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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Too shy to wear sunglasses? Anyone else?

185 replies

sunglassesthissummer · 19/03/2022 10:47

I always wanted to wear sunglasses, but also feel like I look stupid in them. Every year I see all kinds of people wearing them, and I just think to myself gosh I wish I could do that. My face is round , and I just feel I’d look stupid in them. Im honestly thinking of buying a good pair this year, and just go for it. Does anyone else feel like this about sunglasses?

OP posts:
LondonQueen · 19/03/2022 11:56

I wear mine every day, studies have shown they make you look more attractive as it cancels out any asymmetry in your face!

BoristalkedaboutBruno22 · 19/03/2022 11:58

Sunglasses are awesome to hide behind and will help prevent wrinkles in the future. As you will be squinting against the sun/bright lights. Just take a friend and try on loads

Beurre · 19/03/2022 12:08

OP, this was me a few years ago. I have sensitive eyes but dreaded wearing sunglasses as I thought I looked absolutely ridiculous due my face shape. Then I discovered Tom Ford sunglasses and now I practically wear it all the time, even in winter. Just try different sunglasses and I'm sure you will find one that suits you.

RampantIvy · 19/03/2022 12:08

Reasons to wear sunglasses

  1. They protect your eyes against the sun's UV rays, which could otherwise lead to cataracts.
  2. They protect against "blue light" from the solar spectrum, which could increase your risk of macular degeneration.
  3. They lead to improved and more comfortable vision from not having to squint.
  4. They can make it easier to adapt to darkness. Exposure to bright light can make it more difficult to adjust to driving at night.

Reasons not to wear sunglasses

None

Sparklesocks · 19/03/2022 12:11

A general rule of thumb is remembering that noone is looking at you anywhere near as much as you think they are.

Lairymary · 19/03/2022 12:13

I wouldn't wear sun glasses or hats until late 20's because I felt self conscious or like a poser! Now I couldn't give a crap, comfort wins. Just find a frame that suits your face.

Applesarenice · 19/03/2022 12:14

I always feel a bit self conscious when my hair is up and I’m wearing sunglasses as I feel my face is super round. Now I’ve written it down that seems weird! Hair down all the way

RampantIvy · 19/03/2022 12:15

A general rule of thumb is remembering that noone is looking at you anywhere near as much as you think they are.

And this is so very, very true.

TBH I would notice someone more who wasn't wearing sunglasses in bright weather because they were squinting, putting their hands up to shade their eyes and knowing that they were risking the health of their eyes.

PinkGinBigGrin · 19/03/2022 12:17

I have literally never in my life looked at someone wearing sunglasses and thought "they look daft".

Unless maybe if they were wearing them indoors, in which case I might assume they have a black eye or something they want to cover up!

Honestly OP, no one is looking at you and judging you for wearing sunglasses. No one.

Mol1628 · 19/03/2022 12:21

Primark sunglasses are quite good if you don’t want to spend too much.

Blinkingheckythump · 19/03/2022 12:21

I really don't understand this. Would you be too shy to wear a coat of you were cold or shoes to protect your feet?! Sunglasses are just a tool for eye health. Literally no one cares that you're wearing them

bluechameleon · 19/03/2022 12:25

I'm the same - I never wear sunglasses because I think I look ridiculous in them. I'm not cool enough for sunglasses.

Lottapianos · 19/03/2022 12:27

I think people who don't wear sunglasses on bright sunny days look ridiculous

And the advice about no one paying as much attention to you as you think they do is very true

TabithaHazel · 19/03/2022 12:31

Sounds like sunglasses are not really the problem, more that you are extremely self conscious. I bet wearing sunglasses will be great for this problem as you can kind of feel camouflaged when wearing them. If you have a round face, wayfarer style sunglasses will suit you, also they are not too out there so you won’t feel silly and like you are drawing attention to yourself :)

LincolnshireYellowBelly · 19/03/2022 12:33

I personally struggle with wearing them unless it is so sunny and bright that I need to. This is because I find it difficult when the world is ‘dimmed’.
However, I fully recognise I need to wear them more, to ensure good eye health in later life

thepeopleversuswork · 19/03/2022 12:33

I would have thought sunglasses would be perfect for someone who is shy! The whole point about them is they allow you to hide!

MisplacedPumpkin · 19/03/2022 12:35

I think it's a case of just going for it. I actually know.what you mean and used to feel similar about sunglasses, hats, even hair accessories. It's exhausting.

Last year I bought a ridiculous pair - I fell in love with them and thought "fuck it!". They are huge, round and bright purple, probably don't suit me at all but the more I wear them the less I care.

If it helps, the specsavers website have a virtual try on thing that gives you a decent view of how they'd suit you.

FleurDeLizz · 19/03/2022 12:36

I bloody love aviator sunglasses, they are so cool, I am the absolute opposite of cool but when I’m wearing them I feel like a rockstar. If anyone told me my lovely aviators didn’t suit me I would tell them to fuck off. Just wear the sunnies!

InsideTheNet · 19/03/2022 12:37

Yes YABU.
Not RTFT but have a look at a few online opticians - some allow you to load up a photo of yourself and 'try' various styles and shapes of spectacles to find out what suits you. Then go shopping and find a pair of sunglasses you like, you'll not regret it.
And try to forget the self-consciousness - most people are too concerned with what they look like to worry about what you look like.

Tee20x · 19/03/2022 12:38

My question is how do you find glasses that suit your face as I think they all look ridiculous on me

cloverlover · 19/03/2022 12:39

@tee20x I think it's just a case of trying loads of styles to see what works. Different face shapes suit different styles.

nordica · 19/03/2022 12:41

No, if anything I like hiding behind them 😎
Was just browsing some new frame options earlier planning to get a second pair. I wear glasses so get prescription sunglasses too.

Booboobibles · 19/03/2022 12:49

@WentBumpInTheNight

I hide behind mine too, in fact sunglasses and a mask or ordinary glasses and a mask with a hat feels like a disguise. Very handy when I pop into the town I work in for bits of shopping looking dreadful.
The problem is that when someone does this it often freaks me out and makes me stare more because it looks like a person with no face is walking towards me!😄
PeekabooAtTheZoo · 19/03/2022 12:49

I feel like this about most hats.

tcjotm · 19/03/2022 12:50

Come to Australia in summer. You’ll step out of the airport and think ‘Jesus fucking christ the glare is going to kill me’ and you won’t give a shit what you look like.

Also if you hate how you look in them take a friend with good taste, buy what they think look good and then never look in the mirror with them on. You’ll stop caring as your eyes relax.