Womens Summer Essentials – The Sunglasses Edit

It goes without saying that sunglasses are for more than just for a day at the beach. Sunglasses are an everyday essential; not only protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays (even during colder months) but elevating your look and making you feel more confident.

Choosing new sunglasses should be fun! They can be the perfect opportunity to make a change or take a fashion risk. Seen your favourite celebrity showing off spectacular oversized sunnies? Why not try them out yourself. Express your style this summer and take a look at the best new frames of the season.

We want you to have all the sunglasses knowledge to hand, so we’ve put together our picks for this season's sunnies. From classic styles we see fly off the shelves every year, to sunglasses that are so popular they are now a staple in our glasses collection.

How to choose the right sunglasses and glasses for your face shape?

In general, we like to consider the shape of your face. After all, you’ll want to choose what sunglasses look good on you. For instance, if you have a square face, you’ll benefit from rounder frames that feature soft curves. Likewise, the angles of a heart-shaped or triangular face will be emphasized by aviators. On the other hand, if you have a rounder face, you might consider going for rectangular or square styles such as wayfarers as these will harden your features. For a more in depth guide of which sunglasses suit your face please click here.

The Wayfarer: Channeling your inner Audrey Hepburn

The fashion industry is constantly evolving. Yet, the wayfarer frames have remained a firm favourite through the decades and are still a staple for many all year round. Large and square-shaped, these frames have a wide upper rim that extends to a point. Throughout the 1950s, the frames became a staple for Hollywood stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe and in the 1960’s a must have for music stars such as Madonna and Debbie Harry. The wayfarers suit all face shapes and will add a touch of timelessness to your style, making them ideal for anybody who wants to exude elegance.

The Aviators: Showing your adventurous side

The aviator trend never goes out of style. Originally created to protect fighter pilots' eyes from the bright sun and glare while flying, aviator frames gained their name in 1936 and replaced the outdated flight goggles. A timeless and sophisticated style statement, classic aviator sunglasses feature adjustable nose pads for custom comfort. Our collection of women's aviator sunglasses offers classic, mirrored-style frames and squared frames, putting their own spin on the eyewear classic. This style is so popular that we often see this style chosen in aviator style glasses.

The Coloured Frames: Being effortlessly cool

Sunglasses with coloured frames have been trending for a while, but this season's iterations are pastel-tinted, with clear sections and reminiscent of early 2000s music videos. Thee sunglasses suit all skin tones, outfits and occasions. They will instantly give your outfits an extra twist.

The Round Frames: Infusing an element of sophistication

The first wearable glasses were created in the 13th century in Italy, and round frames were then introduced. Think Twiggy in the 1960s and John Lennon during the hippie movement. The hallmark of a confident gaze, the round lenses are perfect for sophisticated looks. Trying on a pair of round frames is a good way to see if you enjoy this retro look and whether it feels right for you.

The Cat Eye Frames: Going Retro

Cat Eye sunglasses and glasses are a classic that elevate and add intrigue to your look. Cat Eye glasses gained popularity primarily because of celebrities, its Holly Golightly's tortoiseshell Cat Eye glasses that sealed the deal in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Absolutely refined, quietly romantic, and fiercely seductive, the cat eye will bring you comfort while turning heads. Cat Eye frames are a bestselling choice for glasses.

Ready to pick your new frames?

Whether you are driving to work, heading to a festival or enjoying the outdoors, a stylish pair of sunglasses are the perfect companion.

If you are ready to try your new sunglasses you can pop into your nearest M&S Opticians store. We want to make sure you pick the right sunglasses for you, and our experts will be happy to provide you with professional advice during your visit. Whatever your style, get ready to look your best.