Sunglasses in winter, is that going too far? Some think so, because it is grey outside. Yet light and style speak in their favour: the sun sits low, snow and wet roads throw light back, and dark lenses go well with a wool coat and knitwear. The technical side of tint, snow and a low sun is covered in our guide Winter Sunglasses: Lens Tint, Snow Glare and Low Sun; here it is all about the look.
Key points at a glance
- Wearing sunglasses in winter is no taboo: the winter sun is low, and snow or wet roads throw light back.
- Instead of pastels, winter calls for strong colours and dark tones, in oval, square or round shapes.
- For function, look for UV400, a CE or UKCA mark and filter category 2 or 3.
Sunglasses in winter: the most common objections
- “It is not even sunny.” On clear days the sun is low, and snow or puddles throw the light back. It can dazzle even when it is freezing.
- “It looks like showing off.” Sunglasses belong to a winter look like a scarf and hat. What counts is that shape and colour suit the outfit.
- “Everything will look too dark.” Category 2 lets more light through than category 3 and suits changeable weather.
- “But I wear glasses.” Many sunglasses can be fitted with lenses in your prescription.
How to style winter sunglasses: colours, shapes, outfits
Winter colours are a long way from soft pastels: they can be bold and expressive. Thick knitwear and wool coats go with strong frame colours, dark lenses and striking shapes. Oval frames look soft and retro, square ones make a clear statement, and round ones are easy to combine with a scarf and hat.
- Wool coat and knitwear: large, dark frames in black, brown or tortoiseshell.
- Down jacket and bobble hat: sporty shapes with a wraparound frame that stays put when you move.
- Light coat and scarf: a coloured frame or tinted lenses as a contrast.
The best winter sunglasses are the ones that suit your face and your outfit. Brown lenses hide your eyes even when the snow dazzles. From Oakley, Gucci, Prada, Miu Miu and Ray-Ban you will find models in many shapes. Here is the current selection:
Miu Miu MU A51S 5AK20P£247.93
Oakley EYEJACKET REDUX (OO9438 943805)£118.16 P
Miu Miu MU B07S 16K04O£200.63
Prada PR 65ZS ZVN09T£150.47
Ray-Ban BILL (RB2198 129251)£95.87
Prada PR B15S 17N70R£187.25
Ray-Ban CATS 5000 (RB4125 710/51)£95.87
Prada PR 15WS 01R0A6£144.40When the sun is low: what the technology does
For everyday winter use, look for UV400 and a CE or UKCA mark, usually with category 3 on sunny days. Polarised lenses reduce glare from reflections. When driving into a low sun, category 2 or 3 is suitable; category 4 is not suitable for driving. If you ski, read on in our guide to ski sunglasses.
Everything about tint, snow and driving into a low sun is in our guide Winter Sunglasses: Lens Tint, Snow Glare and Low Sun.
