Old Money Sunglasses Men

Old money sunglasses come from three or four shapes and nothing newer. A thin metal aviator, a rectangular acetate, a small round with a tinted lens. The frame stays close to the width of the face, the lens stays neutral or lightly warm, and the logo, if it exists at all, sits inside the arm where only the wearer sees it.

Sunglasses date faster than any other accessory, which is why old money sunglasses stick to shapes that were settled decades ago. Frame width, lens tint and material do the work; anything mirrored, oversized or heavily branded takes the whole outfit somewhere else. This page groups the range by shape and by what each one suits.

Aviators, rectangles and rounds: choosing a frame shape

Old money sunglasses draw on a handful of shapes. Aviators soften a square or angular face and stay the most forgiving of them. Rectangular acetate adds structure and suits a rounder face, since straight lines counter soft ones. Small rounds are the most characterful and the least forgiving, working best on longer faces. Aviator sunglasses and a black rectangular pair cover most requirements between them.

Lens tint: what old money sunglasses avoid

Grey and green lenses keep colours true and read as the most neutral. Brown and amber warm the view and flatter most complexions in low winter sun. A light tint that leaves the eyes visible is more sociable than a dark one and belongs to town rather than to a beach: brown tinted lenses make the point. Mirrored and gradient lenses sit outside this style entirely.

Metal, acetate and wearing them with the rest

Thin metal frames read lighter and pair naturally with tailoring and a slim watch case from watches. Acetate is heavier, warmer in tone and better suited to knitwear and casual layers. Keep the metal consistent with the rest of the wrist and hand. Above all the frame should not extend past the widest point of the face, whatever it is worn with, including the linen sets in outfits.

Sunglasses questions, answered

What sunglasses shape suits a round face?

Rectangular or angular acetate frames, since straight lines counter the softness of the face. Avoid small round frames, which echo the shape and exaggerate it. The frame should be at least as wide as the widest part of the face.

Are aviators still in style?

They have been continuously worn since the 1930s and sit outside trend cycles altogether. A thin metal aviator in gold or gunmetal with a green or brown lens is close to timeless. Oversized versions and mirrored lenses are what dates, not the shape itself.

What lens colour is best for everyday wear?

Grey or green, because both keep colours true and reduce glare without distorting what you see. Brown and amber are warmer and work well in weaker winter light. Anything mirrored or strongly gradient reads as sportswear.

How should sunglasses fit the face?

The frame should be roughly as wide as your face at its widest point and no wider. The arms should rest on the ears without pressure, and the lenses should sit clear of your cheeks when you smile. Nothing should slide when you look down.

Is acetate better than metal for frames?

Acetate is warmer in colour, more comfortable in cold weather and easier to adjust for fit. Metal is lighter and reads more formal, which suits tailoring. Both are legitimate; the choice follows what the rest of the outfit is doing.

Do tinted lenses work indoors?

A very light tint in brown or grey is acceptable indoors in bright rooms, though it reads as an affectation in most social settings. A dark lens indoors always looks like something is being hidden. If in doubt, take them off.