In a season that celebrates individuality and a sense of carefree abandon when it comes to dressing up, it's no wonder that several sunglass designers have concocted their own take on this idea, with a colourful array of bright, bold and quirky sunglasses for those who dare to stand out.
Of course, the usual high-tech specifications still apply, from quality lenses that block out harsh UV rays and tactile materials for frames, but pure aesthetics take centre stage, with unconventional shapes and textures from wood to metals, along with vivid patterns filtered down from the seasonal patterns we're seeing in ready-to-wear collections.
Known for an irreverent take on fashion, Henry Holland's sunglass collection this season is a powerful extension of the brand's energetic philosophy of anything goes. Taking cues from British club culture, the 'Superhero' sunglasses (13), for example, capture a playful approach to keeping those peepers cool for summer.
Our own Karen Walker's popular line of sunglasses has garnered its own cult following both locally and internationally, and the designer's Poolside collection for summer carries on that tradition of bright, bold shades that have a sense of humour. The "Hollywood Creeper" in sea blue, for example (#3), combines cool blue tones and this season's penchant for reflective lenses that put a futuristic element in the mix.
And after years of basic black and the much-hackneyed retro shapes of the 50s and 60s, an opportunity to stand out with a pair of unconventional shades is the perfect way to encourage a sense of fun in the sun - and what's not to love about that?
1. Johnathan Saunders Eyewear "Arwel" sunglasses, $380.
2. Caroline Sills "Klara" sunglasses, $229.
3. Karen Walker "Hollywood Creeper" sunglasses, $349.
4. Miu Miu "Raisor" sunglasses, $600, from Sunglass Hut.
5. Stolen Girlfriends Club "Poison Ivy" sunglasses, $279.
6. Celine "Tilda" sunglasses, $495, from Sunglass Bar.
7. Oliver Goldsmith "Norum" sunglasses, $595, from Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear City.
8. Oliver Goldsmith "Uuksu" sunglasses, $595, from Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear City.
9. Le Specs "Luxe Heiress" sunglasses, $139.
10. Anna-Karin Karlsson "Rose Rouge" sunglasses, $550, from Net-a-Porter.
11. Fendi square-framed sunglasses, $605, from Matches.
12. Kate Sylvester "Patti" sunglasses, $345.
13. House of Holland "Superhero" sunglasses, $299.
14. House of Holland "Lippy" sunglasses, $299.
15. Prada "Minimal Baroque" sunglasses, $815, from Sunglass hut.
16. Mykita x Maison Margiela "MMESSE003" sunglasses, $800, from Zambesi.
17. Sun Buddies "Type 02" sunglasses, $249, from Commoners.
18. Thierry Lasry "Swingy", $650, from Gates Eyewear.
Stockists
• Age Eyewear ageeyewear.com
• Caroline Sills (09) 445 3356
• Commoners
• House of Holland 0508 EYEWEAR
• Johnathan Saunders Eyewear 0508 EYEWEAR
• Karen Walker
• Le Specs 0508 EYEWEAR
• Matches
• Michael Holmes Premium Eyewear City (09) 973 8950
• Net-a-Porter
• Preen Eyewear 0508 EYEWEAR
• Stolen Girlfriends Club (09) 5240431
• Sunglass Bar (09) 379 9806
• Zambesi (09) 303 1701