If you’ve been searching for the best sunglasses to add to your collection, you’ve probably come across a few different types: polarized, tinted, and gradient sunglasses.
Gradient sunglasses are two-tone and are very popular thanks to their stylish look, worn by celebrities and models.
We’ll discuss below exactly what gradient sunglasses are, how they work, the benefits, and the difference in lens types and colors as well as how to choose the best type of gradient sunglasses according to your lifestyle and preferences.
What Are Women’s Gradient Sunglasses?
Women’s gradient sunglasses are a two-tone style of glasses that transition from a darker tint to a lighter tint at the bottom.
These sunglasses work by having a darker upper portion of the lens which helps to block sunlight from coming above and the lighter bottom section allows for clear vision in low-light situations. A metal oxide added to the lenses during the manufacturing process creates this ombre effect.
The benefits of women’s gradient sunglasses are enhanced visual comfort, UV protection, and versatility. They are excellent for activities where you transition from dark to light environments or driving where you want to see the dashboard but block overhead light.
Types Of Lenses For Women's Gradient Sunglasses
You can choose a variety of different lenses for your gradient sunglasses to support your vision needs such as -
Prescription Vs Non-Prescription Lenses
Prescription Lenses
Single vision - This corrects one field of vision, either near or far.
Reading lenses - Designed specifically for reading or close-up tasks.
Bifocal lenses - These have two distinct optical powers for both distance and near vision with a visible line that separates both zones.
Progressive lenses - These give a gradual change in lens strength which gives you clear vision at all distances without the visible lines. This is ideal for people needing multifocal correction.
Non-Prescription Lenses
These lenses don’t have any vision correction and are great for individuals with normal vision who want sun protection or to wear gradient glasses as a stylish accessory.
Lens Colors & Tints
Gray - This gives true color perception while reducing overall brightness. It’s ideal for general usage or outdoor activities.
Brown/amber - Enhances contrast and helps with depth perception, making it great for driving and other sports.
Green - Helps to reduce glare while keeping color balance, ideal for outdoor usage.
Blue/purple - Best for fashion, providing a trendy look. However, it lacks benefits compared to other tints.
Pink - This stops glare in polarized styles and keeps your eyes comfortable during bright conditions.
Tint Percentage Options
20% tint - This gives minimal darkness, it provides a subtle reduction in brightness while still giving great visibility. It’s best for overcast days or indoor usage with bright lighting.
40% tint - This provides a moderate level of darkness and is great for bright sunlight or outdoor activities, enhancing comfort without altering color perception.
Gradient Vs Mirror Vs Polarized - What’s Best?
All types of sunglasses can help to protect your eyes, but some types might be more suited to your individual needs than others.
Gradients Lenses
Gradient lenses are best for blocking overhead sunlight which allows for better visibility in shaded areas. They are best for users who want basic sun protection while looking stylish.
Mirror Lenses
Mirror lenses give that extra layer of glare reduction which makes them great for very bright environments. They are ideal for activities in very bright conditions like skiing or beach activity where sun glare can be disruptive.
Polarized Lenses
Polarized lenses help enhance visual clarity and offer consistent protection from the sun's glare by blocking horizontal light waves, reducing eye strain, and making them best for outdoor activities.
These lenses are most suited to people often outside in the harsh sunlight engaging in activities such as fishing, boating, or driving where glare reduction is needed for clarity and safety.
How To Choose The Right Gradient Sunglasses
Gradient sunglasses come in all different types and materials, to choose the right sunglasses for your needs we recommend considering the following -
Step One - Consider Your Face Shape
Face shape matters when choosing your glasses since some frames are more complimentary than others. You can read more about the best glasses for certain face shapes in our celebrity face shape guide.
We also have an online 3D try-on tool that allows you to have a real-time look at your frames/glasses.
Step Two - Frame Material Matters
The frame material of your glasses is often an overlooked factor when picking sunglasses. Different frame materials impact how comfortable your glasses are and how durable they are.
At Glasses Shop, we offer a huge variety of different frame materials such as metal, titanium, TR90, Acetate, and more.
If it's your first time buying women’s gradient sunglasses pay attention to the material, you can get a feel for how comfortable your new glasses are without any purchase commitment by using our try-before-you-buy tool, this allows you to order up to five frames to try on at home.
Step Three - Ensure UV Protection
Don’t make the mistake of choosing glasses without 100% UV protection. This is important to protect your eyes from long-term damage caused by UV rays. Look for labels such as UV400 or 100% UV protection to ensure your eyes have full protection.
Finding Women’s Gradient Sunglasses At GlassesShop
With over 1800 frames on offer, GlassesShop has a huge variety of gradient sunglasses with different lens options such as prescription, bifocal, or progressive.
We also have a BOGO deal which allows you to purchase two different types of lenses so you can see which one suits you best and free shipping is over $69. All our glasses have a365-day guarantee policy for buyer's confidence.