Sunglasses are quite possibly the most underrated accessory in the world. Blinding sunshine on your walk to work? Sunglasses. Debris flying at you from all directions while riding a bike? Sunglasses. Avoiding the judgmental gaze of the general public while slightly worse for wear? Sunglasses.
Sunnys are rarely the biggest piece of an outfit, but they can make a world of difference. Add the right pair into an outfit of joggers, a stained oversized tee, and running shoes, and suddenly what could’ve passed for a hastily thrown together slob uniform feels intentional – more ’90s celebrity nipping out for cigarettes than just rolled out of bed with a hangover.
So whether you’re in the market for a pair that’ll save your eyes from squint-induced wrinkles, airborne debris, and general chaos – or you just want to look a touch more mysterious than you actually are – welcome to The Proper Guide to Sunglasses, detailing ten pairs of polarised perfection.
With the Anvma V.01, Alba Optics have perfectly executed a pair of sporty sunglasses that don’t veer off into full cyborg territory. These look just as right mooching about town as they do clocking miles on Strava, hunched over handlebars, or taking part in whatever else it is the health-inclined among us are squeezing into their weekends these days.
District Vision Takeyoshi Altitude Master
If you’ve been looking for phenomenal eyewear crafted to the highest level and somehow haven’t come across District Vision, you’ve clearly not been searching very hard. These Takeyoshi Altitude Master are our pick from the brand’s highly impressive roster, and we’re especially into the translucent mossy colour of the frames.
Inspired by 1950s American Army eyewear, these Oscar Deen sunglasses hit the retro Americana note perfectly. Effortlessly cool and easy to wear day in, day out – which, when it comes to sunglasses, is exactly what you want, really.
Despite what their name suggests, these Oakley Frogskins actually have 0% frog-related-material in their composition. What they do have, though, is a set of high-quality polarised lenses and a very suave, stealthy black colourway.
Without intending to, Persol has become the sunglass brand of choice for the most notorious of Hollywood gangsters. Ray Winstone sports a set in Sexy Beast, Robert De Niro wears them in The Irishman, and Joe Pesci opts for a pair in Casino. And for the price of £200ish, you could join that illustrious crowd.
The Oakley Eyejacket has become wildly popular in recent years, and if you’ve ever put a pair on, you’ll understand why. They’re featherlight, wrap tight to block glare from every angle, and feel purpose-built for speed. Oh, and they make you look like a serious performance athlete even if you’ve never run further than 5k.
District Vision Eichii Explorer Ti
Trust District Vision to craft a pair of sunglasses from one of the strongest and priciest materials in the world: titanium. Will you feel the benefits every single day? Maybe not. Will you appreciate the engineering, the weightlessness, and the bragging rights? Absolutely.
Rapha’s Dalton sunglasses look absolutely mental in the best way possible. A bit like something Vin Diesel’s character would’ve worn in the cult sci-fi film Pitch Black. They’ll keep your retinas safe from harsh UV on long bike rides, while also ensuring drivers give you a wide berth thanks to your slightly intimidating cyborg gaze.
Hikerdelic x Messy Weekend Anthony
Hikerdelic & Messy Weekend have teamed up to create what might just be the most beer garden-appropriate pair sunglasses on this list. The shape is spot on, the tortoiseshell is playfully done, and the price is refreshingly sensible – which makes it far less painful when you inevitably leave them behind after a sun-drenched nap.
These Drypond sunglasses are seriously tasteful – almost to a fault. The kind of pair that feels best reserved for sipping Negronis, picking at cured meats, and strolling through the sunshine with a very well-behaved dog in tow. Simply sublime.
