Gifting Sunglasses: How to Pick a Safe Size and Style

The safest sunglasses gift is a medium-width frame (roughly 138 to 145 mm across the front) in a forgiving shape such as a soft square, a classic round or a gentle aviator, in black, tortoise or a warm neutral colour. If you can, borrow a pair the person already wears and copy its measurements; if you cannot, choose a versatile shape over a statement one and keep the receipt details handy.

Below is a practical way to narrow the choice without spoiling the surprise.

Start with the numbers you can find in secret

Most sunglasses and spectacles carry three small numbers on the inside of a temple arm, for example 52-21-145. They stand for lens width, bridge width and temple length in millimetres. Snap a quick photo of those digits on a pair your giftee already loves and you have the most reliable sizing clue available.

If the numbers have worn off, measure the old frame flat on a table from hinge to hinge across the front. That overall width is the figure to compare on each product page. Our frame size measurement guide explains each number with diagrams.

• Within 3 mm of their current pair: a very safe match.
• 4 to 6 mm wider or narrower: usually fine, especially with an adjustable metal bridge.
• More than 6 mm different: the fit will feel noticeably different; choose a closer size.

No sizing clue? Use these three fallbacks

Sometimes the gift is for a partner who never takes their glasses off, or for someone you see only at holidays. In that case, look at their build rather than their face shape. People with a slim face and narrow shoulders tend to suit frames under about 140 mm; broader builds and fuller faces usually look balanced in frames of 145 mm or more. Everyone in between lands safely in the middle.

Second, think about the hats and helmets they wear. Someone who lives in a cap or a cycling helmet will appreciate temples that are not too long or too thick. Third, think about the frames they already reach for: if every pair they own is small and round, buying an oversized square is a gamble, however much you like it.

Drew Sandy ShoreShop nowDowney Midnight BlackShop nowSimba C04Shop now

A quick size-to-face comparison

These are the real measurements of the frames featured in this guide, sorted from narrowest to widest. Use them as reference points when you compare other styles in our sunglasses collection.

Shapes that rarely miss

A gift needs to work on a face you cannot try it on, so the shape should flatter a wide range of features. Three families do that particularly well:

• Soft squares. Rounded corners add structure without looking severe. Sedona Golden Hour and Downey Midnight Black are good examples.
• Classic rounds with a slim rim. Thin metal keeps a round lens light on the face, as on Monterey Amber Dusk.
• Gentle aviators. A teardrop lens follows the line of the cheekbone. Drew Sandy Shore pairs that outline with a full acetate rim.

Save sharp cat-eyes, very large shields and geometric shapes for people whose taste you know well. If you want to go deeper on matching shapes to features, our face shape guide is a useful companion.

Colours: pick what already lives in their wardrobe

Black goes with everything and suits most hair colours. Tortoise is the warm alternative and tends to look softer on lighter complexions. Translucent honey, beige and champagne tones feel summery and relaxed. A good rule: look at the bag, belt or watch strap they wear most often and match the frame to that tone family.

Lens colour matters too. Grey keeps colours true, brown and amber add warmth and contrast, and green sits between the two. Check each product page for the exact lens tint and whether the lenses are polarized; Monterey, Sedona, Drew, Simba and Jena all list polarized lenses with UV400, while Downey lists UV400 lenses.

Prescription or plain lenses?

Prescription sun lenses are a lovely gift for someone who wears glasses all day, but they require their current prescription and pupillary distance, which is hard to obtain as a surprise. Plain sun lenses are the practical default. If you know the person would prefer prescription lenses, consider gifting the frame choice together with a note, then let them enter their details later. Browse our prescription sunglasses for frames that take prescription lenses.

Presentation and peace of mind

Some frames arrive with extras that make unwrapping feel special: Jena C04, for instance, ships in a leather case. Add a microfibre cloth and a short card explaining how to keep the lenses clean, and the gift feels complete.

Above all, choose a shop that makes changes easy. Our 14-day fit & style guarantee gives the recipient time to try the frame at home, and orders over €99 ship free.

Shop this guide

Monterey Amber DuskShop nowSedona Golden HourShop nowJena C04Shop now

Find the right pair for them

Start with a medium width and a forgiving shape, match the colour to their everyday wardrobe and you will rarely go wrong. Explore women's sunglasses, men's sunglasses or our full polarized sunglasses range. Add your prescription in a few clicks with our lens selector.