Eric Church typically wears sunglasses on stage to protect his eyes from bright stage lights and because he wears contacts that don't tolerate the lighting well, causing them to dry out and fall off. Without his sunglasses, his eyes are vulnerable to the harsh lighting, and it can impair his vision during performances. Off-stage, he sometimes appears without sunglasses, and he looks just as handsome, but on stage, they are almost a signature part of his look due to the practical need to protect his eyes.
He has shared that the sunglasses were never originally intended to be a fashion statement but became a necessity and eventually a trademark look. Outside of shows, he generally does not wear them, and has been seen in public and media appearances without his signature sunglasses.
