Sunglasses for women over 50: the frames that flatter (and what to skip)

Short answer: The best sunglasses for women over 50 have a gentle lift and a medium size: soft cat-eye frames with upswept outer corners, softly squared or rectangular frames, and roomy shapes that stay light on the face. Warm tortoiseshell, brown, champagne and gold metal are the easiest colours, especially with grey, silver or warm-toned hair; black works best when you like strong contrast. Choose grey or brown lenses for everyday comfort, and make sure the frame sits firmly without pressing. Among our frames, the cat-eye Mora and the rectangular Holme are great starting points.

What changes after 50 – and what doesn't

Your face shape stays the basis, but many women find that their features, hair colour and skin tone have changed a little since they last thought about sunglasses. That's a good reason to look again rather than buy the same pair as twenty years ago.

• Lift beats weight. A frame that draws the eye upwards – with a stronger top rim or corners that rise towards the temples – makes the whole face look fresh and open.
• Colour matters more. With grey, silver or white hair, a frame colour that worked before may suddenly look harsh, while warm or soft tones can look wonderful.
• Comfort matters more. A pair you wear all day should hold without pinching the nose or pressing behind the ears.

Best sunglasses for women over 50

• Soft cat-eye frames: The classic choice. The outer corners rise slightly, which lifts the upper half of the face and makes the eyes look wider. A soft, moderate cat-eye is easier to wear than a sharp, dramatic one. See our cat-eye sunglasses.
• Softly squared and rectangular frames: Straight lines with rounded corners add structure, especially to a round or fuller face, and a wider rectangle balances a longer face. Browse our square sunglasses.
• Roomy, oversized shapes – with care: A generous frame looks glamorous and protects more of the eye area, but it should still end at the sides of your face and sit clear of your cheeks.
• Round and oval frames for angular faces: If your face has strong cheekbones or a square jaw, a soft round frame adds gentleness. Have a look at our round sunglasses.

Not sure what suits your face? Our overview of the best sunglasses for women goes through all the classic women's shapes.

Colours that flatter grey, silver and warm hair

• Tortoiseshell and havana: The mix of warm browns and lighter flecks brings warmth to the skin – one of the most flattering colours at any age.
• Warm brown: Softer than black and very easy to wear with brown, auburn or warm blonde hair.
• Champagne and soft neutrals: Light and luminous next to the skin, and beautiful with silver or white hair.
• Gold metal: A slim, polished option that goes well with warm skin tones and gold jewellery.
• Black – when it works: Black gives maximum definition. It suits women with dark hair, cool skin tones or a bold personal style, but on very light hair it can look severe, so choose a slimmer black frame or a warmer colour.

A simple test: do you prefer gold or silver jewellery? Gold usually points to warm frames (tortoiseshell, brown, gold), silver to cooler ones (grey, black, blue).

Which lenses to choose

Grey lenses keep colours natural, and brown lenses add a little warmth and contrast – both are comfortable choices for everyday wear. For bright summer sun, many people prefer a category 3 lens, but always check the lens category of the specific model before you buy. Whatever the colour, look for UV400. Our guide to sunglasses lens colours explains the differences.

Fit and comfort: sunglasses you forget you're wearing

1. Size in millimetres: Measure a pair that fits you well, or read the temple stamp: lens width □ bridge – temple length. Many women feel best in a medium frame around 135–140 mm wide. See how to measure sunglasses size.
2. The bridge: The frame should rest evenly on your nose without sliding down or leaving marks.
3. The temples: They should follow the side of your head and hold behind the ears without pressing. If you wear earrings or a hearing aid, check that nothing rubs.
4. The lower rim: Smile – the lenses should stay clear of your cheeks.

Sunglasses for women over 60

The same rules apply at 60 and beyond, and they matter even more: choose a frame that lifts, a colour that warms and a fit that stays comfortable all day. Many women over 60 love softer colours such as champagne, soft grey or warm tortoiseshell, and a medium frame that frames the eyes without hiding the face. Just as before, the best pair is the one that makes you feel like yourself.

Sunglasses for men over 50

For men, the same idea works with straighter lines. A rectangular or square frame with a clear top line gives structure, a medium-to-generous width keeps the proportions right, and grey, havana, brown or black are the safest colours. If your hair is grey or silver, a grey or havana frame often looks more relaxed than solid black.

ECO SHADES picks for women over 50

Vang is made from recycled metal. The other frames below are made from 100% recycled plastics with 5-barrel optical hinges and friction-lock screws. All have UV400 lenses in recycled PMMA.

• Holme Havana Brown: a soft rectangular frame in warm tortoiseshell – the featured pair and an easy everyday choice. 48□23-144, frame width 139 mm, Medium, Category 3.
• Mora Black: a moderate cat-eye that lifts the eyes without being dramatic. 53□22-145, frame width 139 mm, Medium, Category 3.
• Morello Champagne: a square frame in soft champagne that adds structure and looks luminous with silver hair. 55□21-147, frame width 144 mm, Medium/Large, Category 3.
• Bloch Havana: a roomy oversized frame in tortoiseshell for a little glamour. 57□17-140, frame width 144 mm, Medium/Large, Category 3.
• Vang Gold Brown: a slim round frame in recycled metal in gold and brown – soft and polished for an angular face. 50□22-138, frame width 135 mm, Small/Medium, Category 3.
• For men over 50: Palazzo Grey, a generous rectangular frame in grey with a straight top line. 54□24-150, frame width 145 mm, Medium/Large, Category 3.

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

Quick FAQ

What style of sunglasses suits a woman over 50?

Frames with a gentle lift and a medium size: soft cat-eye, softly squared or rectangular frames, and roomy shapes that still end at the sides of your face.

What colour sunglasses suit grey or silver hair?

Tortoiseshell, warm brown, champagne and gold metal are the easiest. Grey and slim black frames work well if you like a cooler, more defined look.

Are cat-eye sunglasses good for older women?

Yes. A soft cat-eye lifts the outer corners and draws attention to the eyes. Choose a moderate shape rather than a very pointed one.

Should women over 50 avoid oversized sunglasses?

No, but keep the proportions right: the frame should not be wider than your face or rest on your cheeks.

What are the best sunglasses for men over 50?

Rectangular or square frames with a clear top line in grey, havana, brown or black, about as wide as the face.

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. At 50, 60 or any age, choose the frame that makes you smile when you see yourself in the mirror.