MUST-HAVE SUMMER SHADES

Words by Jamal Grootboom | Images: Supplied

The best part of summer is having a sunglass collection for all the activities. These will either protect your eyes from the sun or give an air of mystery around you as you walk into a room. No matter the reason, sunglasses are a must-have accessory, and the style options are endless.

Whether you prefer a more classic frame, are more of a brave soul with shapes or you're someone who likes to experiment with fun colours and patterns. There’s a pair fit for all your summer outfits and activities from Ray-Ban, Michael Kors Eyewear, Oakley and Emporio Armani. Here are the ones to look out for.

Sunglasses with big dramatic frames are back with a bang. Think of a cat-eye shape like the Michael Kors Harbour Island with pointed sides, a square shape that covers half your face, or an animal print pattern with a chic edge like the Emporio Armani Shiny Havanas. Logomania is still in full effect and getting a pair of sunnies with a visible designer label on the side is a must. The Michael Kors Empire Square style is a great example of this. If you aren’t afraid of attention, these are the styles to gravitate towards and add to your collection.

OG shapes like wayfarers and aviators from Ray-Ban have withstood the test of time while still being stylish and trendy to this day. Their unique shapes have the advantage of working on various face shapes that work with every outfit or event, from a beach day to sundowners. The popularity of these styles has kept them as a staple in many sunglasses collections for a reason and should be in yours too.

While having a versatile pair of sunglasses that can pair effortlessly with any look is great, branching out is also a great way to play with your style. Experiment with bright colours, tap into transparent frames or try out unusual shapes like the Oakley Radar EV Advancer, the Ray-Ban Kiliane and the Michael Kors Flatiron. These frames offer you a chance to add visual interest to your outfit without committing to a new style.