Guide to Round Sunglasses for Men

Guide to Round Sunglasses for Men

Words: Andrew Krell

Why Round Sunglasses for Men?


Men seem to get very little diversity in their wardrobes these days. Most of us are stuck in jeans and a shirt; maybe we throw on a jacket for that extra layer effect but most of the time that’s as far as it goes. Next to sneakers, designer sunglasses are one of the best ways to accessorize and shake up a man’s style. Every guy should have a couple pairs and at least one round frame to set you apart from the pack.

Man wearing Garrett Leight NICK WOOSTER HARDING sunglasses in Matte Black with Semi-Flat Yellow lensesMan wearing Garrett Leight MILWOOD CLIP sunglasses in Gold with Green lenses
Garrett Leight NICK WOOSTER HARDING Java Drift sunglasses with Semi-Flat Pure Cobalt lensesTwo men wearing Garrett Leight WILSON sunglasses in Matte Black-Matte Spotted Tortoise with Pure Grey lenses
History of Round Sunglasses for Men


Men’s circular sunglasses have been around since they the start of modern eyewear. As early as the 1930s the Hollywood elite were wearing round sunglasses, further popularizing the style throughout the 40s. Advancements in design and materials led to new styles like the wayfarer and cat eye styles through the 50s, when the round style took a back seat. Round sunglasses saw a huge resurgence in the 60s and 70s and were worn by some of the most iconic figures of our time – think John Lennon or Janis Joplin. Today vintage round sunglasses are seeing a huge comeback; our culture is tired of seeing the same styles and shapes from the past twenty years. It’s time to take back the round shape.

Janis Joplin wearing Round Sunglasses similar to GLCO Wilson M GlassesJohn Lennon wearing round sunglasses similar to GLCO Wilson M Sunglasses
Round Sunglass Styles: Popular Colorways and Materials


When it comes to picking out a round sunglass you have two basic types: metal or plastic. If you are more conservative in your style and would like a round metal sunglass frame, check out an acetate frame like the Hampton. A frame like Hampton is not totally round but definitely gives you the styling of a round shape sunglass. For a more adventurous round plastic sunglass, check out the Harding or GLCO x Nick Wooster collab frame. For the iconic round styling similar to what Lennon wore, grab our classic Wilson, or its all-metal brother, Wilson M.The reinvented retro circle frames like this are always attention grabbing and make a great addition to any collection.

Man wearing Garrett Leight Harding sunglass in Champagne with pure green lensesGarrett Leight Hampton sunglasses in whiskey tortoise with pure brown lenses
Two mean wearing Garrett Leight Wilson Round SunglassesMan wearing Garrett Leight Wilson sunglasses in Tokyo tortoise-Amber Honey
Choosing Round Sunglasses for Men: Things to Look Out For


When buying a round sunglass you need to be on the lookout for the usual fit issues. Make sure the temples (or arms) of the frame rest comfortably behind your ear. If they’re too short you will experience discomfort and your frame may slip often. Look and see where your eye sits in the lens; your eye should rest comfortably in the middle to upper third of the lens. Last, a personal style note: when in doubt wear a smaller round lens over a larger round. Leaning on the smaller side gives a cool vintage badass vibe. For additional help on finding the perfect frame fit, check out our 3 Steps to Choosing the Best Glasses for Your Face Shape.

Street Etiquette’s Joshua Kissi in WILSON SUN Bourbon Tortoise-Matte Spotted Tortoise with Pure BrownGarrett Leight Milwood Round Sunglass
What to Wear with Round Sunglasses


The beauty of round sunglasses is that you can really wear them with anything. Wearing a round sunglass with something simple and clean like denim and a tee shirt can set you apart in a huge way. You can also dress them up and throw a pair on while wearing a perfectly tailored suit. Looking to take it to the next level? Learn more about our tinted-polarized lenses that come in green, blue, yellow, pink, or neutral hue -- allowing you to effortlessly put some color into your everyday look, or accentuate your chosen color palette for the day. In the end, you really can’t go wrong with such a flexible, timeless look.

Man wearing Garrett Leight CLOY Sunglass in Dark Wave Rock-Copper with Pure Brown Gradient lensesMan wearing Garrett Leight Round Milwood Sunglass in Matte Blonde Tortoise Fade with Pure G15 lenses
Man wearing Garrett Leight Round Milwood Sunglass in Butterscotch with Pure Green lenses


CIRCLE IN ON THESE STYLES: GLCO x Nick Wooster / Harding / Wilson M / Wilson Sun / Wilson Clip - You might also like: Best Sunglasses for Men Guide to Retro Sunglasses 3 Steps to Choosing the Best Glasses for Your Face Shape - Shop additional sun styles