FASHION NEWS

It’s halfway through July, yet signs of Fall are still far, far away (except for those pre-Fall collections that have arrived in stores). If you’re looking for a little retail pick-me-up, a new pair of sunnies is just the thing. Sunglasses are to accessories what lipstick is to cosmetics; that little something that goes a long way.

Here’s a selection of sunglasses that will have you camera-ready for Swim Week and that you’ll be wearing long after Labor Day.

Morgenthal Frederics may be best known for its signature one-of-a-kind buffalo horn frames that are hand milled by master craftsmen in Germany, but this summer we’re partial to this pair of round tortoise-shell sunglasses. They have the perfect balance of retro and classic styling and since they’re Morgenthal Frederics, we know they have substance as much as style. The company just relaunched its website with a new campaign and video featuring some of its most classic styles. Be sure to check it out, and in the meantime you can pick up your pair at Optica.

Leave it to Stella McCartney to come up with an environmentally friendly pair of sunglasses. The new eco-friendly collection is made from a brand new acetate plastic, of which more than 50 percent is derived from natural sources—a compound of cellulose and natural plasticizers (citric acid). And they look great! The frames come in several shapes and are covered in prints from the Spring collection, like Marquis Diamond and Oriental Red.

Fashion insiders are obsessed with SUPER Sunglasses, and so are a handful of some stylish celebs, like Kanye West and Sienna Miller. Gals is the women’s version of their classic retro style. The sunglasses, which are available at Intermix, are handmade in Italy with German ZEISS lenses, which provide an extremely high level of protection for your eyes.

Gucci may have been one of the first to get into the oversized frames arena, and we’re still loving the look. This pair is perfectly shaped and treated with the bamboo accent that the label is synonymous with. It’s a stylish statement without being too logo-laden, with the Gucci name subtly imprinted on the temple.

If you’ve visited the Balenciaga boutique, you’re familiar with the faceted geometric motif that plays throughout the store. This pair of sunglasses captures that essence with its octagon-like shape and cut-away arms. We’re loving the eggplant tones, too, which are a perfect transitional color for Fall.

The cat-eye craze is still in swing and we think this pair of sunglasses from YSL is like the perfect balance of cat eye and wayfarer. The vintage style is accentuated with the two-tone frame that reminds us of a great old mid-century sedan. It’s the picture of top-down, summertime fun; all that’s missing is the headscarf. We’re sure that can be arranged.

There’s nothing Alexander McQueen presents without that little tweak to give it an edge. In fact, we’d argue that the line does edge to perfection—right down to its eyewear. These aviator frames are slightly exaggerated to create an almost teardrop shape we’re really drawn to. The tortoiseshell and gold metal frame combination makes this a classic look that will complement any style.