How to Buy Glasses & Sunglasses Online: A Complete Guide

Buying eyewear online used to feel like a gamble — will the frames fit, will they suit me, what if my prescription is wrong? It doesn’t have to. With a few simple checks you can order glasses or sunglasses online with total confidence, often with more choice and a better fit than a rushed store visit. Here’s exactly how.

Why Buy Eyewear Online?

Shopping for frames online has two big advantages. First, convenience: you can browse and compare from home, on your own schedule, with no pressure. Second, selection: an online catalog isn’t limited by shelf space, so you have access to far more shapes, colors, and styles than a typical store carries. The only thing you give up is trying frames on in person — and the steps below close that gap.

Step 1: Find Your Frame Size

The single best trick for buying online: read the measurements off a pair you already own. Look on the inside of the temple arm (the part that rests on your ear) and you’ll usually find three numbers, like 52–18–145:

• Lens width (e.g. 52 mm) — the width of one lens.
• Bridge width (e.g. 18 mm) — the gap between the lenses, over your nose.
• Temple length (e.g. 145 mm) — the length of the arm.

Match these to the measurements listed on any frame you’re considering and you’ll get a fit that sits right without slipping. If a current pair fits well, you’re already halfway there — and our optician’s guide to how glasses should fit covers what to check once they arrive.

Step 2: Choose Frames for Your Face Shape

A flattering frame generally contrasts with your face shape:

• Round faces: angular or rectangular frames add definition.
• Square or angular faces: softer, rounded frames balance strong features.
• Heart-shaped faces: frames wider at the bottom, or lighter styles, balance a broader forehead.
• Oval faces: lucky you — most shapes work.

When in doubt, a versatile silhouette flatters almost everyone. (For aviators specifically, see our aviator style guide.)

Step 3: Pick the Right Lenses

Frames are only half the decision. Match your lenses to how you’ll wear them:

• UV protection is non-negotiable for sunglasses — always confirm full UV400 protection. (Here’s why UV protection matters more than tint.)
• Polarized lenses cut glare off water, snow, and roads — great for driving and the outdoors. Note that polarization is a separate decision from UV protection, and Varadero lenses are tinted UV400 rather than polarized.
• Prescription — prescription lenses are available on Varadero eyeglasses; our sunglasses are tinted, UV-only (prescription sunglasses aren’t offered yet). Learn more in our prescription sunglasses guide.

Step 4: Ordering With a Prescription

Buying corrective eyewear online is straightforward. Choose your frame, then share your prescription details with us — our team confirms everything before your lenses are crafted, so nothing is left to guesswork. Have your prescription handy (your optician will have given you a copy) — if the numbers look like a foreign language, here’s how to read your eyeglass prescription, and here’s how to measure your PD (the one measurement clinics often leave off). If you’re unsure about anything, just contact us before you order and we’ll walk you through it.

Step 5: Buy With Confidence — Shipping & Returns

The right return policy is what makes online eyewear risk-free. At Varadero, our current collections are available for pre-order, with the estimated ship date shown on each product page; once they ship, orders go out via free FedEx Ground (average 3–5 business days). Stock frames and sunglasses can be returned within 10 days — unworn and in their original condition — with a prepaid return label provided. Prescription (Rx) lenses are custom-made to your order and are final sale and non-returnable. If a pair isn’t right when it arrives, sending it back is simple.

Why Buy From Varadero

Varadero was founded by a licensed optician, and every frame is handcrafted in Italy from premium acetate and titanium, with full UV protection in every lens. That means online convenience without compromising on fit, clarity, or quality. Not sure which makers to trust? Start with our guide to the best independent luxury eyewear brands.

It is easiest to start with the range built for you: sunglasses for men or women, and eyeglasses for men or women — including the titanium Capri and acetate Gaviota. You can also browse the full sunglasses and eyeglasses collections and find your pair from home.

Shop Eyewear Online →

Related guides

Written by the same licensed optician, each covering one part of buying eyewear online in more depth:

• Women’s sunglasses: finding your shape — frame silhouettes and how to match them to your face.
• Are designer sunglasses worth it? — what you are actually paying for, and the five checks that separate real quality from a logo.
• Prescription sunglasses or clip-ons? — the four ways to solve sun plus a prescription, compared honestly.
• Buying Varadero eyewear online — shipping, returns and pre-orders, spelled out.
• Watch & See: Swiss automatic meets Italian eyewear — how the pairing came about.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know my frame size when buying online?
Check the inside of the temple arm on a pair you already own for three numbers (lens width, bridge width, temple length) and match them to the frame you want.

Can I return sunglasses I bought online?
Yes — stock sunglasses and frames can be returned within 10 days, unworn and in their original condition, with a prepaid return label. Prescription (Rx) lenses are custom-made and are final sale (non-returnable).

How do I add my prescription to an online order?
Choose your frame and share your prescription details with our team, who confirm everything before crafting your lenses. Contact us first if you have questions.

How long does delivery take?
Varadero’s current collections are available for pre-order, and each product page shows its estimated ship date. Once shipped, orders go out via free FedEx Ground, arriving in about 3–5 business days.