Celebrity Sunglasses Style: Iconic Looks and Trends Set by Hollywood
From Maverick’s classic tarmac aviators in Top Gun to Holly’s dainty cat-eye frames in Breakfast at Tiffany’s — Hollywood has never failed to set fashion standards through iconic looks worn by memorable characters. Even off-camera, sunglasses are a celebrity’s superpower against the ever-present paparazzi with their bedazzling flashes.
But whether or not you’re a celebrity, eyewear has the power to transform any outfit. Sunglasses and spectacles are more than just a functional accessory. In fact, the right pair of shades can convey a unique mood and may even work as a conversation piece.
While Hollywood inspired looks are fun to recreate, they can also serve as fashion inspiration for your next outfit. Here are six iconic sunglasses trends set by celebrities, on and off camera, to channel for your next look.
Be There or Be Square
Classic square frame sunglasses have been a go-to style among celebrities like the Kardashians and Bella Hadid — and you can rock this trend as well. Throw on a pair of solid dark square frames for your next coffee run to exude both mystique and charm in a single glance.
This style of sunglasses is great for brighter days when you need that extra bit of eye protection while running errands. Square frames can also help you project strength; so throw on a simple black pair for a boost of confidence as you channel Arnold Schwarzenegger’s power in the Terminator franchise.
Add Fashion to Function
This just in — prescription glasses are in on your night out. Take a leaf out of Bella Hadid’s book and add fashion to function with a pair of stylish blue light glasses. Even stars like Doja Cat have given fresh finesse to the bespectacled look by pairing it with bold lips and a poised exterior.
You can choose the adventurous, stylish path with Peepers eyewear or channel your inner minxy librarian with classic wire frames. So the next time you’re heading out for a work party, keep the glasses on and ooze endless corporate chic. Remember, if Miranda Priestly can command a room in boss-lady spectacles, so can you.
Tinted Lenses
You don’t need to be in a 2000s music video to rock a pair of tinted sunglasses. Wearing sunglasses with colored lenses is a playful way to completely transform your look. You can take a leaf out of Tyler Durden’s (Fight Club) look book, or get inspired by Miley Cyrus’ vibrant pink sunnies.
Johnny Depp and Robert Downey Jr. have also been known to reach for tinted sunglasses. If you’re a communicative person but love to wear sunglasses, tinted lenses offer a middle ground by allowing you to make eye contact with people while still keeping your eyewear on.
The Purr-fect Cat Eye
Cat eye sunglasses have been a constant companion of some of Hollywood’s most memorable leading ladies. From the 1950s to the 2020s, this is a timeless style that has remained iconic through the decades. Although cat eye frames are a feminine style of sunglasses, they can also be paired in contrast with more typically masculine outfits to balance the look.
Statement Frames
If the grocery store is your runway and you love starting conversations with strangers at coffee shops, colorful statement frames are the way to go. A bold pair of sunglasses can help you exude confidence and charm without saying a single word. Statement frames can also mean rhinestones and crystals if that’s your preference.
While celebrities like Rihanna have rocked oversized statement frames on red carpets, movie goers may recall Meryl Streep’s glamorous gold-rimmed sunnies from The Devil Wears Prada.
Classic Black Aviators
Who can forget Tom Cruise’s chiseled face in classic black aviators as he walks the tarmac as Maverick in Top Gun? Aviators have long been a celeb favorite in real and reel life. But such was the influence of Maverick’s stony and determined aviator-clad appearance that aviator sales shot up in the wake of the movie’s release.
This iconic style is the perfect image of a relaxed yet poised professional. But it can also be styled for a casual day at the beach or a game on the greens. Depending on your face shape, you can even choose a rounded pair of aviators.
These celebrity-inspired sunglasses trends are classic looks that are here to stay. Elevate your everyday outfits with a dose of iconic Hollywood fashion the next time you’re putting together a look.
