12-06-2025
The best men's designer sunglasses to shop in 2025
Summer is sunglasses time, of course. And while we are great fans of the classics — and who doesn't look good in a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers (as sported by Tom Cruise in Risky Business), American Optical Original Pilot aviators (as issued to the crew of Apollo 11 in their survival kits), Persol 714s (see Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair) or Vuarnet Legend 06s (thank you, 007, in No Time to Die) — there are new styles that are worth exploring.
Some of the best models come care of collaborations, creating characterful mash-ups. The first that caught our eye, so to speak, is the Ray-Ban x Lenny Kravitz partnership, which has produced a 'reverse' version of the US brand's famous aviators. This style was designed in 1937 for American pilots and has become a classic. Last year Ray-Ban decided to play with it and introduced a concave lens in place of the usual convex one. Kravitz clearly enjoys the idea of reimagining the aviator: 'It's about breaking boundaries, embracing individuality and seeing the world from a new perspective through those innovative lenses.' The models come in black, chrome and a limited-edition gold version, and etched discreetly on the top of the left lens you'll see the musician's signature.
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But if lens bending strikes you as a little out there, why not try a pair of Sunspel x Cutler and Gross shades? A British maker of elegant luxury casualwear for men, Sunspel was founded in 1860 and to this day manufactures T-shirts in its factory in Long Eaton, Derbyshire. The brand is all about quality, simplicity and a certain type of no-nonsense Britishness. It has, for example, made a couple of collections with Paul Weller, which were a modern take on sporty mod knits.
Sunspel x Cutler and Gross Dark Turtle sunglasses, £395,
Enter the Sunspel x Cutler and Gross sunglasses collaboration, a marriage made in British minimalist design heaven. Cutler and Gross is about a century younger than Sunspel, founded in 1969 by Graham Cutler and Tony Gross, who met while studying to become opticians, and its sunglasses are now handmade in Italy. The brand has developed a model for Sunspel with an acetate frame in dark brown, black or pewter with matching tonal lenses, a tapered temple with diamond-shaped rivets and a heavy brow line that gives it an air of old-school cool.
At the other end of the British sartorial spectrum sits Huntsman of Savile Row, established in 1849. A dive into this tailor's ledgers reveals a host of stylish customers: Clark Gable, Paul Newman, Lawrence Olivier, Gregory Peck and Dirk Bogarde — and more recently the film director Matthew Vaughn, the creator of the Kingsman franchise for which Huntsman served as inspiration and location. (Incidentally, Cutler and Gross has an eyewear collaboration with Kingsman too.)
Huntsman x EB Meyrowitz Grosvenor sunglasses, £1,350,
Now the Savile Row tailor comes together with EB Meyrowitz, an optician that was founded in 1875 and has its roots in making eyewear for early motorists, mountaineers and aviators. Today EB Meyrowitz is based in the Royal Arcade off Bond Street and handmakes its frames. For Huntsman it has imagined some archetypical designs in acetate: an aviator, a teardrop shape, a rectangular style and a round one. It's a good selection designed to suit different face shapes, and each model oozes quality (witness the three gold pins on the temples of the Savoy and Grosvenor models). The tinted Zeiss lenses protect against UV and there is added back-coating to counteract the sun reflecting from the reverse of the lens into the eye.
By Rosie Davenport
Inspired by the silhouette of the iconic cat eye sunglasses worn by Bob Dylan on tour throughout the mid-1960s, this sleek black frame from Jacques Marie Mage features polarised lenses. The Los Angeles-based brand is also behind a collection of quiet luxury shades worn by the character Kendall Roy in the TV show Succession, which are made in a limited series of about 50 per model and colour. £1,580, Jacques Marie Mage at Harrods
With its leather bridge detailing and signature screws, Cartier's Santos de Cartier pilot sunglasses are a great twist on the classic aviator silhouette with touches of distinctive details taken from the brand's bestselling watch design. £1,035, Cartier at Harrods
Made in Italy, Ferrari's aviator frames have an understated sporty aesthetic in homage to the brand's rich racing history and are crafted from lightweight acetate. £584, Ferrari at Harrods
The peachy tinted lenses on these Brunello Cucinelli gives the pair a retro twist, as do the chunky frames and oversized silhouette. £605, Brunello Cucinelli at Mr Porter
Mr Porter's collaboration with the British eyewear brand Cubitts includes this pair of everyday frames. The rounded shape, tortoiseshell and brown lenses makes them particularly perfect for the sunny summer months. £150, Mr Porter
