When you’re off on your travels, the right pair of eyewear can make all the difference. Whether you’re sightseeing in a bustling city, relaxing on the beach, or trekking through scenic mountains, having the perfect pair of glasses or sunglasses can help to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays, while ensuring you stay comfortable and look the part. With so many options available, however, finding the right frames for your face shape and travel needs can be tricky.
Understanding your face shape
The first step in choosing frames that suit you is understanding your face shape. The right frames can enhance your natural features, offering both style and comfort. Here’s a quick guide to help you identify your face shape and pick frames that suit you best.
- Oval face shape: If your face is well-balanced with a slightly narrower jawline, you’re in luck—most frame styles will look great on you. Aviators, rectangular frames, and cat-eye styles are all excellent choices for an oval face.
- Round face shape: A round face typically has full cheeks and a rounded chin. To add structure, opt for geometric or angular frames, such as square or rectangular designs.
- Square face shape: Strong jawlines and broad foreheads are characteristic of square faces. Round or oval frames can soften these angular features, creating a more balanced look.
- Heart face shape: If you have a wider forehead and a narrower chin, your face shape is heart-like. Aviators, cat-eye frames, and round designs work well for heart-shaped faces.
- Diamond face shape: With wide cheekbones and a narrow forehead and chin, diamond-shaped faces look fantastic in cat-eye or oval frames, which enhance the cheekbones and balance facial proportions.
Choosing frames for travel
Once you’ve identified your face shape, consider the practical side of your sunglasses. When travelling, your frames need to be more than just stylish – they also need to include UV protection, feel comfortable, during wear, and resilient enough to travel with.
- UV protection: For outdoor adventures, it’s essential that your lenses offer 100% UV protection. This safeguards your eyes from harmful rays, reducing the risk of long-term damage or discomfort during your travels. While packing a pair of sunglasses is usually common sense when visiting sunny destinations, many people don’t realise that UV rays can be just as harmful on dull, overcast days too.
- Comfort comes first: Long days of sightseeing call for frames that feel as good as they look. Lightweight materials like acetate or titanium are both comfortable and durable, ensuring you won’t feel weighed down.
- Durability and flexibility: Whether you’re packing them into your hand luggage or wearing them on the go, your sunglasses should ideally be able to withstand some degree of wear and tear. Look for flexible hinges or robust construction to keep your glasses intact, no matter the adventure.
Frames and lenses for different travel scenarios
Your chosen destination and the type of holiday you’ve booked can also have an impact on what might be the best kind of eyewear for you. Consider what kind of climate you will find yourself faced with once you arrive, as well as what kinds of activities you plan on getting up to. Here are some examples, based on popular types of holidays.
- Beach holidays: Polarised sunglasses are a must for cutting the glare from the sun and water. Choose lightweight, comfortable frames that are perfect for lounging by the sea.
- City breaks: For city explorers, stylish frames that work with a variety of outfits are key. Transition lenses are particularly handy, allowing you to move seamlessly from indoors to outdoors without the need for multiple pairs.
- Adventure trips: If you’re into hiking or outdoor sports, durability is essential. Look for frames made from TR90 or similar flexible materials, and choose lenses that are impact-resistant and scratch-proof for maximum protection.
Choosing the best pair of sunglasses for travel is about balancing style, comfort, and practicality. By considering your face shape and thinking carefully about your destination, you can choose frames that look great and serve you well on your next adventure.
What do you look for when choosing sunglasses for travel, and do you shop before you go or in the duty-free at the airport? Let me know in the comment section below.
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