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Sunglasses for Summer/Fall 2008

From Aviators to Oversized Shades to Retro & Round Plastic Frames

Jun 21, 2008

White Plastic Aviators are Right On-Trend, Phil Date

From fun and funky oversized frames to thick plastic John Lennon-styles; sunglasses have never been trendier. Colors are brighter and more noticeable too.

Never have sunglass styles been so varied. This season more than ever you can have fun with your shades as well as wearing a few classic pairs.

Aviators will never go out of fashion and make a resurgence this year. 2008 is the year of the John Lennon-style round plastic frame, and oversized sunglasses are bigger than ever.

Fast-Fashion Frames

Whilst some women have a passion for purses or fantasize about footwear, other women wouldn’t be seen dead without a pair of fashionable shades – whatever the weather. Sunglasses are becoming just as much an integral part of our wardrobe as a bag or shoes and this year we see throwaway, fast-fashion frames as well as longer-lasting traditional ones.

Shades can reveal our attitude and personality and these days its easy to make a fashion statement by accessorizing your outfits with some matching frames. Plastic rather than metal rule the roost this season, so take a look at the hottest trends for Summer 2008:

Fun-shaped Sunglasses

Thick, ‘70s-inspired plastic frames are hip, fun and flirty. No longer the exclusive domain of your young niece or daughter, adults can wear plastic stars and hearts too.

Round Plastic Frames

Influenced by John Lennon and his trademark round lenses, get used to seeing quirky thick plastic frames as round as an orange. These are really a sub-trend of the thick plastic frame, but what is different about round lenses this year is that they are fashionably encased in thick plastic, (David Hockney style), and not metal.

Oversized Sunglasses

Brought back into vogue with the likes of celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe and A-listers Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie. In keeping with the general supersized theme of the season, oversized shades are as practical as they are hip, fully covering and protecting the eye area. Team your frames to your outfit to be supercool, or do a Gwen Stefani (seen in Marie Claire with co-coordinating shades) and match your plastic lenses to your hair color.

Aviator Sunglasses

All time classic aviators have been reworked, becoming larger and brighter, with this season's passion for plastic. Aviators are popular as they suit most face shapes and never go out of style. According to Look magazine, 9th June 2008, silver aviators are out and bronze and burnished-looking are in. These shades are trendy when they are ultra-shiny, so keep polishing the lenses to keep them sparkling clean. Robert Cavalli's new range of aviators are currently a big hit with A-listers, including Fergie, Hedi Klum and Geri Halliwell. Cavalli's Cerione and Eva styles with unique bronze-chain bridge are currently a hot favorite with celebrities.

Colored Frames

Forget traditional blacks and browns this year and go for a berry or honey shade. Muted yellows and beiges, hot reds and pink fruity berry tones are the look du jour. In keeping with the all white trend, there’s also bright white for those that want to get noticed, like those sported by Kate Moss or Gwen Stefani — great with a tan!

With memories of the ‘60s, faux tortoiseshell frames are remerging for summer and fall. be it aviators or rectangular, or a dash or tortoise shell on a chain from Ralph Loren. Stylesetter Sienna Miller was recently photographed wearing a pair of YSL-style tortoiseshell frames teamed a white Grecian mini dress.

Gradient Lenses

Chic and elegant, gradient lenses add a touch of class to summer shades this year. In keeping with the Ombré dip-dye phenomenon, the same principle applies to lenses. Coloring travels from top to bottom and dark to clear, a hot new look which is getting bigger for Fall/Winter 2008/2009, according to Fashionizing.com in their article "Sunglass Trends 2008."

Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

Whilst the current fashion is to break the mould in terms of fun and flirty shades, if you are investing long-term in a classic pair or two then go for some which flatter your face. Remember the general rule, go for a frame which contrasts with your face shape. i.e. soft rounded or oval frames for a square face, square or rectangular lenses for a rounded face, and oval faces look great in oversized sunnies. For those with heart-shape faces, aviators or rimless frames look best on you.

The copyright of the article Sunglasses for Summer/Fall 2008 in Shoes & Accessories is owned by Gill Hart. Permission to republish Sunglasses for Summer/Fall 2008 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.