Top 10 Best Clear Frame Sunglasses in 2021 (Ray-Ban, Oakley, and More)

To help you complete your summer outfit, here is a list of our top 10 picks when it comes to clear frame sunglasses. We made sure to include both stylish and functional sunglasses, so you'll be sure to find something that suits you!

Before making a decision, there are a few things you should keep in mind, like the sunglasses’ material, style, lens color, features, and fit. Read on to make sure you get the best pair for you!

When it comes to the lenses of your sunglasses, the most common materials used are glass, plastic, or polycarbonate. Sunglasses with glass or optical glass lenses are great because they give you a clear and non-distorted vision. These lenses are durable, but you must take care since they can break upon impact.

Sunglasses that come with plastic or polycarbonate lenses are lightweight and impact-resistant. These are more comfortable to wear and are pretty low-maintenance. They are great for people who like to stay active or ones who want to throw a pair in their bag in case they need it. However, plastic is more prone to scratches.

Another great option is acrylic. Acrylic lenses are best for fashion or accessorizing purposes. They are lightweight but not ideal to use while you’re out and about. They are not as durable as plastic or glass, and they are very prone to scratches.

Clear frame sunglasses are usually made of different plastic materials. Plastic frames, in general, are light and great for daily use. They are comfortable to wear, especially if you use them for long periods of time or when playing sports.

The most common types of plastic frames are Zyl, acetate, and nylon. Zyl, also known as zylonite, is exceptionally lightweight and is available in a wide range of colors, giving you more options to choose from. It is also easily adjustable.

Acetate frames, on the other hand, are more durable and flexible. They hold color well, are available in many different colors, and can easily be adjusted to fit better. Plus, they are hypoallergenic and will keep you comfortable. However, they're not ideal for sports because they are heavier.

Lastly, nylon frames are light and robust. They can easily be molded, which means they come in many unique styles and shapes. However, they are brittle. This is why you’ll often find nylon blended with other materials to make it more flexible. Blended nylon frames are great for sports and outdoor activities.

Clear frame sunglasses can come in different styles and shapes; you should choose one depending on the shape of your face. If you have a square-shaped face, you'll want to choose a pair that can help soften your features. You can go for curved, oval, or rounded sunglasses. Or, if you want a statement pair, opt for a bold cat-eye style.

If your face is more on the oval and rounded side, you should go for sunglasses that will highlight and sharpen your softer features. You can choose a rectangular frame that will make your face look longer and thinner, an angular frame for balance, or a cat-eye frame that will keep the focus on your eyes.

If you have a heart-shaped face, you want to look for a pair that is proportionate to your face. You can opt for ones with bottom-heavy frames like D-frame sunglasses or aviators that will emphasize the lower part of your face. Oval-shaped frames are also great if you want to balance out your pointed chin.

People that have a more triangle shape can go for sunglasses that will balance out their features. These sunglasses usually are wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. You can go for aviator, D-frame, or cat-eye sunglasses. These will balance out your angular features.

Sunglasses also differ in lens color. Choosing the right lens color and tint is vital because it can affect the sunglasses’ look and performance under different brightness and lightings. You can choose between dark, bright, and mirrored lenses.

If you want something great for everyday use or for when you’re outdoors and under the sun, it’s best to go for dark gray, green, or brown lenses.

Gray and green lenses are great because they can block light without distorting colors. They reduce brightness and harsh glare from the sun. These are great to wear when driving or doing outdoor sports like golf, running, or cycling because they maintain a good color distinction.

Brown lenses are great if you want to improve the light’s quality. This color will increase contrast and depth perception and brighten your vision on cloudy days. You can wear these for fishing, baseball, golf, and water sports. However, a downside to this tint is that it can distort colors.

Light-colored lenses like yellow, orange, or pink are perfect for moderate to low light. These will allow you to see better, increase your depth perception and contrast, and make your surroundings brighter.

Yellow or gold lenses are great in places where there's haze, fog, and low lighting. They make your surroundings appear sharper. However, they can distort color. These lenses are ideal for people who like to play snow sports or to wear during nighttime.

Pink or rose-colored lenses improve depth perception, road visibility, and color contrast. They are great to use for driving, sports like biking or racing that involves speed, and running, hiking, or rock climbing where you need to be sure of your footing.

If your eyes are sensitive to bright light, it might be a good idea to get clear frame sunglasses with mirrored lenses. Mirrored lenses will reduce glare and reflect light away from them. They deter glare when walking, driving, or playing sports under sunny conditions.

The downside to mirrored lenses is that they significantly darken your surroundings. That's why they may make it harder to see.

It could be helpful to go for polarized or UV protecting clear frame sunglasses. Polarized lenses are made with a chemical that lets them filter light. It specifically blocks horizontal light rays that are visually uncomfortable to look at and see.

These lenses are great because they allow you to see better by giving better contrast; they can help reduce eye strain and increase visual comfort. These usually come in dark colors and are best used outdoors and when driving.

And you should definitely look for clear frame sunglasses that will protect your eyes from harsh and damaging UV rays. Ideally, you should try to find sunglasses with a minimum of 60 percent UVA and 70 percent UVB blockage, although it's easy to find sunglasses with 100 percent protection.

Aside from ensuring your sunglasses look good, you should also check to see if they will fit you well. Since you can’t try on the glasses when buying online, you have to measure your eye, bridge, and temple size, or you can base it on a pair you already have.

The measurements are usually given in millimeters. You can find the proper width of the lens by measuring the length of your eyes and the bridge width by measuring the width of your nose. The measurement of your temples will determine the arms of your glasses.

Getting the measurements right is important because it will ensure a comfortable and proper fit. Not only that, but it will also save you the time of returning the glasses or getting them adjusted in a shop.

If this style isn’t quite for you, here are other stylish and protective sunglasses you can rock this summer!

Spice up your look this summer with fun accessories like a pair of clear frame sunglasses. When picking the right pair for you, make sure to keep a few important details in mind like the sunglasses’ material, style, lens color, features, and fit.

Author: Janina Maddatu

• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more mybest recommendations!

If you're looking for a non-clear, tried and true option, you might want to take a look at TopFoxx's Venice Cateye sunglasses recommended by beauty and fashion blogger, Marissa Lynn Busso. It has a classic tortoiseshell body and a cute design.