Sunglasses as a gift: how to choose a pair for someone else

Short answer: Sunglasses are a good gift, as long as you stay close on size and keep the shape and colour classic. Sneak a look at the three numbers printed inside a pair they already wear (lens width □ bridge – temple length), then pick a unisex classic: a wayfarer, a soft square or a round frame, in black, havana, clear or champagne. Check that the lenses are UV400 and read the lens category on the product page. Our lenses are not polarised. A safe starting point is Venturi Champagne.

Are sunglasses a good gift?

Yes. A well-chosen pair gets used in summer, on bright winter days, in the car and on holiday – not only at the beach. They are personal enough to feel thoughtful and practical enough that people actually wear them. That makes them a strong Christmas gift, birthday gift or a present for a partner, a friend or a parent.

What matters more than a familiar logo is whether the pair actually protects the eyes. Every ECO SHADES pair has UV400 lenses in recycled PMMA. A darker lens does not mean more UV protection, so always check the product page rather than guessing from the tint.

How to buy sunglasses for someone else: start with the size

The hardest part of buying sunglasses as a gift is the fit, because they cannot try the frame on. The most reliable clue is a pair they already like.

1. Read the temple stamp. On the inside of one arm you will usually see three numbers, for example 51□19-143. They are the lens width, the bridge width and the temple length, in millimetres. A quick photo of those numbers is enough. Our guide on how to measure sunglasses explains each one.
2. Match them on the product page. Stay as close as you can, especially on the overall frame width. A few millimetres either way is usually fine; a much wider or narrower frame will feel obviously different.
3. If you cannot see an old pair, start with a medium fit. For a slimmer or narrower face, look at a Small/Medium frame; for a broader face or a larger head, look at Medium/Large. If you know their face shape, our guide to which sunglasses suit my face will narrow it further.

Safe shapes when you cannot try them on

When you are choosing for someone else, pick a shape that works on many faces rather than a statement frame. Three unisex classics are the safest:

• Wayfarer frames: The most familiar everyday shape, with a slightly wider top and soft corners. See our wayfarer sunglasses.
• Soft square frames: Enough structure to look considered, without sharp corners that only suit some faces. Browse our square sunglasses.
• Round frames: A softer, classic outline that suits many face shapes, especially if their everyday style is simple. Look at our round sunglasses.

These are the same shapes that make unisex sunglasses easy to give: they do not read as "for him" or "for her". Save very oversized frames, sharp cat-eyes and sport wraps for someone whose style you already know well.

Safe colours: black, havana, clear and champagne

Unless you know they like colour, stay with colours that go with most wardrobes:

• Black goes with everything and is the safest all-round gift colour.
• Havana (the warm tortoiseshell pattern) is the classic alternative: slightly softer than black, and easy to wear with both casual and dressed-up outfits.
• Clear frames feel lighter and more modern, and they work well if the person already wears a lot of pale or metallic accessories.
• Champagne is a soft, warm neutral – less stark than black, less busy than havana.

A useful shortcut is to look at the bag, belt, watch or glasses they already wear, and stay in that tone family. If their accessories are colourful, you can be bolder; if everything they own is black, navy or brown, a statement colour is a gamble.

What to check besides the look

• UV400. This comes first, for any gift and any season.
• Lens category. The number on the product page tells you how dark the lenses are in bright light. Category 3 is the usual everyday choice for strong sun; category 2 is a bit lighter. Always read the category for the specific pair – never assume it from the collection. Category 4 is not for driving.
• Polarisation. ECO SHADES lenses are not polarised. If the person has specifically asked for polarised lenses, this is not the right gift; if they have not, a non-polarised UV400 pair is a perfectly good everyday choice.
• Build. Look for a frame that will last: our plastic frames are made from 100% recycled plastics, with 5-barrel optical hinges and friction-lock screws, and every pair has a 2-year warranty.

For a longer checklist when you are buying for yourself – or just want to double-check – see how to choose sunglasses.

A sunglasses gift for him, for her, or for anyone

The rules are the same for everyone. A wayfarer or a soft square in black or havana is a safe sunglasses gift for him, for a dad or for a partner who keeps things simple. The same shapes work as a sunglasses gift for her; champagne or clear is a good extra option if they already wear lighter accessories. If you are not sure, stay unisex and classic – that is usually what people actually wear.

ECO SHADES sunglasses that make a safe gift

The frames below are made from 100% recycled plastics with 5-barrel optical hinges and friction-lock screws. All have UV400 lenses in recycled PMMA, and all five are lens category 3.

• Venturi Champagne: a classic wayfarer in a soft champagne colour – the featured pair and our easiest all-round gift. 51□19-143, frame width 137 mm, Medium, Category 3.
• Quist Havana: a round frame in warm havana, for someone who likes a softer, slightly vintage outline. 45□25-145, frame width 137 mm, Medium, Category 3.
• Morello Black: a soft square in black, a little wider, if they have a broader face or you know they like a more substantial frame. 55□21-147, frame width 144 mm, Medium/Large, Category 3.
• Zanon Clear: a round clear frame with a lighter look, and a slightly narrower fit. 55□22-145, frame width 134 mm, Small/Medium, Category 3.
• Gallina Havana: a rectangular frame in havana – a quiet classic that works for most everyday wardrobes. 52□22-145, frame width 138 mm, Medium, Category 3.

Our lenses are not polarised. Questions about our materials or UV protection? Just contact us.

A simple wrapping tip

Leave the sunglasses in the case they arrive in and wrap the case. It protects the lenses, it looks finished, and you do not need a special gift set. A short note with the size you used (for example 51□19-143) is a kind extra, in case they ever want a second pair.

Quick FAQ

Are sunglasses a good Christmas gift?

Yes. They are used in every season, including on bright winter days and in the car, so they do not have to wait until summer.

How do I buy sunglasses for someone else if I cannot get their size?

Start with a medium unisex classic in black, havana, clear or champagne, and stay with a wayfarer, a soft square or a round frame. If you can take a photo of the numbers inside a pair they already wear, use that.

What is the safest colour for a sunglasses gift?

Black or havana. Clear and champagne are the next safest, especially if they already wear lighter accessories.

What sunglasses gift for him or for her should I choose?

The same starting points work for both: a wayfarer or a soft square in black or havana. Add champagne or clear if that matches their style.

Every ECO SHADES pair comes with UV400 lenses and a 2-year warranty, and our sunglasses are CE, UKCA and FDA approved. We have 30 years of optical experience and 20,000+ happy customers behind our designs. For a gift, keep the size close, keep the shape and colour classic – then pick the pair you can already imagine them wearing.