Sunglasses are a face decision before they are a fashion decision. The right frame can make a simple outfit feel finished, but the wrong one can dominate your expression and leave you looking like you borrowed someone else's personality. The temptation is to chase a logo or an extreme shape. I prefer the less exciting test: hold the frame against your face, check where the brow line lands, and make sure the lenses do not sit so low that they become a second set of eyebrows. Round and oval shapes soften, cat eyes sharpen, and square frames add structure, but those are starting points rather than rules. My buying rule is to own one frame that works with most of your clothes before buying the pair that only works in a photograph. The AIRE Whirlpool Sunglasses at $49 are a low-risk experiment, while the Cartier Eyewear Panthère de Cartier rectangular-frame recycled-acetate gold-tone sunglasses at $1,345 are a luxury decision with no practical excuse. A frame should support the face first and the outfit second, even when the frame is the more interesting part visually. Below, frames chosen by shape rather than logo, because your actual face gets the final vote.

Le Specs is the label I would use when I want to experiment without turning sunglasses into a financial referendum. The Bubbles Sunglasses at $95 are the easy everyday choice, and the Love Train Sunglasses at $85 have enough personality to justify a second pair. The Soiree Sunglasses at $99 sit neatly between them. For non-sun days, the Honey Pot Blue Light Eyeglasses at $75 and Le Mimi Blue Light Eyeglasses at $105 are useful alternatives, although blue light framing is still a style decision and not a reason to ignore fit. The Velodrome at $70 is the cheapest way into something less expected. Affordable frames can feel light in the hand, so check the hinges and keep the case.

Round and oval frames are forgiving when you want softness, but they can make a face look smaller if the width is wrong. The Ray-Ban Round Double Bridge at $218 is the familiar start, while the Ray-Ban Oval Sunglasses at $160 are lower key. The Barton Perreira Beckford Sun round-frame tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses at $550 are the considered upgrade, though acetate needs care. The Dior Eyewear Dior Clover B1I round-frame acetate sunglasses at $660 have stronger fashion presence, and the Bottega Veneta Eyewear Round-frame silver-tone sunglasses at $760 are the splurge. Try the frame from the side as well as the front. A beautiful front view does not fix arms that pinch.

Cat eye and angled frames do the most work, but their sharpness can make them feel dated. The Diesel Cat Eye Sunglasses at $223 are approachable, while the Chloe Cat Eye Sunglasses at $510 offer a cleaner luxury version. The Oliver Peoples Lerrue cat-eye acetate sunglasses at $515 are quiet, and the Bottega Veneta Eyewear Curvy cat-eye tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses at $570 are more visibly shaped. The Gucci Eyewear Hailey Interlocking G-detailed cat-eye injection sunglasses at $415 bring the logo into play, but branding reduces adaptability. The Loewe Eyewear Anagram cat-eye tortoiseshell acetate and gold-tone sunglasses at $420 are decorative. Check the angle against your cheekbones.

Square and oversized frames are useful when you want sunglasses to be the accessory, but large is not the same as flattering. The Saint Laurent Eyewear SL M182 JAZZ square-frame recycled tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses at $520 are the reliable statement, while the Valentino Eyewear VLogo-embellished square-frame tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses at $385 offer more decoration. The Brunello Cucinelli Eyewear Square-frame titanium sunglasses at $790 are quieter, though titanium is not a reason to ignore the price. The Loewe Eyewear Speed Shield Mask metal sunglasses at $590 are directional, and the Cartier Eyewear Panthère de Cartier rectangular-frame recycled-acetate gold-tone sunglasses at $1,345 are unapologetic. Check the bridge and temple length before falling for the front view.

The Shopping List is for pairs that do not fit one shape but still deserve consideration. The AIRE Whirlpool Sunglasses at $49 are the low-stakes experiment, though check hinge quality. The Jimmy Fairly The Cinnamon Sunglasses at $175 are the sensible upgrade, while the TOM FORD Brady Sunglasses at $620 are the polished investment. The Chloe Aviator Sunglasses at $415 are classic, but aviators can overwhelm a small face. The Loewe Eyewear Paula's Ibiza square-frame acetate sunglasses at $440 bring a relaxed mood, and the Loewe Eyewear Slim aviator-style acetate sunglasses at $420 are narrower. The Cartier Eyewear Signature C rimless rectangular-frame silver-tone and acetate sunglasses at $1,345 are difficult to justify unless the exact shape does something your current frames cannot.

The boring care advice is what keeps sunglasses looking expensive. Keep them in a case, rinse off salt or sunscreen with water and use a soft cloth instead of a shirt sleeve. Do not leave acetate frames in a hot car, because heat can shift the fit and stress the hinges. When you try a frame, smile, look down and turn your head. If it slides immediately, a beautiful front view is not enough. Start with the shape that balances your face, then decide whether the logo adds anything. A frame you wear every day will earn its price more convincingly than a rare pair that only survives a careful photograph. Phoebe