Guide to Sunglass Shopping at Best San Diego Boutiques

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Nothing says summertime chic faster than a fabulous pair of sunglasses. For that reason and many others, people have come to know and love their sunglasses as extensions of themselves.

There is the "I truly believe I am a local celebrity, and need to wear my larger than life sunglasses so no one will recognize me" pair; the "Who says you can only wear glasses during the day?" shades; and of course everyone's favorite style, the "Necessary for hungover mornings in the bright summer sun" stunners.

Whether your sunnies are worn in lieu of the above logic, or as a trendy fashion statement, let's not forget that our beloved multi-use glasses also protect us from the sun's damaging rays. In honor of the sizzling summer season, let's discover the best sunglasses for every shape face from the top San Diego boutiques.

Sunglasses for every shape

Every face is different, but all faces fall into six shape categories:

We are all jealous of oval-shaped faces, as these guys and gals have a good balance of features so almost any style will work. Mix it up and experiment with shields and square-shaped frames with rounded edges. Round faces should wear frames that make the face appear longer and thinner with square and rectangular styles that add some angle to the face.

Qualities for diamond-shaped faces include high cheekbones with a narrow forehead and chin, so try oval sunglasses or aviators to soften the face. A strong jawline, broad forehead and wide cheekbones characterize a square-shaped face so discover soft, curvy styles that give definition to the face such as cat-eye styles. Widen or shorten oblong faces with styles that do not extend beyond the widest part of the face like that of round or square styles.

This summer, you'll find a myriad of sunglass styles to suit your every mood at the best San Diego boutiques. For sunglasses in San Diego, check out: Donna Marsh, Gucci, Pink Lagoon, deepFLING, and JEP Boutique. And, not to worry – we also have a few must-read tips for those looking to save on stylish shades.

Donna Marsh in La Jolla
This upscale women's clothing and accessory boutique makes accessible the premier styles of a high-end department store on the coastal shore of downtown La Jolla. Donna Marsh now introduces Jee Vice "with love and passion" sunglasses, giving San Diego shoppers yet another reason to visit the store. As seen on Katherine Heigl, Anne Hathaway and Lindsey Lohan, Jee Vice glasses are available in ten different styles, each perfect for summer in San Diego. Try the edgy, hand-molded style lovingly called "Sassy" with memory flex technology and wrap-around shape adorned with gold hardware and faux croc panels on each arm. For more info on Donna Marsh, read the details here. Main photo: Jee Vice shades in Vamp.

Gucci at Fashion Valley Mall
You know you can always turn to Gucci when you need some trusted fashion assistance. Discover large semi-rimless shield sunglasses ($315) that are not only lightweight for summer but also look amazing on most face shapes. Decked out with marina chain detail on temple as well as tortoise embellishment, these glasses are complete with 100% UVA/UVB protection for those hot summer days. For more info on the San Diego Gucci boutique at Fashion Valley Mall, read the details here.

Pink Lagoon in Solana Beach
There's no doubt that Pink Lagoon is stocked with the most up-to-date trends and apparel for the modern, feminine woman. What many locals may not know is that this boutique offers a wide selection of Tom Ford sunglasses, including the Jennifer, Claudia and Nicolette styles. Complete your look this summer with a classic shape that will beat the test of time, such as the Whitney sunglasses ($356). These fashion-forward sunglasses include oversized plastic frames, a crisscrossed bridge, laser-cut tinted lenses and plastic arms with polished metal inserts at temples. For more info on Pink Lagoon on Cedros Avenue, read the details here.

deepFLING in Leucadia
A local boutique dedicated to adorning women in beautiful jewelry and accessories, deepFLING houses an array of lines exclusive to San Diego. This jewelry box is an amazing place to find unique sunglass styles not common to other San Diego boutiques, nor other San Diego women. Try the Pilgrim sunglasses with ombre-influenced brown and white square frames, brown gradient lens and curved arms. The summer 2008 collection includes complete UV400 protection and involves 4-6 hours of manual craftsmanship. For more info on the Leucadia deepFLING, read the details here.

JEP in La Jolla
This award-winning La Jolla boutique houses many edgy lines exclusive to San Diego. Among the distinctive brands is Initium, which features a series of frames with a modern, vintage twist. Classic concepts are combined with a new-age aesthetic, and the styles feature polarized lenses and spring loaded flex hinges. For a fashionable aviator style, try the Supernaut sunglasses with metal frames and gradient tint, or the Supertzar with a flip-hinge bridge allowing the frame to flip up into three locking positions. For more info on La Jolla JEP Boutique, read the details here.

Insider Tips: For cheap and chic sunglasses in San Diego, check out HOME, Mimi & Red, and American Apparel. Also, make sure to check out new shades from Pleasure Ground Eyewear, a home-grown company based in Encinitas.

HOME in Encinitas
HOME brings an NYC East Village vibe to the sunny surfing town of Encinitas. A rock-n-roll meets contemporary hipster space houses half new and half used styles, including many vintage sunglasses. Styles include extremely '80s designs and faux Ray Bans starting at only $10 a pop. 629 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas CA 92024, 760.632.6880.

Mimi & Red in North Park
Along with a colorful array of apparel and accessories, Mimi & Red carries Soda sunglasses including every style from aviators to plastic square frames and with prices ranging from $60 - $100.

American Apparel in Pacific Beach
Everyone's favorite go-to store, American Apparel now carries vintage and dead stock sunglasses that are stylish once again and, most importantly, won't break the bank. These glasses are found all around the world from remote factories to out-of-business optometrists.

Pleasure Ground Eyewear
Based in Encinitas, founder and designer of Pleasure Ground, Tom Kabbash, spent over 10 years creating eyewear for some of the industries most respected brands. His own line combines his love for an active lifestyle with his experience designing for high-end fashion. The 2008 summer/resort season line is all about animal prints and fresh, bold colors inspired from elements of nature. For more info on Pleasure Ground Eyewear, visit the website here.