Move over brown and black frames and lenses. Popping colours, zany shapes and interesting accents are making a splash in this season's sunglasses. Ellie Constantine scopes out the latest in trends.
Colour is big this season with oranges, deep blues, and pastels featuring in everything from pants and skirts to shoes and handbags.
Sunglasses are no exception.
Add super-thick frames (think Velma Dinkley of Scooby Doo fame), cookie-cutter shapes, and colours from across the crayon box, and there is something for everyone to get excited about.
Among them is Karen Walker Eyewear's heart-warmingly quirky line of glasses.
Along with classic tortoiseshell frames, she has created one pair with what resembles a cartoon rabbit face peeking out of the frame, and another which channels Batman's mask, with a sophisticated twist.
Guavas, sunshine yellows, and plenty of purple lenses complete the collection.
Another designer making people sit up and smile is Sass & Bide, which puts a distinct twist on every pair in its sunglasses line.
A chunky hexagonal frame, laser-cut trims, and rose gold chains on arms make all of its glasses statement pieces.
D&G Sunglasses are also having fun with prints this season.
A characteristically red and white Vichy print is placed on a square rim, paying homage to the 1970s.
The oversized shades offer a perfect look for summer, though maybe you should avoid picnic blankets.
Sunglass Hut spokesman Michael Fitzgerald said bold colours, such as red and purples, were all over the catwalk, and therefore all over sunglasses, frames and lenses, this season.
"What we are seeing on the catwalk is transpiring really quickly to eyewear. It's really fun and interesting," he said.
Graduated lenses and frames were also popular, especially for brands like Ray Ban, while D&G were bringing a lot of lace to their designs with "runway quality lace within the acetate and frames".
"I think the sunglasses this season are much more interesting than we've seen before," he said.
How do you find sunglasses to suit your face?
There are no set rules to buying sunglasses, but here are some tips to help you find the style that best suits you.
Oval face:
People with oval faces suit all styles, so feel free to experiment. However, your hair length could be taken into account. If you have short hair, try a square or rectangular frame, if you have long hair, go for oversized styles.
Round face:
Square frames will add angles to your face, making your features appear sharper and more chiselled. Go for mild colours so the roundness of your face is not emphasised. Sunglasses with brow bars also make the face appear longer.
Square face:
Rounded and oval frames will provide softness to your face, giving you a more feminine look. Avoid square or geometric shapes, but give cat-eye shades a go.
Heart-shaped face:
People with heart-shaped faces may have the most difficulty finding a pair of sunglasses, so take the time to try on a wide range of styles. Avoid thin frames and go for large glasses which are slightly rounded to balance your features.
Why wear sunglasses?
• Sunglasses protect from harmful UV rays.
• Exposure to UV radiation from the sun has been linked to cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration. Sunglasses will also protect the delicate skin around the eye from the rays which cause wrinkles and premature ageing.
• Sunglasses reduce glare which can impair activities such as driving, skiing or boating. Reduced glare provides more comfortable vision.
• Sunglasses stop wind, dust and debris from affecting your eyes.
• Sunglasses reduce eyestrain and improve vision by controlling the amount of light reaching the eyes.
• Sunglasses do not need to be expensive, as long as they have 100% UV protection.
