When I asked BAZAAR editors for a peek inside their everyday bags, nearly every person mentioned that their favorite sunglasses were stowed inside. Summer vacation, and even spring break, are weeks away, but it doesn't matter. UV-protection is an essential worth carrying all year and we clearly all appreciate the cool glamor of a tinted lens.
But just like the hobo bags and oversized totes we sling over our shoulders, no two editors prefer the exact same frames. (Though I'll note that black sunglasses appear more often than any other color.) The best sunglasses foranyone ultimately depend on a mix of factors: face shape, prescription, and general aesthetic preferences. Through trial and error, our team has found cat-eye, square, round, and circular glasses they can't leave home without.
With summer officially on the horizon, you can instantly wear our editors' suggestions everywhere from the Hamptons to your daily commute home. As our testimonials prove, BAZAAR editors' best sunglasses ahead are the finishing touch on a great outfit no matter the season.
"I recently discovered Le Specs and one style goes from bag to bag with me: Outta Love. I opted for a pair classic black, and they vaguely remind me of the iconic sunglasses Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wore from Selima Optique, which sit at the top of my sartorial wish list. The Le Spec pair is similarly simple but chic — and they work well with my round face. I also recently got the same style in limited edition moss green, and it’s spawned a new collection for me. Like Pokémon, I gotta catch them all. Oh, and the best part? They’re just under $70, so they can easily be replaced if you misplace your pair." —Daise Bedolla, interim social media manager
"These Elisa Johnson sunnies have been glued to my head since I first got them. I love how they're bold enough to add a little extra something to a simple T-shirt and jeans but still a traditional shape and style that works for me no matter the outfit. The tortoise-shell rim is a classic touch while the blue lenses are something unexpected." —Bianca Betancourt, culture editor
"Since I just placed an order for these Warby Parker sunglasses, they're not my most worn yet, but definitely will be soon. Not only am I obsessed with their modern yet timeless silhouette, but they're also my first-ever pair of shades with my glasses prescription built-in. While green is my favorite color, I opted to purchase them in jet black so they'll go with everything in my closet." —Tiffany Dodson, associate beauty commerce editor
"I bought these on a whim last summer in Paris. I'm so glad I did, because they've become my go-to pair. I think they're the perfect rounded sunglasses that give the vibe of a mini '90s style, but with a size that works for my round/oval face shape. I love to wear these with a trench coat and pants in the spring or even to the beach!" —Olivia Alchek, senior designer
"I love the slightly oversized feminine frame of these sunglasses and they go with everything. Even when I try to pair different sunglasses with an outfit, I still find myself swapping these in at the last minute." —Caitlyn Morton, senior visuals editor
"I love this frame because it's subtly oversized and works for so many face shapes. I wear them in every season. These sunglasses have some weight to them but it's not overpowering, and the lens is quite opaque. They work with so many different looks, from a winter white monochrome jacket and jeans to a a colorful bikini at the beach. They’re simply perfect!" —Jaclyn Alexandra Cohen, senior fashion and accessories editor
"I am a sunglasses fanatic, so I can’t say I have a favorite brand, but I have been into Velvet Canyon’s super flattering and classy styles recently, especially those with elongated rectangle frames." —Rosa Sanchez, senior news editor
"This pair of Ray-Bans have a '70s vibe that goes so nicely with the crochet dresses and sandals I'm wearing from now until September. And as someone who's a little maniacal about outfit coordination, I appreciate that the gold-tone frames match my go-to hoop earrings." –Halie LeSavage, fashion commerce editor
"These feel almost willfully untrendy in an era of narrow Y2K sunglasses, but that’s what I like about them: They’re timeless. I always go for big square frames because they’re so flattering, but it can be hard to find them sized for smaller faces like mine, so I appreciate that these come in multiple widths." —Izzy Grinspan, deputy digital editor
"I’ve had these sunglasses for more than six years and they remain my favorite pair. I love the smaller, angular cat-eye shape on my face, and the fact that the entire frame is plastic means my hair doesn’t snag on any part of it. They’re also super lightweight—an easy any-occasion go-to." —Ariana Marsh, senior features editor
"These are the perfect oversized cat-eye—so great for sun protection—in a caramel, mustardy shade shade that looks gorgeous with almost every single outfit I own." —Jenna Rosenstein, beauty director
"I love cat-eye-ish sunglasses, but not something exaggerated. The Linda Farrow Nieve features rectangular frames with the perfect slight angle and I'm obsessed with the new glossy white colorway for summer." —Alison Cohn, deputy fashion news editor
"I’ve always found that shades from major sunglasses companies like Ray-Ban are just a bit too narrow for my face. I love Quay, because the brand is similarly up-to-date with mainstream styles but with designs that also tend to flatter my face shape. These shades have been among my favorite Ray-Ban variants, and they easily go with any basic outfit. " —Sabrina Park, editorial and social
"I’ve always found that shades from major sunglasses companies like Ray-Ban are just a bit too narrow for my face. I love Quay, because the brand is similarly up-to-date with mainstream styles but with designs that also tend to flatter my face shape. These shades have been among my favorite frame variants, and they easily go with any basic outfit." —Sabrina Park, editorial and social media assistant
"Almost all of my favorite sunglasses are by Miu Miu. I think they are so whimsical and eccentric, like something you'd see worn by a fabulous older women on the Upper East Side. Every season they manage to release another crystal-embellished pair I love, like these.
Throwing this pair on for a weekend walk after a long night out help quite literally brings a sparkle to your eyes, and I particularly like how the sharpness of the shape contrasting with the femininity of the embellishments. It's a look that's definitively Miu Miu." —Tara Gonzalez, Senior Fashion Editor
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For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion, beauty, and lifestyle resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in fashion by working with the world’s leading authorities in ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, and more. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of editors and industry experts.
Halie LeSavage is the fashion commerce editor at Harper's BAZAAR. Her style reporting covers everything from reviewing the best designer products to profiling emerging brands and designers. Previously, she was the founding retail writer at Morning Brew and a fashion associate at Glamour.