Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style
  3. Evergreens

9 types of sunglasses every man should know

man wearing sunglasses
Brooke Cagle/Unsplash / Unsplash

If you’re looking to spice up any outfit, there’s no better accessory than a pair of sunglasses. These simple pieces can help elevate your look while acting as a practical item against the sun. And while you can pick out sunglasses by brand, there’s another factor to consider before purchasing a pair. 

With various types of sunglasses on the market, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by certain characteristics of each type. From classic to modern styles, there’s always a type that can suit your facial structure or preference. Certain oversized styles can appeal to more fashion-forward and bold users, while classic styles like an aviator shape can give you a more sophisticated look. Depending on what you’re looking for, the type of sunglasses can make a huge difference in whether you feel confident and stylish.  

Recommended Videos

Aviator sunglasses

man wearing aviator sunglasses in a car
Carl Nenzen Loven/Unsplash / Unsplash

The most classic style on the market is the aviator shape. This iconic shape can be seen everywhere, including in movies and on the red carpet. There’s no doubt you’ve seen aviator sunglasses, especially after they were made even more famous by Tom Cruise’s Top Gun movie series. These sunglasses are composed of a tear-drop lens shape and metal framing. The lenses are typically dark-colored or mirrored and can give you the classic pilot’s appearance. Regardless of style, the aviator shape is one of the safest bets when it comes to the types of sunglasses for men. 

Wayfarer sunglasses

man wearing black wayfarer sunglasses
iiii iiii/Pexels / Pexels

Another classic shape comes thanks to Ray-Ban. The wayfarer sunglass is another sophisticated look that can give a less Hollywood-esque look and a more elegant touch. Composed of a rectangular shape, a wide top rim, rounded lenses, and winged-like corners. These shapes can come in various hues but will typically be found in black frames and lenses. 

Clubmaster sunglasses

person holding up Clubmaster sunglasses
Birk Enwald/Unsplash / Unsplash

While a similar shape to the wayfarer style, the clubmaster is known for its relaxed yet put-together look. Unlike the wayfarer shape, the clubmaster look has a thick browline that sits above thin lenses. You’ll also find that these glasses come with ombre-colored lenses, which make for a perfect vacation piece as the aviator and wayfarer style, this shape can give you a more classic look and is mostly sought-after for stylish vacations. 

Round sunglasses

man wearing round sunglasses and headphones
Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels / Pexels

When picking a style that can help bring more attention to your facial features, you can’t go wrong with a pair of round sunglasses. A pair of rounded sunglasses can help bring focus to your face, no matter the outfit. These easy-to-wear sunglasses are often depicted with transparent lenses when looking for a more intellectual and sophisticated style. You can also opt for tinted lenses for other activities or events. If you want to stray from the most obvious styles, a pair of round sunglasses will do the trick.

Rimless sunglasses

Jamie Foxx wearing rimless sunglasses
Prive Revaux / Prive Revaux

For those looking for something modern and less common, rimless or frameless sunglasses can give you this look. These sunglasses are composed of just lenses, which typically come in semi-transparent to ombre-tinted colors. While they’re a more modern touch, they’re a perfect piece to give you the trendy Y2K style. Made popular in the ‘90s to the 2000s, these sunglasses are a futuristic style that screams nostalgia. 

Semi-Rimless sunglasses

man leaning on wall wearing semi-rimless glasses
Ivana Cajina/Unsplash / Unsplash

Just as iconic as the rimless sunglasses are, you can get the same style with a little more protection and structure. If you’re worried about crossing too much into the Y2K look, a semi-rimless shape can be the balance of modern and retro styles. With a thin frame along the top of the lenses, a semi-rimless sunglass can still help your face feel free of excess coverage. This style is perfect for those who want sunglasses that don’t cover all your facial features and still let you shine. 

Wraparound sunglasses

wraparound sunglasses sitting on ledge
Austin P/Unsplash / Unsplash

If you want a modern approach, wraparound sunglasses will give you that ultra-futuristic flair. With lenses that contour the face and extend past the eye area, these sunglasses typically come with polarized lenses to help protect against the sun. Because of their peculiar shape and lenses, these sunglasses are mostly seen during sport-related activities. However, in recent seasons, these sunglasses have become more common in everyday outfits, as they can give you a trendier and more mysterious look. 

Oversized sunglasses

man wearing oversized sunglasses
Renee Thompson/Unsplash / Unsplash

An oversized look could be the best mixture if more than one style appeals to you. With a trendy oversized frame and lens, you can pick any style you prefer. Simply opt for wider lenses that completely cover the eye area. While they stand out more, they are an easy way to get a trendy look without opting for an out-of-the-box shape. Grabbing oversized sunglasses is an easy way to still get a classic look that’s modern and on-trend. 

No matter the type of men’s sunglasses you choose, there are plenty that can fit into your style and preferences. When picking out your next pair of sunglasses, you can also alter the look and feel of these shapes by opting for a different type of lens. Opting for a transparent, polarized, dark, or ombre lens can drastically change the look of your sunglasses and can work to complete your look. 

Leslie is a Los Angeles-based writer and content creator. After attaining a bachelor’s degree in journalism from California… Read Full Bio
The 7 best Canada Goose jackets for men this winter
Canada Goose

For three quarters of a century, Canada Goose has been one of the go-to places for luxury snow gear. There are a lot of choices you can make when looking for the best coats or the things you need to survive the cold weather. Of course, there is also the dozens of brands that you can look for, and it can get relatively overwhelming. In an oversaturated industry, a brand born in the snowy plains of Canada is the best option. We took the time to do a deep dive for the best Canada Goose jackets for men to come up with a list of the top seven you need for the 2025.

Read more
The best casual watches for men (to upgrade your everyday style)
Work wear blues watch close up

Watches are more than a tool. They are more than an accessory. They are the kind of tool and accessory that make a statement. They are an expression. They are a statement. A man can look incredible: the right top, the right bottom, great shoes, great hat. The wrong watch can ruin a look, or even the whole essence. Here is the rub: the wrong watch can be subjective. For instance, most people will tell you that a Timex broken watch isn’t the right watch for a pinstripe power suit. However, it was my grandfather’s watch, and I wear it anytime I need him and his guidance. The point? That is never the wrong watch. Once you find a casual watch that works for you, it will be your everyday wear and will never be the wrong watch.

That is what I collected here: The best of the casual watches you can pick up today that will become your everyday wear.

Read more
Audemars Piguet launches pre-owned program to rival the titan of the second-hand watch market
Audemars Piguet

Rolex has dominated the watch world for nearly a century. The industry is a deep and complicated web of luxury houses and independent hopefuls. While brands like Patek Phillipe and Cartier vie for their place on the podium, Rolex holds a death grip on the chronophile’s aspirational collection checklist. But Audemars Piguet has decided to challenge them somewhere most other brands are deciding to ignore: the pre-owned market. Now, while something like the Royal Oak is an icon among enthusiasts, AP launching their own certified pre-owned marketplace to chase the reported $1 billion Rolex pie will certainly upset the market.

Like I said, it is a deep and complicated web, so I sat down with a horological expert and founder of WatchGuys, (317K on Instagram), Robertino Altieri, to have him walk me through what this means for watches and their passionate collectors.

Read more