Throwing Shade? Start With These Sunglasses Trends
Whether you're a fiend for trends or a one-style loyalist like me, sunglasses are an easy way to experiment with your look while staying effortlessly cool. They're the perfect topper for any summer or fall outfit and, let's face it, a health essential for protecting your eyes from the ever-burning sun.
Practicality aside, sunglasses are cooler than ever, with AI tools and 3D printing helping brands experiment with design, functionality, and technology. Nina Esteves—the trend and foresight manager at EssilorLuxottica—one of the world's biggest eyewear manufacturers for brands including our favorites like Prada, Burberry, and Diesel—gave us a sneak peek into the eyewear trends we'll definitely be shopping in current and upcoming seasons. Wipe off your lenses and turn up the brightness—you won't want to miss these. All About Burgundy
It's the hottest color trend of the year, so of course it's making its way into eyewear, too. If you're looking for a long-lasting trend that transcends seasons, burgundy is the hue to choose for your shades. 'There's an underlying desire for earthy, natural tones in general,' Esteves confirmed. Magma hues, as she calls them, are just that. Soft Oval Shapes
'60s-style oval sunglasses are making a comeback both for women and, surprisingly, for men, too. The style is universally flattering, and the classic, clean silhouette leaves plenty of room to play with frame or lens color, scale, other accessories, or even your hairstyle, if you so choose. Edgy Flat Top
As someone whose go-to is a flat-top silhouette, this is one of my favorite eyewear trends. Flat top sunglasses don't have to look like you're going to an LMFAO concert (throwback) or a rave in Ibiza. Styles have evolved into something much chicer these days, with just a dash of edge, if that's all you have the taste for. This particular trend also reads more unisex, so they're perfect for anyone. Barely There
Rimless and semi-rimless glasses are the eyewear answer to minimalism and anyone subscribing to the 'clean girl aesthetic.' They're a whisper, not a shout, but the message is just as clear. 'Shoppers are buying frames—especially metal ones—just as they buy a pair of earrings,' says Esteves. Consider these styles additions to your jewelry box rather than just another pair of sunglasses. Shades of Bone
Sunglasses are here to make things darker, of course, but lighter colors are actually in for eyewear. Bone, ivory, cream, and tan are trending colors for summer shades and transition seamlessly to fall and winter, as well. These lighter neutrals are also flattering on various skin tones and can subtly complement or contrast with any outfit. Funky Shapes
Thanks to Charli XCX's Brat Summer, edgy, funky sunglasses are becoming a normalized statement. Sure, she has her signature style, but Brat Summer opened the door for alien-esque silhouettes, oversized frames, and unapologetic boldness when it comes to eyewear. Brave enough to sport the trend? Start with the styles below. Credit: Moda Operandi, Inc. Chrome Details
According to Esteves, interior design plays a big role in forecasting external trends like eyewear. 'In general, for 2025 we're going to see a discussion on metals, not just in the fashion space,' Esteves says. Chrome has had a major comeback in interior design—hello, mid-century modern—and with the rise of silver jewelry, it's only natural that eyewear is following suit. Credit: Moda Operandi, Inc. Tinted Lenses
Your shades don't have to be all black all the time (well, mine are—but that's a personal choice). Tinted lenses are having a big moment. Yellow and red lenses evoke a sexy '70s vibe, while green, blue, or purple shades can be cute and flirty. Tinted lenses are often more about self-expression than actual shade, and they can become the protagonist of the outfit, according to Esteves. And if you wear clear opticals regularly, you can get in on the fun, too. Transitions Gen S lenses can go from clear to eight different shades—think ruby, amethyst, emerald, etc.—and can be added to your favorite frames for an extra touch of personal style. Credit: Moda Operandi, Inc. Why Trust ELLE
Every product featured on ELLE.com is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.
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Slim sneakers are the shoe of the summer
They were once worn by athletes to win Olympic track races in the 1970s. Now, slim, low-profile sneakers are more often seen on the style set than in the context of 5,000-meter sprints. Harry Styles has several pairs of the oft-sold out Dries Van Noten's panelled leather and suede sneakers ($495), while Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber and Addison Rae are regularly seen out and about in their vividly-colored Onitsuka Tiger styles (ranging from $155 to $215). Dua Lipa, a global brand ambassador for Puma, has the more wallet-friendly compact Speed Cat silhouette in red, black, pink and even a silver ballerina version ($100). In June, Prada put forward its own offering with the new Montecarlo sneaker ($1,100) — a re-edition of a design from Spring-Summer 2005. Bottega Veneta describes its Orbit Flash shoe ($990) as 'a low-top lace-up ballet sneaker' with 'supple suede with lightweight nylon', while Miu Miu boasts that its Plume ($950) style is 'sleek and extremely light' — though they do offer a version where this aerodynamic design is weighed down with shoelace charms and miniature keyrings. 'It's more simple, it's less flashy,' said David Fischer, founder and CEO of youth culture platform Highsnobiety, in a phone interview, observing the current footwear aesthetic. Global retail analytics company Edited's analyst and footwear expert Katharine Carter agreed, telling CNN that slimline running-inspired trainers have emerged as 2025's biggest sneaker trend. Even mass-market brands such as H&M and Zara are now getting in on the action: Carter noted an uptick of 367% more slim-soled styles flooding the shelves for the Spring-Summer 2025 season compared to 2024. By contrast, Edited estimates new designs of chunky and platform sneakers have decreased 37% year-on-year. The current preference for slim-fit, low-profile footwear marks a shift away from the chunky 'ugly' shoe trend that has dominated the runways — and individual closets — for almost a decade. The Balenciaga Triple S, created by the mononymic designer Demna during his tenure at the brand, disrupted the sneaker landscape in the mid-to-late 2010s. Its vertiginous, stacked sole was instantly recognizable, and a new era of chunky sneakers with mainstream appeal, such as Zara's Multi-Piece sneaker, the New Balance 09060 and the Adidas Yeezy 500 'Blush', soon followed. However, around 2023, their popularity began to wane (that year, the Triple S was booted off the top spot of GQ's annual Best Sneakers list and replaced by the re-issued Adidas Samba from 1972 — a football training shoe, with its earliest iteration dating back to 1949). 'I always like to say that fashion is like physics; for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction,' said Emma McClendon, assistant professor of fashion studies at St John's University in New York, in a phone call. Noting the pendulum swing of trends, she explained: 'Fashion is predicated on a desire for newness.' But there has been a collective shrinking of silhouettes and styles of clothes more generally, too. From the controversial return of skinny jeans to the uptick in hotpants and boob tubes, 'stuff is getting slimmer,' said McClendon. 'Fashion doesn't happen in a vacuum,' she added. 'It's possibly one of the most visceral ways that we bodily engage with culture.' Many have been quick to draw a connective throughline between the revival of trends like skinny jeans and bandage dress with the increasing accessibility of Ozempic and other GLP-1 injectables. 'We have to address the fact that what we're seeing is a return to the thin ideal in a really scary way,' said McClendon. 'In general, it's that you want to be smaller, you want to be demure, you want to be all of these things associated with being ladylike,' McClendon added. Could that shift be making its way to our footwear choices? In addition to the rise of slimline shoes, there has also been growing interest in 'Sneakerinas,' a hybrid shoe that combines a traditional sneaker with the more girlish ballet flat. Often, they are little more than wispy slips of satin or suede. Sometimes they have ribbons in lieu of laces — much like the version sold by Chinese footwear brand Vivaia, which has become a veritable off-duty model staple thanks to endorsements from Bella Hadid and Amelia Gray. EDITED reported a 112% increase in the number of sneakers described as 'ballerina' or 'Mary Jane' in the past year. Today, shoes are not only getting slimmer, some are barely there at all. The mesh Alaia ballet flats — fashion search engine Lyst's hottest product at the end of 2024 — are almost see-through, much to some fashionistas' delight and others' chagrin. Even Balenciaga is taking note: its most head-turning sneaker release since the Triple S is the Zero shoe. Available in beige and black, the barely-there footwear is molded from a footprint, with the wearer's feet secured only at the toe and heel. If we are in the era of the naked dress, maybe next is the naked shoe. 'I think in many ways, the shoe world is very much marching in one direction here,' said Fischer.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Slim sneakers are the shoe of the summer
They were once worn by athletes to win Olympic track races in the 1970s. Now, slim, low-profile sneakers are more often seen on the style set than in the context of 5,000-meter sprints. Harry Styles has several pairs of the oft-sold out Dries Van Noten's panelled leather and suede sneakers ($495), while Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber and Addison Rae are regularly seen out and about in their vividly-colored Onitsuka Tiger styles (ranging from $155 to $215). Dua Lipa, a global brand ambassador for Puma, has the more wallet-friendly compact Speed Cat silhouette in red, black, pink and even a silver ballerina version ($100). In June, Prada put forward its own offering with the new Montecarlo sneaker ($1,100) — a re-edition of a design from Spring-Summer 2005. Bottega Veneta describes its Orbit Flash shoe ($990) as 'a low-top lace-up ballet sneaker' with 'supple suede with lightweight nylon', while Miu Miu boasts that its Plume ($950) style is 'sleek and extremely light' — though they do offer a version where this aerodynamic design is weighed down with shoelace charms and miniature keyrings. 'It's more simple, it's less flashy,' said David Fischer, founder and CEO of youth culture platform Highsnobiety, in a phone interview, observing the current footwear aesthetic. Global retail analytics company Edited's analyst and footwear expert Katharine Carter agreed, telling CNN that slimline running-inspired trainers have emerged as 2025's biggest sneaker trend. Even mass-market brands such as H&M and Zara are now getting in on the action: Carter noted an uptick of 367% more slim-soled styles flooding the shelves for the Spring-Summer 2025 season compared to 2024. By contrast, Edited estimates new designs of chunky and platform sneakers have decreased 37% year-on-year. The current preference for slim-fit, low-profile footwear marks a shift away from the chunky 'ugly' shoe trend that has dominated the runways — and individual closets — for almost a decade. The Balenciaga Triple S, created by the mononymic designer Demna during his tenure at the brand, disrupted the sneaker landscape in the mid-to-late 2010s. Its vertiginous, stacked sole was instantly recognizable, and a new era of chunky sneakers with mainstream appeal, such as Zara's Multi-Piece sneaker, the New Balance 09060 and the Adidas Yeezy 500 'Blush', soon followed. However, around 2023, their popularity began to wane (that year, the Triple S was booted off the top spot of GQ's annual Best Sneakers list and replaced by the re-issued Adidas Samba from 1972 — a football training shoe, with its earliest iteration dating back to 1949). 'I always like to say that fashion is like physics; for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction,' said Emma McClendon, assistant professor of fashion studies at St John's University in New York, in a phone call. Noting the pendulum swing of trends, she explained: 'Fashion is predicated on a desire for newness.' But there has been a collective shrinking of silhouettes and styles of clothes more generally, too. From the controversial return of skinny jeans to the uptick in hotpants and boob tubes, 'stuff is getting slimmer,' said McClendon. 'Fashion doesn't happen in a vacuum,' she added. 'It's possibly one of the most visceral ways that we bodily engage with culture.' Many have been quick to draw a connective throughline between the revival of trends like skinny jeans and bandage dress with the increasing accessibility of Ozempic and other GLP-1 injectables. 'We have to address the fact that what we're seeing is a return to the thin ideal in a really scary way,' said McClendon. 'In general, it's that you want to be smaller, you want to be demure, you want to be all of these things associated with being ladylike,' McClendon added. Could that shift be making its way to our footwear choices? In addition to the rise of slimline shoes, there has also been growing interest in 'Sneakerinas,' a hybrid shoe that combines a traditional sneaker with the more girlish ballet flat. Often, they are little more than wispy slips of satin or suede. Sometimes they have ribbons in lieu of laces — much like the version sold by Chinese footwear brand Vivaia, which has become a veritable off-duty model staple thanks to endorsements from Bella Hadid and Amelia Gray. EDITED reported a 112% increase in the number of sneakers described as 'ballerina' or 'Mary Jane' in the past year. Today, shoes are not only getting slimmer, some are barely there at all. The mesh Alaia ballet flats — fashion search engine Lyst's hottest product at the end of 2024 — are almost see-through, much to some fashionistas' delight and others' chagrin. Even Balenciaga is taking note: its most head-turning sneaker release since the Triple S is the Zero shoe. Available in beige and black, the barely-there footwear is molded from a footprint, with the wearer's feet secured only at the toe and heel. If we are in the era of the naked dress, maybe next is the naked shoe. 'I think in many ways, the shoe world is very much marching in one direction here,' said Fischer.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
India beckons Western fashion brands — but their cultural missteps can be costly
When Prada sent several pairs of brown sandals with distinctive toe rings and intricate stitching down its menswear runway in Milan last month, observers were quick to point out their resemblance to a centuries-old piece of Indian heritage. The storied Italian fashion house may have presented the shoes as a new luxury creation, but many in India simply saw a pair of Kolhapuri chappals — traditional hand-crafted sandals with roots stretching back to the 12th or 13th century. Prada's initial failure to acknowledge the inspiration behind the shoes, which had earlier been described by the brand simply as 'leather flat sandals,' according to the Guardian, sparked fierce and ongoing debate over cultural appropriation. Critics accused the label of erasing the legacy of Indian artisans, with voices across social media calling out what they saw as blatant design theft. Within a week, Prada had acknowledged in a letter to an Indian trade group that the sandals in its men's Spring-Summer 2026 collection were indeed 'inspired by traditional Indian footwear.' In a statement to CNN, the brand said it has 'always celebrated craftsmanship, heritage and design.' Prada later added that it had met artisanal footwear manufacturers in India 'to discuss potential opportunities for future collaboration.' Prada's readiness to confront the controversy could be a reflection of the fashion industry's growing interest in India's luxury consumers — and a reluctance to anger them. But the episode also epitomizes how Western labels have often struggled to meaningfully engage with the country's crafts and culture. India's luxury market is on a dramatic ascent, estimated to expand from $7.73 billion in 2023 to $11.3 billion by 2028 — a rate that would likely outpace most of the world's major luxury markets, according to global consulting firm Kearney. This projected growth is fueled by a rising middle class, increased urbanization and a new generation of brand-conscious, internationally minded young consumers. But today's Indian luxury consumer is 'no longer a singular archetype,' according to the celebrated Indian fashion designer Gaurav Gupta. 'We're seeing a beautifully diverse audience, from second-gen industrialist families to first-gen digital entrepreneurs, artists and global citizens — who are all looking for something deeper than just a logo,' he said in an email. Major brands have been investing heavily in response. Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga and Valentino are among the fashion houses that have opened flagship stores in Mumbai or Delhi in the last three years. Others have collaborated with Indian labels or creatives on designs intended to speak more authentically to local audiences. Some of these brands are 'adapting beautifully,' Gupta said, but the 'real disconnect happens when brands view India as a commercial opportunity rather than a cultural dialogue,' he added. 'The Indian buyer wants to feel seen. It's no longer enough to just open a flagship in Mumbai, you need to speak the emotional and visual language of the market.' Indian inspiration is as essential to Western fashion as pajamas and Madras plaid. But accusations of cultural appropriation have intensified in recent years due to the growth of internet access in the country, the rise of social media platforms and a surging sense of cultural pride. 'A lot of Indian people, including designers and artisans, are aware of their rights,' said Toolika Gupta (no relation), director at the Indian Institute of Crafts and Design (IICD) in Jaipur, in an email, adding: 'They want acknowledgement of their legacy.' In 2019, fashion house Gucci sparked controversy with its 'Indy Full Turban,' sold for $790 on Nordstrom's website. The blue headpiece closely resembled the traditional Sikh turban, prompting backlash from Sikh communities in India and elsewhere. It was eventually removed from the website, with Nordstrom quickly apologizing amid the backlash. Just this year, the clothing company Reformation was criticized for selling a blouse, skirt and scarf that reminded many South Asians of the lehenga, an Indian garment consisting of a long skirt, top and a dupatta (scarf), a staple of Indian fashion for centuries and typically draped across a woman's chest. Some took issue with Reformation's lack of acknowledgement for the garment. One TikTok user joked: 'My girl is about to go strut the streets of India… Give credit where credit is due, this is literally a lehenga with a dupatta.' She also noted that the pastel-colored blouse, skirt and scarf were strikingly similar to lehengas worn by Bollywood celebrities in the early 2000s. In a statement to The Washington Post, Reformation said the design in question was inspired by a 1990s-era John Galliano gown and scarf set owned by the model Devon Lee Carlson, with whom it collaborated on the collection. just my thoughts on these pieces from the ref x devon collab #greenscreen #reformation #browngirl #browngirltiktok #lehenga #dupatta #devonlee #fashion #springfashion #indianoutfits #southasian #southasianfashion #jhumkas #ibizaoutfits #scarves H&M, meanwhile, recently came under fire for a sleeveless sheer 'long camisole' top and trouser set that many social media users likened to the salwar kameez, a traditional Indian tunic and pant. In a statement to CNN, H&M said the design took 'inspiration from current fashion trends like dresses layered over pants and the popularity of sheer pieces, as well as various plays on transparency and movement.' It's not just labels that have sparked controversy. Frustration spilled onto TikTok last year after the fashion rental company Bipty posted a now-deleted video featuring White women wearing sheer shawls draped across their chests, describing the look as 'very European effortlessly chic.' South Asian users on the platform immediately noted the similarities between the shawl and a dupatta. Many posted their own videos draping dupattas and mockingly dubbing them 'Scandinavian scarves,' using humor and irony to highlight the apparent erasure and misrepresentation of Indian heritage. Bipty did not respond to CNN's request for comment. 'With Instagram receipts and Gen Z rage, the tolerance for bad takes is zero,' the anonymous commentator behind the popular Instagram account Diet Sabya wrote in an email to CNN. (Diet Sabya, which draws inspiration from the established social account Diet Prada, often highlights fashion industry missteps, including cultural appropriation.) 'What once went unnoticed or unchallenged is now getting called out in real-time,' the email added. 'Someone in Delhi has the same access to discourse as someone in London. So, when a show uses a sacred motif incorrectly, the backlash is fast, loud and fully deserved.' High fashion's relationship with Indian artisans stretches back to at least the 17th century, when Europe's royal tailors sought out textiles like cotton and silk from the subcontinent. Over centuries, this cross-continental exchange has transformed Indian motifs from prized curiosities into ubiquitous elements of Western style. According to IICD's Gupta, textiles such as chintz and paisley are deeply rooted in India's rich artistic traditions and have long inspired global fashion, though their origins are now frequently overlooked. But India is not just a source of inspiration for luxury fashion — it's also an integral part of its supply chains. Today, a significant segment of the industry's manufacturing is outsourced to ateliers, embroiderers and textile producers in India. Yet, despite Indian artisans' foundational role, their creations are often shipped to Europe for final assembly and can thus be labeled as being 'made' in Europe. This kind of erasure, according to Imran Amed, founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of the industry publication The Business of Fashion, has 'reduced India to a manufacturing hub while Europe gets the cultural and economic credit.' 'In India, where craft is livelihood for millions, this distinction matters even more. It's not just about symbolism — it's about economic justice and dignity,' he said via email. The backlash Prada faced 'wasn't just about a sandal,' Amed added. 'It was a broader reaction to a long history of erasure and under-acknowledgment.' Homegrown designers are helping to change things. Indian fashion is having a striking impact on red carpets worldwide — and not only on the backs of Bollywood stars. Western celebrities are increasingly embracing Indian designers, too. Cardi B wore a custom-made, electric blue, hooded sculptural gown by Gaurav Gupta to the 2023 Grammys, while Zendaya walked the carpet in a shimmering, hand-embroidered blue sari gown by Rahul Mishra at a high-profile event in Mumbai months earlier. Kim Kardashian, meanwhile, has worn designs by the likes of Manish Malhotra and Sabyasachi Mukherjee, who last year became the first Indian fashion designer to attend the exclusive Met Gala in New York. 'It's a powerful shift, almost like we're reclaiming our own narrative,' Gaurav Gupta told CNN. 'Designers from India are now presenting on the global stage not as 'ethnic' alternatives, but as innovators with our own language, our own shapes, our own ideologies. We're not adapting to fit in anymore; we're expressing to stand out.' For many Indians, the Kolhapuri chappals that Prada said it was 'inspired' by represent the ingenuity and artistry of Kolhapur, a historic city nestled in the country's western Maharashtra state. Typically crafted from locally sourced buffalo hide and tanned using traditional vegetable dyes, the sandals could effectively withstand the relentless heat and rugged terrain of the Deccan Plateau. The distinctive toe loop, which is attached to the T-strap, helped keep them close to the wearers' feet. Cutting across generational and social divides, the Kolhapuri chappal embodies both the enduring spirit of rural India and a bridge to contemporary fashion. The shoe is protected by a coveted 'geographical indication' tag — like the one ensuring Champagne is only produced in France's Champagne region — that, in theory, safeguards this symbol of Indian heritage from copycats. 'It's something truly Indian,' said Shubhika Sharma, the prominent Indian fashion designer and founder of the label Papa Don't Preach, in a video interview. Prada's initial failure to acknowledge the Indian artisans behind the design amounted to a 'missed opportunity for Indian craftsmanship,' Sharma added. About 10,000 artisan families in Kolhapur are engaged in the chappal trade, according to local media reports, though many of them struggle in poor conditions and earn low wages. In India, Kolhapuri chappals can retail for as little as $5 or as much as $100, depending on the quality of leather and level of craftsmanship. While Prada's sandals had not hit the market at the time of last month's controversy, the luxury fashion house's shoes typically retail at prices ranging from $700 to well over $2,000. For Sharma, 'everything just boils down to respect,' she said. 'Was due respect given to the creator, to the person who originated it, to the culture that originated it?' Some Western labels have proven better at engaging with Indian audiences than others. In 2023, Dior made headlines by hosting a landmark runway show at Mumbai's historic Gateway of India, unveiling a Pre-Fall collection that celebrated the subcontinent's artistry. The collection featured Banarasi brocade, mirror work, tie-dye detailing, Nehru collars and kurta tailoring — motifs deeply rooted in Indian tradition and craftsmanship. Many of the embroideries and textiles on the runway were made by the Mumbai atelier Chanakya International, which was credited for its role. The show was widely hailed as a respectful homage, with Vogue India's fashion director Anaita Shroff Adajania describing it as 'a thank you to India.' Amed, from The Business of Fashion, meanwhile, called the collaboration between Chanakya International and Maria Grazia Chiuri, then Dior's creative director, as 'thoughtful… not performative,' adding: 'Chiuri hasn't just sourced embroidery from India; she's spotlighted the artisans, acknowledged the lineage of the craft, and in doing so, helped shift perceptions of where luxury value is created.' Similarly, last month, Nike launched its first collaboration with an Indian fashion label, the Delhi-based brand NorBlack NorWhite, unveiling a vibrant range of sportswear inspired by ancient tie-dye techniques. The move was broadly celebrated by social media users in India, a country in which Nike has long struggled to make commercial inroads. For Diet Sabya's founder, however, much more must be done to ensure genuine recognition for Indian talent and traditions. 'When India is being eyed as the next big luxury market, you can't keep treating it like an exotic pitstop,' they said. 'While a few brands are finally acknowledging us as the global textile powerhouse we are — it's still crumbs. Visibility is a start. But equity is the end goal.'
