If there is one accessory I always, always have on my person, it's sunglasses. When I leave the house, the check is "phone, wallet, keys, sunglasses," because shades are just as essential as anything else I need to have on me in any situation. Even if it's raining, even if it's cloudy, even if it's nighttime, sunglasses are a must-have, because as soon as you put them on, you just look cooler. I don't make the rules; it's just a fact of life.
You need sunglasses on a sunny day, and you need them when you want to be incognito (like when you're at a function that your ex is at and you don't want them to see you seeing them). And you better have a stylish pair, because if you make the fashion faux pas of wearing old, outdated sunglasses, the whole thing will be for naught, and you'd be better off without them anyway.
Luckily for you, we rounded up the top five sunglasses trends of the year, with our favorite sunnies for each of them. There are those that will never go out of style, like aviators, and those that are back in style, like '90s-esque, super-slim shades (think Brad Pitt). There are oversized sunglasses for when you're feeling like a movie star, and wraparounds for a sleek, sporty, futuristic look. And when you want to channel your '70s glam rock persona or just have a little extra fun in the sun, reach for a pair of sunglasses with tinted lenses. There's no going wrong with any of these picks; just remember to grab them before you leave the house.
Wraparound Sunglasses
These are like if you combined the vibe of Neo from The Matrix and your favorite athlete. Wraparounds are sporty, slick, and damn stylish. It's a style that instantly elevates any streetwear look, whether you're opting for a pair that has funky frames or you're going the classic, athletic route. Oh, and one more thing to consider: The further around they wrap, the better.
Rick Owens Rick D-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
Under Armour Blitzing Wrap Sunglasses
Ray-Ban Xan Bio-Based Sunglasses
Oakley Heliostat Sunglasses
Burberry Turner Sunglasses
Off-White Bologna Acetate Wrap Sunglasses
Oversized Sunglasses
The "I don't give a damn, but I'm glam" sunglasses. These are for when you want to feel like an A-list celebrity or a rapper being papparazzi'd when it's nighttime—or, for when you just want to add some extra flair to your fit. They work for pretty much any occasion.
Loewe Oversized Square-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
Sojos Retro Vintage Square Sunglasses
Caddis Root Cause Analysis Sunglasses
Ray-Ban Wings II Sunglasses
Tom Ford Vicenzo Metal and Acetate Aviator Sunglasses
Slim Sunglasses
You know how you see photos of guys like Brad Pitt and David Beckham from the late '90s and early 2000s and you're like, "Damn, he looks cool"? Yeah, you can thank slim sunglasses for that. These small frames are back in a big way—these days, everyone from supermodels to actors are wearing 'em.
Chimi 10 Black Sunglasses
Jacques Marie Mage Belvedere Square-Frame Acetate and Gold- and Silver-Tone Sunglasses
Givenchy Eyewear Rectangular-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
SA106 Narrow Rectangular Sunglasses
Ray-Ban Teru Bio-Based Sunglasses
Aviator Sunglasses
Honestly, I doubt aviators will ever go out of style. They just make every guy look cool! For that Harrison Ford-esque, Masters of the Air aesthetic, snag a pair below.
Calvin Klein Aviator Sunglasses
Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses
Bottega Veneta Rim Aviator Sunglasses
Chimi Aviator Sunglasses
Le Specs Trailbreaker Aviator Sunglasses
Celine Homme Metal Frame 01 Sunglasses
Tinted Sunglasses
When I tell you that I haven't been to a fashion industry event in the past six months without seeing a guy in tinted sunglasses (indoors, mind you!), I'm not exaggerating. These are as transitional and wearable as actual glasses, and thanks to their translucent lenses, you don't have to take them off when you're inside.
AIEYEZO Square Sunglasses
JuicyOrange Rimless Flat Lens Sunglasses
Outray Night Vision Polarized Aviator Sunglasses
Ray-Ban Emy Bio-Based Sunglasses
Jacques Marie Mage Jagger Aviator-Style Titanium Sunglasses
