Pala Eyewear founder, John Pritchard, shares his top tips on the science of finding the perfect pair of sunglasses.
A pair of sunglasses will likely be your most-worn summer accessory now that the sun is finally making more regular appearances, but finding a pair that suits your style and your face shape can be a challenge if you’re not sure where to start and your goal is to find the perfect pair to last a lifetime.
Did you know different frames are better suited to different face shapes and that even your hairstyle can make a difference? No, neither did we. That’s why we asked Pala Eyewear founder, John Pritchard, to answer our most pressing questions and share his expertise on the science of choosing sunglasses that can be worn for many summers to come.
Help! Why can’t I find a pair of sunglasses that suit me?
“The biggest challenge is simply understanding how a frame will work on your face,” says John. “How often do we find ourselves going through endless racks of sunglasses, pretty much working on a trial and error to find the shape that best suits us? It doesn’t have to be this way. There is a science finding a frame for your face; this is where you can save yourself time and effort by narrowing down your choices. This is particularly important if you are shopping online and want to ensure the frame you are buying is right for you without the hassle of having to return them in disappointment.
“So, the science. For the vast majority of us it’s all about bringing ‘balance’ to the face rather than accentuating your face shape. For example, if you have a round face then you look at a frame with angles to break the ‘roundness’ of the shape. Likewise, if you have a square face then you want a round frame to soften those lines. Once you’ve hit upon the shape(s) that work for you, you’ll know that any choices within those parameters will work. It’s then all down to personality and colour choices. Blend in with blacks and tortoiseshell colours or stand out a little more with crystal pinks and blues.”