Choosing designer sunglasses for someone else
The safest starting point is the sunglasses they already wear. Note the shape they reach for most often, whether the frame is acetate or metal, and how much of the face it covers. A gift that sits close to an existing favourite is far more likely to be worn than a dramatic departure.
A few broad guidelines help when you are unsure:
- Rounder faces usually suit squarer or rectangular frames, which add definition.
- Angular faces are softened by round, oval or cat-eye shapes.
- Aviators and soft square frames suit the widest range of faces and are a sensible choice for a surprise.
Think about how they live, too. Someone who drives a lot, spends weekends at the coast or tends the braai in full sun will value a lightweight, well-wrapped frame more than a fashion statement worn for an hour at lunch.
Lenses, materials and what you are paying for
Every reputable pair should block 100% of UVA and UVB light, often marked UV400. This matters more than lens darkness: a dark lens without UV protection lets the pupil open wider and can do more harm than good.
Polarised lenses cut reflected glare from water, roads and car bonnets, which makes them a thoughtful choice for drivers and anyone who spends time near the sea. Gradient lenses, darker at the top, suit city wear and driving with a dashboard in view.
Frames are usually one of two materials:
- Acetate, a plant-based plastic cut from blocks, which allows rich colours and tortoiseshell patterns and can be gently adjusted by an optician.
- Metal, including titanium and gold-tone finishes, which is lighter and reads as more discreet.
Price is driven by the house, the material, hand finishing and any precious-metal or decorative details. As a broad guide, pairs from the major houses typically run to several thousand rand, with jewellery-house frames sitting well above that.
Fit and sizing: reading the numbers on the frame
Most designer frames carry three numbers on the inside of the temple arm, for example 54-18-145. These are the lens width, the bridge width and the temple length in millimetres. If you can quietly check a pair the recipient already likes, these numbers are the most reliable way to choose a size.
A good fit means the frame sits level, does not touch the cheeks when they smile, and the arms rest comfortably over the ears without pinching. Small adjustments to acetate and metal frames are routine for an optician, so a near fit can usually be refined after the gift is opened.
The leading houses and their signatures
Each house brings its own design language to eyewear, which makes it easier to match a pair to someone's taste.
- Prada, founded in Milan, favours bold architectural shapes and a clean, intellectual minimalism. See our guide to Prada sunglasses.
- Chanel draws on its quilting, chain details and the interlocking CC on the temples, often with feminine cat-eye and oversized shapes. Explore Chanel sunglasses.
- Cartier brings the codes of a Parisian jeweller to its frames, including panther motifs and fine metal detailing. Read more on Cartier sunglasses.
- Louis Vuitton, Burberry and LOEWE each work their monograms, checks and emblems subtly into hinges and temples.
Sunglasses pair naturally with other accessories, such as a wide-brimmed piece from our hats selection for a summer gift. If you have a particular frame or house in mind, tell us what you are looking for and we will come back with options.