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How to Adjust Your Sunglasses for the Perfect Fit 

 June 16, 2023

By  Keith Terrell

One of the biggest fashion faux pas is wearing sunglasses that don’t fit your face properly. You know what it looks like: wonky, drooping lenses, sliding off your nose, too tight on the temples, or the bridge catching on top of your head. But, you don’t have to deal with this eyewear-induced embarrassment anymore!

To adjust your sunglasses, you will need to loosen the screws on the temples until they are in the desired position. Once they are in the correct place, tighten the screws firmly to ensure they stay in place.

By following the simple tips below, you’ll learn how to adjust your sunglasses for the perfect fit and be one step closer to total chicness.

Adjusting Sunglasses for Proper Fit

Finding a pair of sunglasses that fit comfortably can seem daunting and leave you feeling frustrated. Knowing how to properly adjust the sunglasses for a perfect fit is essential and the first step in reaching after-sales satisfaction. The adjustment process starts by using both hands to carefully tighten the frames' legs until it rests comfortably around the ears. If possible, select adjustable nose pads to allow for additional customization.

Adjustable nose pads provide extra support and work by moving the frame either closer or farther away from your face depending on your needs. This adjustment should also be made with both hands so as not to deform the frame's shape.

Adjusting bridge width is also beneficial when focusing on proper sunglass fit as this ensures that they rest steadily on the face while still allowing air to circulate freely, stopping the glasses from fogging up and obstructing vision.

It may take some trial and error to find your ideal positioning, but once you finally have them snug and in place, you will benefit from greater comfort and improved vision when wearing your shades. With proper adjustments made, you can now proceed with confidence knowing that you have achieved the best fit possible.

In order to complete the adjustment process, however, it is important to ensure that proper nose bridge sizing has been addressed as well. Only then can you guarantee the perfect custom sunglass fit.

Nose Bridge Adjustment

Once you have addressed the fit of your sunglasses, it is time to move on to making adjustments to the nose bridge area of the frames. There are several ways to make adjustments as far as size, shape, and angle. Depending on the frame shape, you may be able to use pliers or needle-nose pliers to carefully and gradually adjust the frame to align properly on your nose.

Alternatively, if your frames are made of metal, acetate, or other malleable material, you can gently squeeze them with your hands and fingers in order to perform a better fit.

Moreover, there is debate about whether squeezing or pinching the frames of your sunglasses too much can be damaging and detrimental over time. On one side of the argument, proponents assert that excessive stretching intended to achieve a customized fit will weaken material integrity and reduce durability; making it more susceptible to damage such as breakage.

However, there is a counterargument stating that squeezing and fitting materials such as acetate to conform to facial features can actually prevent excessive movement of the frames while being worn, thus reducing long-term impacts due to over-flexing.

Now that we have adjusted both the sunglass fit and our nose bridge area, next we will discuss lens tint adjustment and learn how best use your choice of lens tint for an optimal outdoor experience.

Lens Tint Adjustment

Beyond personalizing your sunglasses for comfort, you can customize the lens tint to best suit your outdoor activities and environment. Each style of tint has its advantages and thus it is important to understand when to use light and dark lenses, as well as color choice. There are undoubtedly two camps when discussing lens tint: those who believe lighter tints provide superior vision under harsh sunlight while others contend that darker lenses offer the best protection.

Those in the former camp recommend using lighter colored lenses such as yellow, red, and brown for activities that require excellent contrast vision and clarity such as fishing or golfing. In addition, yellow lenses enhance focus by adding vibrancy to the colors around the wearer; however, this hue does limit other color perceptions depending on the shade chosen.

Red-tinted lenses improve contrast in bright light conditions while keeping colors true to their actual shade, especially with water sports such as skiing and wakeboarding. Lastly, brown lenses will offer good overall performance in most kinds of environments while still providing decent protective properties from long-term exposure to UV rays and glare.

On the other side of the argument, many individuals prefer wearing darker tints since they block more light than any other variety and provide an overall better sense of security. Commonly used shades include grey and green; grey tinted lenses absorb all wavelengths equally while still allowing outdoor enthusiasts to view objects true-to-form without limiting any particular color spectrum.

For example, grey lends great protection for harsh conditions such as desert driving or mountaineering. On the other hand, if a person needs more contrast protection then a green-tint may be greater suited because it provides a balance between reducing brightness without washing out colors (especially in foliage).

Now that you have an understanding of how to adjust your sunglass lens tint for optimal comfort and usability, you can move on to properly customizing the angle of your shades so that you get the perfect outward orientation for maximum coverage from UV rays and sun glare.

Angle Adjustment

Angle adjustment is a crucial step in ensuring your sunglasses are correctly fitted for you. While pushing the frames of your shades in or out to better accommodate the profile of your face is generally advised, some debate whether this should be done.

Proponents suggest that it can help with both comfort and performance as better positioning will mean a more balanced fit regardless of face shape. Those against recommend just letting the frame rest in its natural position as doing so can create enough space for good airflow and peripheral vision.

Ultimately, it depends on each individual’s needs; some may find an adjusted angle more conducive to outdoor activities and others might benefit from having their sunglasses rest at their face’s natural angle. Experiment with the fitting until you find what works best for you.

Once you're satisfied with the lens tint and angle adjustments, it's time to look into making sure your screws are fitted correctly - a process that requires delicate work with a screwdriver.

Screwdriver Adjustment

Having adjusted the angles for your sunglasses, you will now want to consider options for physically adjusting the frame with a screwdriver. This activity is similar to using a wrench or spanner if you are more mechanically inclined. The key difference is that a screwdriver allows precision of adjustment which may not be possible with a larger tool.

On one hand, making manual adjustments with a screwdriver offers greater control in terms of comfort and style on your face. This means that you have more control over the fit of your sunglasses than by simply adjusting the angle. On the other, if adjustments are made incorrectly it can cause significant damage to the physical structure of your shades and render them useless.

One example of this happening occurred when attempting to adjust the arms of a pair of aviator sunglasses; applying too much torque with the screwdriver resulted in the arms being bent and no longer able to hold onto the glasses securely due to permanent deformity from improper manufacture or material fatigue.

Using a screwdriver, then, can be an effective way to adjust your sunglasses for a custom fit but should be done carefully - take your time and double check any adjustments you make before moving on to further tweaks, as these are not reversible once complete. 

Additionally, if changes are needed it may be better to look into alternatives to manual adjustment, as they provide more balanced outcomes without as much risk of messing up the overall structure of your shades.

Alternatives to Manual Adjustment

Although manual screwdriver adjustment is an effective way to get sunglasses to fit properly, there are alternative methods that may be simpler and more convenient. For instance, adaptive temples feature adjustable hinges that use a sliding system and spring technologies- allowing the wearer to easily adjust the temples for a perfect fit.

Another alternative to manual adjustment is adjustable nose pads- which feature a variety of solutions from clear silicone nose pads with adjustable arms to “magnets” that hold frames in place. These solutions allow wearers to customize the fit of their sunglasses further by increasing or decreasing the grip on their nose bridge. Both practices require no tools, making them easier and more convenient than manual screwdriver adjustments.

On the other hand, it's important to note that certain types of glasses may not be compatible with these adjustment methods. Some frame shapes such as aviators or oversized styles do not have room for adjustable temples or nose pads. In these cases, manual screwdriver adjustments remain the best option for customizing the fit of a pair of sunglasses.

Ultimately, what type of adjustment technique works best depends on the style and material of the frame in question. Wearers should try out various methods until they find one that works best for them. Doing so can help reduce eyestrain, headaches, and other discomforts associated with wearing ill-fitting sunglasses while providing enhanced comfort throughout wear.

There are alternatives to manual screwdriver adjustments when it comes to increasing the comfort and fit of a pair of sunglasses. These include adaptive temples, which feature adjustable hinges, and adjustable nose pads, which provide a variety of solutions that allow the wearer to customize the fit.


However, some frame shapes such as aviators or oversized styles may not be compatible with these adjustment techniques. Ultimately, it is important to experiment with various techniques until one is found that works best for each individual wearer in order to reduce eyestrain, headaches, and other discomforts.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How should I position my sunglasses on my face for maximum comfort?

The best way to position your sunglasses for maximum comfort is to make sure that the frames rest comfortably on the bridge of your nose. For a secure fit, adjust the arms of the sunglasses so that they slightly hug the sides of your head. If your sunglasses don’t have adjustable arms, look for a pair with non-slip pads on the arm ends, which will help them stay in place better.

Additionally, make sure the lenses sit far enough away from your eyes that you can clearly see the surroundings without straining. Finally, when looking up or down, you should be able to look underneath the frames or at least through the brows. Following these tips will help you achieve an optimal fit so that you can stay comfortable and stylish all day!

What materials do I need to properly adjust my sunglasses?

To properly adjust your sunglasses you will need:

  1. A firm surface to work on—you don’t want to be making adjustments while holding onto a pair of sunglasses in the middle of nowhere.
  2. A microfiber cloth or other soft clean material, such as a cotton swab, to clean the frame of your sunglasses and make sure no dirt or debris gets inside the frame while you’re adjusting them.
  3. Some kind of tools such as wire cutters, pliers, or scissors if you need to trim excess material from the frame in order to properly fit your sunglasses. Be careful with whatever tool you choose, as delicate frames can easily be damaged if handled incorrectly.
  4. Tweezers can also come in handy if you need to gently reposition any stiffened parts on the frames of your glasses.
  5. A gentle touch is essential for making adjustments without damaging your sunglasses!

What steps should I take to ensure my sunglasses fit my face comfortably?

  1. Start by measuring the size of your face with a ruler or inch tape, from the bridge of your nose to the edges of your ears. This gives you a good idea of what size sunglasses you should be looking for.
  2. Try on several pairs before deciding on the one that fits best. When trying on sunglasses, make sure that the lenses are not too big or too small for your face and that they fit comfortably on top of your nose and behind your ears.
  3. Adjust the nose pads if needed, as adjusting the bridge of your sunglasses can help ensure a comfortable and secure fit. Use a professional or someone knowledgeable in fashion to help you get the adjustments right so that glasses fit just right.
  4. Make sure that the temples (or arms of the glasses) are not too tight or loose, as this may cause discomfort when eyewear is worn for long periods of time. Also, look out for any signs of “slippage” around your ear where the temple arm might become loose over time and need further adjustment, especially when engaging in physical activities such as sports.
  5. Lastly, never sacrifice comfort for style; choose glasses based on personal preferences in terms of color and shape but make sure that their design is optimized for optimal wearability. A pair of glasses should always provide snug fitting to avoid slipping off and causing injury to the eyes or other parts of the face.
About the author

Keith is a one bag traveler and the owner of Sunglass Selector.

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