By Ben
If you’ve struggled to find sunglasses that fit properly, there’s a good chance this isn’t your first attempt at solving the problem.
Start with three checks: pressure, stability and where the frame sits. A pair that looks larger still needs to feel comfortable, stay put during ordinary movement and clear your cheeks when you smile.
Most people who eventually find us have already tried countless pairs labeled as “wide fit,” “large fit,” or “extra large,” only to discover they still squeeze at the temples, sit awkwardly on the face, or simply don’t feel right.
After enough disappointment, many people quietly give up.
They stop believing that properly fitting sunglasses even exist for them.
And honestly, I understand why.
Over the years, I’ve had countless customers tell me they spent decades searching for sunglasses that fit comfortably before finally stumbling across our company almost by accident. Some had spent thousands of dollars trying different brands. Others had completely stopped wearing sunglasses altogether because the experience had become so frustrating.
The strange thing is that many people with wider faces or larger heads start to believe discomfort is normal.
They assume:
- sunglasses are supposed to feel tight
- pressure at the temples is unavoidable
- headaches are part of wearing sunglasses
- lenses always look too small on their face
But that usually isn’t the case.
If standard frames keep squeezing, it’s worth checking the measurements and fit rather than accepting the discomfort.
A Practical Fit Check for a Bigger Head
When you try on sunglasses, check what you can see and what you can feel. A photograph can show the frame’s position, but it can’t tell you whether the wearer feels pressure.
- At the temples and ears: Notice any squeezing or digging in. Arms pushed noticeably outward are a reason to check the fit, rather than proof that a particular wider size will solve it.
- At the nose: The bridge or pads should feel comfortable. Pinching and repeated sliding are both worth checking; the overall frame width is only one part of the fit.
- In the mirror: Look for an obvious tilt and notice whether the frame touches or lifts with your cheeks when you smile.
- During ordinary movement: Look down and turn your head gently. Repeated slipping or having to push the sunglasses back into place deserves attention, even if the frame looks the right size.
For a starting comparison, measure the full front of a reasonably comfortable pair straight across, from the outside edge on one side to the outside edge on the other. Compare that with the published total front width, then check the bridge and temple measurements too. Lens width and total front width are different measurements.
Our sunglasses fitting guide can suggest a starting width from your hat size or head circumference. That recommendation still needs a real-world fit check.
If pressure, slipping or uneven fit persists, an optician can assess the frame and any suitable adjustment. Don’t bend or heat the frame to force a fit.
Why a “Wide Fit” Label Is Only a Starting Point
One of the biggest frustrations customers talk about is the repeated disappointment of trying sunglasses marketed as “wide fit” only to discover they still don’t fit properly.
A size label alone doesn’t tell you how a frame will fit. Start with the published measurements, then check where the bridge and arms sit on you.
For someone who has spent years struggling with fit, those details are more useful than choosing by the word “wide” alone.
Over time, that repeated disappointment creates a strange kind of skepticism.
People begin searching for sunglasses almost expecting to be disappointed again. They still hope something might work, but they no longer fully trust the promises being made.
That’s why customer reviews matter so much in this niche. By the time someone reaches us, they’ve often heard the same marketing language over and over again from other companies.
Why Properly Fitting Sunglasses Can Feel Strange at First
An illustration of comparing a new look; it does not establish correct fit.
One of the most interesting things I’ve noticed over the years is that properly fitting sunglasses can initially feel wrong to people who have spent their entire lives wearing frames that were too small.
This sounds counterintuitive, but it happens surprisingly often.
Some customers receive a wider pair and immediately think the sunglasses look too large on their face. A different shape or width can take a little getting used to, but that first impression doesn’t tell us whether the fit is right.
Check for pressure, slipping and cheek contact before deciding whether it’s simply an unfamiliar look.
After wearing tighter frames for long enough, anything that actually fits comfortably can initially feel unfamiliar.
I wrote an entire article about this phenomenon called The Haircut Paradox, because it reminds me of the strange feeling people get after a dramatic haircut. At first it can feel wrong simply because it’s different, but after a short adjustment period the new normal suddenly makes perfect sense.
The same thing often happens with sunglasses.
After a week or two of wearing properly fitting frames, many customers tell me they could never go back to standard sizing again.
That’s about getting used to a different look. Don’t keep wearing a pair that hurts or repeatedly slips just to see whether you adjust.
What Properly Fitting Sunglasses Actually Look Like
A balanced appearance can help you choose a style, but comfort and stability still need to be checked while you wear the frame.
Notice how the front sits and whether the arms are being pushed noticeably outward. Then check the nose, ears and cheeks using the steps above.
Different frame shapes also give you different styling options.
One thing I learned after getting the width right was that a single frame shape was never going to suit everybody equally well. That’s one of the reasons our lineup expanded over time into multiple designs and proportions.
Frames like The Arrival came from understanding that people needed both proper width and different styling options depending on their face shape and personal taste.
For many customers, this is the first time sunglasses have ever looked “correct” on their face rather than simply acceptable.
Why We Focus on Fit
We’re a smaller independently owned business.
We can focus deeply on a very specific problem and build products around that niche because we don’t need mass-market volume for the business to make sense.
That freedom allows us to keep fit at the center of what we do.
And honestly, that’s probably why specialist businesses exist in the first place.
The Moment People Finally Stop Searching
The best part of running this company is seeing the relief people feel when they finally find sunglasses that fit properly.
Not because they found a fashion accessory.
But because a problem they’ve quietly dealt with for years suddenly disappears.
I’ve had customers tell me:
- “The search is over.”
- “These are the first sunglasses that have ever fit me.”
- “I didn’t realize how uncomfortable my old sunglasses were until now.”
That reaction never really gets old.
Maybe part of the reason this business means so much to me is because I understand what it feels like to struggle to find things that fit properly. I’m 6’5”, and years ago finding trousers that were actually long enough was incredibly frustrating. If somebody had shown up back then with the perfect solution, I probably would have paid almost anything for it.
So when I see somebody finally experience proper fit for the first time, I genuinely understand the relief.
And if you’ve spent years searching for sunglasses that actually fit a bigger head, hopefully this article reassures you that you’re not imagining the problem and you’re definitely not alone.
If you’re unsure where to start, use our sunglasses fitting guide, then compare the individual measurements. For a closer look at the options, our wide-frame model comparison explains the differences between designs.
You can browse our sunglasses for big heads collection once you have a starting width in mind.
You can also explore The Arrival, which remains one of the designs I’m personally most proud of. Check its measurements and bridge construction alongside the fit checks above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do sunglasses hurt the sides of my head?
A narrow frame can press at the temples, but the shape and position of the arms also matter. Note where you feel pressure and ask an optician to assess a fit that remains uncomfortable.
How should sunglasses fit on a wider face?
Check that the frame feels comfortable at the nose, temples and ears, stays stable during ordinary movement and clears your cheeks when you smile. Appearance alone can’t confirm the fit.
Why do wider sunglasses look too big at first?
A different frame shape or width can look unfamiliar. That alone doesn’t prove the size is right or wrong. Check comfort and stability as well as whether you like the proportions.
What if my sunglasses keep sliding down?
Repeated sliding can involve the bridge, nose pads or arms. A bigger front width isn’t an automatic fix. An optician can help work out whether an adjustment or a different frame is more suitable.
Can sunglasses cause headaches?
They can, but headaches have several possible causes. A headache alone doesn’t show that a frame is too narrow. If headaches keep coming back, seek medical advice rather than relying on a frame-size change.
How do I choose a starting size?
Start with the measurements of a reasonably comfortable pair or use our sunglasses fitting guide. Then check the fit in person. Our wide-frame model comparison covers the differences between designs.