Over the past few years, sunglasses have become an essential fashion accessory for everyone — not excluding Hollywood household names. The latest sequel to 1986’s Top Gun not only broke box office records but also helped drive up UK sales of the aviator sunglasses Tom Cruise wears throughout the two films. This phenomenon helped boost sales of the Ray-Ban original.
Of course, this recent sunglasses hype isn’t strictly movie-bound. Many young consumers are becoming increasingly fashion-forward and a retro renaissance, constantly paying homage to the style and aesthetic of turn-of-the-century fashion. In this post, we’ll be looking at some of the classic sunglasses in trend nowadays, and how you can pair them with your OOTD:
Aviators
It wouldn’t be right to start the list without mentioning one of the most iconic sunglass models to date. Aside from being immortalized in the Top Gun films and countless others, aviators have always been a Hollywood favorite. Recently, the trend has inched towards oversized variants of the silhouette, with celebrities like Kendall Jenner leading the wagon.
Like Jenner, you can perfectly style your oversized aviators with another large fashion item, like a blazer or slacks. Wearing a pair of oversized aviators can add a simple but chic accent to a semi-casual or office siren look if you aren’t a fan of more rectangular shades.
Oversized black sunglasses
Next, joining the oversized aviators are oversized black sunglasses. The large lens silhouettes have become particularly popular due to the retro fascination we discussed in the intro. Today, sunglasses like the Los Angeles provide a playful and bold look through their chunky black frames.
Unlike the aviators, oversized black sunglasses aren’t restricted to the classic teardrop shape. You can easily find more squarish ones or models with harder angles to complement your face shape if you’d like. To style these, you can opt for monochromatic colors and more formal outfits to accessorize. Victoria Beckham, who is known to wear oversized black shades, likes to pair them with a plain white blouse, for example.
Futuristic sunglasses
While seemingly contradictory, futuristic sunglasses can be considered a classic and retro style due to their prominence in the 80s and up to the early 2000s. Even luxury fashion brand Balenciaga’s designs tend to harken back to this aesthetic, featuring otherworldly silhouettes for their eyewear.
Due to their unique shape, futuristic sunglasses tend to go well with sporty or casual outfits. For example, Kim Kardashian has been pairing Balenciaga sunglasses with a $2,400 tracksuit and sneakers. If you’re feeling particularly daring or sporty, futuristic shades will definitely be a key accessory.
Cat eye sunglasses
Finally, the cat eyes is another classic sunglasses model that seemingly doesn’t expire in fashion points. This uniquely shaped eyewear is a fun addition to any retro look as it harkens back to the quirky fashion of the 60s and 70s.
Today, cat eyes remain just as popular, with Hollywood A-listers seen wearing them out and about. A key name in this trend is the French fashion brand Lanvin, whose cat eyes have become a favorite among celebs. Actress Shay Mitchell was seen wearing a pair with a breezy maxi dress while relaxing on a yacht, so think of spring or summer vibes with fun colors if you’d like to experiment.
Ultimately, many of these sunglass styles and models have remained popular throughout the decades because they simply go well with today’s fashion. By playing with colors and shapes, and matching the aesthetic of a pair of shades to the vibe of your outfit— whether casual or formal — you’ll be sure to turn heads and stand out in photos after a night out.
