The clocks jumping forward means it’s officially spring. Daylight lingers longer, and though it’s not yet strong enough for short sleeves, you now log more hours squinting into a sun that still only hangs just above your eyeline. To stop your lids imprinting those creases permanently, you need something to kill the glare.
This season, you should think beyond the wayfarer. SS16’s shades are curved in all the right places; well, on every edge, at least. Round sunglasses popped up everywhere from Moschino to Armani, although these aren’t your John Lennon type – on the runways, sunnies were bigger and bolder, with everything from degradé frames to mirrored lenses. Consider them yet another sign of the 1990s revival.
Summer Gothic
If your face has any kind of curves, then perfect circles only accentuate them. These ASOS frames have the on-trend round lenses but add some edge where frame meets leg. Which means they’re wearable, even without Johnny Depp’s cheekbones.
Dark Future Handmade Acetate Round Sunglasses, available at ASOS.
Hand-Made Handsome
Glints hand-builds its frames in the same Japanese factories that put out four-figure sunglasses, but by selling direct to the customer, you pay a 10th of the price.
The Gresham frame is just circular enough to stay on trend, just curved enough for most men to pull off.
Gresham Sunglasses, available at Glints.
Mirror, Mirror
As a rule, the kind of guy who wears performance shades also likes to fill up his cargo pockets, because “why have them if you’re not going to use them?”. But Oakley’s new frames are designed for skaters, who have a rather lower tolerance for nerdy garms. So you get a head-hugging yet comfortable fit, Oakley’s high-grade optics, and on-point mirrored lenses. Best accessorized with a beaten up skateboard and an endless summer.
Oakley Latch Sunglasses, available at Oakley.
Clip It Up
The glasses wearer struggles in summer. Reactions lenses make the entire world greyscale. But swapping between glasses and prescription shades is a hassle. So Dutch brand Ace & Tate took a leaf from granddad’s book with its new clip-ons, which let you switch up in seconds without having to carry an extra pair in your pockets.
Pierce Chocolate Havana Fade Sunglasses, available at Ace & Tate.
Eastern Flair
The best glasses are produced in the mountains of Italy and Japan. And Eyevan 7285 is among the latter’s best exponents, boasting a more robust one-pin fastening between frame and leg and titanium nose pads, for a more comfortable fit.
Eyevan 7285 Round-Frame Acetate Polarised Sunglasses, available at Mr Porter.
Come Fly Away
Certain frame shapes endure because they hit that sweet spot between flattering and iconic. The aviator’s mix of angles and curves suits pretty much any mug, and its role in films like Top Gun and Skyfall ensures the latter. Win win.
Metal/Wood/Acetate Sunglasses, available at Zegna.
See The Light
Like with watches, black and gold sunglasses are always on trend. Couple precious (looking) metal with sunshine and you get just enough glint to catch the eye, while the murdered-out frames ensure the trim pops even if the weather isn’t quite Riviera enough.
Black Rubberised Round Sunglasses, available at River Island.
All-Black Errrthing
Although, for men of a certain bent, sometimes it’s worth losing all brightness all together. Whether your look is more Rick Owens or Blues Brothers, Triwa’s inky frames will protect your all-black look, while Carl Zeiss lenses do the same for your eyes.
Midnight Lector Sunglasses, available at Triwa.
Rocking Around
Marshall’s recently launched eyewear range embodies the same qualities as its iconic amps: distinctive design, rugged build, and an infusion of rock ‘n’ roll attitude. Each style is named for a different music icon, in this case the original actor-slash-rocker Nico. Pair with her bohemian attitude, but maybe not her heroin addiction.
Nico Sunglasses, available at marshalleyewear.com.
