Fashspiration of the week // Sunglasses special: 5 iconic shade styles

Spring has finally sprung! And whilst the tights Vs no tights debate still divides the office, cute shades offer an accessible way to acknowledge it’s no longer bloody freezing. But which to wear? See below for a wealth of sunglasses inspiration…

Novelty and colour

See: Jodie Foster as Iris in Taxi Driver. She wore oversize 70’s round green-lens frames at the diner with Travis. See also Lolita’s red heart frames. A noticeable hit with Coachella-bound ex-Disney club celebs. Evidently, youth and confidence help pull-off the look.

Try: Grown-up Iris tribute green lenses by Linda Farrow at Browns

OR premium heart frames by Cutler and Gross at Selfridges.

Serious statement

See: Rihanna performing at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. She wore vintage Chanel pearl frames from the 1994 SS collection. Exclusively for flush fashion types with well-connected stylists.

Try: Attention-grabbing Elizabeth and James Swarovski crystal frames at Harvey Nichols.

Classic

See: Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. She wore ultra-chic large black wayfarer style Oliver Goldsmith frames. See also Peter Fonda in Ray Ban Olympian shades in 1969’s Easy Rider and Tom Cruise in Ray Ban aviators in 1986’s Top Gun.

Try: A timeless update by Oliver Goldsmith at Browns.

Euro trash

See: Claudia Schiffer in her Dolce & Gabbana campaign. If you love bad taste, bling and am partial to that ‘German on a sun lounger’ look you’ve met your fashion match. See also euro-wannabes Gaga and Paris Hilton. Donatella also pioneers this look artfully in Versace.

Try: Typical Versace, Gucci and Fendi frames. Anything with hardwear, mirrored lenses and a classic or wrap-around shape can work. Pay tribute in gold embossed frames from Nasty Gal.

Maverick miscellaneous

See: Johnny Depp as Raoul Duke in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, the Blues Brothers (“it’s dark and we’re wearing sunglasses”) and pretty much any shades Grace Jones has ever worn. Indisputably tasteful frames define and enhance iconic characters, only true legends need apply.

Try: A modern nostalgia style from Celine at Matches. Cult value assured.