Are Sunglasses Unisex? Your Question Answered

Oh no! Your favorite shades just broke! Time to head to the store to find a new pair. 

There are dozens and dozens to choose from. After all, in the U.S., $4.1 million in revenue was driven by the sales of sunglasses in the past year. As you browse through all the choices, you begin to wonder: Are sunglasses unisex?

Luckily, this article has you covered. To learn more about unisex sunglasses, be sure to keep reading!

Are Sunglasses Unisex

The answer is...yes and no. If the fit is right, it doesn't matter who that pair of sunglasses was made for. If you love the color and shape and the tint is just right, go ahead and snag them.

There are, however, some differences in the way men's sunglasses and women's sunglasses are designed. When you're out buying sunglasses, it might help to know what these differences are.

Check Out the Frame

Often, sunglass frames meant for women are either thinner and petite in size to fit a woman's smaller head, or they are overly large with the intention of making a woman's facial features seem smaller.

Sunglasses designed for women frequently boast more artsy details such as emblems or jewels to make them stand out.

Women's glasses are usually made from plastic to accommodate all of these embellishments and accentuate the look.

Frames meant for men have a wider bridge than those meant for women. In addition, the arms on men's sunglasses are longer than on women's sunglasses. You can also find straighter lines on men's frames with fewer curves around the ears.

Men's sunglasses are frequently made of wire, so their designs can be sleek, though plastic frames for men are becoming more common.

Add Some Color

Sunglasses come in a myriad of colors. No matter what hue you have in mind, you can probably find some sunnies to match.

Men's sunglasses, however, tend to be more muted or neutral in shade, while women's frames come in brighter colors, sometimes with metallic highlights or decorative patterns.

The Shape of Things

Men's and women's sunglasses come in a variety of shapes. You can find oval, rectangular, round, or square, just to name a few.

When you're checking out women's sunglasses, you may notice some less conventional shapes to choose from. These might include a retro cat-eye or stylish hexagonal shape just to spice things up.

The Same Deal

Some things about men's and women's sunglasses are exactly the same. For example, when thinking about lens color, it doesn't matter what kind of frame you're choosing, you'll want to think about what you're asking your sunglasses to do.

If you're going to wear your sunglasses while driving, you'll want to choose lenses that are gray or brown, while if you're going out on the water to boat or fish, you'll have better luck with pink or rose-tinted lenses.

Back to the Original Question

When your glasses first broke, that question came up: Are sunglasses unisex? Now that you've learned a little more about the differences between men's and women's sunglasses, you can look more confidently at the choices in front of you.

Don't forget, though: if you love the frames and they fit your face, don't worry about who they were made for. 

Bring your new knowledge to the sunglasses we offer and see if any are right for you.