The sunglasses brands to have on your radar for summer, from Gucci to Ray-Ban

The change in season is something that many of us get excited about, and while you may not be able to go abroad for your summer holidays this year, a good pair of sunnies are a surefire way to bring the vay-cay mode to you.

Plus, with the lockdown roadmap in mind, it looks as though we will be spending a lot of time socialising outdoors, so a great pair of shades is arguably more essential than ever.

As accessories go, sunglasses have the unique power to transform an outfit. While there’s a lot to be said for a chain necklace or a pair of statement earrings, the perfect eyewear is integral to any fashion aficionado’s wardrobe.

That being said, finding the best ones for you is not an easy task. Hamish Tame, creative director at Le Specs, tells The Independent that, as a rule of thumb, “if you have a round face, it is best to balance it out with square or rectangular styles”.

“If your face or jaw is more square, then look for something softer and with curved proportions,” says Tame.

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Similarly, Daphnée Duchatel, head of international markets at sunglasses brand Jimmy Fairly, offers some final words of wisdom for deciding if a style is right for you. “The lower edges of the frame should not touch your cheeks, the upper edges should not hide your eyebrows and finally the arms should not compress the temples or be too thick.”

With any luck, this should provide the guidance you need to choose a pair of shades from a designer or high street brand.

As a sartorial fixture in the fashion world (case in point: Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld), we’ve rounded up some of our favourite sunglasses brands that have designs to suit every face shape and preference. You can thank us later.

You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

Heralding from Holland, Ace & Tate’s selection of high-quality sunglasses is extensive and unisex. If you’re looking for a greener approach to your eyewear, the brand is dedicated to more sustainable practices and is working to reduce its carbon footprint and reach the goal of being carbon neutral by 2030. 

With Heidi Slimane at its helm, Celine’s eyewear game provides a nod to LA. You can expect timeless designs that will make you feel ready to take on whatever the day throws at you.

Known for its unfussy and smart designs, Cubitts’s sunglasses are all handmade and there are 55 unisex frame styles to choose from. If it were us, we’d go for the Matilda (£125, Cubitts.com) for a statement choice or the rounded Barlow (£225, Cubitts.com) for something more classic.

With vintage-inspired sunglasses on the rise this year, Chanel is the brand to go to if you’re looking to tap into the trend – expect bold colours and big silhouettes. While these sunnies might be an investment, it’s one you won’t regret.

With styles that are consistently innovative, modern and instantly recognisable, Dior’s sunglasses are a real fashion statement. If you’re looking to purchase a designer pair of shades, look no further.

Each pair of Finlay & Co. sunglasses are designed in London and handmade in Italy, and feature anti-reflective, scratch-resistant and UVA/UVB coating to keep them looking good as new for longer. You can also choose to add prescription and/or polarized lenses.

There’s no denying that Gucci sunglasses are the epitome of cool, with its maximalist square and rectangular frames being spotted on everyone from Lizzo to Billie Eilish. Think big, bold and colourful. We’re obsessed.

French brand Izipizi is a popular choice thanks to all of its designs costing less than £40, including its prescription glasses. Offering UV category 3 protection, there is a range of designs on offer, including options for kids. We love the #D tortoise (£40, Izipizi.com) for something understated but cool.

The Parisian It-girl designer brand is known for its elegant and timeless shades, with the majority of glasses costing either £99 or £129. For every pair purchased, Jimmy Fairly gives a pair to a person in need by partnering with Restoring Vision, a non-profit global health organisation.

This brand is known for its high-quality, statement sunglasses at affordable prices, and is a firm favourite with some seriously famous faces, namely Meghan Markle, who has frequently been spotted in the sell-out air heart cat-eye sunglasses (£45, Net-a-porter.com). With both men’s and women’s shades on offer, this really is a brand worth browsing. 

With a huge range of different designs, including a collection made from recycled materials, you can expect affordable prices from Meller, with most of its shades costing just £40. But if that’s not enough to persuade you, the brand frequently hosts sale events, such as two for one on selected designs. Make this brand your go-to for all things trend-led.

For more of a sporty shade, make Oakley the brand you choose. The brand is a popular option for cycling glasses, with the Oakley flight jackets (£149.60, Oakley.com) receiving high praise in our review of the best.

You’re probably already familiar with Italian eyewear brand thanks to its ubiquitous designs and celebrity endorsements. After actor Steve McQueen chose to wear a pair, it’s become a popular choice for many, and you can now buy the original model worn by him (£506, Persol.com). While more of an investment purchase, Persol shades are made to last a lifetime.

Arguably the most well-known brand when it comes to sunglasses, and for good reason too, Ray-Ban stocks a variety of reliable designs. Despite being founded in 1937, it wasn’t until the Seventies that its popularity got to its peak, when both the wayfarer and aviator designs made waves. Offering the brand’s signature designs as well as more trend-led sunnies, Ray-Ban is a reliable choice for many. What’s more, some of its shades come in three different size options (small, standard and large) which offers more choice depending on your face shape.

This London-based brand designs vintage-inspired shades with a contemporary twist – think round and aviator styles in a variety of colourways and mirrored lenses. Worn and loved by the likes of Emma Watson, Cara Delevingne and Harry Styles, each style is unisex.

As one of the world’s best-known fashion designers, Tom Ford knows a thing or two about eyewear. With a nod to the trends and consistently glamorous styles, you simply cannot go wrong. From round to square and oversized, there are plenty of frames to choose from. One thing is for sure, you can expect to find the signature T-bar hinge on each frame.

Despite its humble beginnings on Australia’s festival circuit, Quay has become a firm favourite among A-listers, with the brand’s products being spotted on the likes of Chrissy Tiegan, Ashley Graham and even J Lo. With many of its designs starting at just £29, this a no-brainer for an affordable pair of shades.

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