A poll of 2,000 adults saw 58 per cent claim that when the shades go on, confidence levels go up, and 62 per cent feel more fashionable when wearing a pair.
A further 15 per cent admit they feel safer behind shades, while a third like avoiding awkward eye contact.
But 12 per cent feel glamorous and more than one in 10 even claimed they make them feel 'famous'.
It also emerged 53 per cent think those who are wearing ‘sunnies’ exude more confidence than those who aren’t.
And more than six in 10 feel more stylish and fashion forward when wearing a pair.
The research, commissioned by Vision Express [www.visionexpress.com] found 34 per cent use shades to protect their eyes from debris, but 30 per cent admitted to wearing them to make themselves look better.
Two fifths of adults even wear them to hide their emotions, while 16 per cent put them on to cover a hangover.
Other key reasons to hide behind sunglasses include covering wrinkles and to get more sex appeal.
As a result, nearly four in 10 who wear sunglasses always take their shades with them before leaving the house.
But 29 per cent of those who wear shades have worn them indoors, while 43 per cent put them on on a dull day.
When selecting a pair, comfort (29 per cent) was the top priority among wearers, along with the overall shape (20 per cent), quality (13 per cent) and value for money (12 per cent).
Other inspirations when choosing sunglasses include the price and the safety aspect of wearing them.
It also found 35 per cent find sunglasses wearers more attractive than those who do not wear them.
And when they have them on, 34 per cent feel more comfortable socialising in groups with 29 per cent feeling photogenic and 18 per cent even flirt more with the opposite sex.
The study carried out via OnePoll revealed the top sunglasses wearing film stars – with Tom Cruise’s character Maverick from Top Gun coming first.
Other memorable sunglasses wearing movie characters include Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast in Tiffany’s, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi in Blues Brothers, and Patrick Swayze’s Jonny Castle in Dirty Dancing.
Vision Express has teamed up with UK TV presenter and football pundit Gary Lineker to recreate some of the most famous sunglasses wearing movie characters, ahead of the launch of its new collection on 27th April 2022.
Gary Lineker said: “It came as no surprise to me that over half nation feel more confident with sunglasses on.
"There’s a feeling and swagger you get when you put on your favourite pair, whether it’s on the golf course or to complete an outfit.
"It was great fun recreating all these sunglasses movie moments as these iconic characters ooze confidence in every scene.
“I love my classic cars so I especially like the classic car we shot while recreating Cliff Booth from Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time in Hollywood.”
HOW BRITS FEEL WHEN THEY WEAR SUNGLASSES
1. Cool
2. Stylish
3. More likely to lose inhibition
4. Full of swagger
5. Sociable
6. Safe
7. Smug
8. Outgoing
9. Empowered
10. Active
