Shade aid

Your hardest working accessory, sunglasses, protect your eyes from harsh UV rays, disguise tired eyes and add instant cool to any outfit. Here's everything you need to know about these essentials—from the latest trends, to the best shapes for your face, to where to wear them.

The trends
Tortoiseshell frames jazz up this summer's classic, preppy-inspired clothes and look great on any skin tone.
Oversized plastic black frames à la Audrey Hepburn are the perfect accessory for this season's ladylike styles. Big on impact, they suit women with lots of confidence or larger-than-life personalities.
Wrap-arounds or shields in a variety of tints suit summer's sporty looks. Find a style that's proportionate to your face—too-large frames look costumey.

Shape solutions
A round face will appear longer and thinner in narrow, rectangular frames with straight angular lines.
A square face is softened by curved, rounded styles.
An oval face suits almost any style but looks best in oversized square-shaped frames that are as wide as the broadest part of your face.
A heart-shaped face is balanced by narrow aviator styles.
An oblong face appears less long with oversized or shapes that curve up like cat's-eye frames.

Not sure what your face shape is? Stand in front of a mirror, pull your hair back off your face and trace the line of your reflection with a grease pencil or lipstick.

Colour code
Brown, gray and green tinted lenses are the best UV-protecting shades and ideal for everyday, all-day use. They also give you the truest colour and contrast—perfect for tennis, golf or driving.
Yellow or gold/silver mirror lenses enhance contrast in flat-light environments that include sand and water—great for water sports but not recommended for driving or low-light conditions.
Rose-coloured lenses make things appear brighter and enhance contrast, especially against blue or green backgrounds—perfect for cloudy conditions or exploring forests.
Other coloured lenses such as purple, blue, and pink are for cosmetic use only as they may impair your vision.
Clear lenses protect your eyes against wind and insects but do not provide great protection against extra-bright sun.
Gradient lenses start dark on top and gradually lighten, providing protection from overhead light and making them ideal for driving or walking.

Sunglass safety
Make sure your shades have 99 to 100 per cent UVA and UVB filtering. Look for a sticker or tag, and when in doubt ask an optician or trusted salesperson—not the hustler on the street selling knockoffs. According to Eyecare Trust, wearing lenses without full protection is worse than wearing no sunglasses at all. Behind a tinted lens your pupil opens wider, allowing more UV light in than it would normally and reducing your eye's natural protection.