Everything You’ve Been Wondering About Polarized Sunglasses
Turn the brights down while keeping it lit. Polarized sunglasses help block glare and improve clarity at all the bright times. From sleek shades to statement-making sunglasses, our range of polarized styles is where fashion meets function. Wondering exactly how they work? We're here to help you break down all that you need to know about polarized shades.
A QUICK GUIDE TO THE MEANING OF POLARIZED SUNGLASSES
What are polarized sunglasses? Most sunglasses help tone down brightness, offering protection against UV rays. But there's one major factor that not all shades can take on: glare. When you look at highly reflective flat surfaces like water, snow, or the open road, the light bouncing off them can be intense. Enter polarized sunglasses, which can help minimize the look of glare.
WHAT DOES POLARIZED MEAN?
Light from the sun starts out unpolarized, which means it moves in random directions. When sunlight strikes a horizontal surface such as a lake, it reflects in a mostly horizontal direction and produces glare. Polarized shades have a special chemical applied to them that blocks light waves from horizontal surfaces, thus minimizing glare and reducing any eye discomfort related to it. Here’s another way of thinking about how polarized sunglasses work: When you close window blinds on a sunny day, you limit the amount of light entering a room. Polarized shades work similarly by providing a filter to limit what’s reflected into your eyes.
HOW TO TELL IF SUNGLASSES ARE POLARIZED
POLARIZED SUNGLASSES AND LCD SCREENS
If you’re wondering how to check for polarized sunglasses, no worries. All you need are your sunglasses and a computer screen, as LCD monitors are also polarized to prevent glare. Turn on your computer and crank it up to its brightest setting. Then, take out your shades and tilt them at a 60-degree angle. If the lenses darken or black out, you've got polarized sunglasses, as the anti-glare properties in your lenses and the computer screen will cancel each other out.
ARE POLARIZED SUNGLASSES WORTH IT?
PROS OF POLARIZED SUNGLASSES:
What is the function of polarized glasses? Polarized lenses offer many benefits, so the hype is legit. First off, they cut out glare, so they’re great vacay staples for enjoying those sunny days at the beach or resort. But they're also great for daily wear, helping block out harsh light during everyday errands. Whether you're lounging in the sand or grinding through your daily hustle, these help with glare distortion when the sun is especially strong. Polarized sunglasses can also reduce glare from water and snow, so they’re great for sports such as boating and snowboarding.
Which brings us to point two: increased clarity. By dialing down the brightness, polarized sunglasses can help amp up visual contrast, allow for truer color perception, and make objects appear clearer. Which can also mean that you may not have to squint as much in bright conditions. Invest in polarized sunglasses to keep glare in check and max out visibility — they’re definitely worth the hype.
CONS OF POLARIZED SUNGLASSES
While we love polarized sunglasses, sometimes the occasion doesn't call for them. As we've mentioned earlier, they share similar anti-glare properties with LCD screens. One major drawback is that they can make it difficult to see these screens. You'll want to take off your polarized sunglasses during those IG phone scrolls and computer sessions — not that you're likely wearing them during those times anyway.
However, you may be reaching for sunglasses when you drive. These special lenses can be problematic when you hit the road. Many cars, for example, have LCD screens for navigation. If you use these screens, keep in mind that they can look distorted and darkened through polarized sunglasses. And there’s such a thing as being too shady: during low-light driving conditions, these shades can block out too much light. Though you might not grab your sunglasses while driving at night, keep this in mind when you hit the road. Of course, don't hesitate to consult your eye professional about what's best for your vision.
WHAT STYLES OF POLARIZED SUNGLASSES ARE THERE?
Whether you’re on the hunt for the latest trends or you’re a classic through and through looking for an OG style, our collection of polarized sunglasses is sure to offer something to pique your interest. Might we suggest starting your search with top luxury staples? Explore refined and modern takes on classics like our ultra-light BIG TIME frames and the ultra-chic NARROW DOWN. Still unsure? Consider color to point yourself in the right direction. Play with different lens colors to spice up your everyday. Check out our lens color guide for all the deets.
For more inspiration, see everything our fresh and functional collection of polarized sunglasses for women has to offer.
