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What sunglass lifestyle are you?

The sunglasses you wear should match your lifestyle. Simple as that. Find yourself below.

The Fitbitter

Are you tired of constantly charging your Fitbit? Do you have more pairs of running tights than jeans? Do you have more Strava followers than Twitter followers? If you’re sporty and you know it, embrace it. Go for polarized lenses and a sleek, sporty look. Wraparound sunglasses will stay put when you’re sweating, but they’ll look great with your favorite fleece and a pair of jeans, too.

Smith and Suncloud make a variety of sporty sunglasses that provide plenty of coverage, are lightweight, and look great, too.

Retro Kitty

Do you watch Mad Men for style and fashion ideas? Do you have trouble resisting pencil skirts? Have you ever ridden in a mint green 1957 Cadillac? If you love retro styles and fashion from the days of yesteryear, a pair of modern shades will look out of place in your local Woolsworth five-and-dime store. Don’t go there.

Instead of chasing new trends and designs, stick with your gut. Classic cateye sunglasses are perfect for your particular fashion personality. If you’re feeling adventurous, choose a colorful twist on these classic frame styles.

Like a Boss

Are you the alpha wolf? Do you wear suits to three-martini-lunch in the financial district? Do you have a .io startup and a Series A in the pipeline? If you’re all business and you don’t take no for an answer, you need a pair of sunglasses that fit your drive and ambition. Dark wayfarer frames or teardrop aviators are the perfect shades for you.

Clubmasters can also fit the bill. They have a classic look and exude a certain nerd-chic appeal that feels at home in Silicon Valley.

Fashion Maven

What’s your favorite Institute of Technology? If you clicked your Louboutins and said ‘Fashion!’ this is probably for you. You’re always looking for the latest trends on the runways your sunglasses style is going to change with the seasons, but that’s okay because so will the rest of your wardrobe.

Check out some oversized bright acetate frames from Le Specs or a modern reframing of a classic style by Quay.

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A Brief History of Wayfarer Sunglasses

Ray-Ban first introduced wayfarers back in 1956, revolutionizing the world of sunglass fashion forever. The frame has been celebrated over the decades for its universal wearability and confident stylization. The plastic, trapezoidal frames gained immediate popularity and stayed in vogue for almost 20 years before sinking into fashion no-man’s-land and then reappearing again in the 21st century.

In the 1960s wayfarers grew in popularity from being worn by keystone figures such as John F Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn. Then in the ‘70s the popular frames all but disappeared, only to reemerge with a vengeance in the early ‘80s in a prominent appearance in “The Blues Brothers”. Throughout the ‘80s, you’d see them on many popular actors and in numerous films. Tom Cruise wore them in “Risky Business” (1983), they showed up in “The Breakfast Club” (1985) and then again in “Miami Vice” (1989); Jack Nicholson wore wayfarers, and so did Anna Wintour.

Wayfarers even showed up in pop fiction and songs: they appeared in 1984 in Don Henley’s hit song, “The Boys of Summer” and then in 1987 in Bret Easton Ellis’ bestselling novel turned film, “Less Than Zero”. In short, Wayfarers were everywhere throughout the ‘80s, but by the ‘90s, they experienced a major decline and, once again, disappeared from the public eye in the early 2000s.

Related: The rise, fall, and rebirth of clubmaster sunglasses

Wayfarers have reemerged in the second decade of the 21st century as a sunglasses mainstay, pervading both pop culture and main street fashion. They’ve also lent inspiration to designers who use modern techniques to design similar shapes and styles using new materials & processes to craft sunglasses that have timeless appeal for all tastes.

Modern Adaptations

Modern sunglass makers have adapted the wayfarer and added major flare and twists to the design. Proof Eyewear, for example, crafts bamboo and mahogany frames with iridescent colored lenses in their Ontario Wood line for unique and truly interesting looks that, while definitely wayfarers, are total departures from the old materials and craftwork. 

Meanwhile Sunski, a Kickstarter-funded label that has boomed in popularity, accents the traditional wayfarer stylization with fun, vibrant colors and reflective lenses that can be worn by just about anyone.

From the more conservative, classic wayfarer-style glasses to brighter, flashier, and more modern versions, there’s a wayfarer for everyone. Some people say style itself is the only thing that never goes out of fashion, and wayfarers certainly have it to spare.

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3 Ways Sunglasses Can Prevent Crows Feet And Protect Your Skin

While you work on staying young, your body and the world around you are working against you. Botox and dermal fillers are part of a billion-dollar industry that just keeps on growing as we keep aging. However, if you regularly wear your sunglasses when you go outside, you can do a lot to stave off the need for Botox injections or any other cosmetic procedure for a long time.

1. Time to stop squinting!

Crows’ feet – those pernicious little wrinkles at the corners of your eyes – are created by repeated squinting over the years. In other words, the more you squint, the more crows’ feet you’ll get and the deeper they’ll get, too. That’s why so many people choose injections such as Botox that partially paralyze the muscles around their eyes, nose, and/or mouth to avoid creating these fine lines and wrinkles.

Related: Ultraviolet Radiation and How Sunglasses Can Protect You from Its Harmful Effects

Many people would rather not resort to Botox injections to solve this problem. Arguably the best way to preserve your skin and reduce wrinkles with a natural, long-term strategy is to reduce the amount of facial movement (squinting), and a simple approach is to wear your sunglasses every time you go outside during the day.

When you wear sunglasses and cut down on glare, you won’t have to squint and use the muscles around your eyes to block out light. You’ll be able to walk around during the day with a relaxed expression that won’t add any wrinkles to your face.

2. Just chill out: decreasing stress and fatigue

Another benefit of wearing sunglasses is their stress and fatigue reduction ability. When you squint and strain your eye muscles, they get fatigued. This causes headaches and further mental & physical fatigue. Furthermore, it can add significant stress from keeping yourself awake and on task when you feel fatigued and headache-y.

That stress, fatigue, and pain builds up over time. You’ll find yourself furrowing your brow more often, squinting more to focus, and generally feeling tired and low on energy. All of these factors add up to a lot more aging on your face that can be greatly alleviated just by giving your eye muscles a rest by wearing sunglasses everyday.

3. Triple up with sunblock and a hat

When you’re headed outside, you can further help yourself by applying SPF15 or greater sunblock and wearing a hat. WebMD is a great resource for choosing a sunblock/sunscreen.

Sunblock serves as both a protective layer from destructive UVB rays as well as a moisturizer for retaining dermal pliability in direct sun conditions. UVA/UVB radiation can hurt your vision and your skin without proper protection, so protect yourself with sunglasses and sunblock and stay young and healthy for years to come!

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Gift Guide: How to Buy the Perfect Sunglasses for Your Man

Sunglasses make great gifts. They’re useful, fun, and fashionable, and unlike clothing, you can’t offend someone by buying the wrong size. However, you do have to pay a little bit of extra attention if you’re trying to find the perfect pair of sunglasses for your man.

Whether it’s Christmas, his birthday, your anniversary, or just because you love him and want to protect his gorgeous eyes, you really can’t go wrong with the gift of sunglasses if you follow these tips for finding the perfect shades for him.

Look at His Face

You love looking at his face so this part shouldn’t be a problem, but we’re not just talking about gazing lovingly at him. Look at the shape of his face. This will give you a good idea for what type of frame to look for.

Related: How to choose sunglasses for your face shape

If his face is oblong, avoid teardrop aviators, as they can make his face look even longer. Instead, go with a pair of chunky rectangles or wrap sunglasses. Wider shapes will balance his face and make it look more in proportion.

If he has a square face with a wide, strong jaw, look for sunglasses with rounded bottoms. The contrast between the soft edges of the sunglasses with the hard lines of his face will be flattering and manly.

If his face is round, go for rectangle or square frames to give it a leaner, more chiseled appearance. If he has a wide forehead and narrow jaw line, choose shades that are wider at the bottom to balance his features more. If he has an oval face, the sky's the limit - he can get away with just about any shape.

Think About His Lifestyle and Fashion Sense

Does your man prefer jeans and a t-shirt, or is he more of a suit-and-tie guy? Is he an athlete? Would he prefer to be out for a run, or would he rather be on a patio sipping a cold beer?

His lifestyle and his clothing choices will also help you choose the right shades for him. A pair of technical sports sunglasses would be perfect for the marathoner in your life, but they won’t go over so well if he spends most of his time in a suit and tie.

Take Measurements

Sunglass sizes are measured in three numbers: width of a lens, width of the bridge, and full width of the frames. So, for example, you might see sunglasses that are sized 55 – 17 – 135. For these, each lens is 55 mm wide; the bridge is 17 mm wide, and the overall width of the glasses is 135 mm.

Related: How to choose the right size sunglasses

If you’re sneaky, you can do this while he’s asleep to avoid giving away the surprise or looking like a weirdo, but you’re going to have to measure his face. First measure across the widest part of his face, then across the width of the bridge of his nose. Subtract the width of the bridge from the width of his face and divide the difference by two to get the measurement for a good lens-width for his face.

With a little bit of attention to the shape of his face, his style, and his measurements, you should be able to pick the perfect shades for him that he’ll love wearing all the time.

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How Do Polarized Sunglasses Work?

Glare from the road, bodies of water, and other sources is an annoying and dangerous part of life for many people. The solution to this daily problem is polarized sunglasses, which eliminate glare and can be a valuable investment for personal safety and comfort.  Light waves can oscillate in a variety of directions in relation to their direction of motion. In unpolarized light, which is most of the light we see, the fluctuations in the electric field occur in all directions. It’s random. However, light reflecting off flat surfaces such as highways, water, or snowy surfaces becomes horizontally polarized. This horizontally polarized light can cause annoying and dangerous glare which can be reduced or eliminated by wearing polarized sunglasses. The specially treated lenses of polarized sunglasses dramatically reduce the amount of horizontally polarized light passing into your eyes. The lenses are treated with a chemically polarized film which only allows light waves oscillating in one direction (vertically) to pass, filtering out all horizontally polarized light (glare) and protecting your eyes. This means that glare from a road, water, ice, and snow will be filtered out of view and only safe light will pass through the lenses. Polarized sunglasses improve visual clarity, provide better contrast, and lend a better overall visual experience to those of us who spend time driving or enjoy outdoor activities. People who spend a lot of time driving, boating, or participating in action sports such as running, biking, skiing, or water sports can greatly improve their visual acuity and personal safety by wearing a pair of polarized sunglasses.

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How to Choose Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

The rule of thumb when choosing sunglasses that will look attractive is to choose frames that contrast the geometry of your face shape. Angular frames look best on a round face while rounded frames look best on an angular face.

Find your face shape

Rectangle: clearly taller than it is wide; square jawline; uniform width from forehead to jawline

Oval: clearly taller than it is wide, rounded jawline, soft features, widest part at cheekbones

Square: almost as wide as it is tall; broad, square jawline; uniform width from forehead to jawline

Round: almost as wide as it is tall; rounded jawline, soft features; widest part at cheekbones

Triangle: almost as wide as it is tall; broad jawline; widest part at jaw, with narrower forehead

Heart: almost as wide as it is tall; pointed/tapered jawline; widest part at forehead with narrower jaw

Diamond: almost as wide as it is tall; pointed jawline, narrower forehead; widest part at cheekbones

Choose your frames

Rectangle - Best fit: RAEN Sylas - Choose rounded frames that contrast the sharp geometry of your face. Frames that are wider than they are tall compliment this face shape.

Oval - Best fit: Triwa Drexel - Most frames can suit an oval face. Choose a frame that fits the width of your face and provides some contrast to your rounded features.

Square - Best fit: Randolph Concorde - Aviators or frames with curvature soften the strong architecture of a square face. Avoid boxy frames.

Round - Best fit: Sheriff & Cherry G11S Classic Black - Angular frames such as wayfarers or cat-eyes nicely contrast the softer features of a round face.

Triangle - Best fit: Proof Sawtooth - Choose top-heavy or clubmaster style frames with detail on the upper rim of the frame to compliment this face shape

Heart - Best fit: LOOK/SEE - Choose a boxier frame that adds width to the lower portion of your face. Avoid top-heavy frames.

Diamond - Best fit: Wonderland Havasu - Choose a balanced frame that has both angular and round elements. Avoid boxy frames.

Notes:

A wayfarer-style frame is a flexible and safe frame choice that suits most face shapes.

In choosing a frame color try to contrast your natural skin tone and hair color with the color of the frame. Black and tortoise sunglasses are generally safe bets. If you have blonde or light hair try choosing a darker frame, while darker-haired individuals can safely wear lighter colored sunglasses.

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Bright, Crisp, and Cool – Fall/Winter 2014-2015 Top Sunglasses Trends

As temperatures drop and the days get shorter, most people think about bulky sweaters, pea coats, cozy caps, and boots. What about those bright, crisp days, though? You might be decked out in a fab scarf and the perfect coat and boots, but your look won’t be complete without the perfect pair of shades. Check out these great 2014 winter sunglasses trends and find your perfect pair of shades, whether you’re hitting the slopes or you’re just taking a blustery stroll down the street.

Big, Bright Frames

We’re seeing a lot of big plastic frames in really dramatic, massive shapes and styles. From classic over-sized shades inspired by the likes of Audrey Hepburn to aviators and big, bulky, geometric shapes, there’s nothing subtle about the sizes, shapes, or colors of this year’s trending winter shades.

We’re seeing large plastic frames with opaque or translucent lenses, mirror shades, and transitions; we’re seeing frames in bright pink, blue, orange, yellow, or green. While the rest of your winter wardrobe is probably based in blacks, grays, and neutrals, let your sunglasses really pop with color, size, and shape. The contrast creates a fun fashion statement any day.

Faded Lenses

Ombrés and transitional colors have been big in hair trends this year, and now the transitional trends have made it to our sunglasses, too. We’re seeing a lot of sun specs that begin with an opaque or mirrored finish at the top of the lens and transition to just a light tint at the bottom. This effect is flattering on almost every face shape, and it creates a little bit of mystery and allure, too.

Related: Fall/Winter 2014-2015 Eyewear Trends

Mirrored and Colored Lenses

Continuing with the theme of playful, bright colors, we’re seeing a big comeback in mirrored lenses, and we’re seeing a lot of colored lenses, too. We’re especially loving the pairing of brightly colored mirror shades with transparent plastic frames like the Quay Kitti in clear with pink mirror lenses pictured above. The look blends classic and modern trends, and it’s always unique.

We also love how many colored lenses are making their way down runways and streets this fall and winter. Fashionistas are peering out at the world through crimson, azure, or sunny yellow lenses, giving the dullest winter day a splash of color and life.

The Classics Never Die

While all of these new trends are exciting and fun, if you’re looking for a pair of sunglasses that will never go out of style, go for the classics. Aviators, wayfarers, and cat-eye sunglasses are all making big appearances, once again. You can find these classic styles in their traditional colors and materials, or you can choose updated versions with modern twists on go-to designs.

Don’t spend your days squinting this winter. Top off your cool weather wardrobe with a pair of this year’s trendiest, most fun fashion accessory. Look cool while you stay warm in your favorite pick from 2014’s amazing lineup of trendy winter shades.

More: Sunglasses for Fall-Winter 2014-2015

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How to wear shades to a wedding or formal event

If you’ve ever attended an outdoor wedding or graduation ceremony, you may have decided to forgo the sunglasses because you wanted to be respectful and appropriately formal. Still - going without sunglasses on a bright day can be a real pain and really bad for your eyes.

Is there a way to wear shades to a formal event without being disrespectful or looking like you’re trying to hide that you’re falling asleep? Yes, there is. You just have to make the right eyewear choices for the event. Here’s a simple guide for which shades are great for formal day events, as well as a few that you should never wear with a suit or formal dress.

Go With Classic Styles

If you’re going to a wedding or any other outdoor daytime event that requires formal wear, you’ll want to make sure that your sunglasses are appropriate for your attire. This is sometimes easier for men than women. After all, we’ve all seen plenty of men look great in a suit and a pair of classic teardrop aviators. The same style (in the right size) also works with women’s suits, but it would look totally out of place with a more feminine outfit like a floral dress.

If you’re going with a more feminine, dressy look that’s less business-like, look to Audrey Hepburn and other Old Hollywood actresses for inspiration. A pair of oversized, plastic-rimmed sunglasses or a pair of feminine cat-eye shades will work beautifully. When in doubt, choose classic styles over trending modern ones.

Don’t Go Sporty

Sporty sunglasses are great when you’re going hiking or playing volleyball on the beach, but they look distinctly out of place with a suit or dress. Avoid wrap-around glasses and anything too technical-looking. Remember, this event requires your respect. You dressed formally because it shows class and attention to detail, as well as respect to your hosts and other attendees. Wearing a pair of sport sunglasses to a formal event is a lot like wearing white tube socks with a tuxedo; it’s just not alright.

Choose Translucent Lenses When You Can

While a pair of mirror shades can be really imposing and make you look aloof and mysterious, that’s not your goal when you attend a social or work-related formal event. You should be connecting with others, networking, and enjoying the atmosphere and the company.

What does that have to do with your choice of shades? People tend to feel uncomfortable when they’re talking to someone and can’t make eye contact. If you’re talking with someone, and all you see when you look at their eyes is a reflection of yourself, you won’t feel particularly connected and you may start to feel self-conscious. While this is a good tactic for police officers and security guards, it shouldn’t be yours at a formal event.

Related: How to wear sunglasses for every occasion

So, instead of choosing the darkest shades you have, choose a pair of lighter tinted lenses that allow others to see when you’re looking at them or elsewhere.

Follow these tips and you won’t ever make a sunglasses-related faux pas at a formal event. Oh, and one more thing: unless you’re Corey Hart, don’t wear your sunglasses at night. They protect your eyes during the day and can be a great accessory even for formal events, but they’re not a good nighttime addition for any event.

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Shades of Fall 2013

The fall months are a time to bring out the earthy wardrobe tones that go neglected for much of the year - that goes for sunglasses, too. The advent of wooden sunglasses alongside the numerous new designers who have emerged in recent years presents an opportunity for eyewear experimentation this fall. While the summer months are arguably limited to sunglass staples and brightly colored frames, the fall months call for tortoiseshells and heartier yellows, browns, and blacks. Read on for the NYGlass.com picks for Autumn 2013. Shwood’s handmade wooden sunglasses merge precision technology with classic skilled craftsmanship, epitomized by the Canby frame shown here in Zebrawood.

(Full size image here - Shwood Canby Zebrawood Sunglasses) The classic wayfarer styling and refined aesthetic of the Canby lay the groundwork for an entire wooden eyewear revolution, allowing them to top the list of our shades for Fall ‘13. These are appropriate for both the casual eyewear enthusiast as well as those with deeper collections. Next we take a look at a two-tone frame by RAEN, the Garwood Froth.

(Full size image here - RAEN Garwood Froth Sunglasses)

With black upper rim & arms and creamy beige accents, this frame can best be described as smooth and transitional. If you were to distill everything RAEN stands for into a single frame, the Garwood would be it: strong lines, bold color block, refined, repurposed, and cultured.

Next we take a look at the Lector sunglasses in turtle by Triwa.

(Full size image here - Triwa Lector Turtle Sunglasses)

This is a classic tortoise frame made in hand cut acetate with contrasting temple tips in yellow, with brown lenses from Optics by Carl Zeiss Vision. These can confidently serve as go-to daily drivers for both men and women. Their very high build-quality and beautiful detailing nicely compliment the wardrobe of the cardigan wearers amongst us and those who appreciate attention to detail.

We hope you've enjoyed these sunglasses. Drop us a line at [email protected] if you have any questions or leave a comment below.

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NYGlass.com is an online store for stunning, high-quality sunglasses from small brands. Here you'll find extraordinary sunglasses from around the world — wooden frames from Iowa, vintage-inspired designs out of California, pop colors from Croatia, and the original steel aviators worn by U.S. Air Force pilots.

Few people know that most designer eyewear brands (Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, and many others) are made and sold by one large Italian company that also owns many of the major retail outlets (Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters, and Pearle Vision), cornering the market and artificially inflating prices.

NYGlass.com is different. We work exclusively with smaller, independent labels who design their own frames. These brands are socially conscious, uncompromising in their craftsmanship, and fashion-forward. Typically found only in boutiques around Manhattan and L.A., we've brought them together to offer you beautiful sunglasses at a fair price.

With free shipping & returns you can't go wrong. Check out our store for an entirely new collection of the coolest styles and brands.