Sunglasses are a good way to get into the swing of spring. If you’re buying a pair, it’s always a good idea to experiment with quite a few to find which suits your face shape. Classic tortoiseshell is usually a safe bet, and there are now lots of frames made from sustainable materials.
Sunglasses do have a function, of course, but they can also be a whole lot of fun, which makes them the ideal accessory to rent. Have an Almost Famous moment in bold flower shades, or try the Y2K trend with bug-eye shapes.
Vintage shades channel the old-school cool of Hollywood stars such as Audrey Hepburn. Secondhand is a way to discover more quirky shapes. From chunky cat’s eye to alien-style, these are sunglasses to start conversations now, and all summer long.
Buy it
Green bio-acetate, £99, findyourbirds.com
Sustainable frames in an eco-friendly shade.
1990s shape in sand, £54.17, intl.lesspecs.com
These clear, minimal frames look sophisticated with denim.
Oversized tortoiseshell, £190, uk.lindafarrow.com
Italian-inspired shape with a blue lens.
Rent it
Daisy, by Linda Farrow x Markus Lupfer, £28 for four days from mywardrobehq.com
Perfect for a summer festival.
Gold-rimmed aviators, by Dior, from £36.07 for four days, from hurrcollective.com
Pair a minimal metal frame with tailoring.
Cat’s-eye pink, by Versace, £39 for three days from frontrow.uk.com
Wear these Y2K frames with a slip dress.
Thrift it
White and beige striped, £95, by Courrèges, from relliklondon.com
Summer style from a 60s French designer.
Alien-eye shape, £89, retrospectacle.co.uk
90s-style in a light metal frame.
Grey rectangular, £28, by Weekday, from thrift.plus
Buy secondhand high-street specs for a modern look
