How important is it to wear sunglasses?

On bright days it’s important to be mindful of protecting your eyes. “Just like sunscreen helps to prevent skin burning and protects the skin from harmful UV rays, polarized sunglasses also help to protect the eye,” says Conroy. “There are several structures within the eye that can be negatively affected by the sun's UV rays. High-quality eyewear for the sun can help to protect those structures and prevent long-term damage that could potentially be visually devastating.”

Are wraparound sunglasses better?

Finding the right sunglasses is about choosing a style that you’ll wear most—that makes you feel both comfortable and confident. That being said, there are some benefits to wraparound styles. They help to protect the side of your eyes from the bright sun, and they are designed to fit your face more ergonomically, which is great for exercise.

The 8 Best Wraparound Sunglasses of 2023

1999 was the year The Matrix first came out. It was also the year that Brad Pitt arrived on the Emmys red carpet wearing a pair of silver Oakleys. It was the peak era of wraparound sunglasses—the sporty silhouette with a futuristic bent to it. While the silhouette has remained popular over time with performance brands, when it comes to the trend cycle, they fell out of favor only to return over the last few years.

"The sporty trend has opened its doors to those not only seeking practical high-performance eyewear but also those attracted to the active-inspired, protective silhouettes boasting high fashion aesthetics,” says Heather Stewart-Feldman, Global eCommerce Assortment & Storytelling Curator at EssilorLuxottica. “Wraparound sunglasses appeal because they are the perfect streetwear counterpart; stylish, technical, architectural, retro, bold, comfy, and unisex. Allowing you to achieve a relaxed yet sophisticated look.”

The best modern styles effortlessly blend practicality and design—offering something for minimalists, bold dresses, and athletes alike. Ahead, find the styles that have been researched and approved by Byrdie to help you embrace the trend.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Prada Linea Rossa at Sunglasshut.com

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Best Budget:

Le Specs Dotcom Sunglasses at Citybeach.com

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Best Splurge:

GIVENCHY EYEWEAR Aviator-style silver-tone sunglasses at Net-a-Porter

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Best For Running:

Oakley Radar EV at Belk.com

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Best Colorful:

Grey Ant Wraparound Sunglasses at Nordstrom

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Best Minimalist:

Lexxola Neo D Frame at Lexxola.com

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Best Oversized:

Port Tanger Ruh-D Sunglasses at Matchesfashion.com

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Best Statement:

Dior Lady 9522 Sunglasses at Neiman Marcus

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

Prada

View On Sunglasshut.com

A favorite of Stewart-Feldman’s, these Prada sunglasses are a throwback to the brand’s Prada Sport line, which had its heyday during the late ‘90s and early ‘00s. The silhouette is sporty and minimalist, perfect for styling with downtown cool staples like baggy jeans and Adidas Sambas.

Price at the time of publish: $343

Frame: Polycarbonate | Color: Black

Le Specs

View On Citybeach.com View On Lespecs.com View On Shopbop.com

Looking for an under-$100 pair of sunglasses? I always turn to Le Specs for their on-trend designs. These wraparound sunglasses are sporty yet soft, with round lenses and a sleek black frame. If you want to take a small dip into the trend, this is the low-stakes way to try it out.

Price at the time of publish: $75

Frame: Plastic | Color: Black

GIVENCHY EYEWEAR Aviator-style silver-tone sunglasses

Net-A-Porter

View On Net-a-Porter

Look back on celebrity red carpets from the early aughts, and they’re full of stars wearing similar rimless wraparound glasses, what my dad lovingly referred to as “blaster shades” back in the day. The futuristic feel of these sunglasses, with metal arms and the Givenchy logo, placed front and center, make them perfect for pairing with both vintage finds and everyday basics.

Price at the time of publish: $408

Frame: Metal | Color: Silver

Zappos

View On Belk.com View On Macy's View On Opticsplanet.com

Running presents its own set of problems when it comes to sunglasses shopping. You need a style that is light enough not to bounce around and hugs your nose tight enough that won’t slip once you start to sweat. Oakley is a favorite name in sporty sunglasses, and this silhouette is one that reviewers reported buying in multiples.

Price at the time of publish: $211

Frame: Nylon composite | Color: Black

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom

Don’t underestimate the power of a pair of bold sunglasses to transform your entire outfit. Grey Ant’s bright pink frames add a neon punch to even the most subdued look. Plus, the abrasion-proof lenses mean that you won’t have to worry about them getting scuffed when you throw them in your bag or wear them throughout the summer.

Price at the time of publish: $225

Frame: Acetate | Color: Pink

Net-A-Porter

View On Lexxola.com View On Net-a-Porter

Simply cool, that’s how I’d describe Lexxola’s ‘90s-inspired Neo D sunglasses. I’m personally a fan of colored lenses for those days when it’s not fully sunny, but still bright enough to warrant wearing something to protect your eyes. My one tip: since they’re see-through, make sure you don’t forget that everyone else can see where you’re looking.

Price at the time of publish: $270

Frame: Acetate | Color: Black

Net-A-Porter

View On Matchesfashion.com View On Net-a-Porter

Is Iris Apfel among your style muses? Then these large sculptural glasses from Port Tangier might just be the style for you. The oversized silhouette will uniquely frame your face, with the wraparound silhouette acting almost as a pair of goggles.

Price at the time of publish: $290

Frame: Acetate | Color: Dark green

Neiman Marcus

View On Neiman Marcus

If you want a pair of sunglasses that’s made for a killer street style shot or Instagram selfie, then Dior’s rounded wrap sunglasses are just the thing. Designed with the brand’s signature Cannage detailing, they’re just as well suited to a Palm Spring seat poolside or a Brooklyn roof party.

Price at the time of publish: $630

Frame: Acetate | Color: Black

Final Verdict

Our favorite overall pick is Prada’s Linea Rossa sunglasses because of their simple, sleek design that captures the trend but is ultimately timeless. If your primary purpose for purchasing wraparound sunglasses is for exercise, try Oakley’s Radar glasses, which are designed with movement in mind. If you want a trendier option, Port Tangier and Lexxola are great options.

What to Look for in Wraparound Sunglasses

Design Details

“Since the trend pulls from such a wide array of brands, styles, colors, and material combos, there is seriously something for everyone,” says Stewart-Feldman. For sporty versions, look to performance-focused brands such as Oakley, while fashion-forward means looking to the likes of Dior or Givenchy.

Lenses

“High-quality sunglasses lenses are UVA/UVB filtered and are available polarized or with a fashion tint,” says Dr. Jessica Conroy, OD, FAAO, FSLS. “Fashion-tinted sunglasses come in some great colors and reduce the brightness of the light. Polarized lenses are what offer glare reduction and reduce additional eyestrain, which means you won't squint behind your sunglasses anymore. The most visually comfortable ones will also have a mirrored front surface and a non-glare coating added to the back of the lens.” Conroy recommends speaking to an optician to find what’s best for you.

Technical Features

If your wraparound sunglasses are going to be worn for exercise, make sure that they can withstand movement and sweat. “You’ll want to look for lightweight streamlined wraps, think bio-nylon, with technical lens treatments like Oakley’s Prizm and comfort-enhancing details like rubber nose pads and temple tips,” suggests Stewart-Feldman.

FAQ

How important is it to wear sunglasses?

On bright days it’s important to be mindful of protecting your eyes. “Just like sunscreen helps to prevent skin burning and protects the skin from harmful UV rays, polarized sunglasses also help to protect the eye,” says Conroy. “There are several structures within the eye that can be negatively affected by the sun's UV rays. High-quality eyewear for the sun can help to protect those structures and prevent long-term damage that could potentially be visually devastating.”
Are wraparound sunglasses better?

Finding the right sunglasses is about choosing a style that you’ll wear most—that makes you feel both comfortable and confident. That being said, there are some benefits to wraparound styles. They help to protect the side of your eyes from the bright sun, and they are designed to fit your face more ergonomically, which is great for exercise.

Why Trust Byrdie

Aemilia Madden is a writer and editor who has spent the last decade covering the latest trends and advancements in the fashion space. She is an editor and brand consultant and her latest work can be found in Harper’s Bazaar, L’Officiel, Fashionista, Vogue, and more. As a fashion editor and a runner, Aemilia has tested hundreds of sunglasses—both for style and sport.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough wraparound sunglasses from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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