Fashion Blog
Shades, sunnies, specs…regardless of what you call ’em, odds are that if you’ve owned a pair of sunglasses at some point in your life, you’ve realized their ability to completely transform an ensemble. Throw on a pair of oversized, face-hiding dark frames and you’re instantly incognito. Add simple wayfarers to jeans and a T-shirt and you’ve got a low-maintenance cool vibe. While the fashion history books show that some classic sunglass styles will always have staying power, the shades of this spring break from tradition with fresh twists on traditional styles. Familiar plastic frames look new again with soft, bohemian colors and gradient lenses. Time-tested styles such as aviators and clubmasters are updated with unexpected texture combinations and subtle shape tweaks. This spring, whether you’re jet-setting to some tropical locale or strolling around town, here are the shades you need to sport to stay on trend.
Color
Spring 2016’s light shades are a welcomed departure from wintry hues. Like May flowers, pastel tones and earthy neutrals pop up on frames seen on celebrities and runways alike. Picture plastic frames in muted pinks and cloudy blues, chill greens and mellow taupe. And before summer’s bright sun takes over, spring’s trends embrace a light, airy look with translucent materials and gradient lenses that fade from dark to almost clear. This can be a particularly flattering look if you’re concerned about trying a frame that’s larger than usual because faded lenses appear less stark against your skin than darker, solid lenses. It’s an optical illusion that makes dramatic, fashion-forward styles a bit more wearable.
Style
In contrast to the softer color palette, other spring 2016 shades feel innovative and cool with the tweaking of classic styles and interesting, new construction. Mixes of plastic, metal and other materials continue to appear in fashion magazines and blogs. You might see plastic frames featuring a metal bridge or traditionally metal frames made instead with wooden rims. This juxtaposition of textures is an eye-catching way to make a comfortable style appear refreshed and trendy. The combination of retro and modern shapes is also extremely popular. For example, rounded sunglasses have come back into style while aviators never left, so a mix of the two styles is an obvious next step. When shopping for sunnies, we tend to stick with shapes that have worked in the past and this season’s twists are a great way to update to something more fashion-forward without leaving your comfort zone. Look for familiar styles with modern detailing, such as unexpected hardware accents, a matte finish or rims that feature both plastic and metal.
Fit
Years of sales in the Accessories department have led to more than just an album full of sunglass selfies. Here are a few tips for finding the best pair of shades to fit your face:
- Determine the shape of your face (there are tons of charts online) and then choose a frame that’s the opposite of that shape. For example, if your jawline is rounded, pick a more angular pair where the bottoms of the lenses are flat. If you’ve got a square or pointed jaw, you can try the softer, rounded shapes.
- For a proportional fit, look for a pair of glasses where the outside lines follow the outer lines of your face. If you’re wearing the sunnies and you can still see the majority of your temples, they’re probably too small. Likewise, if your frames extend too far outside your cheekbones, you’ll look like a bug. No one wants that.
- Avoid frames that rest directly on your cheeks. These create make-up lines and skin indentations. Try talking while wearing the glasses. If they stay put, you’re in good shape. If they move, you should consider another pair, perhaps with nosepieces that can be adjusted to fit your face.
- If you’re not sure how you feel about a pair’s size and shape, either look in a full-length mirror or take a selfie. The mirror provides a different perspective on the glasses’ proportions and the photo lets you see yourself as others see you. Both tricks sound obvious but they definitely help.
- Frames can usually be adjusted in one way or another. Nosepieces can lift a frame off your cheeks and arms can be molded so the glasses fit better. Take care of your sunglasses (use your case and DON’T wear your frames like a headband on top of your head) but if they need adjusting or tightening, take them to an optical shop or sunglass counter. They can typically help solve minor fit problems. HLM
