Throwing Shade? Start With These Sunglasses Trends
Whether you're a fiend for trends or a one-style loyalist like me, sunglasses are an easy way to experiment with your look while staying effortlessly cool. They're the perfect topper for any summer or fall outfit and, let's face it, a health essential for protecting your eyes from the ever-burning sun.
Practicality aside, sunglasses are cooler than ever, with AI tools and 3D printing helping brands experiment with design, functionality, and technology. Nina Esteves—the trend and foresight manager at EssilorLuxottica—one of the world's biggest eyewear manufacturers for brands including our favorites like Prada, Burberry, and Diesel—gave us a sneak peek into the eyewear trends we'll definitely be shopping in current and upcoming seasons. Wipe off your lenses and turn up the brightness—you won't want to miss these. All About Burgundy
It's the hottest color trend of the year, so of course it's making its way into eyewear, too. If you're looking for a long-lasting trend that transcends seasons, burgundy is the hue to choose for your shades. 'There's an underlying desire for earthy, natural tones in general,' Esteves confirmed. Magma hues, as she calls them, are just that. Soft Oval Shapes
'60s-style oval sunglasses are making a comeback both for women and, surprisingly, for men, too. The style is universally flattering, and the classic, clean silhouette leaves plenty of room to play with frame or lens color, scale, other accessories, or even your hairstyle, if you so choose. Edgy Flat Top
As someone whose go-to is a flat-top silhouette, this is one of my favorite eyewear trends. Flat top sunglasses don't have to look like you're going to an LMFAO concert (throwback) or a rave in Ibiza. Styles have evolved into something much chicer these days, with just a dash of edge, if that's all you have the taste for. This particular trend also reads more unisex, so they're perfect for anyone. Barely There
Rimless and semi-rimless glasses are the eyewear answer to minimalism and anyone subscribing to the 'clean girl aesthetic.' They're a whisper, not a shout, but the message is just as clear. 'Shoppers are buying frames—especially metal ones—just as they buy a pair of earrings,' says Esteves. Consider these styles additions to your jewelry box rather than just another pair of sunglasses. Shades of Bone
Sunglasses are here to make things darker, of course, but lighter colors are actually in for eyewear. Bone, ivory, cream, and tan are trending colors for summer shades and transition seamlessly to fall and winter, as well. These lighter neutrals are also flattering on various skin tones and can subtly complement or contrast with any outfit. Funky Shapes
Thanks to Charli XCX's Brat Summer, edgy, funky sunglasses are becoming a normalized statement. Sure, she has her signature style, but Brat Summer opened the door for alien-esque silhouettes, oversized frames, and unapologetic boldness when it comes to eyewear. Brave enough to sport the trend? Start with the styles below. Credit: Moda Operandi, Inc. Chrome Details
According to Esteves, interior design plays a big role in forecasting external trends like eyewear. 'In general, for 2025 we're going to see a discussion on metals, not just in the fashion space,' Esteves says. Chrome has had a major comeback in interior design—hello, mid-century modern—and with the rise of silver jewelry, it's only natural that eyewear is following suit. Credit: Moda Operandi, Inc. Tinted Lenses
Your shades don't have to be all black all the time (well, mine are—but that's a personal choice). Tinted lenses are having a big moment. Yellow and red lenses evoke a sexy '70s vibe, while green, blue, or purple shades can be cute and flirty. Tinted lenses are often more about self-expression than actual shade, and they can become the protagonist of the outfit, according to Esteves. And if you wear clear opticals regularly, you can get in on the fun, too. Transitions Gen S lenses can go from clear to eight different shades—think ruby, amethyst, emerald, etc.—and can be added to your favorite frames for an extra touch of personal style. Credit: Moda Operandi, Inc. Why Trust ELLE
Every product featured on ELLE.com is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Elle
3 days ago
- Elle
Why Toe Rings Are the Summer's Coolest Microtrend
When the New York Times runs a headline declaring it's 'a great time to be a toe,' well, there's really no arguing. From embellished sandals to anklets, this summer's coolest accessories are for your feet. I suppose after years of slander and shaming, toes have finally earned a moment in the spotlight. Best Toe Rings Shopping List Toe rings have been featured on the latest runways (including Rabanne, Burberry, and Chloé), on celebrities like Rihanna, and even worn by Bad Bunny on his Alambre Púa cover photo. If the subtle bling is popping up on your Instagram feed as much as it is on mine, you might be wondering if you should try one out for yourself. The answer is yes. Why? Well, why not? You already wear rings on your fingers, so add some pizzazz to your other 10 digits while you're at it. To be clear, a toe ring is not fundamentally different from a non-toe ring. The label mainly refers to the fit because—as you may have noticed—your toes and fingers are not the same in shape or size. (Thank God!) Almost any adjustable ring can be worn on your toe, and many midi rings happen to be the right size, as well. So, keep scrolling for the best toe rings to wear this summer. Why Trust ELLE Every product featured on is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.
CNN
4 days ago
- CNN
Slim sneakers are the shoe of the summer
They were once worn by athletes to win Olympic track races in the 1970s. Now, slim, low-profile sneakers are more often seen on the style set than in the context of 5,000-meter sprints. Harry Styles has several pairs of the oft-sold out Dries Van Noten's panelled leather and suede sneakers ($495), while Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber and Addison Rae are regularly seen out and about in their vividly-colored Onitsuka Tiger styles (ranging from $155 to $215). Dua Lipa, a global brand ambassador for Puma, has the more wallet-friendly compact Speed Cat silhouette in red, black, pink and even a silver ballerina version ($100). In June, Prada put forward its own offering with the new Montecarlo sneaker ($1,100) — a re-edition of a design from Spring-Summer 2005. Bottega Veneta describes its Orbit Flash shoe ($990) as 'a low-top lace-up ballet sneaker' with 'supple suede with lightweight nylon', while Miu Miu boasts that its Plume ($950) style is 'sleek and extremely light' — though they do offer a version where this aerodynamic design is weighed down with shoelace charms and miniature keyrings. 'It's more simple, it's less flashy,' said David Fischer, founder and CEO of youth culture platform Highsnobiety, in a phone interview, observing the current footwear aesthetic. Global retail analytics company Edited's analyst and footwear expert Katharine Carter agreed, telling CNN that slimline running-inspired trainers have emerged as 2025's biggest sneaker trend. Even mass-market brands such as H&M and Zara are now getting in on the action: Carter noted an uptick of 367% more slim-soled styles flooding the shelves for the Spring-Summer 2025 season compared to 2024. By contrast, Edited estimates new designs of chunky and platform sneakers have decreased 37% year-on-year. The current preference for slim-fit, low-profile footwear marks a shift away from the chunky 'ugly' shoe trend that has dominated the runways — and individual closets — for almost a decade. The Balenciaga Triple S, created by the mononymic designer Demna during his tenure at the brand, disrupted the sneaker landscape in the mid-to-late 2010s. Its vertiginous, stacked sole was instantly recognizable, and a new era of chunky sneakers with mainstream appeal, such as Zara's Multi-Piece sneaker, the New Balance 09060 and the Adidas Yeezy 500 'Blush', soon followed. However, around 2023, their popularity began to wane (that year, the Triple S was booted off the top spot of GQ's annual Best Sneakers list and replaced by the re-issued Adidas Samba from 1972 — a football training shoe, with its earliest iteration dating back to 1949). 'I always like to say that fashion is like physics; for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction,' said Emma McClendon, assistant professor of fashion studies at St John's University in New York, in a phone call. Noting the pendulum swing of trends, she explained: 'Fashion is predicated on a desire for newness.' But there has been a collective shrinking of silhouettes and styles of clothes more generally, too. From the controversial return of skinny jeans to the uptick in hotpants and boob tubes, 'stuff is getting slimmer,' said McClendon. 'Fashion doesn't happen in a vacuum,' she added. 'It's possibly one of the most visceral ways that we bodily engage with culture.' Many have been quick to draw a connective throughline between the revival of trends like skinny jeans and bandage dress with the increasing accessibility of Ozempic and other GLP-1 injectables. 'We have to address the fact that what we're seeing is a return to the thin ideal in a really scary way,' said McClendon. 'In general, it's that you want to be smaller, you want to be demure, you want to be all of these things associated with being ladylike,' McClendon added. Could that shift be making its way to our footwear choices? In addition to the rise of slimline shoes, there has also been growing interest in 'Sneakerinas,' a hybrid shoe that combines a traditional sneaker with the more girlish ballet flat. Often, they are little more than wispy slips of satin or suede. Sometimes they have ribbons in lieu of laces — much like the version sold by Chinese footwear brand Vivaia, which has become a veritable off-duty model staple thanks to endorsements from Bella Hadid and Amelia Gray. EDITED reported a 112% increase in the number of sneakers described as 'ballerina' or 'Mary Jane' in the past year. Today, shoes are not only getting slimmer, some are barely there at all. The mesh Alaia ballet flats — fashion search engine Lyst's hottest product at the end of 2024 — are almost see-through, much to some fashionistas' delight and others' chagrin. Even Balenciaga is taking note: its most head-turning sneaker release since the Triple S is the Zero shoe. Available in beige and black, the barely-there footwear is molded from a footprint, with the wearer's feet secured only at the toe and heel. If we are in the era of the naked dress, maybe next is the naked shoe. 'I think in many ways, the shoe world is very much marching in one direction here,' said Fischer.
CNN
4 days ago
- CNN
Slim sneakers are the shoe of the summer
They were once worn by athletes to win Olympic track races in the 1970s. Now, slim, low-profile sneakers are more often seen on the style set than in the context of 5,000-meter sprints. Harry Styles has several pairs of the oft-sold out Dries Van Noten's panelled leather and suede sneakers ($495), while Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber and Addison Rae are regularly seen out and about in their vividly-colored Onitsuka Tiger styles (ranging from $155 to $215). Dua Lipa, a global brand ambassador for Puma, has the more wallet-friendly compact Speed Cat silhouette in red, black, pink and even a silver ballerina version ($100). In June, Prada put forward its own offering with the new Montecarlo sneaker ($1,100) — a re-edition of a design from Spring-Summer 2005. Bottega Veneta describes its Orbit Flash shoe ($990) as 'a low-top lace-up ballet sneaker' with 'supple suede with lightweight nylon', while Miu Miu boasts that its Plume ($950) style is 'sleek and extremely light' — though they do offer a version where this aerodynamic design is weighed down with shoelace charms and miniature keyrings. 'It's more simple, it's less flashy,' said David Fischer, founder and CEO of youth culture platform Highsnobiety, in a phone interview, observing the current footwear aesthetic. Global retail analytics company Edited's analyst and footwear expert Katharine Carter agreed, telling CNN that slimline running-inspired trainers have emerged as 2025's biggest sneaker trend. Even mass-market brands such as H&M and Zara are now getting in on the action: Carter noted an uptick of 367% more slim-soled styles flooding the shelves for the Spring-Summer 2025 season compared to 2024. By contrast, Edited estimates new designs of chunky and platform sneakers have decreased 37% year-on-year. The current preference for slim-fit, low-profile footwear marks a shift away from the chunky 'ugly' shoe trend that has dominated the runways — and individual closets — for almost a decade. The Balenciaga Triple S, created by the mononymic designer Demna during his tenure at the brand, disrupted the sneaker landscape in the mid-to-late 2010s. Its vertiginous, stacked sole was instantly recognizable, and a new era of chunky sneakers with mainstream appeal, such as Zara's Multi-Piece sneaker, the New Balance 09060 and the Adidas Yeezy 500 'Blush', soon followed. However, around 2023, their popularity began to wane (that year, the Triple S was booted off the top spot of GQ's annual Best Sneakers list and replaced by the re-issued Adidas Samba from 1972 — a football training shoe, with its earliest iteration dating back to 1949). 'I always like to say that fashion is like physics; for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction,' said Emma McClendon, assistant professor of fashion studies at St John's University in New York, in a phone call. Noting the pendulum swing of trends, she explained: 'Fashion is predicated on a desire for newness.' But there has been a collective shrinking of silhouettes and styles of clothes more generally, too. From the controversial return of skinny jeans to the uptick in hotpants and boob tubes, 'stuff is getting slimmer,' said McClendon. 'Fashion doesn't happen in a vacuum,' she added. 'It's possibly one of the most visceral ways that we bodily engage with culture.' Many have been quick to draw a connective throughline between the revival of trends like skinny jeans and bandage dress with the increasing accessibility of Ozempic and other GLP-1 injectables. 'We have to address the fact that what we're seeing is a return to the thin ideal in a really scary way,' said McClendon. 'In general, it's that you want to be smaller, you want to be demure, you want to be all of these things associated with being ladylike,' McClendon added. Could that shift be making its way to our footwear choices? In addition to the rise of slimline shoes, there has also been growing interest in 'Sneakerinas,' a hybrid shoe that combines a traditional sneaker with the more girlish ballet flat. Often, they are little more than wispy slips of satin or suede. Sometimes they have ribbons in lieu of laces — much like the version sold by Chinese footwear brand Vivaia, which has become a veritable off-duty model staple thanks to endorsements from Bella Hadid and Amelia Gray. EDITED reported a 112% increase in the number of sneakers described as 'ballerina' or 'Mary Jane' in the past year. Today, shoes are not only getting slimmer, some are barely there at all. The mesh Alaia ballet flats — fashion search engine Lyst's hottest product at the end of 2024 — are almost see-through, much to some fashionistas' delight and others' chagrin. Even Balenciaga is taking note: its most head-turning sneaker release since the Triple S is the Zero shoe. Available in beige and black, the barely-there footwear is molded from a footprint, with the wearer's feet secured only at the toe and heel. If we are in the era of the naked dress, maybe next is the naked shoe. 'I think in many ways, the shoe world is very much marching in one direction here,' said Fischer.
