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Round, square and cat-eye sunglasses are the perfect look for spring

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From Fendi, modern cat-eye sunglasses.
From Fendi, modern cat-eye sunglasses.Pietro D'Aprano / Getty Images

Sunglasses are arguably the most favored summer accessory, for men and women alike. Or, if you’re like me, they’ve become my favorite accessory year-round; therefore, I’ve learned to invest wisely. Throughout the varying seasons I can be seen sporting both classic and modern frames — all depending on my mood, outfit and geolocation.

Be it flipping through a fashion magazine or scrolling through my Instagram feed, I inevitably covet a pair of sunglasses that may or may not work on my face, but yet, I convince myself I need to buy them because they look so effortless and chic on the model. Trends aside, it’s important to keep in mind when shopping for eyewear that you try on every frame to see the results. To get the most mileage out of your sunglasses, you should ask yourself the following questions: Do they flatter my face shape and proportions? Are they comfortable to wear? Do they complement my wardrobe and personal style? If you answer yes to all of the above, then chances are your search for the perfect pair of sunglasses is over.

To further understand the art of buying sunglasses, as well as what’s trending in eyewear, I spoke with accessories and style maven Kyle Anderson, accessories director at Marie Claire magazine. Anderson made a keen observation when it comes to shopping for a new pair of on-trend sunglasses.

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“Eyewear is like a car,” he says. “When you have a car that works, you’re probably going to go back to that same style because it’s something that has functionality. Eyewear is similar in that it needs to work specifically for you.”

Sunglasses are the quickest and easiest way to elevate your look, and more often than not, both men and women will attest style trumps sun protection. With a wide range of sunglasses on the market to choose from, people are faced with the challenge of selecting a frame that not only acts as a fashion statement, but as a functional and wearable product, too. Nowadays, frames are naturally oversized, so they are sure to protect your eyes and face from strong UV rays while lying out at the beach.

Overall, what we’ve seen on the recent runway is fairly wearable. Eschewing futuristic and kitschy vibes, designers showcased classic shapes, but in an updated form by taking things that people are comfortable with, or familiar with, like retro frame styles and making them cooler.

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“Five years ago, there was a futuristic mood when it came to eyewear, and a lot of what the designers presented to us had a very hard, metal edge to it than what we’ve been seeing for the past few seasons,” Anderson says.

This gradual change from futuristic to retro probably goes part and parcel with all the recent designer changes that are occurring in the fashion industry. Ever since Alessandro Michele took over as creative director at Gucci, for example, he has rebranded the line in a way that emphasizes all things cool — the Gucci girl loves old and new, and has a taste for the eclectic. It has been said that Michele was inspired by vintage things he found and loved in flea markets and thrift stores, and then reinvented them for a younger, cooler customer. As Anderson noted, “a lot of people have been looking to them in terms of eyewear design,” in that “they’re changing a lot of designers in a way that they’re designing because of how successful Gucci has been the past few years.”

The following are three spring/summer 2016 sunglass trends that are wearable in a way that are transformative of your character and personal style. In years past, critics might have deemed these optical shapes as too retro, or too gimmicky, but as we look to the runways, designers are creating their own interpretations in what feels youthful, fresh and above all, covetable.

SQUARE FRAMES: Quite possibly the most popular eyewear trend this season is the right-angled square frame. It feels very clean and modern, yet it ranges from mild to wild in terms of prints, colors and design. Designers like Gucci, Prada and Saint Laurent made these shades look exceptionally elegant and conservative in classic tortoiseshell with little to no embellishments.

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ROUND FRAMES: Round frames were once considered overly retro and quirky, but designers like Dior, Chloe and Tom Ford, all known for setting the stage for the latest trends, have made this unusual frame both wearable and chic. In terms of styling and wearability, I’ve found it helps to look to the collections to get a sense of how they can translate into your everyday wardrobe.

CAT-EYE FRAMES: Having been seen on all the American and European runways, this ’50s throwback is having quite the moment. From Fendi and Miu Miu to Balenciaga, designers took a more glamorous approach to the retro cat eye. You might think this sunglass shape is too antiquated, or simply not for you, but with a current update and tweak in design, the cat eye is most certainly sleek and cool for the girl about town.

Brooke Helmer has been a fashion journalist for five years covering the New York style scene. She recently moved to Greenwich from Manhattan and believes one can never have too many pairs of shoes.

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