When it comes to picking cool sunglasses, there are two ways you can go. You can opt for the classics – models like Ray-Ban’s Wayfarer that have been shielding retinas since your grandfather’s day or you can look at what’s trending in terms of shapes, colours and eras. Either way, it’s important to be able to sort the blinders from the blindingly ugly.
Get it right, though, and you’ll be gifted a face-based upgrade like no other: a seemingly simple piece of moulded plastic or metal capable of blocking harmful UV rays, preventing crow’s feet and instantly erasing hangover face, all while giving 100 per cent extra added swag.
With that in mind, here are the six styles trending hard, and the essential tips from leading eyewear brands to ensure you eye up the right ones for your face shape.
How To Pick A Sunglasses Style Based On Your Face Shape
Before delving into this season’s slickest shades, you’ll need a grasp of which pair of shades your mug will show off well. For this, we tapped the expert knowledge of Bhavisha Parmar from eyewear retailer Sunglass Hut who knows everything worth knowing about matching your sunglasses to what mother nature gave you.
Sunglasses For A Round Face
“The key features of a circular face are similar length and width, soft features and a rounded jaw-line. Angular sunglasses will add definition to this face shape, while deep colours will minimise fullness and gradient lenses will help to elongate the face. Tortoiseshell and warm caramels are good colours. Thicker frames with wide temples also suit round faces because they add width, but this face shape should always stay clear of round sunglasses.”
Sunglasses For A Heart-Shaped Face
“Heart-shaped faces have a broad forehead and cheekbones with a tapered chin. To counteract this, look for thin, light metal or clear plastic sunglasses that have broader bottom halves such as angular or aviator shapes to balance the width of the chin. Avoid dark colours like black, as they tend to cut up the line of the face.”
Sunglasses For An Oval-Shaped Face
“Though an oval face shape is well balanced overall, it’s longer than it is wide which should be kept in mind. Slightly square, teardrop lenses look great on this type of face along with oversized lenses such as aviators. Avoid angular styles such as rectangular sunglasses though, as they may narrow the face.”
Sunglasses For A Square-Shaped Face
“The defining features of a square-shaped face are a strong jaw-line with an equally broad forehead. The aim here is to soften the defined lines: this can be achieved by selecting circular styles and teardrop-shaped lenses. Metal frames will make the face appear softer; black or single-colour frames are flattering too. Avoid square or rectangular shapes as they draw attention to the angles and may give the appearance of a shorter head.”
Cool Sunglasses Trends You Need To Know Right Now
These are the top sunglasses trends out there right now, so if your eyewear collection needs an update, start here.
1. Round Sunglasses
2. Geometric Sunglasses
3. Colourful Sunglasses
4. Aviator Sunglasses
Aviator sunglasses aren’t so much a trend as a staple which waxes and wanes in popularity. One year they’re the toast of the town (think vintage Robert Redford), the next they’re an optical pariah worn exclusively at fancy dress parties in the spirit of Top Gun. Right now aviators are having one of their frequent moments in the sun.
“Popular for decades and known as the original pilot’s sunglasses, aviators are making a big comeback,” says Wilkinson. “This time, the main update is that they are predominantly made in acetate, with a single brow bridge for extra fashion nous.”
Key to avoiding the pitfall of rocking average aviators is seeking out plot twist design details. Look for gold frames, coloured lenses or patterned acetate designs to ensure you’re not accidentally twinning with your dad.
5. Nineties Sunglasses
6. Top Bar Sunglasses
Let’s get one thing out of the way: top bar sunglasses aren’t subtle or pared-back, they’re cool sunglasses designed to be seen. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Essentially a bolder version of the very first aviator design, top (or ‘brow’) bar sunglasses have taken on a flight path of their own and now come in an array of guises, so it’s hard not to find a pair you like.
That’s not to say that acetate frames are complete no-nos: when combined with a thin metal top bar, acetate frames land
