sunglasses that look as though they could walk out of any designer shop without suffering from any sort of imposter syndrome.
Many of MVMT's sunglasses reflect the brand's commitment to timeless, classic pieces, like the Runaway shades — a simple aviator style with dark lenses. But the brand also offers up a few shades that are a bit more daring, like the Savage, a rectangular frame that comes with frames in a bronze gradient; or the Icon, a pair of sunglasses that look like they stepped right out of another decade, but somehow look fresh and original.
And best of all, if you're looking to recreate, say, the Dior So Real sunglasses look for about a quarter of the price, MVMT can help with Nightowl sunglasses. For $80, you can get a similar aesthetic in unique color schemes like Fuchsia Havana/Mauve Rose Gradient, or Clear/Silver Mirror Lenses.
With such a wide and varied set of options, the biggest challenge you're likely to face is narrowing down your selection to just a single pair of sunglasses.
Warby Parker has been making affordable eyewear since 2010, with most of its extensive collection setting customers back just $95. That's a reasonable price for any pair of shades, and if you want to add a prescription to those frames, you'll pay somewhere between $80 and $280 more, depending on the type of prescription.
When you shop at Warby Parker, you're able to place orders for up to five pairs of sunglasses (or regular glasses) in your cart and get them delivered to your doorstep so that you can try them out in the comfort of your own home. Shipping is free, and you'll have five days to decide which pair (or pairs) suit you best. Just send the samples back when you're done and order your prescription lenses for the pair(s) of your choosing.
All of Warby Parker's sunglasses feature anti-scratch and anti-glare coatings at no extra cost, which certainly will help you keep the sun at bay. I'm a particular fan of the Tilley, which incorporates just the right amount of retro chic into its aesthetic.
If you're not entirely sure of which sunglasses are best for you, Warby Parker has an online quiz that can help you figure out what sunglass shape works best with your visage. You'll answer questions about how you prefer your fit, what colors you like, and what materials you want to see in your frames.
Once you've gone through the questionnaire, Warby will recommend the frames that are most likely to tickle your fancy, and you can get them delivered.
If you're looking for a way to give back to your community through commerce, Warby Parker can help with its "Buy a Pair, Give a Pair" pledge. Just as the name suggests, with this program, Warby Parker will donate a pair of glasses to someone in need with every purchase of a pair of prescription glasses or sunglasses.
Pros: Affordable, online quiz helps determine the best frames for your face, free anti-glare and anti-scratch coatings
Cons: Prescription sunglasses may be costly depending on the severity of prescription (but they're still affordable when compared to other options)
Although Ray-Ban's Wayfarers may be more popular, the Clubmaster sunglasses are a great, classic pair of sunglasses that you can customize to suit your style. The mid-century design has a distinctive browline frame with round, metal-rimmed lenses for a retro aesthetic that looks amazing on everyone.
You can get flashy mirrored lenses in many different colors, unique frames, and even prescription lenses, though those will add to the price. Like other Ray-Ban shades, the Clubmasters are crafted with glass lenses and sturdy acetate frames, so they're well worth the money and should last a lifetime.
Guides editor Malarie Gokey actually has a pair of these as regular prescription glasses, which she wears quite frequently. She can attest to their great build quality, comfortable fit for all-day wear, and stylish appeal.
Pros: Quality construction, glass lenses with a durable metal and acetate frame, 1950s style, customizable
Sometimes, a single accessory is all it takes to make you feel like a million bucks, and the Dior So Real sunglasses are capable of doing just that.
If there's ever a time to be just a little bit extra, it's the summer. And what better way to show off your ostentatious side than by donning a pair of sunglasses that are known to grace the faces of stars like Rihanna, Bella Hadid, and Kylie Jenner? Meet the Dior So Real sunglasses. They're so expensive, but oh so worth it.
I managed to get my hands on a pair a couple years ago when I forgot that my FSA money was expiring (pro tip: use your FSA funds to buy designer sunglasses, and you'll love yourself forever). Every time I throw them on, I feel a new bounce in my step. Am I being a bit silly? Sure. But am I at all sorry? Nope.
We really have Rihanna to thank for bringing the So Real trend to the streets of Hollywood, New York, and every in between. The songstress wore a mirrored pair of the shades at Dior's 2014 fall show in Paris, and ever since, they've been the eyewear of choice of the fashion forward. Part of the appeal, of course, lies in the unique shape of the lens itself. And then there's the mirrored aspect of the frames, which are great for shielding your eyes from the paparazzi (or just from the sun).
But aside from being great to look at, the Dior So Real sunglasses really are great to look through as well. The shades offer 100% UV protection, and while I sometimes feel as though I have to squint even from behind my sunglasses, this is never the case with the Dior frames.
The So Real sunglasses also provide excellent coverage, thanks to the unique shape and their relatively close fit, you won't find a ton of UV rays streaming in from every which direction. Because the lenses are mirrored, you'll reflect a lot of the light that might otherwise harm your eyes.
Happy customers have noted that "These Diors...are absolutely stunning. Perfect fit, excellent quality." And while they tend to sell out quickly, don't be afraid to check back frequently on your favorite online shopping destination.
