Sunglasses are the face’s statement piece. Anna Wintour, the fashion industry’s queen of sunglasses, is a perfect example of how an accessory can come to function as much more than a simple utilitarian accessory. In a 2019 interview with Insider magazine, she brazenly stated that her iconic thick shades are “incredibly useful because you avoid people knowing what you’re thinking about.” Her sunglasses quite literally accessorize the mystique surrounding her elite status and camouflage her emotions under thick plastic layers (would Anna Wintour wear plastic?) Sunglasses act as a statement but also often make a statement about a person in their fashioning as a representation of anonymity, status, emotion, and individuality. It is then no surprise that shades have been the muse for countless songs, most notably in Corey Hart’s “I Wear My Sunglasses at Night,” with the title showcasing the accessories’ use for everything but shielding the sun. Below are Fashion Reverie’s editor picks for shades that are much more than functional!
The Celebrity Status Shades
“You got designer shades just to hide your face and you wear ’em around like you’re cooler than me, and you never say hey or remember my name, and it’s probably cause you think you’re cooler than me” —”Cooler Than Me,” Mike Posner
Celebrities are known to use sunglasses to conceal their identity while out in public. Their status paired with shades gives a look of mystique, prestige, and attempted anonymity. It is then appropriate that celebrities have been tied to particular shades or styles since they are seen wearing them quite often. Here are Fashion Reverie’s celebrity favorites picks!
EMMA CHAMBERLAIN
Crap Eyewear x Emma Chamberlain The Prima Donna $89
TIMOTHEE CHALAMET
Oliver Peoples O’Malley Sun $511
GIGI HADID
Vogue Eyewear Gigi Hadid Capsule Low Frame Sunglasses $70
The “Seeing the World through Rose-Colored Glasses” Shades lyrics
“I put ’em on to keep it positive. Don’t mean to tell you how to feel. But I’m a firm believer in the power of the plastic. Positive plastic in my pink sunglasses” —”Pink Sunglasses,” Miranda Lambert
With the US adjusting back to normalcy, many are enthusiastic about the summer that we seemed to have lost last year. With masks gone and the summer sun moving in, many would like to see the world through rose-colored glasses. Fashion Reverie has curated a list of shades that will help to put this summer in a positive, rosy light!
FENDI $250
GUCCI Chain Square Embellished Sunglasses $513
The MVMNT Biz The DRIP Sunglasses $14.99
Celebrity Favorite Highlight: Lana Del Rey
Music artist Lana Del Rey has been known to wear a variety of heart-shaped sunglasses over the years and even included a lyrical nod to her love for them in her 2012 song “Diet Mountain Dew.” Heart-shaped sunglasses were most popular around 2015 and are now making a resurgence in more avant-garde shapes. Below is Fashion Reverie’s top 2021 Lana Del Rey-esque pick!
Saint Laurent Loulou Heart Sunglasses $420
The “Feeling Brand New” Shades
“I feel like new sunglasses, like a brand new pair of jeans, I feel like taking chances, I feel a lot like seventeen. I feel like windows rolled down, new city, streets, and cabs” —”Brand New,” Ben Rector
Sunglasses often transform a look, and many are wanting to experiment with new (and riskier) shapes and colors this season. These picks are for those who are feeling like they want to switch up their style and try something new and exciting!
Remo Tulliani POWER $165
Don’t be Shady Theo Circle Sunglasses $30.98
Celebrity Favorite Highlight: Kaia Gerber
American model and actress Kaia Gerber is coming for Anna Wintour’s title as sunglass queen. Unlike Wintour, she does not necessarily have a signature look, rather she tries a wide variety of styles, shapes, and colors. Gerber, like many other GenZ-ers, is obsessed with Lexxola glasses, which is a unisex brand that became extremely popular on TikTok. Below is Fashion Reverie’s favorite Lexxola pick!
Lexxola Damien $267.54
—Tessa Swantek
Image credits
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-1-opener.jpg — Credit/source: Instagram.
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-2-section-header.jpg — Credit/source: @vogueeyewear on Instagram.
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-3-crap-eyewear-x-emma-chamberlain.jpg — Credit/source: Crap Eyewear.
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-4-oliver-peoples.jpg — Credit/source: Oliver Peoples.
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-5-vogue-eyewear.jpg — Credit/source: Farfetch.
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-6-section-header.jpg — Credit/source: Nicole Nodland.
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-7-fendi.jpg — Credit/source: sunglass hut.
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-8-gucci.jpg — Credit/source: Moda Operandi.
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-9-the-mvmnt-biz.jpg — Credit/source: Etsy.
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-10-saint-laurent.jpg — Credit/source: Saks Fifth Avenue.
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-11-section-header.jpg — Credit/source: @oliviarodrigo on Depop.
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-12-remo-tulliani.jpg — Credit/source: Remo Tulliani.
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-13-dont-be-shady.jpg — Credit/source: Don’t be Shady.
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-14-kaia-gerber.jpg — Credit/source: @lexxola on Instagram.
- summer-2021-sunglasses-editor-picks-15-lexxola.jpg — Credit/source: Lexxola.
- sunglasses-21-feature.jpg — Editorial image.
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