Sunglasses Make an Outfit—5 Eyewear Trends Taking Over in 2023

There are two types of people: Those who wear sunglasses year-round, and those who reserve them for spring and summer. Though there are arguments for the former (not least to protect your eyes from the winter sun), I've always belonged to the latter camp. It might sound silly, but I always enjoy the first outing of my favourite shades—it's my small way of marking the beginning of sunshine season.

As we're now well into summer, it feels appropriate to talk about the sunglasses I want to wear as I sip mojitos and catch rays on the beach. I definitely lean more toward classic designs, such as tortoiseshell cat-eye frames or black aviators, but I do get a kick out of perusing the glasses stand at my local John Lewis and trying out new trending shapes in front of the mirror. And occasionally, if a pair flatters my face shape and feels like a fresh addition, I might just branch out of my comfort zone and add it to my collection.

2023 is a year rich in stand-out sunglasses trends, and we've rounded up the most note-worthy so you can decide which is for you. Scroll on to see the top 5 sunglasses trends for 2023 and shop the best of the bunch.

1. '70s Aviators

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(Image credit: @stephaniebroek)

Style Notes: We've all got the '70s bug after watching Daisy Jones & The Six, but retro aviators were already set for a resurgence before the show's release. We're specifically seeing styles featuring metal rims doing the rounds on Instagram.

SHOP THE TREND

2. White Frames

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(Image credit: @greceghanem)

Style Notes: Subtlety certainly isn't a word we'd use to describe 2023's sunglasses trends, and this next one is no exception. Fashion people are rocking thick white frames this season, often in oval shapes, making them a prominent feature of their outfits rather than a practical afterthought.

SHOP THE TREND

3. Supersized Sunnies

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(Image credit: @babba)

Style Notes: Thanks to designers like Loewe and Celine, extra-large sunnies are in the spotlight once more. When you're recovering from a holiday hangover or are running errands makeup-less, you'll be grateful for this trend.

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4. Narrow Frames

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(Image credit: @javiera)

Style Notes: In a nod to the noughties, labels from Saint Laurent to Gucci are embracing ultra-narrow acetate and thin-wire frames. Try styling yours with a halterneck and low-slung trousers for a full Y2K look.

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5. Rose-Tinted Lenses

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(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

Style Notes: Tinted lenses in general are a trend, but rosy hues are definitely dominating. From soft pink-tinged styles to full-on Barbie designs, there's no end of cheerful sunglasses to choose from.

SHOP THE TREND

This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

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Freelance Fashion Editor

Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer. After receiving an Audrey Hepburn box set for her 10th birthday and subsequently swooning over the actor’s wardrobe, Bébhinn felt pretty confident she wanted a career that involved clothes. She started her first blog at age 14—the title was a pun, but we’ll leave it at that—and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine


A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor for Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and updated takes on classic designs. 


While she still loves Audrey Hepburn films, these days, Bébhinn’s sartorial taste sits closer to Annie Hall’s and Alexa Chung’s. In her spare time, she’s likely cooing over cute dogs on rescue websites, playing folk songs on her guitar and browsing bookshops for new additions to her already-overpacked shelves.