This week's column deviates from its usual mission of classic hunting because one key definition of good shades is they must be fashionable. It's galling, I know, to feel at the mercy of trends. Especially if you spend your life trawling through thrift shops in defiance of modern life (and why not? Linda Farrow has fabulous vintage sunglasses).
SHOP: Top 10 sunglasses under £100
Even if you last stepped into Topshop in 2004, there's a high chance, unless you've been residing in a cave (very Elle Deco 2012 btw), that your taste has fallen into line with the doctrine of our times. That's what taste does. It's why Ray-Ban Wayfarers - surely a jewel among so much sunglass mediocrity, and moderately priced, too - went through a period, after their 1980s ubiquity, of being infra dig.
Since current doctrine favours oversized specs with broodingly dark, or wackily colourful, does-my-sense-of-humour-look-big-in-these frames (thanks, Miuccia), any styles failing to comply will look strangely wrong. Unless looking strangely wrong is part of your style shtick, why risk it?
Besides, big specs protect the entire eye area from the sun. They should also sculpt your face. This summer's - and quite a few more to come, since evolutions in sunglasses move at the pace of a Bendy Bus - cat's eyes can have a similar impact to a cosmetic lift, though not (I'd hate to be accused of overselling) when you take them off.
There are useful rules. Round faces require squarish lenses. Heavy black, Jarvis Cocker nerd-shades do not suit everyone, despite being the go-to for every accountant or yummy mummy wanting to look a bit Out There. Lighter skins can't go too wrong with a mid-dark tortoiseshell.
Expensive is almost always better than cheap. Dedicated sunglasses companies - Alain Mikli, Cutler & Gross, the peerless Persol - are more satisfying than designer versions, with quieter branding, though Prada, Chanel and Marni are all innovative and Tom Ford's logo is discreet. And while big is good, really big, on small faces, looks ludicrous. As for night shades? Deadly
From left: Acetate and acrylic, £59; Jigsaw jigsaw-online.com , Acetate, £230; Persol, from David Clulow 0844 264 0870 , Gold metal, £16; Urban Outfitters urbanoutfitters.co.uk
Via: The investment dresser: sunglasses
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