A truism every fashion girl understands: Eyewear can make or break any outfit. So when it comes to choosing the best sunglasses for women, a little extra consideration is always a smart idea. The perfect pair will be incredibly versatile and look nonchalantly cool, as if you threw them on and—oops!—now just accidentally look fabulous. Indeed, whether it’s a circular, cat-eye, or a square frame, the right design will feel like an extension of your personal style.
As for deciding on your signature sunnies? There’s a ton of celebrity inspiration out there to draw from, of course: J.Lo’s beloved oversized aviators, or Dakota Johnson’s squarish retro shades. Below, Glamour editors have gathered the best sunglasses for women on the market right now, breaking them down into timeless silhouettes and the major trends defining our current moment. And best of all, many of our favorite pairs will set you back $20 or less.
The best sunglasses for women, at a glance
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Best cat-eye sunglasses for women
Few shades serve the full-on glamour of this flirty, nostalgic shape. As seen in the recent collections of Valentino and Chloé, the vampish design feels modern and pays homage to midcentury screen sirens like Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot. The style itself is a no-brainer, but you do have one big choice to make: whether to go for something in a playful hue, like light pink or red, or stick to classic styles with a neutral color scheme.
Best aviator sunglasses for women
This timeless option is a perennial bestseller, and it’s easy to see why. The silhouette, originally designed for use by the military, has a sporty edge that feels editorial, elevating any ensemble. Better yet, the look has been endlessly iterated on, so there’s an option for everyone. Lightweight metal frames, sleeker acetate variations, oversized pairs with mirrored lenses—this is just a very small sampling of the many choices out there.
Best square sunglasses for women
Square sunglasses and rectangular shapes have become mainstays for one simple reason: They look amazing on every face shape. Still, in their universality, there’s a catalog’s worth of unique iterations. Ray-Ban Wayfarers (and their lookalike silhouettes) have a vintage rockstar attitude, whereas oversized square frames read midcentury chic—think Diana Ross or Peggy Guggenheim.
Best circular & oval sunglasses for women
Go-tos for cultural icons like Yoko Ono and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, round and oval sunglasses pack a lot of personality. For a bigger statement, go for an exaggerated shape—very big or extremely small—or even bright lens colors. Minimalists, on the other hand, should look to something with well-balanced proportions and metal, all-black, or tortoiseshell frames.
Best designer sunglasses for women
Not only are these high-end pairs aligned with what’s currently happening on the runways, but they’re also decked out with luxury logos. (They always add something special to one’s look.) Plus, these picks offer a way to elevate your style and buy into a beloved brand without investing thousands in designer clothes. That said, if you’re going to drop upwards of four digits on eyewear, you want to get your money’s worth; be sure to double-check the level of sun protection and the company’s repair policy. In short, high-quality craftsmanship is key. These picks fit the bill.
Best sport sunglasses for women
Athletic eyewear serves a dual purpose, both providing eye protection in extreme conditions and looking incredible in the process. This means you’ll want to take all the technical features of a given pair, like polarized lenses, scratch resistance, and UV protection, into consideration before making a purchase. Not every pick needs to do all the things, but you definitely want it to have the performance features that’ll best serve your needs, whether you’re running or cycling. (Pro tip: It helps to check the product FAQ page.)
All your sunglasses questions, answered
What features should you look for in quality sunglasses?
While it’s fun to focus on aesthetics in women’s sunglasses, there are important features to look for, such as proper eye protection as a nonnegotiable—otherwise, your eyewear is just an accessory. But which sunglasses give the best eye protection? For starters, ones with both UVA and UVB protection ( to be adequately shielded, look for labels or stickers indicating UV 400 or 100% UV protection). However, shape and lens gradient are also factors. “Typically, the larger the frame silhouette is, the better, ensuring more sun protection,” says San Diego–based Jennifer Chinn, OD. You don’t have to go completely oversized or to goggles (which some prefer over eyeglasses), the optometrist explains, but the micro-sunnies trend is not as protective.
“The purpose of a pair of sunglasses is to protect you from ultraviolet rays and bright light, especially while outdoors for long periods,” Dr. Chinn tells Glamour, also advocating for a hat when outside in the middle of the day as “sunglasses will not protect you from sunlight coming from directly above you.” She says wrap-around sunglasses benefit people in environments where the light reflects off other surfaces to produce more glare, offering protection from light coming from the sides while being very popular picks for athletes like bikers and volleyball players.
Are polarized sunglasses better for your eyes?
There’s another big question when shopping for the best women’s sunglasses for eye protection: Are polarized sunglasses better for your eyes? Dr. Chinn says yes, particularly for those who spend a lot of time outdoors and are light-sensitive, experiencing vision discomfort and strain from various types of glare, like the sunlight bouncing off the water or driving into the sun in the middle of the afternoon. “Polarized lenses only emit about 50% of the light coming toward you so that you can see ‘through’ the glare, have better contrast perception and color vibrance, and your eyes are more comfortable,” she explains.
While brands like Ray-Ban and Maui Jim make stylish polarized sunglasses, you may find a pair of frames with darker or gradient lenses that suit your style better. But be cautious of choosing sunglasses for these reasons alone. “A common misconception is that the darker the sunglass lens, the more protected you are from UVA and UVB rays, which isn’t true,” says Dr. Chinn. “The darker tint of the lens is typically more comfortable for people who are light-sensitive, and it helps to shade your eyes more, but it doesn’t have any added benefit to filtering out UV rays. You can have a completely clear lens that still provides 100% UVA and UVB protection.” While various tinted lenses can enhance your visual environment and help keep your eyes comfortable outdoors, the lens color also does not indicate the amount of UV protection you get.
As for gradient lenses, Dr. Chinn says they provide more protection from glare from above and are more versatile. “They can be worn in many different types of environments, whereas polarized lenses are best only when outdoors,” she tells Glamour. “Some people may find it hard to read their cell phones or e-readers while outdoors wearing polarized sunglasses.”
What are the different types of lens colors?
- Gray: The most common and most versatile for all types of outdoor activities that provide the most realistic and true color perception as well as the most comfort because they are typically the darkest sunglass lenses.
- Brown or amber: These tinted lenses are slightly lighter in color and provide great contrast perception and color vibrance, making them a popular choice among golfers.
- Yellow: These tinted lenses are best in low-lighting environments like hazy days or at dawn and dusk, helping to improve depth perception—they’re a popular pick for pilots, firearms professionals, and hunters.
- Green: These tinted lenses are great for everyday use in bright or low-light environments, such as cloudy or overcast days. They’re a fantastic choice for winter or the transition months between summer and winter.
- Blue or purple: These tinted lenses are very calming to the eyes, providing enhanced color perception and comfort in environments with glare, such as when sailing or hitting the slopes in the winter.
- Red or pink: These tinted lenses enhance visual depth and help with visibility in bright environments—they’re great for driving or on the winter slopes.
- Mirror coatings: These are great for glare and help to reflect light away from you for a dramatic and stylish look.
Are expensive sunglasses better?
Lenses are clearly crucial in shopping for the best sunglasses, but for some it can come down to which sunglasses brand is the best. For many, the best means pricey. But are expensive sunglasses really better? “Typically, more expensive sunglasses will have better-quality lenses made from better lens materials and have unique colors and style features added on, such as mirrors, gradients, and tints,” says Dr. Chinn. While the quality of the sunglasses frame typically also correlates with the price, from a protection standpoint, Dr. Chinn says, “as long as you have sunglasses that protect you 100% from harmful UVA and UVB rays, your eyes will thank you.”
Additional reporting by Avery Matera.