Have it made in the shade: get summer ready with a pair of attention-grabbing specs

Keeping your eyes protected is important but with a wealth of frames to choose from there’s no need to skimp on style. Sarah Young takes a look at some of this season’s hottest eyewear trends

Backstage at Dolce & Gabbana Spring Summer 2016

Forget fake tan or the quest for a beach-buff body, the best way to make sure you’re summer ready this year is with the perfect pair of stylish shades. On the runway, sunglasses are an area of oddball innovation but rarely have they been as outlandish or gleefully glamorous as they were this season; for spring/summer 2016, a whole host of designers eschewed the tried-and-tested standards of classic silhouettes with over-the-top embellishment and attention-grabbing frames. The high-street is never far behind though and with eyewear collections taking their cue from ready-to-wear, this season’s specs promise maximum impact with minimal effort . It’s time to get in the frame so while the sun beats down make sure your shades are on-trend for an instant fashion-forward makeover.

Backstage at Stella McCartney Spring Summer 2016

The Retro Aviator

Classic styles such as the aviator never go out of style but for spring/summer 2016 the introduction of a modified bridge and exaggerated frame offers a dramatic update. For Chanel, oversized, frameless shades were the go-to while Stella McCartney opted for brightly coloured, full-rim plastic frames. The key here is to opt for a pair with a statement bridge for the ultimate in pilot-inspired style.

Dolce & Gabbana Spring Summer 2016

Oversized Frames

It’s go big or go home with this next trend as larger than life frames take size, colour and embellishment to new heights. At Dolce & Gabbana, an abundance of jewels and enamel flowers coated giant shades while Gucci opted for geek-chic with blown up geometric lenses smothered in glitter. For real-life wearability choose one and run with it; oversized frames pack some serious punch and a touch of glamour to even the most lacklustre of outfits.

Fendi Spring Summer 2016

Mirrored Lenses

Perfect for the festival scene, and just about anywhere else for that matter, the mirrored lens has made a comeback. Seen in a whole host of styles from rounded cat-eyes at Fendi to shiny aviators at Carolina Herrera specs with reflective surfaces flooded the spring/summer runway. They’re also a great way to add a little dimension to your get-up with eye-catching metallics and hologram-like pairs shifting in colour.

Backstage at Moschino Spring Summer 2016

The Cat-Eye

The retro mainstay is back but not quite as we know it as this time round the cat-eye has taken on a double identity. At Moschino the frames were much smaller than expected harking back to the traditional shape of the 50s but for Fendi and Marni a more futuristic design saw oversized, rounded frames with a cat-eye edge. The accessory equivalent of the LBD the cat-eye is classic, timeless and a worthy addition to any summer wardrobe.

Gucci Spring Summer 2016

Yellow Lenses

Inject a little colour into your life this season with a pair of shaded yellow lenses. Bringing that 60s/70s flair, House of Holland wore theirs in a classic aviator style while Alessandro Michele continued his love affair with librarians at Gucci with oversized, thick rimmed specs. This is a tricky one to take into the real world but if you’re brave enough to give it a go the style points are bountiful - just be sure to pair them with a super simple ensemble.