Things change in our appearance as we age, and although our bone structure stays the same, our face shape will change over time. This can be because we have a fuller face or a thinner face than we did when we were younger. It could be because of dental work. It could also just be gravity. We should all embrace our changing looks and that means we sometimes have to adjust our clothes and accessories with these changing looks.
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For the face, this usually means eyewear. Styles of sunglasses have changed a lot over the years and today’s sunglasses offer a wide choice in shape and design, making it easier than ever to match sunglasses to your needs and style as you get older. To help you decide on which sunglasses are right for you, here’s my pick of the best sunglasses for women over 50.
Ray-Ban
1. Arista-Colored Metal Frames
Buy Now $151These classic Ray-Bans bring an air of elegance to any wearer. I love how simple they are, while at the same time being sophisticated. The pillow shape of the lenses isn’t chosen that often by younger women, but for older women it’s perfect. As we get older, our faces can seem smaller, sometimes thinner, and our features smaller. Large frames tend to shroud our faces when this happens, but these sunglasses compliment our over 50-year-old features. They suit any face shape, so you can wear them without worrying about whether your face is square or oval. They come in black or gold frames. The black frames have dark gray lenses and the gold frames have green lenses.
2. Round Metal Panthos Frames
Buy Now $163The small, round design of these Ray-Bans won’t be for everyone, but if you have a square face shape, they will perfectly complement your features. They’re also great for any woman over 50 who wants to try something different. You might have played it safe in the past, and maybe never considered sunglasses like these, especially if you go for one of the colored lens options, but now’s the time to make a statement with your look. The colored lenses can be coordinated with your outfits and they bring a touch of quirkiness to any style. You can choose standard sunglasses or have your prescription lenses added.
3. Nina Cat-Eye Shaped Propionate Frames
Buy Now $174The cat eye style is an iconic look, but it’s also a very specific one. It’s bold, it’s nostalgic, and it’s very feminine. It won’t be for everyone, but if you like to be daring, this is a great way to express yourself through your eyewear. Cat eyes usually suit people with a heart-shaped face, so if that’s you, rest assured these Ray-Bans will look amazing. They’re a simple design and comfortable to wear, and very sturdy. One of the great things about cat eyes is, they are petite and a little easier to carry around than bigger sunglasses. They fit easily into a pocket and you can slip them in bags and purses while you’re traveling.
Maui Jim
4. Kawika
Buy Now $316One of the most important things as we get older is comfort. These Maui Jims are one of the most comfortable pairs of sunglasses you’ll find. The nose bridge and nose pads are especially comfortable, and the glasses will stay in place through all your travel movements, so you aren’t constantly pushing them back up your nose. This is another classic shape and design that can be worn by any face shape and is even unisex so you can share them — though you probably won’t want to! Maui Jim’s are sturdy frames, so you can travel with them and swim in them without having to worry about them not holding up.
5. Kiawe
Buy Now $262Aimed especially at walkers and hikers, these Maui Jim’s sunglasses are a unique style of round lenses in a brown striped frame. They’re comfortable to wear, as the nose bridge has been specially designed to fit snugly so you won’t need to keep pushing them up. Best of all, they eliminate 100 percent of sun glare so if you go out hiking for the day, you know you’re protected. They’re an interesting style, and it’s unlikely you’ll find anything else quite like them, which is one of the reasons I love them. The frames reach past the lenses, mitigating the roundness of the lenses, and making them suitable for multiple face shapes.
Warby Parker
6. Nancy
Buy Now $95For those over 50 women whose faces have gotten a little larger in older age, Warby Parker’s Nancy sunglasses give great coverage for your eyes and complement your face shape. These stylish sunglasses have an interesting angled shape to the frames that speak of glamor and movie star looks. The angled brow detail on the oversized lenses turns a look that tells everyone your confidence matches your age. However, it’s not just about looks, they are also practical. As we get older, it’s important to keep protecting our eyes. The oversized lenses in these sunglasses cover a wide area of your face, meaning you can be sure your eyes are protected.
7. Raider
Buy Now $145Aviator sunglasses had their moment in the ‘80s, though they never really went away. These Warby Parker sunglasses in the aviator style are great for nostalgia, but also perfect for anyone with a bit of an edge to their look. Aviators usually suit square and heart-shaped faces, but they are also great for anyone with an oval face as the nose pads lift the glasses away from the cheekbones. This means they look great on quite a few of us! If you’re feeling daring, you can choose the green tinted lenses or the pink. However, a standard pair of aviators is a classic and stylish look.
Coach
Costa Del Mar
9. Waterwoman
Buy Now $204These Costa Del Mar standard design sunglasses are built for durability and comfort above all else. They are still stylish and come in copper or green lenses, though with the same tortoiseshell frames. But, the standout feature of these sunglasses is definitely the comfort element. They have a high nose bridge which is a more comfortable fit for anyone with a higher nose bridge and lower cheekbones. This is especially good for anyone with a nose bridge higher than the level of their eyes. They also have soft padding built in the glasses where nose pads would normally be, giving extra comfort to the wearer.
10. Ballast Readers
Buy Now $132.30These Costa Del Mar Ballast Readers are primarily about functionality. They’re simple in design, small and rectangular, ideal for anyone who doesn’t like their sunglasses covering their face. They’re frameless, so you don’t even need to think about what color or design of frame you like. The main feature of these simple sunglasses is that they are readers. If you want to read a book in the sun or you need to read a map while traveling, these sunglasses are the perfect travel companion. They’re small, so they easily fit in pockets and purses. They’re scratch resistant and they feature a barrier that repels water and oil.
Amazon
11. Bifocal Sunglasses
Buy Now $16.99Whether you’ve used bifocal glasses of any kind before or not, these Amazon bifocal sunglasses are easy to wear and use due to the oversized frames. Bifocals can take some getting used to, but with the large frames on these sunglasses, you’ll find it much easier to switch your eyes between the lens areas. You get a pack of three in different shades and with different frame designs, but all with the same sunglasses shape and size. They give good protection against the sun and best of all, they are extremely reasonably priced.
Michael Kors
12. Corfu
Buy Now $119.25There’s something about these Michael Kors sunglasses that shout travel. They’re rectangular, but the chunky frames make them appear oversized and they give really good coverage for your eyes. They’re very stylish, especially in white, as the “MK” detail on the arms really stands out. They give 100 percent UV ray protection to the eyes and they look amazing. These sunglasses feel very chunky when you hold them, and they are indeed as sturdy as they seem. They’re perfect for traveling, as they make you look like you‘ve just stepped off the set of a movie while being durable and sturdy.
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