The summer heatwave hasn’t fully subsided, but the fashion world has already stepped into early fall. Among the many seasonal trends, sunglasses that balance functionality and style are once again dominating the landscape. From street style icons to couture runways, from professionals to travel bloggers, sunglasses have become nearly everyone’s favorite accessory. They have long transcended the role of a mere “sun protection tool” to become a true “fashion tool” that defines style. This duality of practicality and fashion is undoubtedly one of fashion’s greatest success stories.
Looking back at the trending buzzwords of recent years, whether Y2K hot-girl style, retro Americana, minimalist chic, or the laid-back vibe of Citywalk, sunglasses are always the finishing touch. They inject coolness and confidence into any outfit, conceal fatigue, and amplify aura. This versatility is the key to their rise from “supporting role” to “leading role.”
Yet, the origins of sunglasses had nothing to do with fashion. As early as the 18th century, their prototypes were “goggles” designed for Antarctic expeditions. These dark lenses blocked the snow’s glare, with thick, heavy frames that served only functional purposes. When sunglasses entered public consciousness in the early 20th century, they were mainly used by professionals like drivers and fishermen. With simple metal frames and dark lenses, they carried a rough, utilitarian feel, far from fashionable, more of a “low-class passerby” in the fashion world.
It was the stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age who redefined them. In the 1950s, Audrey Hepburn’s thick-framed black cat-eye sunglasses in Breakfast at Tiffany’s perfectly blended elegance and playfulness, making sunglasses a style icon for the first time. Around the same era, Marilyn Monroe’s thin, metal-framed sunglasses in beach photos added a sensual, laid-back charm, completely shattering their image as mere tools.
From then on, the fashion evolution of sunglasses officially began. In the 1960s, round, tinted-lens sunglasses made popular by the Beatles became symbols of hippie culture. In the 1980s, Tom Cruise’s aviators in Top Gun stormed the world with their rugged appeal, still synonymous with “cool” today. In the 2000s, Anne Hathaway’s thin, square-framed sunglasses in The Devil Wears Prada marked her transformation from “dowdy assistant” to fashion insider, proof that a pair of sunglasses can redefine identity.
Style icons cemented their place as signature accessories:
Princess Diana favored oversized sunglasses that concealed half her face, shielding her from royal pressures while exuding effortless, casual grace.
Kylie Jenner’s narrow-framed sunglasses, echoing the edgy Y2K Spice Girls spirit, have become a coveted statement piece among young women.
As legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland once said, “A true style item becomes an extension of the wearer’s personality.” Sunglasses have achieved exactly that. They are no longer just accessories, but bold style statements.
Today, they command center stage at major fashion shows:
At Prada’s Fall/Winter 2025 runway, geometric sunglasses paired with oversized suits embodied intellectual cool.
Miu Miu’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection presented candy-colored narrow frames with pleated skirts and knit cardigans, adding playful edge to a girlish look.
Celine’s Spring/Summer 2026 runway showcased chain-linked sunglasses that connected frame to collar, blending French elegance with streetwear edge.
Brands have expanded the possibilities of sunglasses. They can be:
The Hot Girl’s “heat booster”: thick-framed black sunglasses over a cropped top and overalls add an untouchable cool factor.
The Citywalker’s “casual magic”: a white tee, jeans, and retro round sunglasses create an effortlessly photogenic look.
The Office Lady’s “charm amplifier”: a muted suit paired with sleek square frames instantly channels the vibe of a workplace heroine.
The Vacationer’s “holiday aura”: a slip dress and oversized gradient-lens sunglasses evoke the easy glamour of seaside escapes.
Even better, the matching philosophy is simple: worn with basics, sunglasses become highlight generators. A crisp white shirt with black trousers paired with slim metal frames instantly elevates a casual look to intellectual chic. An oversized hoodie with sweatpants combined with colorful lenses transforms lazy comfort into street-style edge. As fashion bloggers often say: “When in doubt, put on sunglasses.”
From 18th-century polar goggles to today’s runways, the rise of sunglasses is no coincidence. They meet practical needs, UV protection, glare reduction, fatigue concealment, while also tapping into fashion’s central logic: endless reinvention. Through changes in materials, shapes, and colors, they stay fresh and adaptable across styles. In the tug-of-war between function and fashion, sunglasses deliver both, making them a universal favorite.
After all, who wouldn’t love an accessory that protects the eyes and elevates the entire look?
