Sunnie(s) Side Up
Mohala Eyewear’s cat-eye looks and Fendi’s frameless looks will keep you looking sharp. Photos courtesy brands.
A killer pair of shades is essential for Hawaii living. Like fashion, sunglass trends evolve and this season’s upgrades found balance in making timeless designs modern with the addition of embellishments, mirrored lenses and colored acetate frames. By now you probably know the sunglass styles that complement your face, but the journey to finding that perfect pair is still tricky.
Understanding the size and shape of your countenance will help you to find those flawless frames. Following is a sprinkling of some of my favorites.
With a nod to the ’70s, oversized shades channeled a mysterious celebrity mood. This ostentatious style was presented in a variety of shapes, from square to round to geometric. Glamour on steroids.
The play on retro shades continued with the iconic cat-eye silhouette. Given a dynamic redo, it found new life in an often-larger frame with sharper lines. Bottega Veneta and Versace gave these shades a more angular ’80s look, rejuvenating the style. Offering a softer take on the look is local brand Mohala Eyewear, whose range comes with a variety of bridge sizes to fit different nose shapes. A visually striking recreation on a classic.
Designers had fun playing with vibrant pigments. On trend were Miu Miu’s rectangular acetate frames in vivid colors such as turquoise and electric blue. Iris Apfel wears this look to perfection and honestly, I’m feeling influenced. Like those found at Oliver Peoples, yellow, orange and blue tinted lenses were a popular choice for designers. Just forget about discreetly rolling your eyes while wearing them. If you enjoy color but find these pigments overwhelming, tone things down with memorable white frames such as the sleek pair from Vehla, a new Aussie brand to put on your radar. Nothing says youthful more than a colored sunglass update.
Flat sunglasses with horizontal top frames are on the rise giving a sleek futuristic feel. Fendi’s frameless mirrored shades are super lightweight and make a bold statement.
Sunglasses are a very individual accessory, quickly conveying a lot about your personality. Give yourself a mood boost by experimenting with a new pair of sunnies and shine your face toward the spotlight.
Kim Smith has been a professional wardrobe stylist in Honolulu since 2004. Born a true Londoner, Smith had a successful career in public relations in the fashion industry in London for more than eight years before moving to Hawai‘i in 2002. Smith’s work spans a vast array of magazines, retailers and television as well as working with individual clients on their specific style needs. See her work at kimsmithstyle.com.