Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews
  • Forum

The Three Main Styles of Sunglasses

June 1, 2010 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

Plastic Sport Frame Sunglasses | Metal Frame Sunglasses | Plastic Hybrid Glasses

Sunglasses are like watches.  Sure they look cool, but they actually serve a purpose.  Meaning they’re one of the few accessories the male gender can feel great about wearing.  As men we need purpose in our stuff.  When we don’t? That’s why a bracelet can look terrible on an otherwise well dressed fellow.

Picking out the right pair of sunglasses can express some serious personal style, or, it can make you look seriously bad.  Now, do you need to follow some random “match your sunglasses to your face shape” guide?  No.  Chances are you know what looks good on you, and how big or small you need to go.  Here’s your three main options in style based on occasion, and a suggestion or two for each.

Casual: Plastic Sport Frames – Hugo Boss Sunglasses – SALE $92.65 (Reg. $175)

On sale and still almost $100, but they should last you for years.
On sale and still almost $100, but they should last you for years.

You want these to wrap just a touch, but not too much.  Also some slightly aggressive looking lenses are a good thing.  Think skier or snowboarder who doesn’t hit the hill EVERY winter weekend… because… maybe he’s out to dinner at a nice restaurant or something.  Chunky frames, clean logos on the side, this pair from Hugo Boss are big but not too big.

Dress: Metal Frames – Banana Republic Charles – $98 | Kenneth Cole 2269SM – $45

Not Frat Boy huge, but still large enough to look fast.
Not Frat Boy huge, but still large enough to look fast.

More often than not metal frames are what normal guys reach for when they’re dressing up a notch.  Try to stay away from those pure, goofy-large aviators.  They can look too retro and your well cut suit and freshly shined shoes will quickly be nullified if you look like a Top Gun ripoff.

Plastic Hybrid Frames – Rayban New Wayfarer – $76.69  | Club Monaco 509 – SALE $49.98

New (not classic) Ray Ban Wayfarer to the Left, Club Monaco to the right.
New (not classic) Ray Ban Wayfarer to the Left, Club Monaco to the right.

These can be everything from the Updated “New” Rayban Wayfarer, (which has been softened a touch from the too-80s original style) to the Persol-like Club Monaco pair you’re seeing to the right of the Ray Bans.  It’s all about balance with these.  The rectangular but not too boxy shape gives you the perfect mix of sport and formality.  From a t-shirt to a three piece suit, these will work just fine.

http://www.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=73285487&pid=uid3936-1100956-76

Filed Under: Accessories Tagged With: Club Monaco, Kenneth Cole, Persol, ray ban, Spring, Summer, Sunglasses

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or start a discussion on Dappered Threads, our forum!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

TUESDAY Men’s Sales Tripod – Bronze Watches, Allen Edmonds Sneakers, & More

TUESDAY Men’s Sales Tripod – Bronze Watches, Allen Edmonds Sneakers, & More

Plus End of Season events from J. Crew as well as Under Armour.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day

There will be other sales.

Steal Alert: Nordstrom Extra 25% off Sale Items Clearance Blowout

Steal Alert: Nordstrom Extra 25% off Sale Items Clearance Blowout

Uncle Nordy wants this stuff gone. Cashmere sweaters. Lots of chukkas. Plenty of Bonobos.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Comments

  1. Tarun says

    June 1, 2010 at 5:48 PM

    Great article. However, I find that my face is very picky about what looks good on it, but salesmen have told me otherwise. I wonder who to believe.

    Can you apply this to watches please. I’m so very confused about all the different types and where and when certain types should be worn.

    PS: Your blog really made a huge difference in my wardrobe for my summer intern!

  2. Greg says

    June 2, 2010 at 7:41 AM

    I can’t think of many situations where I’ve needed to look dressed up when wearing sunglasses, so I just go with plastic frames, though those metal frame ones do look pretty sharp. Ray Bans have always looked weird to me.

  3. Matt says

    June 3, 2010 at 12:05 PM

    My face is too terminatoresque to wear the classic wayfarer, which is shame because it is my favorite, at least seeing them on other people. I have a variety of plastic wraps for sports and I wear rectangular metals for everything else. I would like to add that the frame color of your sunglasses can dramatically change the way they look on you. I usually wear bronze frames, because it blends with my hair and skin, especially if the frames are a bit thicker.

  4. Jimmy says

    June 15, 2010 at 11:06 PM

    Check the Vision Center at WalMart(NOT the jewelry counter)…they have some Wayfarer looking frames for $15 in black and tortoise. Pretty good quality, plus you can get your RX in them if needed.

  5. Jimmy says

    June 15, 2010 at 11:12 PM

    Oh, and the Club Monaco frames are awesome. Ray Bans look great, but I’m getting tired of seeing Wayfarers everywhere. I still feel like a star in my Persol knockoffs, haha. I love this site…

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
Continue the discussion at Dappered Threads.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

Connect with Dappered

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • Steal Alert: Nordstrom Extra 25% off Sale Items Clearance Blowout
  • adidas End of Season, Allen Edmonds Warehouse Sale, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • Best Posts of 2020: A lot of watches, some shoes, and being a stylish dad
  • Steal Alert: 97% Wool / 3% Spandex Dress Pants from The Tie Bar for $25
  • Best Posts of 2020: Athleisure, Activewear, and Hot Weather
  • On Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

RSS Latest on Dappered Threads

  • Recommendations on American Made Denim (for my Wife)
  • AE Dalton too stiff
  • SuitSupply Linen Tuxedo
  • hiking shoes for AE dress shoe dress boot guy.
  • Blazer aaaand...

Copyright © 2021 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.