For those of us living in the UK—or anywhere prone to cloudy skies—sunglasses mark something very special: the appearance of sun! There’s a tangible joy in leaving the house with oversized sunnies on, a basket bag in hand and a pep in your step knowing brighter days have finally arrived.
We’ve just about reached this point in the year (ignoring the occasional shower and gale-force wind), and sunglasses have once again become a fixture of our handbags. Naturally, a few of us will pull out last year’s pair only to be met with scratches and a crooked frame, at which point we’ll search the internet for an intact replacement.
If that’s you, I’m here to clue you in on the SS24‘s biggest sunglasses trends so you can start your search on the right note. Generally, designers this season are taking cues from archival silhouettes and retro classics, presenting shades which could have been passed down from a stylish grandparent. In the mix, there’s also a smattering of statement designs with coloured frames and chunky gold accents. Take a look below at the key contenders for the most-worn sunglasses of 2024.
See the Sunglasses Trends On Our Radar For Summer 2024:
1. Cat-Eye Silhouettes
Style Notes: After techwear took over 2023’s sunglasses trends, the fashion world has made a confident return to classic alternatives for 2024—and it doesn’t get more classic than a cat-eye frame.
Shop the trend:
LE SPECS
Air Heart Cat-Eye Acetate and Gold-Tone Sunglasses
£55
Featuring striking gold detailing on the sides.
LINDA FARROW (U.K.)
Tomie Cat Eye Sunglasses in White
£500
White sunglasses are also having a moment.
COS
Wing Sunglasses – Cat-Eye
£110
I’m imagining wearing these on the Amalfi Coast.
2. Tortoiseshell Sunnies
Style Notes: While tortoiseshell consistently wafts in and out of the trend spotlight, it’s never considered ‘outdated’. If you’re looking to invest in a new pair that will stand the test of time, this is a smart choice.
Shop the trend:
MANGO
Squared Frame Sunglasses
£20
A perennial style.
GUCCI EYEWEAR
Oversized Round-Frame Tortoiseshell Acetate Sunglasses
£340
Add some red lipstick, and you’ve got yourself a head-turning look.
& OTHER STORIES
Angular Cat Eye Sunglasses
£27
& Other Stories’ is one of my favourite high-street sources of chic accessories.
3. Coloured Shades
Style Notes: The trend around colourful frames and tinted lenses emerged last year, but it’s set to be just as prevalent in 2024. Red will no doubt be a frontrunner, tapping into wider colour trends this spring/summer.
Shop the trend:
MANGO
Acetate Frame Sunglasses
£20
These look far more expensive than £20.
& OTHER STORIES
Angular Cat Eye Sunglasses
£27
This shape comes in a variety of finishes.
JACQUEMUS
Round-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
£335
J’adore!
4. Wired Frames
Style Notes: A daintier option than acetate sunnies, wire and metal-framed glasses are perfect for the magpies among us. Match your shades to your jewellery tone or mix up your silvers and golds.
Shop the trend:
BOTTEGA VENETA EYEWEAR
Hexagon-Frame Rose Gold-Tone Sunglasses
£300
Rose gold looks great with both gold and silver.
MANGO
Rounded Sunglasses
£22
Grandpa chic.
GUCCI
Square Frame Sunglasses
£375
Season after season, Gucci creates dreamy vintage-inspired sunnies.
5. Retro-Style Aviators
Style Notes: While wire-framed aviator sunglasses are as popular as ever, we’re seeing more chunky acetate iterations popping up from the likes of Isabel Marant and Saint Laurent. This oversized silhouette is ideal for low-energy days when you want to hide behind accessories.
Shop the trend:
ISABEL MARANT
Isabel Marant Round-Frame Sunglasses
£112
Tortoiseshell aviators are spot-on for SS24.
SAINT LAURENT EYEWEAR
Oversized Aviator-Style Acetate Sunglasses
£370
Cool and timeless.
BOTTEGA VENETA EYEWEAR
Aviator-Style Gold-Tone Sunglasses
£365
Reach for this traditional pair for years to come.
6. Rectangular Frames
Style Notes: As summer beckons, narrow sunnies with sharp angles are filling up our feeds, calling to mind noughties shapes but delivered with a fresh, directional feel.
Shop the trend:
LINDA FARROW (U.K.)
Cassia Rectangular Sunglasses in Light Gold
£1090
These sunglasses combine all this year’s best trends.
GUCCI EYEWEAR
Rectangular-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
£385
If you want the world to know about your love of Gucci…
COS
The Rectangle Acetate Sunglasses
£110
One of the most stylish pairs on the high street right now.
7. Celine’s Triomphe Sunglasses
Style Notes: Ok, so less of a style and more of a product, but Celine’s oval sunglasses will continue to dominate in 2024 and beyond. From the perfect frame shape that basically suits everyone to the array of colours, they’re an investment I’m certainly up for making this summer.
Shop the trend:
CELINE EYEWEAR
Triomphe Oval-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
£400
Choose from white…
CELINE EYEWEAR
Triomphe Oval-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
£400
Black…
CELINE EYEWEAR
Triomphe Oversized Round-Frame Tortoiseshell Acetate Sunglasses
£400
or tortoiseshell! All of them are classic enough to be your favourite pair of sunglasses year after year.
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