Dear Diana: What Sunglasses Work on Low Nose Bridges?
A reader's looking for styles that don't slide down Asian noses.
Now that the newsletter is transitioning to once a week (at least until mid-October), it gives me a chance to do a tiny bit more research on topics. Today’s subject is based on a question I’ve gotten a lot over the years and it came up once again in my DMs recently. I’ve never had a chance to dive into it until this week and while it’s not 100% exhaustive, it’s a good start. Don’t worry, a part two will come at some point! And a reminder: if you have anything you want help with, feel free to leave me a comment here, a DM on Instagram, or if you’re feeling shy, an email. Now let’s get into it:
Hi Diana!
Where are those sunglasses from and do they still make them? I’ve been trying to find a pair that won’t slide off my nose. I’ve looked into Asian-founded brands but to be honest, they’re not quite my style. I’d rather find options that are a little less classic from designer labels but I’m afraid they won’t stay on my face. Anything you like that I can try?
To say I’ve had these Phoebe Philo-era Celine sunglasses for a lifetime is not an understatement. I bought them on a whim over a decade ago while browsing Kirna Zabête one day after work. From what I remember, they were just under $400 and if we’re calculating cost per wear, it’s well under $1 at this point. They’re far from being in perfect condition — the case lining is completely shredded and the lenses are scratched up. But they’re still very wearable and among my favorites because for years I wasn’t able to find a more flattering pair that also stayed on my face properly. If you want this exact style it’s the CL 41802/S, which is discontinued, although a pair will pop up time to time on Vestiare or Poshmark.
I noticed your comment about your feelings on low bridge specific brands. As much as I want to support these startups, I agree that they’re also not my thing. There’s nothing wrong with these labels per se. As far as doing the job described, they all make styles that sit well on the nose, without sliding off — exactly what you’re looking for in a pair of sunglasses. The problem for me, and I suspect for you as well, is that designs are a little too classic, bordering on generic. I’m looking for a pair that feel more flashy and unfortunately, these options are not the right fit for my wardrobe.
Before you ask about Gentle Monster, I’ll say that my experience with that brand has been mixed. I was gifted some styles years ago and they didn’t stay on. I still loved the way they look, but for a Korean brand, they were incompatible with my Asian nose. Perhaps things have changed, which is why there will be a part two of this newsletter to come! I want to go to their store and try all the styles on before reporting back definitively. Like everyone else, I’m obsessed with this pierced frame that apparently sold out immediately plus their Margiela collab was also very cool too. I really hope they fit without having to readjust them every five seconds.
Now as far as styles that do fit and are available for purchase, I have a few currently that I love. To properly test them out, I’ve worn a few pairs over the course of weeks, including during heat waves. These are all styles that’ll stay on, even as beads of sweat transform your nose into a slip-and-slide. For others that I couldn’t test properly, I did my best shake test a.k.a. some casual head banging in the middle of the store. Anything that didn’t budge made the cut. One big caveat: often times the one that held on the best tend to grip the sides of my head the tightest. If you have sensitive temples, these may give you a headache over time. I’ve been okay so far but I’m also not very sensitive to pressure and I’m not wearing them for hours on end.
On that note, here are seven that made the cut:
You’ve seen these on the newsletter before but I’m such a fan that I have to recommend them again. I’ve heard friends comment that the exaggerated shape of these Acne Studios sunglasses remind them of ski goggles or Y2K shades on steroids. Both descriptions are pretty spot on. I find that the large size protects my eye area from excess sun exposure, which is a plus because I don’t want hyperpigmentation or wrinkles! And the wrap around style generally works on low nose bridges since it “hugs” the face better.
Full disclosure: these Alexander McQueen sunglasses were a gift from the brand but I was so pleasantly surprised about how good they look that I had to include them. I normally don’t think of McQueen when it comes to buying eyewear — I’m more into their candles and jewelry if we’re talking about lower priced items. And of course, if I had the budget, I’d love any of their ready-to-wear too! Anyway, once I tried on these cat eye shades, I was completely sold. They perch really nicely on the nose and they’ve withstood my sweaty face as I’ve run around on errands the last few days. I find that the oversized shape and upward tilt also flatter my face, giving it a bit of a lift.
Loewe styles are hit and miss on my face but one big hit is this one. I LOVE them so much. I don’t even know how to describe the shape but it’s in line with Jonathan Anderson’s love of surreal design. They survived the head banging test as well as generally wear-and-tear over the course of the last few days since I alternated them with my Alexander McQueen style.
These Loewe frames also caught my eye as I was running errands. Being that this was in a store, I just shook my head aggressively for a bit to see if they’d stay on and they didn’t budge an inch. The Anagrams feel similar in spirit to my Celne pair, albeit the upturned ends are more exaggerated. If I had to choose between the two Loewe styles, I’d probably get the first one but only because I have similar options in my wardrobe already. For those of you who want a cool cat eye, these are a great option and I also love the frosted white version.
Before you tell me these look exactly like the others, I’m going to stop and say I disagree. I think feel wise, the materials on these sunglasses measure up to their $550 price tag — it’s very lightweight but also durable. The Bottega style is made with recycled acetate while the Loewe are newly made acetate so I’m splitting hairs here but psychologically speaking, I swear I notice a difference. Whether it’s all in my head or not, they feel very chic. I’d say this was a good option for someone who wants a bit of flair without going too over the top.
Speaking of wraparound styles, I was not expecting to like this Givenchy style as much as I did. Again, it’s very Y2K meets cycling shades and skews trendy but I love how fresh it feels compared to all of the cat eye shapes on this list. I think of it as a more subdued version of the Acnes further up the list, wearable but still has a point of view.
One classic pair I do like are these by Jins, a Japanese company that has really affordable eyewear including some prescription option. After many, many, many years of perfect 20/20 vision, I finally succumbed to needing reading glasses at times. Keep in mind my prescription is only like -0.25 in each eye, which is barely anything but I notice a difference when I read things in low light with my glasses on.
Being that I wanted it to be more functional, I chose a pair from Jins that has snap on sunglasses — a modern take on those eighties-style flip up shades. They’re lightweight and great for those who want more of a Wayfarer style. If you’re into these, I’d actually suggest getting their Snow Peak collab while it’s still in stock. They’re similar but more built for outdoorsy stuff like hiking and camping. Plus, I just love the aesthetics of Snow Peak.
This time next week I’ll be writing to you from Sydney! I definitely have some fun stuff planned there and I can’t wait to share it with you all. See you next week.
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Idk how I missed this back in August, but glad I'm catching it now! THANK YOU! Sunglass shopping while Asian is such a challenge.
Thanks for sharing with us