Sunglasses are essential in protecting our eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Long-term exposure to sunlight can cause eye damage, such as cataract formation and cancers of the eyelid (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma).
To protect your eyes from UV rays, remember these tips when shopping for the best sunglasses for women:
- Look for the “blocks 100% of UV rays” sticker or tag
- Oversized glasses offer better protection
- Darker lenses don’t necessarily protect better
- Lens color does not matter with UV protection
- Polarized lenses don’t protect against UV rays (they cut glare)
Sunglasses are also an important part of a woman’s outfit. Whether you’re looking for high-fashion or sensible sunglasses, many styles and shapes are available to protect your eyes from sun damage.
Ray-Ban
Best Classic Style
Ray-Ban is a popular brand of eyewear known for its high-quality and classic aviator sunglasses. All their sunglasses have UV protection.
Ray Bans have a large selection of sunglasses for women, including various shapes, sizes, and styles. They offer unique collections with other high-end brands such as Ferrari and Disney.
Lenses can be customized to fit your needs, including:
- Prescription lenses. Add your prescription to any frame.
- Digital lifestyle lenses. Filters blue light and minimizes yellow tint.
- Dynamic lifestyle lenses. Transition lenses that block 100% for the sun and filter blue light.
Lady Burbank
Jackie Ohh II
Where to Buy Sunglasses
Biggest Selection: GlassesUSA
Fastest Delivery: EyeBuyDirect
Best Independent Retailer: Warby Parker
Warby Parker
Best Prescription Sunglasses
Warby Parker offers great prices, great style, and a great cause. For every pair of glasses they sell, they donate a pair to a person in need.
They design their glasses in-house and sell directly to the customer. All their sunglasses offer 100% UV protection and automatically come with scratch- and glare-resistant coating.
All frames and lenses can be customized with your prescription. Frames can also be tried on at home. Pick numerous pairs you like, and they’ll mail them to you for free to try on. They also offer a virtual try-on feature.
Harris
Raider
Amelia E.
Most Luxurious
Amelia E. sunglasses are designed with Hollywood glamor in mind. They have a unique design that embodies high fashion and luxury.
Frames come in all shapes and sizes and a variety of colors and patterns, including classic oversized sunglasses. You can also choose from several different metal frames such as metal, plastic, and stainless steel.
Most Amelia E. sunglasses are prescription eligible.
Amelia E. Starlet
Amelia E. Duchess
Ottoto
Most Fashionable
Ottoto frames are inspired by Italian design and offer a unique fashionable style to elevate your look.
The Ottoto style exhibits a smaller, rounder frame that looks stylish and trendy. Frames come in a variety of colors and metals.
You can customize your Ottoto frames to fit your prescription.
Ottoto Morse
Ottoto Del Potro
Muse
Best Vintage
Muse sunglasses combine a vintage look with a contemporary style.
They come in various shapes and sizes that will give your outfit retro vibes. Colors range from classic black to extravagant purple.
Muse lenses are prescription eligible.
Muse Granada
Muse M2014
Coach
Most Timeless Design
Coach is a well-known, high-end brand that mixes attitude and retro with classic style. Coach is known for its timeless designs and luxury statements.
Coach sunglasses tend to have bigger lenses that protect the face and eyes from UV rays. Colors tend to be classic and muted, but a few frames offer bolder colors.
Coach HC8352
Coach HC8314
Persol
Most Unique
Persol, which translates to “for the sun,” is a high-end Italian eyeglass brand that has been around since 1917. The signature VictorFlex sword pieces give Persol their flexibility.
Persol’s unique style is rooted in its flagship 649 frame style that included the “3-notch bridge” Meflecto system that became popular among the Hollywood crowd back in the 1960s.
Today, Persol frames come in a variety of shapes and sizes but still contain the signature sword icons they’re known for.
Persol PO3108S
Persol P03269S
Quay Australia
Trendiest
Quay Australia eyewear prides itself on making you feel like the biggest, boldest version of yourself.
Quay sunglasses come in a variety of styles ranging from classic and retro (think cat eye sunglasses) to trendy. Bold colors make these sunglasses fun and hip.
Many of Quay’s bestsellers are available for prescription. Virtually try them on before you buy.
After Hours
Level Up
Vogue
Most Stylish
Vogue sunglasses offer young, hip, and stylish frame designs that complete your look without breaking the bank. The Vogue brand is geared toward the younger crowd.
They currently have the Hailey Bieber X Vogue Eyewear Collection that includes a variety of styles and frame designs.
VO5440S-Hailey Bieber
VO5361S
Michael Kors
Most Feminine
Michael Kors is a staple of high-fashion and sleek, simple design.
Michael Kors sunglasses offer a feminine touch with a classic feel and timeless style similar to his clothing line.
Frames come in a wide variety of styles and colors. Most frames are also eligible for prescriptions.
Michael Kors MK2137U Anaheim
Michael Kors MK2149U Geneva
Oakley
Most Sporty
Oakley sunglasses are known as sports sunglasses. They are stylish and durable sunglasses, and they can withstand abuse during outdoor activities.
Oakley sunglasses also filter UV rays directly through the lenses rather than a protective coating, ensuring eye safety if the glasses get scratched.
Not all frames are prescription eligible.
Oakley OO9222 Pasque
Oakley OO9265 Latch
Saint Laurent
Most Sophisticated
Saint Laurent is a high-end fashion brand that embodies sophistication. Saint Laurent sunglasses are designed to make you look good with high-class professional frames. They’re also expensive.
Their styles are unique and come in a variety of shapes and metals. Colors range from classic to bold. Most frames are prescription eligible.
Saint Laurent SL 384
Saint Laurent SL 28
Prada
Most Fashion Forward
Prada is known for combining minimalist design with a modern influence. Prada sunglasses are designed with high-quality materials and innovative designs.
Prada is a luxury brand, which is reflected in the price. The bold, thick design gives Prada sunglasses their signature look.
Most frames are prescription eligible.
Prada PR 21XS
Prada PR 58WS
Knockaround
Most Affordable
Knockaround prides itself on being both a great value and creative, offering loud, bold, and fun frames that highlight your style on a budget.
You can customize the colors of each frame to give you a unique, one-of-a-kind pair of sunglasses. It also offers quality frames for outdoor activities (fishing, hiking, golf, etc).
Knockaround sunglasses are not prescription eligible, but they offer a blue light protection lens option.
Paso Robles
Mai Tais Watermelon Geode
Zenni
Best Frame Selection
Zenni Optical created an eyewear brand that offers “Eyewear to Everyone.” The goal of Zenni is to make affordable glasses look great.
Zenni has a large variety of frames to choose from, including all sizes, shapes, and styles. Their sunglasses have UV protection and most can be customized with a prescription.
Azalea
Square Glasses
Eyebuydirect
Best Value
Eyebuydirect is a wholesale online eyewear shop that sells a wide variety of women’s sunglasses in various brands. It is a one-stop shop for eyewear.
They offer sunglasses at every price point, and most of them can be customized to fit your prescription. If you’re looking for the best value, try Eyebuydirect.
Arnette AN4303 Poll-Ock
Ocean
In this article
Best Places to Buy Glasses
Best Overall
Warby Parker has stylish, high-quality frames at affordable prices.
Also Great
Liingo Eyewear is another great option to buy glasses online.
Best on a Budget
EyeBuyDirect has a wide variety of budget frames starting at $6.
Best Places to Buy Contacts
Best Overall
Discount Contacts is our #1 recommendation to buy contacts online.
Also Great
GlassesUSA has a huge selection of contacts, glasses, & sunglasses.