Stylish Sunglasses To See You Through Summer

By Charlie Colville

1 week ago

Looking for the perfect pair of shades? We round up this season's must-haves...


Looking for the perfect pair of sunglasses this season? From the staple to the statement, our hot list has you covered with the best picks for summer (and beyond).

The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide


The SS24 Sunglasses Edit

Sunglasses are notoriously tricky to prescribe; a purchase that differs between each and every person depending on face shape, lifestyle and of course, fashion sense. After oversized cat eyes for planned yacht lazing? Or retro rounds for festival lounging? Perhaps it’s classic aviators for sporting pursuits? Or a strategic throwback to oversized shades in order to hide last night’s questionable third round of drinks? Whatever your preference, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect pair with our edit.

Pink glasses

Miu Miu

Oversized Glasses, ÂŁ131.25

BUY NOW
Black sunglasses

Chanel

Oversized Sunglasses, ÂŁ131.25

BUY NOW
Black sunglasses

Prada

Ultravox Sunglasses, ÂŁ109.25

BUY NOW
Brown glasses

L'AMY

Corine Glasses, ÂŁ42

BUY NOW
Tortoiseshell frames

Gucci

Square-Frame Tortoiseshell Glasses, ÂŁ425

BUY NOW
Heart-shaped tortoiseshell frames

Black Eyewear

Nina, ÂŁ187

BUY NOW
Check frames

Burberry

Check Round Sunglasses, ÂŁ200

BUY NOW
Black sunglasses with pearls

Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Pearl, ÂŁ265

BUY NOW
Green frames

Temperley London

The Dolly, ÂŁ129

BUY NOW
Black Eyewear Tjader sunglasses in pink

Black Eyewear

Tjader, ÂŁ197

BUY NOW

What Makes A Good Pair Of Sunglasses?

UV Protection

Ideally, you want sunglasses that will protect your eyes from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, as prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to eye problems – like cataracts, macular degeneration and even eye cancer – later down the line. You’ll usually find a sticker on the lenses you’re after or a note on the product web page which will say if they protect against UV.

Polarisation

A polarised lens helps to reduce the glare from reflected light, making it an ideal quality for sunglasses during summer (or even outdoor activities like skiing, fishing or driving). They can also help to reduce eye strain, while providing clearer vision and contrast.

Lens Colour

Did you know the colour of your lenses can improve your eyesight for certain activities? While many of us tend to stick to black, it’s worth trying out other colours depending on your eyes and the activities you’ll be undertaking. Brown lenses, for example, help enhance contrast, making them ideal for sporting activities where you have to keep an eye moving objects (like tennis, golf, baseball), while grey reduces brightness without distorting colours (which makes it a better choice for activities like painting or photography) and green creates good colour balance and visual clarity (so may be better suited to days out or activities like birdwatching).

Prescription Options

If you wear glasses on a daily basis, and prefer not to wear contact lenses, you might want to consider finding a pair of sunglasses that can be kitted out with your prescription. This way you can protect your eyes without compromising on your sight itself.

How Do You Know Your Glasses Fit?

The general rule is that your sunglasses should sit comfortably on your face, while shielding your eyes from the sun at all angles. The frame itself should sit snugly on the bridge of your nose without pinching, and the arms should go past your temples so that sunlight doesn’t come through from the sides.

Featured: Ron Lach, Pexels