Call them shades or sunnies, the facts are in for sunglasses trends in 2021! Although these underappreciated eye protectors have a rich and interesting history, not all shades are made to fit your specific tastes and face shape.
The first protective eyewear instruments were invented, believe it or not, by Innuit and Asian civilizations in prehistoric times. They carved eyeglasses out of walrus ivory and other types of bone that were meant to reduce sun explore rather than filtering harmful rays.
Nero, Emperor of Ancient Rome, would wear sun protection in the form of a cut emerald when watching gladiator fights. The Chinese peoples invented panes of smoky quartz in the 12th century, and it wasn’t until 1752 that serious thought was given to the protective potential sunglasses would give the human eye.
Glass infused with cerium was used in 1913 by Sir William Crookes to defend eyesight from harmful ultraviolet rays. And thus, the popularity of sunglasses began to rise.
If in those times shades needed to be functional and help you block UV and blue-light, nowadays two of the most common questions are:
- What is the sunglasses trend for this summer?
- What types of sunglasses fit my face and taste best?
Let’s demystify these questions and give you some cool shade options to wear this summer.
Why Wearing Sunglasses Is Important
Although looking good in your sunglasses is important, the more pressing concern is their efficiency in protecting your eyesight. There are a few valid reasons why wearing sunglasses is a good idea, especially in the summer:
- Protection from nature’s elements– sand and snow glare means that reflected light gets bounced back into the atmosphere and straight into your sensitive eyeballs. Strong winds can also interfere with your eyesight and get dust and other types of particles stuck in your eyes. Irritation and dryness can also occur due to intense wind conditions.
- Protecting the eyes from serious sun-caused ailments– The more sensitive parts of the eye, like the retina and cornea, need protection from powerful UV rays. Failure to properly protect your eyes can, in some cases, lead to macular degeneration, cataracts, or even cancer.
- Extra protection post-surgery– it stands to reason that it is a good idea to wear sunglasses post-operation, particularly interventions such as LASIK.
A word of caution! Wearing cheap or flawed shades can cause more eye damage than not wearing any sunglasses at all. So, investing in a more expensive pair of sun lenses will definitely bring you more benefits in the long run.
Although the protection factor is the decisive one, wearing the right type of sunglasses for aesthetic reasons can also help shape a person’s character and appearance.
4 Top Types of Sunglasses to Wear in 2021
Now let’s get to the fun part! Sunglasses have been all the rage since the 1930s when movie stars began sporting these eye accessories all over the beaches of California.
For the summer of 2021, there is quite a huge variety in size, style, and even color when it comes to the sunglasses trend. Not to worry, there is sure to be a style of shades that fit you perfectly.
The Cat Eye- Revamped
We’re using the word revamped to describe the all-time classic Cat Eye sunglasses because eyewear designers are adding a slanted angle to this summer’s look. If you have a face with more sharp edges than soft ones, then these are the sunglasses for you.
Still, if you love the Cat Eye style but your face is on the round side, oversize Cat Eye sunglasses are the ones for you.
Oversize Shades
Since we’re on the subject of oversize, you’ll find a plethora of options in this category. So, no need to worry about what type of face shape you have, there’s an oversize variant for everyone.
Aviator Sunglasses with a Tint
Going back to classics, aviator sunglasses never go out of style, and they are a good match for most everyone. Designers have found a way of reinventing these timeless shades by giving them geometric dimensions and tinted lenses. If you want to spice up your outfit and give your appearance a dash of class, geometric aviators are the way to go.
Round and Retro
If you’re feeling nostalgic, retro round sunglasses will be a good fit for your mood this summer. Tortoiseshell round glasses are super-hot this festive season.
Keep in mind that these are a bit harder to pull off. So, play around with your outfit, choose colored lenses, or add a little sparkle to your face with crystal embellishments.
Conclusion
Other popular styles for the summer of 2021 are slimline, square, and shield sunglasses. But we’ve stuck to the classics and added a pinch of novelty to this article with the oversize varieties of shades.
Whatever sunglasses move your groove, make sure they offer real protection to your valuable bright eyes.