Bright Travels in Your Future? The Perfect Sunglasses For Your Next Vacation

best sunglasses
best sunglasses

Sunglasses — the perfect travel accessory (Photo: Thinkstock)

For most of us, sunglasses are arguably the summer’s most essential accessory — but finding the perfect pair can be a bit of a challenge. After all, there’s a dizzying array of options, many of which can be as expensive as a vacation itself. On the other hand, picking up a well-made pair is a solid investment that will last well beyond Labor Day 2014. Yahoo Travel has taken on the challenge to find the most stylish pairs in the latest trends, from colorful to sporty, embellished to subdued. And we’ve got a splurge and save for each, in case you do happen to be saving up for your next trip:

Iconic

Travel back in time to the ‘50s with these cat eye shades (but skip the beehive … all the hairspray in the world is no match for the ocean wind). The distinct feline oval shape complements round or heart shaped faces. Think Brigitte Bardot in St. Tropez, and be prepared to feel just as glamorous.

Miu Miu cat-eye sunglasses
Miu Miu cat-eye sunglasses

Miu Miu cat-eye sunglasses (Photo: Macy’s)

Splurge: The epitome of glamour, this Miu Miu twist-on-the-classic retains the shape and feel of the originals, but adds elegant and modern skinny arms.

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Sunglass Warehouse frames (Photo: Sunglass Warehouse)

Save: At Sunglass Warehouse, you can find cat eyes very affordably, in multiple colors. (We promise you’ll want more than one pair!)

Subdued

Sometimes the most impactful fashion statement isn’t the boldest. Case in point: a quiet set of shades — a touch preppy, slightly vintage-inspired, with a classic round frame. The beauty of this non-descrip style? The jetsetter can re-wear them all over the world and not worry about being photographed in the same style twice!

Cartier sunglasses
Cartier sunglasses

Composite frames from Cartier (Photo: Cartier)

Splurge: This composite pair, from Cartier, which looks equally good on men and women, fits any vacation bill perfectly.

Costa Del Mar sunglasses
Costa Del Mar sunglasses

(Photo: Costa Del Mar)

Save: Named after the colorful Goby fish that attach themselves to coral reefs, this pair from Costa Del Mar will let you flaunt the ombre trend.

Fashion Forward

Eyewear is an easy way to add a stylish flourish to your vacation wardrobe, even if you tend to veer toward neutral, basic clothing. This new rectangular shape has serious fashion cred — it’s a touch futuristic with an otherworldly feel — but is surprisingly easy to wear, even with the strongly defined wire.

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Hitting high fashion notes on all fronts with Chanel (Photo: Chanel)

Splurge: This Chanel pair, with ombre opacity, was most recently seen on the runway. We challenge you — take ‘em to the jetway.

 Maui Jim sunglasses
Maui Jim sunglasses

A pair of sleek Maui Jims (Photo: Maui Jim)

Save: Maui Jim has been perfecting the exactness of this rectangle pair for years.

Colorful

Another way to look at sunglasses — and justify an additional pair if you have a drawer full of them — is as a statement travel accessory, worn like a bold pair of earrings, patterned scarf, or even an intensely colored shade of lipstick.

Persol sunglasses
Persol sunglasses

Colorful Persol frames (Photo: Macy’s)

Splurge: Opting for a bright pair of Persol shades makes a lot of sense, and creates an ideal, makeup-like counterpart to green, blue, or brown eyes.

Ray-Ban sunglasses
Ray-Ban sunglasses

Bright red Ray-Bans (Photo: Bloomingdale’s)

Save: We’ve had fun experimenting with the color red; it’s vibrant but still sophisticated enough for a business lunch outdoors. Check out this new shape from Ray-Ban.

Sporty

This time of year, most people want to spend their time outdoors, whether on the beach, out for a run, or just playing ball in the sunshine in a local park. With sturdy but sleek plastic arms, and protective shielding glass, this shape will be extremely comfortable for anything from beach tennis in the South of France to skiing the Swiss Alps.

Oakley sunglasses
Oakley sunglasses

Sporty Oakley lenses (Photo: Macy’s)

Splurge: These shades from Oakley are relaxed enough to be well suited for all of the above while still boasting chic elements like metallic reflective glass.

Spy sunglasses
Spy sunglasses

Spy shades (Photo: Macy’s)

Save: Though these pink shades from optic designer Spy are particularly female-friendly, they work surprisingly well on men, too.

Embellished

Although heavily blinged-out frames feel so three seasons ago, a key trend of the moment is jeweled detailing, placed strategically to look glamorous instead of gaudy. These frames will seriously make you feel like Catherine the Great, traipsing around your palace, or perhaps taking a dip in the Baltic Sea.

Emporio Armani sunglasses
Emporio Armani sunglasses

Embellished look from Emporio Armani (Photo: Macy’s)

Splurge: These Emporio Armani frames exemplify the look, adding a bit of feminine sparkle that’s reminiscent of a great vintage brooch you’d find at your favorite flea market.

Vogue Eyewear sunglasses
Vogue Eyewear sunglasses

A splash of sparkle from Vogue Eyewear (Photo: Polyvore)

Save: Vogue Eyewear accomplishes the same feel with just a spritz of sparkle, reminiscent of the City of Lights. Oui, Oui!

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