Shopping for a new pair of shades can seem pretty exciting, especially if you are leaning towards a high-end brand. You will love looking at the different styles and offerings from well-known labels such as Oakley, Ray-Ban, Maui Jim, Prada, and Tom Ford.
Buying the best pair, though, can take up plenty of your time. You will end up visiting dozens of shops possibly located in different malls and shopping centers. Aside from tiring yourself out, you may waste money on gas or commuting.
This is something that you may not be able to avoid if you haven’t narrowed down your choices yet.
Shopping for sunglasses in the UAE, however, doesn’t have to eat up plenty of your time. You don’t have to exhaust yourself looking for the best pair, as well. You can look at various options and buy one that you like and suits you without leaving your home by going online.
Getting the Perfect Pair of Sunglasses Online
If it’s your first time to buy a pair of shades from an online shop, keep these tips and hacks in mind to find the perfect one:
1. Look for a reputable vendor online
Whether you want to buy from an e-commerce platform, an online fashion or optical shop, make sure you choose one that has an excellent reputation.
Look for vendors that have positive reviews and high ratings. Read the comments of their customers, too, to get a good idea of the service and quality of the product you will get.
Don’t forget to find out which of your shortlisted shops deliver to your area. You don’t want to waste your time researching different vendors, only to find out that you can’t order from them.
2. Don’t be tempted by low prices
Many online shops sell branded sunglasses at extremely low prices. You will do well to steer clear of these vendors.
Cheap branded sunglasses are usually knockoffs. Although it may be tempting to buy one since you can save plenty of money on this option, wearing imitation glasses can be dangerous and cause more harm than good to your eyes.
Looking for a reputable online shop is a good way to be sure that you will purchase a genuine branded pair of shades. Set a reasonable budget for your new eyewear.
If you want an authentic high-end product that meets your preference and protects your eyes, be prepared to pay more.
3. Choose the right frame size and type that suits your face
Sunglasses that do not fit you will look like an ill-fitting top or skirt. To avoid the inconvenience of returning a pair that doesn’t suit you, make sure you know the size and shape of your face first.
In general, smaller frames are better for people with small faces; larger ones, on the other hand, suit persons with broad faces.
Also, consider the shape of your face in choosing the ideal type of frame.
Below are the best options based on face shape:
- Oval: Rectangular, cat-eye, and round frames
- Round: Rectangular and square frames
- Square: Cat-eye and rounded
- Oblong: Square and rectangular
- Heart-shaped: Oval, rectangular, and Wayfarer
4. Consider the main purpose of the eyewear when picking the frame material
Aside from focusing on your sunglasses type and size of the frame, put some thought into selecting its material, as well. The best way to narrow down your options is to think about how often and where you will use your new eyewear.
If you live in a windy and sandy area, where the sun rays are harsher or hotter, you will likely use your new pair of sunglasses more frequently.
As such, choose a frame that is durable and comfortable to wear. Examples of these are titanium, nylon, and polycarbonate.
If you are shopping for a new pair of shades as a fashion or beach accessory for your next leisure or business trip to the Caribbean or any destination, which means you won’t be using it often, you can be a bit more adventurous with your choice of frame.
However, you have to choose more carefully if you are allergic to certain frame materials. For instance, metal frames can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This is because nickel is often added to them.
To be safe, you will do well to go with hypoallergenic options such as titanium, stainless, nylon, and polyamide.
5. Be particular about the lenses
Like frames, there are different types of lens materials to select from.
If you are looking for durable lenses that are clear at the same time, polycarbonate and acrylic are excellent options. However, you also have to check if they provide protection from UVA and UVB rays and harsh glares.
Most sunglasses lenses are coated to shield your eyes against UV rays. But there are several specially-designed lenses that offer more protection, which include:
- Polarized lenses: This type effectively blocks intense reflective light so that it does not damage your vision.
- Photochromatic lenses: Changes itself automatically to adjust the changing intensity of the light to protect you from harsh glares.
- Gradient and double gradient lenses: These are lenses that are tinted partially from the top down or the bottom up and are often recommended to individuals that do not want dark sunglasses.
6. Read the fine print
Once you have zeroed in on the perfect pair of sunglasses, before ordering it, go over the online shop terms and conditions for warranties and shipping.
Read and understand the fine print regarding shipping, warranties, and returns. First, check if there is a fee and how much it is if you want to have your order delivered to your address, and find out the expected delivery time.
Check if there is a warranty, its duration, and what it covers. Go over the terms and conditions regarding returns, as well. This is something that you should fully understand before buying something since you have to be sure you can get a replacement or refund if you are not satisfied with your sunglasses.
In case you don’t understand any of the terms and conditions, send the vendor an email or an instant message.
Lastly, avoid purchasing anything until you fully understand and agree with the fine print.
Shopping for your newest pair of sunglasses online will offer you a world of convenience. You may get great discounts and freebies, too.
When you follow these tips, you can even enjoy more benefits and avoid plenty of troubles.
AUTHOR BIO:
Firas Saab is the Training Manager at Al Jaber Optical in Dubai, the leading optical and eyewear company in the UAE that offers a comprehensive range of eyewear and optical services across the board, through a wide range of modern optical products and facilities. Firas is an enthusiastic trainer with more than a decade in the retail and optical industry and has recently acquired HND in Business and Management in addition to his Optical qualifications.