Keep the sun (and people) at bay with this guide to the season's trendiest sunglasses

One has to admit that if you are trying to pull a look it is incomplete without sunglasses.

Not only can you put a layer of cool aloofness between you and the rest of the world with a pair, they are great against the cruel summer sun. But let’s admit to the fact that most of us just like the way we look in a fashionable pair of dark lenses.

When it comes to sunshades there is no dearth of places one can purchase a set, no matter the budget. From the variety, or a lack thereof, on a vendor’s temporary trolley, found outside every bazaar and mall, to the delectably expensive ones sitting pretty inside the showcases of the plushest designer galleries, the world is your oyster. It all depends on how much you want to spend to look blasй and, at the same time, sharp as a spy.

“I want my sun shades to make me look glamorous and obviously I am ready to invest a large amount in them if they can turn heads my way,” says a young woman, trying out a new pair of glasses at a shop.

You’re only as fashionable as your pair of sunglasses. A guide to what’s in and what’s out.

“I recently bought a pair though I have many sitting at home,” a college-going boy says. “The trends change so quickly that it is essential to have at least a few shapes and colours ready for use. I think the sturdier materials, like titanium frames and light-coloured lenses never go out of fashion.”

The look these days, carried by the most fashion forward brows, points to a ‘cover my face’ kind of vibe. Whether you are a celebrity or not, you want to look like you are trying to hide your identity. Therefore, in this case, size matters. Whether it is Fawad Khan with his new, unshaven look or Saba Qamar with her newly rediscovered fame, the idea is to choose a frame that encompasses your brows and cheekbones, leaving everything to the imagination.

Women are still sporting the cat-eye shape in never-seen-before large sizes, while men are opting for a more angular, oblong formation.

According to vendors people are looking to play peek-a-boo when it comes to the colour of the actual glass. The trend is not to go for the darkest colours but to choose the ones that sport a spectrum from dark to light hence giving a mere glimpse into the eyes beyond the spectacles. The temples have narrowed down lately and designers are adding a prominent top bar to make the look even edgier.

To the satisfaction of those that believe ‘old is vintage,’ the retro, round frames with striking coloured lens are also making a comeback but one must be wary when choosing to invest in a pair. Only buy a retro set if you have the right bone structure to carry it off. Since we are on the topic of comeback styles, the one that never goes out of fashion is the Ray Ban, which is still highly sought after by shade fans.

The ’70s revival and oversized are key words, this summer. No matter what your face shape is, you can pick retro oversize aviators in plastic or wire-rimmed for that ’70s vibe. Honey tones and tortoise- shell frames are also in and if you can’t decide which colour, get two.

Matt black looks good with gold, so be easy on the shine although flash lenses and mirror-coating are in style too. Two-tone roundish aviators are in vogue especially in neutral colours and go with other accessories easily. The interesting part is that neutral tones as well as rich colours like burgundy look flattering on our skins.

“The younger buyers opt for light and more risky styles,” a showroom owner says. “Recently people are looking for materials that are unbreakable and can be used both as prescription eye glasses and a fashion accessory. You can bend and twist these as far as you want and they will remain intact.”

But people have their own reasons for what they chose to buy. “A pair that will keep the sun out of my eyes but doesn’t cost me an arm and a leg is what I look for,” says a mother of two. “Durability is key for me as my children are always rummaging through my things.”

Originally published in Dawn, EOS, July 30th, 2017