WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS & STEPHEN YU
Nothing can make or break a look more than a pair of sunglasses, which is why we’ve already been planning our shades for the summer. Here’s hoping it’s one to remember.
When browsing for sunglasses, there are two key things you need to consider: 1) the current sunglasses trends and 2) the frames that suit your face. Join us as we take you through the top sunglasses styles for 2021 – featuring noughties frame, XXL shades and more.
Noughties Sunglasses
Noughties trends are slowly but surely on their way in. That being the case, any sunnies with colored lenses and rimless frames are guaranteed to add a couple of 0s to your Insta-like tally. Whether you decide to unleash your inner Britney, channel Lindsay (Lohan, of course) or take style cues from 50 Cent – well, that’s completely up to you. Just make sure you make tinted, rimless shades (preferably ones from Cartier) your thing before everyone else does.
Best for: Diamond, oval and square faces
Oversized Sunglasses
Bigger is better is the motto when it comes to summer ‘21 sunglasses, and there are a plethora of sure-fire oversized styles – designed by the hottest lux labels on the planet – to choose from. Struggling for inspiration? Google search ‘70s-era Elton John’; alternatively, look to the pair pictured above. Pink, tinted and angular, these Gucci specs pack an XXL punch, making them ideal for the impending post-lockdown summer.
Best for: Heart, oval and square faces
Cat-Eye Sunglasses
Cat-eye sunnies seemingly have more than nine lives as industry insiders are flexing this sunglasses silhouette yet again. Originally popular in the 1950s, feline frames are fiercely feminine and call attention to the face; thus, they’re best suited for the super-glamorous and uber-confident. Considering getting your paws on a pair in time for summer? We’d recommend this pair from Bottega Veneta Eyewear, complete with brown lenses and a tortoise-shell pattern.
Best for: Heart, oval and square faces
Cycling Sunglasses
In recent years, the athleisure movement has expanded into accessories. Naturally, this includes sunglasses. The sporty specs we’re eyeing up this summer are those habitually worn by pro cyclists: think the aerodynamic kind that wouldn’t look amiss in a ‘00s superhero flick. Specifically, we’re after a pair of the semi-rimless Gentle Monster x Marine Serre visionizer sunnies, adorned with the Marine Serre crescent logo at the bridge.
Best for: Oblong, round and rectangular faces
Grandad Sunglasses
Grandad sunglasses are the type your old man’s old man is too stubborn to replace. You know the ones we’re talking about: those square-framed, tinted shades he’s been wearing since his early twenties – the ones that make him look like the cute old man from Pixar’s UP. Anyway, now it’s time for you to don a pair because they’re all the rage. We suggest you consider this beautifully crafted tortoise-shell pair from Tom Ford.
Best for: Oblong, oval and round faces
Ski Sunglasses
Aforementioned, sporty and oversized specs are de rigueur; hence, ski sunglasses are at the apex of style. Thanks to their advanced aesthetic, flat-top frames will add a high-tech touch to any look, especially when presented in white. This neatly brings us onto the piste-ready specs on our wishlist: Prada Eyewear’s futuristic aviator sunglasses. Curved, tinted and printed with the Prada Linea Rossa logo, these shades – appropriate for all seasons – are the full package.
Best for: Heart, oval and square faces
Nineties Sunglasses
We’re well aware the nineties-inspired tiny sunglasses trend has been around for a hot minute, but with a fourth instalment of The Matrix set to land on our screens later this year, we can expect the trend to stick around for a little longer. Bearing this in mind, we’ve been browsing our extensive collection of sunnies to find the ultimate sci-fi shades, and we think we’ve found a winner. Check out AMBUSH’s Astra sunglasses, constructed with green-tinted lenses and a rectangular titanium frame.
Best for: Heart, oval and round faces
Aviator Sunglasses
No other sunglasses silhouette has timeless appeal quite like the military-inspired aviator. Created in the 1930s by Bausch & Lomb subsidiary Ray-Ban in partnership with US Army Air Corps Colonel John A. Macready, aviators were worn by pilots so that they could see clearly at high altitudes. Ever since, the shade style has been a practical fashion statement. So, if you’re looking to keep things classic this summer, opt for a pair of Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses like the brown-tinted pair pictured above.
Best for: Square, oval and heart faces