When the weather starts to warm up, I’m barely ever indoors.
Yes, gentlemen, the time is here. It’s time to bust out your shades.
Of course, sunglasses work year-round, but it’s crucial to have a pair to protect your eyes during the spring and summer.
Oh, and they’re also scientifically proven to make you look more attractive.
So to welcome the warmer weather, I’ve put together a list of my six favorite sunglasses this year.
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The 6 Best Men’s Sunglasses in 2021
Most Stylish: Selfmade Douglass II
Selfmade was born in San Diego, and their sunglasses are built for the strivers and doers in the world.
Of all their frames, the Douglass II is my favorite (though the Carnegie II is a close second)
What I Like
The Sunrise color (pictured above) is polarized.
The hexagonal top shape is unique and gives these a distinctive look I haven’t found elsewhere.
Selfmade uses triple-hinges, which make for very sturdy and secure arms.
What I Don’t Like
Not all Douglass II frames have polarized lenses.
What Other Reviewers Say
Selfmade is a fairly new company, so there aren’t a ton of reviews. But for a full detailed breakdown of all their frames, you can check out my review here.
The Verdict
The Selfmade Douglass II tops my list of best sunglasses because of how unique they are, especially considering the price. Some designer brands can get you a one-of-a-kind type of look, but the price is a bit far out there. In my opinion, to get the best possible quality in a pair of sunglasses, it would cost around $200. Anything beyond that is just branding.
While Selfmade is a fairly new brand, they’re filling in the gap of vintage-inspired and high quality sunglasses that don’t rest on branding to get by.
These frames have what look like an octagonal shape from the temple and above, but a rounded shape at the bottom. Pair that with a keyhole bridge and two gold details at the front, and you get one sexy looking set of frames.
Most Versatile: MessyWeekend Copenhagen New Depp
MessyWeekend Copenhagen has been making stylish sunglasses and saving the world for two years running. For each purchase made, the brand commits to clearing 2kg of plastic from the Pacific ocean.
What I Like
The shape is versatile and fits most face shapes.
Full UV400 protection.
Outstanding value.
Each purchase makes a significant impact on the environment.
What I Don’t Like
While there are five cool, modern colorways, there’s no option to change the lens.
What Other Reviewers Say
Over 1,000 reviews on Trustpilot have landed MessyWeekend an “excellent” rating (>4.5 out of 5 stars).
I certainly thought the same when I took MessyWeekend for a spin.
The Verdict
If you’re looking to pick up a pair of shades that have the look and feel of designer sunglasses but at half the cost, you’ll want to check out MessyWeekend.
Their commitment to the planet means you can feel good about every purchase you make, so why not pick up two pairs while you’re at it.
While I felt the New Depp was the most versatile shape, MW also offers a variety of modern looks at a fantastic price.
With their ful UV400 protection and a versatile shape that'll fit most face shapes, the Copenhagen New Depp by Messy Weekend packs designer value at half the price. Oh, and they'll haul 2kg of plastic out of the oceans for every purchase made.
Best Luxury: Illesteva Eldridge
New York based Illesteva Eldridge crafts their sunglasses in Italy and France. Yes, they’re designer, and the cost reflects that. But there’s something about these sunglasses that’s undeniably awesome.
What I Like
One-of-a-kind design. The details on these frames are impeccable, from the clean notches along the bridge and subtle rounding at the corners.
Fully crafted in Italy, with top quality acetate.
Comes with a complimentary leather hard shell case.
What I Don’t Like
Illesteva is a luxe product with a luxe price tag. Still, I think the value is there.
The lenses aren’t very dark, so sometimes I still find myself squinting when I wear them.
What Other Reviewers Say
Over 100 folks on the Illesteva Facebook page give the brand a 4.7 out of 5 star average. Many reviewers mentioned going back and getting a second pair after experiencing the quality.
The Verdict
If you’re in the mood for a deluxe pair of sunglasses, Illesteva has the construction and feel of designer sunglasses, but they’re not ridiculously priced.
They have a very similar design to the New Depp from MessyWeekend, but there are stronger cuts along the bridge and brow. It’s for you to decide whether that little bit of extra refinement is worth the jump in price tag.
For me, there’s a time and place for both. While the Eldridge is closer to the top-end of what we’d pay for sunglasses, the quality is apparent.
Italian crafted with top quality acetate, the Illesteva Eldridge boasts impeccable attention to detail and a versatile design to fit a wide range of face shapes.
Best Aviators: Vincero Aviators
Vincero has made a name for themselves with their affordably priced luxury watches.
They’ve taken some of their manufacturing know-how and created a small lineup of sunglasses that embody the hard-edged masculine look
What I Like
Return your glasses within 30 days, no questions asked.
The frames come with a cool marble inlay. If you get a Vincero watch, they’ll match.
Good balance of squareness and roundness so it’s flattering for most face shapes.
20% off if you use the code TAM20.
What I Don’t Like
Vincero is a watch company at its core. They don’t have many style options available for sunglasses.
What Other Reviewers Say
Vincero’s site boasts over 20,000 reviews that average out to a 4.8-star rating. With that many positive reviews, it’s hard not to believe this brand knows what they’re doing.
The Verdict
While Vincero will always focus on their watches, their line of mens sunglasses look solid. There aren’t a ton of color options, but if you like the look of the Aviators, we can attest to the quality Vincero brings to every product they make.
These shades have made their way around in pop culture, all the while becoming a historical style icon thanks to General MacArthur. Their large lenses are ideal for several face shapes, from oval to square.
Best Under $50: Blenders Eyewear North Park
Blenders Eyewear is all about hitting the beach. While their North Park is more along the lines of standard sunglasses, they have a few new additions that look straight out of an 80s action movie. And I mean that in the best way possible.
Check out my review to see what I thought about five of their other frames.
What I Like
These sunglasses are fairly inexpensive, so they’re a great value for the quality.
Generous shipping and return policy.
Polarized lenses are a must for anyone with sensitive eyes.
What I Don’t Like
These only come with a soft micro-fiber—no hard case.
What Other Reviewers Say
These sunglasses have over 6,500 reviews that all average out to 4.9 out of 5 stars. I’m just left in awe of how Blenders managed to get that many people to leave a review.
The Verdict
If you’re looking to hit the beach this summer, don’t leave without a pair of Blenders.
While I’m a big fan of their North Park and Hexagram frames, they also have completely unique designs like their Full Speed, which makes you want to rock a mullet, blast Kenny Loggins, and hit the beach volleyball courts all at the same time. They’re a beautiful blast from the past.
You shouldn’t expect a fancy carrying case. After all, the price is relatively low for these glasses, but the quality is great—they had to skimp somewhere. I don’t mind skipping the case.
So if you’re looking for an inexpensive pair of glasses that make a statement, Blenders is your guy.
High quality budget sunglasses featuring polarized lenses, a generous shipping and return policy, and supported by a raft of positive reviews online.
Best Icon: Ray-Ban Clubmaster
The Ray-Ban Wayfarer is up there with Levi’s 501 and the plain white t-shirt in the all-American fashion hall of fame. Their Clubmaster is nearly as iconic (and my preference).
What I Like
Amazon Prime eligible. Bezos is closing in on instantaneous shipping. You order the glasses and they appear on your face.
There’s a large variety of frame and lens colors.
You can choose the smaller 49mm or the 51mm (I recommend the 49mm).
What I Don’t Like
No warranty available.
Be careful you buy from a reputable Amazon source like Zappos. There are a lot of fakes out there.
What Other Reviewers Say
These Clubmasters have racked up stellar rating with over 3,000 reviews. Be careful who you buy it from. Some sellers are peddling fake Ray Bans. I recommend going with Zappos fulfilled through Amazon—that way you get the real deal.
The Verdict
If you’re going for a classic look from a trusted brand, the Clubmaster from Ray-Ban is hard to beat.
Buying them through Amazon has its benefits and drawbacks. There are some fakes out there, so make sure you buy through a trusted source like Zappos. You get a nice discount and hyper-fast free shipping through Amazon, but you don’t get a warranty. That said, Amazon is good about replacing products that arrive broken.
From Malcolm X starring Denzel Washington to the iconic Falling Down with Michael Douglas, Ray Ban's Clubmaster is an icon of retro chic style.
3 Things to Consider When Buying Sunglasses
1. Face Shape
If you haven’t done much sunglasses shopping in the past, don’t worry. There are a few simple rules to follow that will help you nab a pair of glasses that look tailor-made.
The most important aspect to consider is your face shape.
Some styles of glasses just won’t look good on your face.
Others will look perfect.
As a general rule, don’t pick up a pair of glasses that exactly match the shape of your face. If you have a square face, don’t get square glasses—instead get a pair with rounded edges like the Eldridge. If you have a round face, don’t go for completely round glasses—opt for shades that square up a bit, like the Clubmaster.
Of course, one of the main reasons the Douglass II takes our top spot is because it’s balanced to look great on just about any face shape.
2. Eye Protection
The right sunglasses will make you look cooler. There’s no doubt about that.
But they should also protect your eyes from UV rays while they’re earning you style points. With so many brands out there now, there’s no reason to pick a brand that doesn’t offer full UV protection.
And no, just because the lens is really dark doesn’t mean it blocks UV. Dark lenses can actually be worse for your eyes because they dilate your pupils and let more harmful UV into your eyes than without sunglasses.
No, you need something that offers absolute UV protection. This goes by a few different names, but all mean the same thing. Look for:
- 100% UV Protection
- UV400 Protection
- UV-A and UV-B Protection
Any one of those designations means you’ve got a shield up for your eyes.
3. Lens Type
Your sunglasses can have unique features beyond looking fantastic and keeping out UV. Depending on your circumstances, you may want a lens with one of these three abilities:
Blue Lens
Blue lenses block out blue-light, which we get all the time from our screens. Blue light is well known for its ability to disrupt sleep. If you spend a ton of time in front of a screen, some blue lens sunglasses can help your brain ease itself.
Polarized Lens
Polarized lenses are important if you’re around reflective surfaces or drive a lot. While good sunglasses all offer full UV protection, they can’t always keep up with intense glare. Polarized lenses are perfect if you’re around reflective surfaces often (water, roofs, driving, snow, etc.)
Photochromic
If you’re always in and out, a photochromic lens might be the ticket for you. This technology is what makes transition lenses possible.
When it’s bright outside, the lens gets darker. When it’s darker, or you’re inside, the lens lightens up.
Some brands offer photochromic lenses for their sunglasses now, too.
Suns Out, Shades On
Warm weather is on its way. Nothing beats throwing on a killer pair of shades in the middle of the day.
Our five favorite styles are perfect for going to the beach, sitting poolside, or just getting out around the town.
So what are you waiting for? Pick up one of these sunny stunners and consider yourself prepared for summer.
Want something fun, simple, and adventurous? Pick up a few of those silicon colored bands. Sure, they’re not hallmarks of great style, but they work in casual outfits when you’re not too worried about impressing.
So open up new possibilities for where and how you wear your watch. Once you’ve got your new strap, you’ll see what we mean.
These frames have what look like an octagonal shape from the temple and above, but a rounded shape at the bottom. Pair that with a keyhole bridge and two gold details at the front, and you get one sexy looking set of frames.
