From lenses to frames, here’s what’s what.
It is a fact universally acknowledged that a fresh pair of sunnies is the cherry on top of a perfect outfit. And while timeless sunglass styles are all well and good, we can’t help but swoon over the 2023 sunglasses trends of the moment. From colorful lenses to boldly embellished and retro frames, this year’s sunnies are certainly an eyeful, but in a good way.
Trends, especially in the accessories space, are kind of like Transformers: They tend to build on previous versions of themselves. So 2023’s sunglass trends might look a little familiar if you squint, but these are truly some of the boldest lens looks we’ve seen in years. Ahead, gaze upon the best of the best 2023 sunglass trends everyone will be shielding their eyes with this summer.
Y2K Sunglasses
Shop Similar: Bai Green Sunglasses in Recycled Plastic, $95.
You knew this one was coming. The Y2K resurgence has, naturally, extended to accessories, as seen in the clear frames and lenses that fall in the technicolor valley between neons and pastels.
“Buggie” Lenses
Shop Similar: Jeepers Peepers Oversized Rimless Round Sunglasses, $36 (Originally $44).
We would never recommend you shop for sunnies with a “bug-eyed” vibe, but insect-adjacent? We’re not mad at it. Circular frames with slightly bowed-out lenses create this dramatic effect.
Rectangular Frames
Shop Similar: Anthropologie Rectangle Sunglasses, $48.
Elongated frames are very now, but this year’s rectangular sunglasses approach the silhouette in a fresh way. Yes, these are rectangular frames, but the vibe is very ’70s-inspired: groovy, organic, and imperfect.
Goggle Glasses
Shop Similar: UO Urban Renewal Vintage Pop Curve Sunglasses, $29.
Perhaps the most unexpected of 2023’s sunglasses trends, goggle glasses take the safety goggles out of the science lab and into the front row.
Sporty Sunglasses
Shop Similar: Viper Pit The Aquamarine Showroom, $70.
2023’s athletic sunglasses owe as much to lenses worn by professional athletes as they do to the futuristic aesthetic and hyper-neon color palette of the ’80s (think: Tron).
Wrap-Around Frames
Shop Similar: NUCLA Plant-Based Wrap Polarized Sunglasses, $159.
Wrap-around sunglasses can be athletic-adjacent too, but this year has seen a range of softer styles with thin frames, tinted lenses, and delicate silhouettes.
Elongated Cat-Eye Frames
Shop Similar: Madewell Demmera Sunglasses, $60.
Another major shape shift is the elongated cat-eye sunglass trend. While cat-eyes are classically chic, this trend sees the familiar frame stretched out for a more dramatic look.
Heart-Shaped Lenses
Shop Similar: Pit Viper The Rainbow Jelly Admirer, $70.
An old favorite gets a Y2K-inspired, Taylor Swift Eras Tour-appropriate update in heart-shaped lenses. Two distinct styles have taken hold this season: Thicker frames and reflective, sporty lenses are one approach, while thin wire frames and colorful lenses are another option.
Lavender Haze Sunglasses
Shop Similar: QUAY The DL in Lavender and Smoke, $65.
Overall, colorful lenses might be the biggest sunglasses trend of 2023, but not just any shade will do. A dreamy, pastel-adjacent tone is where it’s at, and you don’t get any dreamier than a pair of lavender haze-hued sunglasses like Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix’s.
Pearl-Encrusted Frames
Shop Similar: Lele Sadoughi Pearl Elton Sunglasses, $165.
Combining both vintage and modern statement-making vibes, this year’s pearl-encrusted sunglass trend is far removed from the admittedly twee, floral sunnies of the mid-aughts. 2023’s trending pearl sunglasses are unrepentantly retro and vampy.
XXL Aviators
Shop Similar: goodr Cheesy Flight Attendant Sunglasses, $35.
Giving a silhouette as classic and well-known as aviator sunglasses is no easy feat, but the latest iteration of the oversized aviator trend, featuring vibrant frames and XXL lenses, is a valiant — and effective — attempt.
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