Styling Lab
The April Collection
Discover ME+EM's new arrivals
Mar 18, 2026
The Science Of Sunglasses
17 March 2026
Words by: Caitlin Eckley. Design by: Melanie Makariou
The UK may not be famed for its bright and sunny skies, but we'll never pass up a chance to add an instant lift to our look with a great pair of sunglasses. And in true ME+EM style, nothing is by accident when it comes to our sunglasses edit. The intelligent design behind each pair means there’s a shape to suit every face, an array of colors to complement different skin tones, and meticulous design details for a luxe edge, all while providing 100% UVA and UVB protection, so you can look good knowing that your shades are fulfilling their ultimate purpose.
To understand the science of sunglasses, we started by speaking with our Head of Accessories about the in-depth design process, beginning with choosing the palette for the capsule.
“There are many steps to designing our sunglasses. Our Italian suppliers sent us hundreds of lenses and frame samples in different colors and patterns, which we use to create endless combinations until we find the perfect pairing. We wanted to make sure we had the right neutral tones to suit different skin tones, as well as a range of frame shapes to complement different faces. Then factor lens gradient, level of protection and hardware finishes, and you see that no detail is left unconsidered.”
Jo, ME+EM Head of Accessories
All About The Rays
We've all seen the little lens stickers on our sunglasses that state what kind of protection the pair offers, but what do they actually mean? When choosing the right pair, it’s important to look for a certain level of UV protection. Our sunglasses are fully equipped with 100% UVA + UVB protection against both types of light. Let's break it down.
UVA Rays
Deep penetration into the eye, reaching the lens and retina
Contributes to long-term damage
Makes up about 95% of UV light reaching the Earth
UVB Rays
Mainly affects the front surface of the eye
Causes immediate sunburn of the eye + is the primary cause of skin cancer
Makes up about 5% of UV light reaching the Earth
Our sunglasses are also UV400, meaning they provide protection from UV rays up to 400nanometers. You might have noticed marking on the inside arm that says ‘Cat 3’. This means our shades have category 3 lenses that are optimal for brighter days. The different categories of sunglasses refer to how dark or dense the lenses are, and category 3 is optimal in terms of balancing everyday, practical protection, while ensuring the lenses aren’t so dark that they actually obstruct your vision.
Frame Focus: Acetate Renew
Every pair is made from Acetate Renew, a blend of recycled plastic and wood pulp sourced from sustainably managed forests. This has the same look, feel and performance as traditional acetate, without using conventional fossil-based materials. The lenses are made with Tritan Renew which also has partly recycled content for a more sustainable take on the classic materials generally used for sunglasses.
The Science Of Shape
We're not saying there are rules for choosing your sunglasses, but if you want some pointers, especially if you’re shopping for shades online, then let us assist you.
For the Round Face:
+ Narrower, more angular frames
+ Wider rectangular frames
+ Frames with a clear bridge
Your perfect pair: The D Frame
For The Heart Face:
+ Sleek, rimless frames
+ Bottom-heavy frames
+ Round and cat-eye frames
+ Oversized or angular frames that emphasise cheekbones
+ Cat-eye shape that balances facial features
Your Perfect Pair: The Aviator
For the Oval Face:
+ Wider frames provide balanced contrast to the face's soft curves
+ Avoid frames that are too narrow
+ Oversized frames
Your perfect pair: The Heptagonal Frame
For the Square Face:
+ Narrower, wider frames
+ Oval and round frames
+ Sleeker, metal frames
Your perfect pair: The Oval Frame + Circular Combination Frame
Circular Sunglasses
At ME+EM, you can trust that there’s intelligent design at every corner, right down to the box. We create products with ‘forever’ appeal in mind, and we want you to use your items for a long time. But we understand that tastes and style favourites can change over time, especially with sunglasses, so we made sure there's a solution for that. Enter the full circle moment of our recycling scheme. Every pair of sunglasses comes in a box labelled with a return address so you can post them back to the factory once you are done with them, closing the loop from production to final wear. Scan the QR code on the box to learn more.
