Update Consent

The 5 Biggest Sunglasses Trends to Shop in 2021

5 Sunglasses Trends For 2021 That Are Made For All Seasons

As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.

We know you're searching for sunglasses shapes to add to your rotation year-round, so we won't skimp on the trends you'll want to get to know. We scoured the runways and checked the new arrivals from our favourite eyewear brands — Oliver Peoples, Linda Farrow, Le Specs, and Quay Australia, just to name a few — and uncovered the biggest looks of 2021. These styles may be even more important than your blue light reading glasses because you can wear them outside and inside — inside, like, when you're posing for an outfit selfie of course.

This year, we're not only seeing a repetition of certain shapes, but a recreation of them. Futuristic designs come in all forms — some have frames that swerve or make waves at the sides, while others feature incredibly cool cutouts in the actual lens itself. Meanwhile, heavy metal is a trend, and we're seeing yellow gold spike in particular, so now you'll have another accessory to match with all the delicate gold jewellery you've been collecting.

If you prefer something with structure, and you have the face shape to pull it off, shop for a rigid square or rectangle shape, and if you want a next-level cat-eye, take inspiration from the '70s and go bold and oversize. Finally, if you love the playful appeal of lucite or acetate frames, the range of see-through sunglasses we've curated here will not disappoint. Ahead, jump down to the category you already know you love, or scroll past every pair of shades on our wish list.

  • Go For Gold
  • Fair and Square
  • Look Through Lucite
  • Cat-Eye, but Make It Oversize
  • Futuristic Frames

1. Go For Gold

This year, designers are going heavy on the metal. Even when frames are thin, yellow gold still stands out, especially when you team these up with your go-to hoops and chainlink necklaces. Prepare to glisten in the sunlight.

2. Ray-Ban Rectangle 1969 Mirror Evolve Sunglasses

Ray-Ban Rectangle 1969 Mirror Evolve Sunglasses (£158)

Image Source: ray-ban.com
Ray-Ban Rectangle 1969 Mirror Evolve Sunglasses
£158
from ray-ban.com
Buy Now

3. Bottega Veneta Gold D-Frame Gold-Tone Metal Sunglasses

Bottega Veneta Gold D-Frame Gold-Tone Metal Sunglasses (£285)

Bottega Veneta Gold D-Frame Gold-Tone Metal Sunglasses
£285
from net-a-porter.com
Buy Now

4. Karen Walker Afterglow Dark Gold

Karen Walker Afterglow Dark Gold (£177)

Image Source: karenwalker.com
Karen Walker Afterglow Dark Gold
£177
from karenwalker.com
Buy Now

Watch This!

Pop Quiz

Watch the Cast of Fear Street Play a Creepy Game of Horror Movie "Would You Rather"

5. Burberry B.Stripe Dean Aviator in Gold & Grey Gradient

Burberry B.Stripe Dean Aviator in Gold & Grey Gradient (£229)

Image Source: revolve.com
Burberry B.Stripe Dean Aviator in Gold & Grey Gradient
£229
from revolve.com
Buy Now

6. Oliver Peoples OV1280S Sunglasses Olive Gradient Metal

Oliver Peoples OV1280S Sunglasses Olive Gradient Metal (£257)

Image Source: oliverpeoples.com
Oliver Peoples OV1280S Sunglasses Olive Gradient Metal
£257
from oliverpeoples.com
Buy Now

7. Gucci Gold Cat-Eye Gold-Tone and Acetate Sunglasses

Gucci Gold Cat-Eye Gold-Tone and Acetate Sunglasses (£300)

Gucci Gold Cat-Eye Gold-Tone and Acetate Sunglasses
£300
from net-a-porter.com
Buy Now

8. Fair and Square

Choose lenses that are ultra-structured and geometric, whether yours take the form of something more thin and rectangular, or long and square. This shape is rigid and brings your look a touch of edge.

9. H&M Sunglasses

H&M Sunglasses (£35)

Image Source: www2.hm.com
H&M Sunglasses
£35
from www2.hm.com
Buy Now

10. Urban Outfitters Fairfax Chunky Rectangle Sunglasses

Urban Outfitters Fairfax Chunky Rectangle Sunglasses (£18)

Image Source: urbanoutfitters.com
Urban Outfitters Fairfax Chunky Rectangle Sunglasses
£18
from urbanoutfitters.com
Buy Now

11. Thierry Lasry x Rhude Rhevision

Thierry Lasry x Rhude Rhevision (£420)

Image Source: thierrylasry.com
Thierry Lasry x Rhude Rhevision
£420
from thierrylasry.com
Buy Now

12. Fenty Trouble Sunglasses in White Marble

Fenty Trouble Sunglasses in White Marble (£190)

Image Source: fenty.com
Fenty Trouble Sunglasses in White Marble
£190
from fenty.com
Buy Now

13. TOL Eyewear Attitude Sunglasses in Cherry

TOL Eyewear Attitude Sunglasses in Cherry (£208)

Image Source: eu.thefrankieshop.com
TOL Eyewear Attitude Sunglasses in Cherry
£208
from eu.thefrankieshop.com
Buy Now

14. Look Through Lucite

Sunglasses made with acetate and a transparent frame bring your outfit an undeniable tinge of playfulness. Go as see-through as your heart desires, selecting from ombré designs or colorless styles.

15. Vans Y2K Sunglasses in Pink

Vans Y2K Sunglasses in Pink (£9)

Image Source: asos.com
Vans Y2K Sunglasses in Pink
£9
from asos.com
Buy Now

16. NRODA N-Goggles 19

NRODA N-Goggles 19 ($98)

Image Source: nroda.com
NRODA N-Goggles 19
$98
from nroda.com
Buy Now

17. ASOS Design '70s Oversize Bevelled Square Sunglasses in Crystal Brown

ASOS Design '70s Oversize Bevelled Square Sunglasses in Crystal Brown (£12)

Image Source: asos.com
ASOS Design '70s Oversize Bevelled Square Sunglasses in Crystal Brown
£12
from asos.com
Buy Now

18. SWAV Eyewear The Master

SWAV Eyewear The Master (£98)

Image Source: swaveyewear.com
SWAV Eyewear The Master
£98
from swaveyewear.com
Buy Now

19. Cat-Eye, but Make It Oversize

The cat-eye shape is blown-up and as retro as ever, with a hint of '70s flair. These have more of a vintage aesthetic (think: Gloria Steinem opticals), rather than a mod bug eye.

20. Quay Australia Rumours Cat-Eye Sunglasses in Tortoise

Quay Australia Rumours Cat-Eye Sunglasses in Tortoise (£50)

Image Source: asos.com
Quay Australia Rumours Cat-Eye Sunglasses in Tortoise
£50
from asos.com
Buy Now

21. Prada Catwalk Cinema Evolution in Black, Havana, & Gray

Prada Catwalk Cinema Evolution in Black, Havana, & Gray (£341)

Image Source: revolve.com
Prada Catwalk Cinema Evolution in Black, Havana, & Gray
£341
from revolve.com
Buy Now

22. AJ Morgan Oversize Cat-Eye Sunglasses

AJ Morgan Oversize Cat-Eye Sunglasses (£18)

Image Source: asos.com
AJ Morgan Oversize Cat-Eye Sunglasses
£18
from asos.com
Buy Now

23. & Other Stories Geometric Tortoise Sunglasses

& Other Stories Geometric Tortoise Sunglasses (£27)

Image Source: stories.com
& Other Stories Geometric Tortoise Sunglasses
£27
from stories.com
Buy Now

24. Futuristic Frames

We love to see how designers are reinventing the wheelhouse when it comes to funky frames. Sunglasses that are less about the lens and more about the overall silhouette (think: wavy tops and sides with intrigue — so, not your average heart shape) are fun and eye-catching; perfect for the eccentric in you waiting to break through.

25. Le Specs Tycoon in Black

Le Specs Tycoon in Black (£51)

Image Source: lespecs.com
Le Specs Tycoon in Black
£51
from lespecs.com
Buy Now

26. Illesteva Roma II Sunglasses

Illesteva Roma II Sunglasses (£161)

Image Source: illesteva.com
Illesteva Roma II Sunglasses
£161
from illesteva.com
Buy Now

27. Bôhten Aristotle

Bôhten Aristotle (£110)

Image Source: bohten.com
Bôhten Aristotle
£110
from bohten.com
Buy Now

28. Fendi Pink D-Frame Rose Gold-Tone Sunglasses

Fendi Pink D-Frame Rose Gold-Tone Sunglasses (£295)

Fendi Pink D-Frame Rose Gold-Tone Sunglasses
£295
from net-a-porter.com
Buy Now

29. Dior DiorSoReal Sunglasses

Dior DiorSoReal Sunglasses (£387)

Image Source: intermixonline.com
Dior DiorSoReal Sunglasses
£387
from intermixonline.com
Buy Now

30. Fenty Blockt Mask in Chardonnay

Fenty Blockt Mask in Chardonnay (£360)

Image Source: fenty.com
Fenty Blockt Mask in Chardonnay
£360
from fenty.com
Buy Now

31. Matthew Williamson Gardenia Sunglasses in Light Gold

Matthew Williamson Gardenia Sunglasses in Light Gold (£225)

Image Source: uk.lindafarrow.com
Matthew Williamson Gardenia Sunglasses in Light Gold
£225
from uk.lindafarrow.com
Buy Now

Want More?

POPSUGAR Would Like To Send You Push Notifications.