The best blue tinted sunglasses for men and women

Summary in 30 seconds:

TLDR: Whether you’re popping out on the town or hitting the beach, blue-tinted sunglasses deliver a certain je ne sais quoi that makes them great for elevating a variety of looks. Offered in a wide range of styles and hues spanning from light to dark at GlassesUSA.com, you can’t really go wrong with blue lenses. Effortlessly cool, shades featuring a vibrant flash of color are destined to make you stand out. 

Blue-tinted sunglasses have been around for a long time (read: mid-18th century) and have become increasingly popular among stars and the fashion set. Everyone from Bono and Matthew McConaughey to Dua Lipa and Bella Hadid are fans of the colorful eyewear look. Inspired to give blue lenses a go? Ahead, keep scrolling to discover the best blue-tinted sunglasses for any occasion.

Popular Blue Tinted Frames

Persol Ray-Ban Polo Ralph Lauren Muse Amelia.E Yoji

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• The history of blue-tinted sunglasses
• What to look for in blue-tinted sunglasses
• Men’s blue-tinted sunglasses to try
• Women’s blue-tinted sunglasses to consider 

The history of blue-tinted sunglasses

The origins of blue-tinted glasses trace back to English optician and designer James Ayscough. It’s said that around 1752, through experimenting with colored glass lenses in contrast to clear, Ayscough came to believe that glasses with blue or green tints could improve certain vision issues. These tinted glasses are thought to have paved the way for the sunglasses we know today.

A memorable moment in time for blue-tinted sunglasses came in 1986 when Steve McQueen sported deep blue-lensed Persols in The Thomas Crown Affair. The foldable style would become iconic and highly sought after. So much so, that a custom pair of 0714s from McQueen’s personal collection sold for over $60,000 at auction in 2006.

U2 frontman Bono is also a long-time devotee of blue-tinted sunglasses. When the subject of the Irish rockstar frequently wearing blue-tinted glasses came up in a 2005 Rolling Stone interview, he revealed the reason to be “part vanity, part privacy and part [light] sensitivity.” The “With Or Without You” hitmaker has made them his signature over the years. Other notable fans of blue-tinted sunglasses include Olivia Wilde, Gwen Stefani, Demi Lovato, Kim Kardashian, and Justin Bieber. Some might also recall that Harry Styles modeled an oversized pair of blue-tinted shades featuring a whimsical wavy design in his 2019 “Watermelon Sugar” music video.

What to look for in blue-tinted sunglasses

When picking out the perfect pair of blue-tinted glasses for you, here are a few things to consider:

How do you plan on wearing them?

Reflect on your individual style as well as where you plan to wear your blue tint sunglasses. Are you shopping for an everyday pair to run errands and go jogging or biking? If this is the case, you may want to go with glasses that are a bit more understated or sporty. Alternatively, maybe you have a vacation or special event such as a wedding coming up and are looking to make a statement. Either way, there are plenty of cool blue-tinted prescription glasses on the market. 

What type of frames do you want? 

The blue lens options are endless. Do you like gold-rimmed aviators or John Lennon-inspired glasses with thin wire frames? Perhaps you’re into styles with wrap-around arms like this bulky pair by Oakley. Keep in mind whether you want frames that are also colorful or if you gravitate toward classic tortoiseshell.

What shape is best for you?

Some like to take into account their face shape when shopping for sunglasses. There are traditional teardrop aviators, square glasses, round (aka John Lennon’s favorite), rectangular and hexagonal.

How much do you want to spend?

If you’re on a budget or can be careless with your glasses, it may be wise to go with an economical style. That way, you’re less likely to be upset if they happen to get lost or scratched. On the other hand, if you’re looking to splurge on a premium pair that you plan on having for a long time, there are a ton of great designer options, including blue-tinted prescription glasses, to sort through online at GlassesUSA.com.

Men’s blue-tinted sunglasses to try

Men hoping to channel their inner Steve McQueen might consider a style featuring sapphire blue lenses with tortoiseshell frames. It feels safe to say that Thomas Crown would approve of Persol’s 0PO0649 glasses featuring gradient blue lenses offering 100% UV protection. Polo Ralph Lauren’s PH4193 sunglasses in blue and tortoise make another great option.

Additionally, fans of aviator glasses or round glasses are sure to love these classic Ray-Bans styles designed with a retro double bridge.

Women’s blue-tinted sunglasses to consider

These stylish blue tint Muse Bobbie glasses featuring translucent white round frames will boost just about any outfit. Similarly, the brand’s retro oversized Pernell glasses offer a monochromatic look with translucent blue frames.

For the cat-eye lovers out there, look no further than Amelia E.’s Alabama sunglasses designed with clear angular frames.

Want to go the rimless route? Yoji’s Akari sunglasses deliver a sleek, early 2000s aesthetic that is super trendy at the moment.