The best women's sunglasses of summer 2025
by KATHY LEE
NOTHING makes you feel quite as if summer has arrived like a new pair of sunglasses. In theory, finding the perfect pair shouldn't be too difficult. In reality, choosing frames that complement your features and reflect a bit of personality can be a frustrating task.
In honour of National Sunglasses Day, which marks the Vision Council's effort to encourage people to protect their eyes from the sun's ultraviolet light, we've prepared a cheat sheet of this season's biggest trends. But in this, as in all things, it's important not to sacrifice function to form. So, choose a width and shape that flatters your face and feels effortless. A quick rule of thumb: Anyone with round and soft features should look for strong, angular frames; those with a square- or heart-shaped face should seek a softer, rounder shape. And if you're prone to headaches after a few hours of wear, make sure you choose a pair with nose pads. — Bloomberg
Quay's Aura Points Sunglasses (Source: Quay)
Saint Laurent's SL 737 Mica Thin Sunglasses (Source: Saint Laurent)
Rose-coloured Frames
While pink sunglasses might sound a little 'out there,' the muted tone and translucent material of frames such as Quay's Aura Points (US$75) is surprisingly flattering to almost all skin tones. Some skew more sepia, in fact, which can pass as neutral, like Saint Laurent's SL 737 Mica Thin (€270/RM1,338, or US$316/RM1,331).
Bottega Veneta Turn cat-eye sunglasses (Source: Bottega Veneta)
Chimi X17 sunglasses (Source: Chimi)
The Updated Cat-eye
This angular shape makes a comeback every few years, and this time around it's interpreted in unusual ways, either with exaggerated frames or unexpected colours and materials. Bottega Veneta's gold-toned wire-framed pair (US$600) are anything but retro. For those who find this silhouette too bold, look for the style that's a hybrid with the classic Wayfarer, like this Chimi style (US$180).
Miu Miu Regard sunglasses (Source: Miu Miu)
Johann Wolff Gatsby sunglasses (Source: Johann Wolff)
A Bookish Upgrade
Perhaps inspired by BookTok and the rise of celebrity book clubs, looking a little bookish is definitely a thing these days. If this is your vibe, look for frames that have tortoiseshell details or round lenses. Miu Miu's sweet rectangles (US$505) have a '90s feel to them, while this round Johann Wolff style is, appropriately enough, called the Gatsby (US$230).
Phoebe Philo Bombé oversize frame sunglasses (Source: Phoebe Philo)
A Daily Shield
We all have those moments when we fantasise about shutting out the world, even if in practice we have to trudge on. Arm yourself with a shield-like pair of shades, such as these from Phoebe Philo (US$750) or the Akila pair (US$160), to buffer harsh lights and harsher realities — and look fabulous doing it.
Warby Parker Rachel sunglasses (Source: Warby Parker)
Tom Ford Jerry sunglasses (Source: Tom Ford)
Bohemian Flair
Channel the easy, breezy spirit of summer with oversize translucent sunglasses paired with a flowy dress (these are the Warby Parker Rachel sunglasses, US$95). If your summer days have you hitting the pavement rather than sandy beaches, try stronger black frames for your commute to the office, such as these Tom Ford Jerry sunglasses (US$505).
This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
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