Choosing Sunglasses for Face Shape on a Budget Foster Grant’s “Sunglasses 101” for Summer

Foster Grant is preparing to celebrate its 80th anniversary this summer as the oldest American sunglasses company. Foster Grant continues to offer fashionable, on-trend sunglasses at affordable prices – styles retail nationwide for $30.00 and under.

Karen Goldman, Design Director for Foster Grant and Quantum Optics Sunglasses, brands under the FGX International (NASDAQ: FGXI) umbrella, offers her tips for selecting sunglasses for summer:


1. Should you choose sunglasses according to your face shape? What styles look best on different face shapes?

Knowing which shapes fit your face will lead you in the right direction in picking out the perfect pair. The sunglasses should help to create contrast with the shape of your face, so people with round faces should choose square or rectangle shaped sunglasses. Square faces look good with oval or round frames, while aviators, rimless styles, and flat top styles are good fits for heart shaped faces. If you have an oval face, anything goes. However, you shouldn't feel limited to these styles; the best way to pick the perfect pair is to try on as many as possible until you find the one that makes you feel fabulous!

2. What are the trends for sunglasses this summer?

We're seeing a lot of two-tone colorations, with an emphasis on dark to light fades. Pastels and translucent colors are creating ultra feminine looks, while bright colors (red, pink, blue) make a bold statement. Cat eyes are making a big comeback, while aviators and wayfarer shapes continue to be popular.

3. When you’re shopping for sunglasses, what factors should be considered?

Comfort and fit are key when selecting sunglasses. The temple tips should rest against your head, behind your ears, but should not press too tightly. The glasses should sit on your nose bridge, high enough so your cheeks do not touch the bottom of the frame. All sunglasses should offer UVA/UVB protection, but check the tag or lens label to be sure. All our brands are 100% UVA/UVB protective.

4. Are there any regulations imposed by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) that require sunglasses to have UV protection?

The AAO recommends that all non-prescription sunglasses block 99% -100% of UVA and UVB light. All of our sunglasses at FGX International meet this standard.

5. What are the different types of lenses out there? What’s best?

The most common lens types are Acrylic (AC), Polycarbonate (PC) and Polarized. Acrylic lenses are used primarily on fashion styles and are scratch resistant. Polycarbonate lenses are shatter/impact resistant and are commonly used on sport/performance styles. Polarized lenses reduce glare and are great for water activities (fishing, boating, etc). A lot of consumers seem to prefer polarized lenses; however, the best type of lens is determined by the needs of the customer.

6. Does lens tint matter?

Lens tints have a variety of uses, from creating fashion statements to improving contrast on the ski slope. Gray/smoke colors are the most popular, as they transmit all colors evenly. Green tints also transmit colors evenly, and are becoming more popular in the fashion categories. Amber, yellow, and orange tints improve contrast and reduce glare and are preferred by hunters, fishermen, and snow sport enthusiasts. Brown tints are often used on fashion styles, but are also good for golfers, as they help highlight the different contrasts in green colors.

7. What makes sunglasses sturdy?

We use high-grade plastics and metals on all of our styles, and build fabulous fit and quality into each pair. Overall, fit and build should produce a “sturdy” pair of sunglasses.


About FGX International

FGX International is a leading designer and marketer of non-prescription reading glasses and sunglasses with a portfolio of established, well-recognized brands including Foster Grant, Magnivision, Anarchy, Angel, Gargoyles, Solar Shields and PolarEyes. FGXI also holds licenses from Ironman, Levi Strauss, Field & Stream, Body Glove and C9 by Champion. Based in Smithfield, Rhode Island, FGXI has approximately 375 full-time employees. Additional offices are located in New York, San Luis Obispo, Toronto, Stoke-on-Trent, England, Mexico City, Bentonville, AR and Shenzhen, China.