Sunglasses are all the rage in the fashion industry—and they’ve replaced handbag as the must-have designer fashion accessory. However, sunglasses are much more important than just making a fashion statement; they are vital for protecting your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun. Luckily, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy pair to shield your eyes from the elements. Before you hand over your hard-earned money on a new pair of shades, here are five tips to ensure that you’re getting the right ones.

When your future’s so bright you gotta wear shades . . . here’s how to pick the right ones:

1.    Check the label. All sunglasses should have a tag or label stating which kind of UV rays they block. The best pairs will protect against UVA and UVB rays. However, many pairs that have good protection will not have a tag, so if you’re attached to a particular pair, take them to an optometrist to test their effectiveness.

2.    Go for coverage. Many trendy shapes of sunglasses leave parts of the eyes exposed to rays, so forego smaller models. Instead, look for “oversized” shades that cover the entire eye and don’t allow any rays to come in around the sides.

3.    Check the fit. Sunglasses that are too tight can give you a headache. Look for models that fit snugly, but not too close. A good rule of thumb: if the stems leave an imprint on your temples when you take them off, they’re too tight. If an optometrist can’t adjust the fit for you, you’ll need to get another pair.

4.    Lighten up. Heavy frames can slip down the bridge of the nose and fall off your face, so look for lightweight models that will stay in place and feel more comfortable.

5.    Consider your eye health. If you have damaged retinas, whether from an injury, a surgical procedure, or an eye condition such as macular degeneration, sunglasses with orange-tinted lenses can help filter out harmful blue-wave light.

Sunglasses can be fabulous and fashionable, yet still be effective at doing what they were designed to do: protect your eyes! With the above tips you can be sure you’re choosing a pair that is both fun and functional.