The 10 trendiest sunglasses stylists say everyone will be wearing for the rest of summer

Sunglasses are instrumental for adding a certain je ne sais quoi to any street style look and, in my opinion, are necessary to own in multiple colors to coordinate with your color scheme of the day and up the cool factor of an outfit.

But if the words "proper UV-protective eyewear" make you worried that you'll have to toss your favorite stylish sunnies, take it from a style editor with a collection of nearly 20 sunglasses (hi), plus stylists and an optometrist and ophthalmologist: There are tons of top-rated sunglasses for women out there.

We found the cutest sunnies in every shape, color and style that also offer UV protection and polarization, all without crushing your savings. You don't even have to know where to look — we've done the work for you.

The best sunglasses for women in 2026

How we chose the best sunglasses for women

My goal for this list was to find a selection of sunglasses that served both a practical function (protecting your precious peepers from the harsh UV rays and glare of the sun) as well as a sartorial one — helping you feel confident and stylish.

I started by researching 30 different pairs of sunglasses from various popular brands as well as recommendations from social media users and Redditors. Based on quality, price point and style, I narrowed it down to 10 pairs that span the aesthetic gamut while providing real, reliable protection at a reasonable price.

I also spoke to experts — ophthalmologists and fashion stylists — to get their take on the best sunglasses for building your accessories wardrobe as well as what glasses shapes are best for your face and what the difference between UV protection and polarization actually is before solidifying my final recommendations.

What to consider when shopping for the best sunglasses

The key to finding your perfect pair of sunnies is to cover the basics of eye protection while narrowing down the styles that suit your face shape and make you feel stylish and confident. We spoke to two stylists, an ophthalmologist and an optometrist to get the scoop on what to keep in mind as you shop.

Frames

While there are thousands of different sunglasses styles out there, most can be sorted into one of the following classic frame shapes:

• Rectangleframes are a timeless pick. The horizontal shape is typically angular and streamlined, giving definition to the face.

• Squareframes have equal-length sides and are blockier than rectangular frames. While they tend to skew geometric, you can also find square frames that are softened and rounded out on the bottom.

• Roundframes often have a stylish, bohemian look to them (they're reminiscent of the '70s) and are great for softening harsh angles.

• Ovalframes have the same softening effect on the face as round frames do, but they offer more width and coverage, depending on how oversized they are.

• Wayfarerglasses have a slight trapezoid shape: wider on the top and rounded on the bottom. This frame style is based on the classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer frames.

• Cat-eyesunglasses are typically rounded on the bottom with pointed top corners. The upturned edges give the face a lifted appearance.

• Aviatorframes were originally invented for pilots to wear while flying. They're teardrop-shaped with a distinctive double-bridge frame and often made of metal.

• Wrap-aroundsilhouettes are typically used for sporty or outdoorsy occasions. The lenses aren't flat — instead, they curve around the face to offer greater sun and wind protection.

• Rimlessframes are exactly what they sound like: no frame border, just the lenses for a minimal look and a lightweight feel.

• Browline/half-frameglasses feature a defined upper frame and a rimless lower half. This shape offers strong brow definition and a face-framing effect.

Face shape

Brendan Cannon , fashion stylist at Cannon Media Group, says it can sometimes be helpful to use your face shape as a guide to narrow down frame shapes and styles. He weighs in on some of the most common face shapes and the styles he often recommends for each one:

• Oval: "Most styles work well on oval faces, including aviators, square frames, cat-eye styles and oversized sunglasses," says Cannon. "The goal is to maintain the face's natural balance and not overwhelm it."

• Round: If you have softer angles or fuller cheeks, Canon says that he likes to recommend angular frames that create contrast and definition. Think square, rectangular, geometric or wayfarer styles.

• Square: "I like curved frames like round, oval and softer aviator shapes paired with the strong jawlines and angular features of a square face," says Cannon.

• Heart-shaped: Those with heart-shaped faces that feature narrower jaws and chins might like frames that are slightly wider at the bottom along with round, oval, rimless or lightly-framed styles. "Cat-eye styles can also work beautifully," Cannon notes.

• Diamond: If you have prominent cheekbones and a narrower forehead and chin, "oval, cat-eye, rimless or gently-curved frames highlight those cheekbones while softening angular features if that's something you're looking for," Cannon explains.

Materials

Though the lens is the most important part of a pair of sunnies, the material the frame is made of can impact the weight of the glasses and how they feel on the face as well as the overall style and appearance. Here are three common materials you'll see sunglasses made of:

• Acetate and other performance plasticsoffer durability and the ability to create rich colors. It's typically an affordable material.

• Metalgives a sleeker and more refined look. Depending on the thickness of the frame, they may be slightly heavier on the face.

• Titaniumis "exceptionally strong, lightweight and corrosion-resistant, this is a premium option," explains Cannon.

Fit

Personal style is a big consideration, but keep in mind the practical security and coverage of your frames as well. Dr. Jennifer Wademan , VSP Network optometrist, mentions that she often recommends that her patients match the style of their sunglasses to their lifestyle.

If you play sports or are often participating in outdoor activities, she recommends "looking for styles that offer a secure fit and more coverage to help shield your eyes from UV exposure at multiple angles." If you're looking for a more casual pair for everyday wear, you have options ranging from classic, timeless wayfarers to funky colors and shapes available to you — just keep in mind that, according to Dr. Wademan, "It's still important that they provide adequate protection and fit well."

The size of your glasses matters too: "Larger lenses and wraparound styles can help reduce UV exposure from the sides, top and bottom of the frame," she explains, while smaller styles are trending but offer less coverage.

UV protection

The best sunglasses for women are also designed to help you maintain eye health for years to come. "Eye-care professionals see daily evidence that good sunglasses are far more than a fashion accessory," says Dr. Karen Allison , ophthalmologist and associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at the University of Rochester. "It's common for patients to present with eye conditions that could have been prevented — or at least significantly reduced — through consistent use of proper UV-protective eyewear."

This is the most important, non-negotiable feature of a pair of sunglasses — which is why every single pair on our list has UV protection. "Sun damage is cumulative over time and can increase the risk of conditions like cataracts and other eye health concerns," explains Dr. Wademan. "UV protection helps safeguard both your immediate comfort and your long-term eye health." Keep in mind that people with lighter eyes, those living at higher altitudes and those with a personal or family history of cataracts often have an increased sensitivity to UV rays and therefore a greater need to prioritize UV protection.

Lens color and tint

"One of the most common misconceptions is that darker lenses automatically provide better protection," says Dr. Allison. It turns out that darkness has nothing to do with UV filtering. "A pair of inexpensive, dark‑tinted glasses without proper UV protection can be more harmful than wearing no sunglasses at all, because the darkness causes the pupils to dilate, allowing even more damaging rays to enter the eye."

That being said, lens color does impact how you see the world around you and also makes an aesthetic difference.

• "Dark gray or brown lensestend to feel classic and sophisticated," Cannon says.

• Amber or greenlenses offer good contrast with decent color balance.

• "Colored or mirrored lensescreate a more fashion-forward statement," Cannon explains.

• Lighter lenses (think yellow, gold, orange, etc.)are trendy but not as ideal for bright sunlight.

Polarization

What do polarized sunglasses actually do? "Though often mistaken for UV protection, the two are unrelated," Dr. Allison explains. "Polarized lenses reduce glare from reflective surfaces such as water, snow and pavement, making them particularly useful for driving, boating and outdoor sports."

Note that polarization alone doesn't block UV rays, although non-polarized glasses may still offer great UV protection if properly labeled as such.

Best sunglasses FAQs

Is it actually important to wear sunglasses?

Yes, it is. Wearing sunglasses is not just a style statement — it's also a preventative measure. "Conditions such as early cataract formation, pterygium, photokeratitis and even worsening dry eye symptoms often have a strong connection to cumulative ultraviolet exposure," Dr. Allison explains.

"Because these problems develop slowly over time, patients rarely connect their symptoms to years of unprotected sunlight, yet the link is unmistakable to those who treat them." Dr. Allison also explains that sunglasses are important all year long, not just during the summer or on sunny days. "UV radiation penetrates clouds and reflects off surfaces year‑round, making consistent protection essential regardless of season or weather.

How can you tell if your sunglasses are actually polarized?

Polarization is designed to reduce glare, and there are two nifty tests to check: try looking at a reflective surface (like water or the windshield of a car) and rotate your head to the side to see if the glare reduces as you tilt your head. You can also look a phone or computer screen with your glasses on and slowly rotate it away from your face. If, at some point, the screen goes dark, it's likely that your lenses are polarized.

What should people with low nose bridges look for in a pair of sunglasses?

If you have a lower nose bridge, you may struggle with sunglasses touching your cheeks or constantly sliding down your face. Look for glasses that are labelled "low-bridge fit" or "Asian fit" as they're likely to be a much more comfortable fit. "These sunglasses typically feature larger or adjustable nose pads and better clearance between the lenses and the cheeks," explains Cannon.

Meet our experts

• Dr. Karen Allison , ophthalmologist and associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at the University of Rochester

• Brendan Cannon , fashion stylist at Cannon Media Group

• Aricia Symes , stylist and founder of personal styling company Unfoldid

• Dr. Jennifer Wademan , VSP Network optometrist