THE JOURNAL
Choosing the right pair of sunglasses is in many ways a more nuanced practice than picking out clothes. For one thing they go on your face, and so have the power to make an immediate impression – whether you channel a lost tourist, a 1970s adult film director or a dedicated Matrix cosplayer can hinge largely on your shades. So, as summer kicks into gear, MR PORTER presents a few pairs to help you choose wisely.
01.
The “when men were men” shades
The 1970s get a bad rap, but in much of the Western world, there has actually never been a more egalitarian time in terms of social mobility and wages. The sunglasses were great, too – big, brash, maximal styles now championed by the likes of Bottega Veneta, Fendi and, here, Cutler and Gross offer a bold look for those who’ve got what it takes.
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02.
The maverick aviators
Nothing oozes confidence quite like a pair of aviators. Bold, masculine and, yeah, a bit sexy, they give oomph to a summer outfit while also providing prime UV protection for the eyes (they were originally designed for sun-squinting pilots, after all). Just in time for the Top Gun revival.
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03.
The 1990s redux pair
Not all sunglasses are made equal, and these 1990s-esque shades from Jacques Marie Mage’s collab with Enfants Riches Déprimés – which are crafted in Japan in a 300-step process – prove it. The pink lenses are fun, the frames are bombastically thick, and even the curved, bat-shape case is ridiculous in a good way.
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04.
The bright and the bold frames
Vivid, punchy frames are all the rage right now. Bright as a lemon and as cool as a frozen piña colada on the beach, these shades from SAINT LAURENT will bring the sunshine all year round.
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05.
The rock’n’roll sunglasses
No need to be a thin, Parisian waif with a penchant for drainpipe jeans – a pair of timeless, rock star-worthy Wayfarers is something that will look reliably good, no matter what kind of dresser you are. This version from CELINE HOMME are the archetype.