2022 Hot Summer Shades to Keep You Cool

What’s in for shades this season? We’re so glad you asked! There are plenty of returning favorites, such as aviators and Cat eye, but with a 2022 twist. Plus newer major trends like 70s-inspired staples, Y2K sporty, and crystal-colored translucents.

Ready to look on the sunnies side of life? Let’s dive in.

70s INSPIRED

Big squares, giant Le Sport glasses, and over-the-top round silhouettes. This season’s 70s inspo covers everything from Jane Birkin to Bianca Jagger. If this is what you’re diggin’, here’s our favorites in every price range to suit you…

TOP END ($300 +)

Chloé Eyewear, Pink Rounds $415

 

Gucci, Green Square Oversized $505

 

 

Givenchy, Jackie Sunglasses $540

 

MID RANGE ($100 – $300)

Karen Wazen, Kaia Oversized Frames $130

 

Ray-ban, Oversized Square Frames $174

 

Krewe, Jackie in Matcha $255

 

IT’S A STEAL (under $100)

Elie Tahari, Oversized Tortoiseshell $99

 

Aeropostale, Large Ombre Butterfly Sunglasses $8.00

 

Zenni Optical, Watermelon Rounds $32.95

ELLIPTICAL FANTASIES

On the other extreme, elongated ovals are equally trending. Their squat, thick frames that, at first seem to be channeling Chuckie Finster, actually come across as edgy and mod. Especially chic on rounder faces, they can also work well if your chin line is oval (provided the frame edges are rounded and tapered).

TOP END ($300 +)

Valentino Garavani, Purple Transparent $360

 

Palm Angels, Dark Havana Palm Sunglasses $360

 

Miu Miu, Crystal Embellished Pink Frames $603

 

MID RANGE ($100 – $300)

The Kooples, Wide Transparents $147

Karen Wazen, Kenny Tortoiseshell $145

 

The Attico, Green Linda Farrow Edition $280

 

IT’S A STEAL (under $100)

Zenni Optical, Sunny Rectangle $15.95

 

A New Day, Tortoiseshell Rectangular $15

 

Lulus, A la Mod Sunglasses $12

 

TINTED AVIATORS

Subtle (and not so subtle) colored and gradient lenses are an instant update to the classic aviator this season. By far, baby blues are the runaway favorite, but if that’s not your fancy there are many, many other options from sorbet-colored pastels to soft melting ombres.

TOP END ($300 +)

Prada, Gold Aviators $422

 

Cartier, Gold & Silver Aviators $1,205

 

Alexander McQueen, Aviator Gradient $507

 

MID RANGE ($100 – $300)

Givenchy, Yellow Lens Aviators $119.99

 

Saint Laurent, Gold Ombre Sunglasses $299.99

 

Ray-ban, Gold & Blue Aviators $178

 

IT’S A STEAL (under $100)

Knockaround, Gold/Snow Opal Aviators $34.00

 

Blenders Eyewear, High Class Jes $37.00

 

Cato Fashions, Rainbow Aviators $7.99

 

CLASSIC SPORTY

With all the joggers, comfy slides and loungewear continuing to dominate, it’s no wonder really that so many of us would be craving the clean lines of casual sport sunglasses. Like your favorite pair of sweats, they slip into place and feel instantly comfortable. This season, the classic shape gets a 2022 upgrade in the form of unexpected frame and lenses color combos. But if we had to pick one over them all? Transparent would be the clear winner (ahem, yes we’ll see ourselves out now…)

TOP END ($300 +)

The Attico, Iman Edition Frames $490

 

 

Stella McCartney, Sport Sunglasses $400

 

 

Balenciaga, Grey Exaggerated Sport Sunglasses $585

 

MID RANGE ($100 – $300)

Stella McCartney, Mirrored Square $261

adidas, Sport Sunglasses SP0025 $120

 

Oakley, Frogskins Gradient Lens $144

 

IT’S A STEAL (under $100)

Knockaround, Clear Jelly/Purple Sport $28.00

 

Cato, Rainbow Mirrored Shields $9.99

 

Tourna Specs, Tennis Blue $14.95

 

RETRO FUTURE FORWARD

This trend is Y2K sci-fi at it’s best – Eclectic, eccentric and downright avant garde, designers this season are going unabashedly retro-futuristic. It’s basically as if you transported yourself back in time to the late 90s/early aughts and asked everyone there what they thought future sunnies would look like. The spring runway shows were filled with all sorts of delicious fantasies that won’t just UV protect, they’ll turn your peepers into works of art.

TOP END ($300 +)

Gucci, Crystal Havana Cat $1,095

Rick Owens, Black Gene Sunglasses $640

 

Balenciaga, Future Ski $493

 

MID RANGE ($100 – $300)

Karen Wazen, Retros Rounds $105

 

adidas, Originals OR0016 $136

 

Vogue Eyewear x Millie Bobby Brown, Visor $116

 

IT’S A STEAL (under $100)

Zenni Optical, Silver Geometric $32.95

 

Blenders Eyewear, Saturn Cloud Wraparounds $59

 

Aeropostale, Pop-Color Geometric Sunglasses $8.00

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