Shades up!

I’m about to give you a piece of fashion advice: Invest in a pair of good shades, because it hides a lot of flaws.

Other than protecting your peepers from harmful UV rays, your shades should also be right for your face shape. Like a flattering hairstyle, sunglasses serve to frame your face and enhance your features.

Finding the right fit

To get the right fit, there are two general rules to consider when choosing sunglasses: 1) size of the sunglasses should be proportionate to the size of the face and 2) shape of the frames should contrast the shape of your face. In other words, sunglasses should help to balance out your face. For example, angular frames minimise the curves of a round face while curvy edges soften a strong, sharp jaw line. In a similar manner, pick designs that create the illusion of a thinner, wider, longer or shorter face, as required. It is not exactly rocket science, but it does take a little trial and error.

The hottest sunglasses trends of 2010 are a confusing mix of various sub-trends. But fret not; trends should not be followed blindly and a little toss-up just adds to the fun.

For simplicity’s sake, the following guide will highlight some of the key looks to keep an eye out for. From the ever-stylish classics to the purely outrageous, here are the shades that the cool kids are donning this summer.

Of cat eye and tortoise shell frames

The cat eye frame appears to be the most distinctive trend to have come off the runways. It is seeing a massive revival with major design houses pushing out their own renditions of this well-loved design from the 1950s. Rather than being a mere flashback to the good old days, the cat eye sunglasses have been given a contemporary update. In some cases, as with the Alexander Wang for Linda Farrow silver-tipped, black-framed sunglasses, it is more avante garde than retro. For something a little subtler that will last you for more than a couple of seasons, the Dior Bagatella sunglasses in tortoiseshell is a wise choice.

Speaking of tortoiseshell, I have been on the look out for a pair of tortoiseshell shades in just the right shape and size. This is an eyewear classic that will see you through the coming decades and yet is not as predictable as black. For some reason, it has a very intellectual vibe, which is a very desirable trait. Ray Ban, with their iconic wayfarers and aviators, seems to be the obvious choice. Rag & Bone’s first eyewear collection, which launched last year, is a worthy alternative. These sunglasses come in three kinds of tortoiseshell; in addition to the classic silhouettes, there is also a quirky pair of round frames.

Futuristic styles

The futuristic shades are an interesting micro-trend to take note of. In line with its fashion forward creations on the runway, Balmain has teamed up with Oliver Peoples to roll out two limited edition sunglasses. The first of the two, simply named Balmain I, features exaggerated teardrop shape with a form-fitting wrap and will not look out of place in a sci-fi movie set in 2030.

The nude trend, which is currently taking the fashion world by storm, is likely to spillover to the eyewear market. A pair of cream shades is elegant and oozes femininity. Chloe’s 70s-inspired Tilia acetate sunglasses in cream, with its tinted brown lenses and cat-eye frame, will go perfectly with your weekend brunch or high tea outfit.

…and wear them oversized

The over-sized sunglasses (made popular by camera-shy celebrities) are proving to be very resilient style-wise. Each season ushers in different interpretations of this time-honoured trend. If you are bored with the regular round or square frames glasses, an odd-shaped frame is just the item to spruce things up. Balenciaga’s hexagonal sunglasses have a mod graphic trim that brings to mind mid-century Hollywood glamour; yet there is something decidedly modern about it that makes it pleasingly edgy.

Last but not least, try on the funhouse sunglasses for days where you just want to have a laugh. Even the luxury houses are joining in the fun–who can forget the riotously amusing two-toned eyeglasses (customisable to become sunglasses) from Prada, complete with red eyebrows, which came strutting down the runway for Fall 2010?

Take it a step further and replace the lens with gold chains, as avante garde label Bless has done with their Duofringeglasses. Retailing at USD$276, these fantastic glasses are not yet available in Singapore or online. This looks like a DIY project just waiting to happen, so if you are dying to get your hands on it, why not try making it out of an old pair of aviators?

Dottie Tan

Shopaholic Dottie Tan scours shops—big, small, online and offline—to unearth fashion must-haves and beauty gems that you did not know you needed. That’s until you read her weekly column, Fashion Nation on inSing.com, which tracks her retail adventures. Indulge yourself, go shopping!