Check out our new arrivals for summer 2025 and you will see that quite a few styles for both men and women are now sporting wider temples. Wider temples are a trend we have seen steadily growing over the last few sales cycles. Is there anything driving the trend, or is it mere coincidence?
Nothing is ever a coincidence when it comes to designing the newest sunglasses for men and women. Designers take their jobs very seriously. Every design change has a purpose behind it, including wider temples. As for why wider temples are in right now, we can think of four reasons. They could all be contributing factors.
1. Better Defense Against Sun Glare
Let us start with sun glare. Designers deal with glare directly in front of the eyes by polarizing lenses. But glare can still sneak in on the sides. Wider temples partly alleviate that glare without the need to design a pair of sunglasses with wraparound lenses.
Let's face it, a wider temple covers more facial real estate. The more volume there is to block glare, the less likely glare will get through. Wider temples are appealing to anglers, skiers, and people who spend a lot of time driving.
2. Better Coverage Across the Face
Accommodating wider temples means designing frames that are large enough to support them, aesthetically speaking. The result is that such designs often include larger frames and lenses that ultimately provide better coverage across the front of the face.
The larger the lenses, the wider the field of protected vision. Larger lenses cover more skin as well, adding additional UV protection. Remember that the skin around the eyes is among the most sensitive on the human body. So limiting sun exposure is good for the face.
3. Fit and Stability
Wider temples are attractive to designers looking for a better fit and more stability. In this regard, think of wider temples as a structural element in architecture. The more volume there is to the element, the more it brings to the table in terms of support. The same principle applies to sunglasses and their temples.
Wider temples offer more surface area to absorb energy and stress as a person moves. Whether running, cycling, playing golf, or just sitting on the patio, the ability to absorb more energy and stress leads to greater stability. A pair of sunglasses with wider temples sits more firmly on the face. It is less likely to move as well.
Wider temples also offer more surface area for making contact with the head. More contact means more friction even when a wearer is perspiring. Ultimately, this means the sunglasses do not slip as much.
4. Aesthetic Facial Balance
While the first three pros of choosing wider temples or more functional, this final benefit is aesthetic in nature. Wider temples encourage more facial balance among consumers with round faces. The temples create the illusion of a narrower face through their angles and surface area.
For some people, wider temples are the solution to balancing facial features that seem out of proportion. But consumers need to be careful not to go too far in the other direction. Go too big and facial irregularities might be enhanced.
Needless to say, the trend of wider temples is not accidental. Nor are wider temples merely an aesthetic design choice. There are very good reasons to enhance function with wider temples. The fact that they offer some aesthetic benefits as well is a bonus. Now that you know, would some of your customers prefer new sunglasses with wider temples?
