Why sunglasses could be the secret to great winter style
The idea of shopping for - and wearing - sunglasses in winter seems absurd, on a par with wearing them on the tube or in the John Lewis food hall. But while it might not be sunny it is certainly bright, and there is the added peril of tearing winds that make for watering eyes. Besides, if you’re currently purging wine/caffeine/brie from your system - intentionally or not - then a pair of sunnies will also mask puffy eyes or deep shadows, and even the screen-fatigue of weekends spent box-setting.
Givenchy cat-eye, £272, Harvey Nichols; Gold aviator, £65, Le Specs; Tortoiseshell, £120, Finlay & Co
Unfortunately, your favourite summer pair may not work in winter. Lightly tinted rose or yellow lenses are summer-specific, and while they might look lovely with a floral dress or cotton blouse, they’re too delicate to balance out the dark palette and the heavy-weight fabrics that winter brings. Equally, light coloured frames - especially pastels - are more likely to jar with your cold-weather wardrobe. Rather than buying a pair that will only do for the colder months, a bit of clever shopping - and an eye on the Spring Summer ‘18 catwalks - will find you a pair that works year-round.
The exception to the light-frame rule is white, which will work for both summer and winter. So will black and tortoiseshell, and if you’re looking for longevity, you really can’t go wrong with Ray-ban’s classic wayfarers. They now offer an updated version with a slightly smaller frame that is very elegant if you’ve found the originals too masculine in the past. If you do prefer colour to neutrals then look for bolder shades. Celine’s sunglasses are at the top end of the price scale, but they are beautifully made, and riff on classic, elegant shapes rather than anything too trendy that will look naff after a season, so it’s a safe bet that their retro cat-eyes will be the thing come summer. They come in a variety of colours, but the primary blue and red are the most trans-seasonal. You can also find good options at Black Eyewear and, at the cheaper end of the spectrum, Monki.
Miu Miu Cat-eye acetate, £205, Matches Fashion; Red cat eye, £177, Black Eyewear; Round tortoiseshell, £55, Topshop; Chloe Nola sunglasses, £329, My Theresa
For everyday, a strong cat-eye has replaced circular as the shape of choice. While some of them, like Le Specs’ narrow, angular frames so loved by celebrities like Rihanna, are probably too fashion-forward for all but the most sculpted of bone structures, a slightly softer take will prove incredibly flattering for most of us - and there are larger versions available too, if that suits you better. Prism has a very good selection in classic tortoiseshells and more unusual colours. This shape is particularly smart, so can be worn with workwear or even a cocktail dress should the occasion present itself.
Apres ski, you’ll need something sportier, though a step down from the goggles you’ll be wearing pendant-ski. Look for reflective lenses to minimise glare; a classic aviator shape will date well, and double-bar bridges are popular once again. Even if you’re not heading to the slopes, aviators are a good dressed-down option for weekend walks. Otherwise, look for something slightly more futuristic (but crucially still wearable). For Spring summer ‘18, Louis Vuitton showed sporty cat-eyes, and Stella McCartney a semi-visor shape, both with reflective lenses.
