5 Tips for Finding the Perfect Pair of Sunglasses

As summer continues to heat up, there's one accessory that will be on heavy rotation: your favorite pair of shades. We checked in with one of the world's leading experts, Larry Leight, founder and chief designer of Oliver Peoples, for his 5 must-know shopping tips to find the perfect pair.

1. KNOW THYSELF
"First, do a little research on your own," says Leight. "Take a look at yourself. Know who you are and what your style is."

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2. GET ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS
While optical stores may have the best expertise in the business, they often fall short in the shades section. "Go to Bergdorf Goodman or Saks," he says. "Those people have busy counters and can size you up in a second."

3. WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN
Several recycled styles are stealing the show this summer. Oliver Peoples has gone decidedly nostalgic this season. "We're re-releasing some original vintage we had," Leight says. "People look at these new frames and love them, without even knowing that the design is twenty years old."

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4. TAKE A CHANCE…
"Looking for a somewhat preppy pair is youthful and playful and you can do so much with it," Leight says. "You can do these frames in colors. Or you can go basic and dress yourself in colors. Go red, go white, go yellow, go tortoise. You can really play with this look."

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5. … OR GO WITH THE ULTIMATE CLASSIC
When in doubt, Leight says to get a nice, simple pair of polarized aviators. "That's always a good option," he says. "They're always in style, they're not seasonal and they're classic. But most importantly, go for something you like."


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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.