The Best Sunglasses Actually Worth the Investment
From cat-eye to aviator frames, fashion insiders endorse these eyewear styles.
You have your outfit perfectly planned to a T, but it still needs a little something-something. Often, the answer is a thoughtful accessory—a color-coordinated handbag, a barely-there chain, or the perfect pair of sunglasses to tie your look together.
Speaking of the latter, the best sunglasses can have a particularly profound fashion effect. “Sunglasses are more than just a simple accessory—they offer a fun, versatile way to step outside of your comfort zone and make a bold statement,” says Lindsey Bernay, a luxury wardrobe stylist who boasts a bountiful collection of shades. She explains that the perfect sunnies can be the final piece to your outfit puzzle, taking it from unfinished and half-hearted to put together and intentional. Just think of the dramatically oversized yet undeniably chic frames the Olsen twins are so fond of or the color-tinted sunglasses all over your Instagram page that Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber love.
As for picking the right pair, it’s largely a subjective process, according to Heather Stewart-Feldman, Global Head of Content and Storytelling at eyewear company EssilorLuxottica. “Personal taste is the main factor in the decision-making process," she says. “You have to ask yourself if you’re someone who leans toward a minimal, wear-with-everything aesthetic or enjoys a more bold-fashion-forward look that sets you apart from the crowd.”
Bernay agrees, sharing that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to shopping for shades. “Remember, you never have to limit yourself to a certain style,” she notes. “The key is to find a style that makes you feel happy, comfortable, and fabulous.”
So, in the spirit of putting your best face forward, Marie Claire created a roundup of the best sunglasses that will enhance any outfit. Ahead, discover a range of styles from square shades adorned with tortoiseshell accents to aviator sunnies trimmed in titanium. You’ll also find handpicked favorites from Bernay and Stewart-Feldman.
Best Colorful Sunglasses
"Color is key this season, with oversized shapes and lenses in optimistic, euphoric colorways—ranging from bold brights to digital pastels—giving any look a fresh appeal," shares Stewart-Feldman. Pick a shade that best represents your style, and if you need a bit of assistance, Bernay can point you in the right direction. “You can never go wrong with navy blue sunglasses, like Dior’s CD Chain shades,” says Bernay. “They’re easy to style, yet they still manage to stand out,” she adds.
Oh, and do you recognize Lexxola's sunset-hued Damien sunnies, below? That's because they're a perennial favorite amongst the A-list crowd, including Kourtney Kardashian, Dua Lipa, and Kaia Gerber.
Best Cat-Eye Sunglasses
What's not to love about a classic cat eye? From exaggerated and elongated to slightly peaked and subtle, the silhouette will forever exude a glamorous energy. As for the trending cat-eye sunnies to shop, Stewart-Feldman has her eyes set on this rounded Versace pair. "Versace revisited '50s soft cat-eye shape with playful Medusa decals on the temples. It's vintage vibes from the front but modern musings from the side!"
Best Oval Sunglasses
Calling back to Kurt Cobain's signature white and black frames, try a '90s-inspired and grungy oval-shaped silhouette this summer. Bella Hadid has entered the chat, too: The supermodel and trendsetter supreme routinely gravitates toward oval sunglasses, from teeny-tiny oblong-shaped frames to exaggerated shield styles in chrome.
Best Square Sunglasses
You can't beat the good old square shape if you're looking for a timeless style that looks good with just about any ensemble. "But," adds Stewart-Feldman, "if you’re searching for shades that are classic with a twist, the new Mega Wayfarer from Ray-Ban is a modern update on the iconic style."
Best Round Sunglasses
Yes, there's a way to rock a pair of circular sunglasses without turning into Harry Potter. The key is to seek out luxe-looking materials like shimmering hardware (which just so happens to be trending, according to Bernay). “This year, sunglasses decorated with hardware are having a moment,” the stylist says. As for Bernay’s go-to pair, she favors Saint Laurent's sunnies, noting that they have a “glamorous edge.”
Best Rectangular Sunglasses
Let's take it back to middle school-geometry class: A square is a rectangle, but a rectangle is not a square. Therefore, these elongated quadrilaterals deserve their own dedicated section. Stewart-Feldman shouts out rectangular sunglasses as a fool-proof, forever-chic option but says there is room for experimentation here. "On the wow style side of the style spectrum, Prada's Symbole series is full of on-trend, geometric designs with chunky volumes and refined colorways," raves the eyewear authority.
Best Oversized Sunglasses
If you want to hide half your face with your preferred pair of sunglasses, massively oversized sunnies are for you. The exact exaggerated shape is up to you but Stewart-Feldman recommends you try a dramatic large and rounded style. There are some great shades with neutral colorways and beautiful details—like the Burberry Margot, for instance. “If you want to add a masculine flair to your look, I would recommend Tom Ford’s oversized shades,” adds Bernay.
Best Aviator Sunglasses
Tap into a Top Gun attitude with a pair of flight-ready aviators. “Aviator sunglasses are classics for a reason,” says Bernay. “Their functional design works for any setting, from the beach to the city streets, and they can easily transition between formal and casual occasions.” Bernay shares that she never leaves the house without a trusty pair of aviators, or two. Her favorites? Celine’s Triomphe Rhinestone sunglasses and Bottega Veneta’s Sardine shades. Find similar styles at Barton Perreira and Warby Parker.
Meet the Sunglasses Experts
Heather is Milan based and an internationally published trend expert and professor. She curates and creates content and insights that target, engage, and emotionally impact the decisions made by consumers when approaching a product purchasing opportunity. With 15-plus years of professional experience in the fashion, media, design and trend forecasting industries, Heather guides brands to decipher and implement the right storytelling strategy for effectively and efficiently engaging with their audience, whether through product or visual/communication messages.
