Summer isn’t the only time of the year you need a new pair of killer shades to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays and also to make a statement about your impeccable style. Of course, there are all kinds of things to keep in mind when buying a new pair of men’s sunglasses, from the right shape for your face to the color of lenses that fit your aesthetic.
If you are lucky, the right shape for your face is the round one because then you can emulate the styles of Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx, and others who make the shape look fresh and unique. There are all kinds of options, but these are our favorite round sunglasses for men.
Ray-Ban RB2180
Combining the classic round shape with a touch of horn-rimmed distinction, these Ray-Ban frames complement any sartorial style you can throw at them.
Vint & York Juice Joint
Unleash your psychedelic rocker persona with this faithful repro from Vint & York. Neither oversized nor pinpoint, the lenses are perfectly proportioned for a timeless look, and their amber gradient makes the world look like an endless summer.
Sunski Dipseas
These frames are for the outdoorsman. The polarized lenses are stylish for everyday wear and for your next outdoor hiking adventure.
Garrett Leight Harding
Inspired by midcentury playwright Arthur Miller, this thick-rimmed pair of specs offers a hybrid aviator teashade look for those who want to pair two iconic styles in one.
Prive Revaux Maestro Metal
Django Unchained actor and Co-founder Jamie Foxx says these shades are “perfect for chillin.” Who are we to argue? These are scratch-resistant shades and anti-glare with cellulose acetate for the perfect combination of style and sophistication.
Dior Black Suit R51
Dior is one of the biggest names in all of fashion, and that means that virtually every avenue is covered. These round sunglasses have a thicker frame for larger-faced men and make a statement in more ways than just one. Impeccable style says one thing, Dior says you won’t settle for anything less than the best.
Thierry Lasry Kingdomy
These are perfect for prescription-based needs. The French designer believes that groundbreaking designs inspire you to honor your self-identity. These glasses will be perfect once you insert your prescription tinted lenses.
Why wear round sunglasses?
If you have a square-shaped face round sunglasses will compliment your face. It adds a bit of balance to the width of your face. Round sunglasses have become increasingly popular recently for everyone. What has made round sunglasses so popular in the last couple of years? We have a few theories in mind:
Round sunglasses are nostalgic
The more alarming our modern world becomes, the more folks want to immerse themselves in the past. Larisa Ginzburg, the founder of the “modern nostalgic” sunglasses brand Vint & York, confirms this theory. “Round sunglasses were popular amongst intellectuals in the late 1920s and ’30s. They came around (no pun intended) a second time in the ’60s & ’70s, made famous by pop icons like John Lennon, Ozzy Osbourne, and many others.”
Granted, past eras like the 1900s and the 60s weren’t objectively better than now, but they do have the virtue of being over and done with. If we could teleport back to those eras now, we’d know exactly how things were going to turn out … and boy, wouldn’t that be nice for our current state of anxiety. Barring time travel, a pair of round sunglasses can give you a momentary hit of that comforting nostalgia, permission to mentally inhabit a time that, compared to today, seems a lot more innocent.
Round sunglasses in different decades
Over the past few decades, tech innovation has been changing our way of life with thrilling, chilling speed. In response, designers and stylists have drawn upon the aesthetic of past eras when innovation was moving at a similarly breathless pace — specifically the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Along with mind-blowing inventions like the airship and the automobile, and the harnessing of electricity, this era also happens to be when sunglasses debuted as a mainstream trend. In generations since, the “genius inventor” look has been replicated under both the steampunk and Afro-futurism trends, popularized most recently through films like Sherlock Holmes, Black Panther, and the upcoming Tesla biopic.
Minimalism
Western culture’s chronic overconsumption inspires trendsetters to strike back with a less cluttered, less complicated aesthetic. And what could be more minimal than the simple circle? It helps that this minimalist profile looks good on just about everybody.
What face shape works best with round lenses?
While many of you will want to rush out and get a pair of round sunglasses to look like your favorite pop superstars like Elton John, John Lennon, and Ozzy Osborn, you gents with the more angular faces will look best. If you have sharp cheekbones and/or a strong squared jawline, these glasses will soften your features and work well to round off your face. Maybe even causing you to be slightly less intimidating. If you do decide to pick up a pair of round sunglasses, do your best to ensure they are big enough to fit your face. If they are too small, you may end up looking too much like Morpheus from The Matrix.
