19 Best Sunglasses For Women In 2022

When you pop on your sunnies, no plumber on the planet can stop your drip because you're automatically cooler. Just think about all the iconic moments burned into our collective memory due to the all-mighty sunglasses. We all owe a debt of swagger appreciation to the original "Top Gun" movie for gifting us a too-cool-to-care Tom Cruise in his aviator sunglasses, which quickly became one of the trendiest types on the market. And if you're feeling fierce in a pair of oversized, black-framed sunglasses, you're in good company; the look is a favorite of everyone from Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" to Vogue's editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who always wears sunglasses.

According to the lecturer, researcher, and expert in fashion theory and visual culture Vanessa Brown, the impact of sunglasses is a scientific fact. In an interview with The Guardian, she explains that "sunglasses were always strongly associated with the glamour and power of modern technology, control of emotion, control of the body and control of interactions with others."

But, in the most straightforward description of sunglasses-mojo, she coined the perfect phrase: "glamorous detachment." So, prepare to relax, detach, and get your glam on with the best sunglasses for women in 2022.

The primary considerations for this best-of sunglasses story are the cultural relevance, trends, and consumer demand for different styles. Of course, the cool factor is a somewhat subjective topic, so the research touched on trends reported by fashion experts as well as social media activity and user reviews. Analysis of the role of sunglasses has played in Hollywood helped shape recommendations as well.

In addition to timeless sunglasses style and 2022 sunglasses trends, many of the sunglasses include polarization, UV protection, scratch-resistant lenses as well as other functionality features. Lastly, as Glamour notes, buying sunglasses online can prove challenging. To help with that, we've included a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and styles so you can finally find your favorite pair.

We've included 19 pairs of the best sunglasses for women in 2022. But remember, many of these on-trend sunglasses also come in various colorways and sizes, so there's truly something for everyone.

Tortoiseshell frames have been a staple in eyewear fashion since the 1920s, according to Retropeepers. So much so that the mottled pattern was all the rage with trending flapper girls and dapper fellas of the time. And, sure enough, the style is now an absolute classic, worn by folks everywhere — even Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.

These Warby Parker sunglasses play up the tortoise in a robust-but-far-from-showy frame. Customize the frames by choosing narrow or wide and prescription vs. non-prescription. The lens even blocks 100% of UV rays and is coated to prevent scratches.

The Aubrey sunglasses are offered in three variations on Warby Parker, starting at $95.

Dan Levy — who played David, the delightfully smarmy character on "Schitt's Creek" — enjoys a family legacy of sorts when it comes to eyewear. His Dad, the iconic comedic actor Eugene Levy, has long been associated with choosing small, statement-making glasses. The younger Levy took it one step further and launched his own line of eyewear.

If you're feeling a whole "Schitt's Creek" mood when you scroll through the offerings, that's not just wishful thinking. In an interview with Vogue, Levy confirmed that "D.L. Eyewear was all over Schitt's Creek;" both his Dad's character and Catherine O'Hara's wore his specs on the show.

Dan Levy's Harper Sunglasses are available at D.L. Eyewear for $135.

If you're looking to get in on the minimalist, retro trend on the cheap, look no further. We found these beauties in a deep dive into Amazon's fabulous fashion abyss, and they are the ultimate trendy '90s sunglasses. These perfect bubblegum pink shades are alarmingly cool while costing just $5.50. Plus, Prime membership gives you access to free shipping.

These budget-friendly sunnies are a one-and-done way to nail the 90's look, which Refinery29 claims is all about balancing minimalism and a wink to futuristic vibes. (Oh, and butterflies.) So, since you'll save a bunch of money on these sunglasses, you could splurge on some bedazzled butterflies to really seal the deal.

The Trendy Retro Sunglasses are $5.50 and are available in eight colors on Amazon.

Now known as cat-eye glasses, Vogue reports that this staple silhouette was inspired by "Venetian Harlequin masks," the ultra-decorative masks worn during Venice carnivals. And, sure, cats have a bit of a reputation for intentionally knocking stuff over (while creepily locking eyes with their human), but that's all a part of the mystique, of course.

The Alexander McQueen Graffiti Cat-eye Sunglasses take that mystique and pair it with a wink of graffiti street style. The famed fashion house has 11.9 million followers on Instagram, including Diddy.

The Graffiti Cat-eye Sunglasses are available at Alexander McQueen for $315.

Of the countless cool moments in Hollywood's love affair with sunglasses, it's hard to compete with the time Tom Cruise took us all on a thrill ride to the danger zone in "Top Gun." The iconic aviator sunglasses Cruise's character, Maverick, wore in the film elevated an endless list of scenes in the movie. That shirtless beach volleyball scene, where Maverick wears nothing but perfectly distressed jeans, sweat, and aviators? Yes, please.

This pair from Revo fills a much-needed void in the aviators' market — a smaller fit — and boasts the brand's "signature NASA-based polarized lens technology."

The Relay Petite Sunglasses are available in three finishes at Revo for $239, and the standard size Relay is the same price.

If you're looking to stock up on boho accessories before going to another music festival, these sunflower sunnies are festival-ready. Stylishly Me's festival packing list includes sunglasses, but not just for the apparent cool factor. Not only are sunglasses a fashion statement, but they will also keep the sun glare to a minimum, so you can actually see the stage.

Amazon fans love the similarity to Elton John's famous glasses and the carefree hippie vibe. "I got lots of compliments till the sun came down," one reviewer wrote. "Now I need a VW BUG and a daisy flower in the window to go with my glasses. Peace and love."

The Dollger Retro Daisy Sunglasses are available in a two-pack on Amazon for $15.99.

As it turns out, not everyone is as comfortable playing beach volleyball in jeans à la Tom Cruise in "Top Gun." For three-time beach-volleyball Olympic Medalist April Ross, comfort and function are essential considerations. And with that in mind, she's often seen sporting her Oakley sunglasses during competitions.

These Oakley sunglasses are designed to stay in place, even in the most adventurous situations. They boast a lightweight frame, details to prevent slippage, and even features to prevent hair snags. Most importantly, the sunglasses feature Prizm™ lenses, which punch up the visual contrast to ensure your eye-hand coordination is ready for any challenge.

The Spindrift Sunglasses are available in four colors (prescription and non-prescription), at Oakley for $178.

The frame that Elle dubbed the "it" look for summer 2021 is showing no signs of fading, especially while stars like Dua Lipa keep the style in heavy rotation. One of her Instagram posts featuring the trendy look tipped the social love scales with 4.3 million likes.

Rectangular sunglasses have a '60s mod-style mojo, and this pair from Target goes with everything. The slim frame makes it easy to stash in a bag or pocket, and guess what? They don't skimp on peeper protection; each pair offers at least 99% UV-ray protection.

The Marble Print Rectangle Sunglasses are available at Target for $12.

Teal just seems to radiate a special aura — even Buddhist monks associate the color with an optimistic, anything-is-possible mindset. After all, it is the color often associated with boundless skies and oceans. So, what can you expect from a pair of teal sunglasses? Well, the sky's the limit, obviously. 

Along with the usual aesthetic dazzle, the Dasha Sunglasses from TIJN are also created with the Earth's mojo in mind. Using an environmentally-minded acetate, these peacock-colored sunnies are a mindful pop of color.

The Dasha Sunglasses are available in four colors at TIJN for $110.

Kate Hudson transformed herself into the character Penny Lane in the movie "Almost Famous." She personified boho-cool vibes to a T. In an actually famous scene, her character — effortlessly cool in oversized tinted shades — is introduced with the memorable line, "This is Penny Lane, man; show some respect."

Well, some things never change, and oversized custom tint sunglasses still deliver drama. Clearly, Alexander McQueen understood the assignment. The luxe brand offers these rose-tinted, hexagon-shaped sunnies adorned with a jewel-dabbled beetle. So if you're in the mood for a splurge, channel your inner Penny Lane with elegant whimsy.

The Beetle Jeweled Sunglasses are available at Alexander McQueen for $680.

Vintage glam never goes out of style, and these neutral-colored shades will never let you down. First of all, they go with everything. So, for the cost of a few Starbucks lattes, you get the kind of versatility usually associated with the little black dress.

Along with the endless wardrobe combinations, these anti-glare sunglasses inspire some next-level-excitement exclamation point usage from Amazon fans. "I absolutely LOOOVE these sunnies!!!! They're even better in person than they are online. They feel way more expensive than what they cost." Vision Monday reports an increase in online eyewear activity, so you're in good company as you research these flaunty frames on Amazon.

The SOJOS Vintage Oversized Square Sunglasses offer essential UV protection and are sold on Amazon for $14.99.

A quick visit to Foster & Grant will have your online cart busting at the seams with gorgeous, affordable sunnies. One of their newest partnerships is with the "Modern Family" star Sofia Vergara, and the line has spectacular specs — everything from sunglasses, blue light blockers, and readers. Not only does it feature oodles of cat-eye, vintage, and classic frames, but most are under $35.

But what has the reaction been so far? Well, Vergara's recent sunny-centric Instagram post has nearly 350k likes. Plus, these trendy sunglasses were designed for durability and boast 100% UV protection.

The Sofia Vergara® x Foster Grant Jacinta Sunglasses are available at Foster & Grant for $30.95.

First of all, no judgments here. It happens to the best of us; sunglasses are notoriously easy to lose. If you're someone for whom this struggle is — shall we say — "a thing," we feel you. You're not alone, though; there are entire articles devoted to how to not lose your sunglasses. But in the end, if you're constantly losing your sunglasses, then it's time to buy in bulk, baby. 

This multipack of minimalist retro cat-eye sunnies has a whopping 12 pairs of sunglasses. So, it's an almost guilt-free scenario should you lose a pair here and there. But with multiple Taylor Swift references in the reviews, you'll want to hold on tight. One reviewer said she "Used these as part of a Taylor Swift-themed birthday party. These glasses were much nicer than [she] had expected."

The 12 Pack Wholesale Neon Colors Cateye Sunglasses is available on Amazon for $21.99

In yet another Tom Cruise-inspired sunglasses moment, Ray-Ban Wayfarers have remained a cultural favorite ever since a pantless Cruise slid onto the scene in the movie "Risky Business." But according to "How Ray-Ban Became the King of Sunglasses," which has over 88k views on YouTube, Cruise is only one among many celebrities to contribute to the brand's success.

Most recently, Ray-Ban has put a lot of innovative energy into smart sunglasses, which allow you to capture photographs, video, and sound in real-time. So if you're into spontaneous creative content creation and want to join what one user calls a technological "revolution," these tech-trendy sunglasses are worth a looksie.

The Ray-Ban Stories Wayfarer Smart Glasses are available on Amazon for $299.

If variety is the spice of life, then Moscot sunglasses are a jalapeno burrito. Case in point, the Lemtosh Sun Sunglasses are available in 20 colorways and four different widths. As a testament to the versatility, you can find celebs as wide-ranging as "Harry Potter"'s Rupert Grint to Johnny Depp rocking the brand's frames.

In addition to celebrity-cool clout, the brand has been in business for more than a hot minute – 107 years, to be exact. So, it's safe to say they know a thing or two about crafting crazy-cool sunglasses. And with so many sizes and color configurations, you'll be happy to know they have a virtual try-on feature.

The Lemtosh Sun Sunglasses are available at Moscot for $320.

If you're looking to amp up your style with a cat-eye frame but don't want to go all-in, you can baby-step your way into the feline frenzy with an understated option, like the Nikol from Raen. There are four colors to choose from, but this "papaya" color undoubtedly adds a certain je ne sais quoi.

The benefits of polarized lenses and free returns, combined with Popsugar's continued love of the cat-eye trend, make these sunglasses a real contender. Add to that a review that highlights the IRL benefits: It's always good to find sunnies that "...actually STAY ON [your] face and [your] head" as well as offer "beautiful style, color, and construction overall."

The Nikol Sunglasses are available at Raen for $184.95.

Quay sunglasses are kind of a big deal, and that's been further bolstered by their recent collaboration with Paris Hilton. So much so that a current Quay x Paris Hilton Instagram video has tallied up 385K views so far. So, following the lead of the Hilton heiress, we're going to file this under "that's hot."

According to The Zoe Report, styles may come and go, but at the foundation of coolness is confidence in self-expression. A pair of shield-style sunglasses are a great way to balance trend and individuality.

The Quay Australia Hindsight Oversized Shield Sunglasses are available on Amazon for $64.98.

Carved frames in a zebra wood variety for under $40? Sold! A stand-out bamboo wood style just might be what your collection of specs needs. This polarized pair is treated to minimize glare, so there are bonus points for functionality.

One reviewer mentioned, "They are very well made and have surprising 'heft' for being made with bamboo frames." So, when you add in the six-color and carving varieties, these sunnies check off a lot of boxes. Plus, on any given day, you'll likely see wood-frame-wearing celebrities such as Beyonce switching up their sunglasses game to include an outdoorsy vibe.

The Bamboo Wood Polarized Sunglasses are available on Amazon for $38.50.

The heart wants what the heart wants. And sometimes, the heart yearns for a dramatic, over-the-top pair of sunglasses. These bold, bedazzled glasses are layered with multiple trends — cat-eye frames, color-tint lenses, an oversized shape, and a go big or go home vibe.

Whether your burning need for maximalism is a fabulous personality trait or the result of pandemic fatigue-driven fashion trends, this $20 purchase is "bold, classy, and sassy," according to one fan. "If you're that bold & confident woman who loves a nice pair of stylish sunglasses, you can't go wrong with these!"

The Slocyclub Jeweled Sunglasses are available on Amazon for $19.99.