Shockingly enough, the sole purpose of sunglasses is to protect your eyes from the sun. But while it’s tempting to settle on one pair and be done with it, your cycling goggles are simply not fit for an afternoon down the beer garden. Because let’s face it, a poor choice of shades can scorch your look, as well as your retinas, wherever you are in the world. So, we spoke to the experts to shine some light on the shadiest sunglasses mistakes in the book (lest you ever rock wraparounds poolside again).

Your Sunglasses Don’t Match Your Style

If you boast a signature style that requires just one pair of shades, lucky you. But since most men’s 9-5 is far removed from weekend pursuits, several pairs are necessary to flit between the office and off-duty. “Sunglasses are all about the way they make your face look, so find a pair that suits your face shape and your wardrobe,” says British designer Oliver Spencer. “They should sit just as well with your suit as they do with your swimming trunks, and everything in-between.” That means keeping your aviators for the beach, your tortoiseshell wayfarers for the commute and your Oakleys for your next triathlon.

You’re Wearing Them Indoors

Sadly, rap music videos aren’t real life. So that rules out wearing sunglasses indoors (and dousing strippers in dollar bills). “Unless you have a medical condition, a starring role in The Matrix or go by the name of Anna Wintour, you have no business wearing sunglasses indoors,” says Style.com’s senior menswear editor, Rob Nowill. “It’s wildly pretentious, and downright cheesy. What’s more, it’s bad manners to neglect eye contact with people you’re talking to.”

You’re Not Wearing Protection

In the summer months, half-naked bodies aren’t the only things you shouldn’t stare at. Locking eyes with the sun itself can seriously compromise your eyesight if you’re not wearing the right kind of shades. “Many eye conditions are triggered by excessive exposure to sun rays, so it’s important to invest in quality protection,” says Omar Hassan, head of professional services at Vision Express. “Sunglasses with a UVA and UVB block will reduce the risk, so always be on the lookout for the CE, British Standard or UV 400 mark as this indicates adequate UV protection.”