I Wear My Great Big Sunglasses at Night: Oversized Sunglasses Stick Around

Like so many fashion trends, oversized sunglasses have been recycled more than once by the fashionable set. Originally hot in the 1950s, they’ve been back in vogue now for a few years, and will probably be current right through 2009. If you decide to try oversized on for size, make sure you think about HOW you wear your big sunglasses. Done right, they can become part of a dressed-down ensemble—the slouchy socialite look—or the finishing touch on a sharp hipster vibe. Done wrong, enormous sunglasses can look a little bit 1970s bingo parlor or a tad too Mary Tyler Moore.

Part of the problem is that big, big sunglasses draw attention to your face even as they hide a lot of it. Your nose, forehead, and chin become focal points—seeing as how they’re the only parts of your face left exposed—and if you’re not happy about the shape of your nose, or happen to have a particularly horrible pimple on your chin this week, you probably will not want to pop on a face-swamping pair of big round sunnies.

The shape of your face also matters. Angular or oval faces benefit from oversized shades; softer, rounder faces will simply be made to look more round and more soft, which might not be the desired effect. Frame shapes, whether round or oval, cat’s eye or square, can also clash with your face’s bone structure, making you look like you’re a six year old who’s stolen Grandma’s glasses (this happens to the Olsen Twins a lot) instead of a savvy, fashionable woman on the go (think Jackie Kennedy, the late First Lady).

You can safely test the oversized trend with designer knockoffs from a cheap accessories shop. Try out different shapes, colors, embellishments, and sizes—and take them out of the store to get a good idea. What seems like the right shape under florescent store lights with a tag hanging off the bridge might not work out in day-to-day life. If you decide the trend works for you, go ahead and upgrade to a designer statement pair. If you like the retro look (think leading ladies of Italian Cinema) Tom Ford’s oversized Alessandra sunglasses work, as do the Tom Ford Emanuella glasses. People wanting to tap a more sleek, modern vibe should choose Bulgari designer sunglasses or Prada designer sunglasses. Bulgari’s 8024 or 8022 models have a distinctly trendy wide plastic frame, and Prada’s oversized SPR181s have a wild, vaguely butterfly-shaped lens. For seriously flashy oversized sunglasses, try anything from either of the Cavalli ranges—Roberto Cavalli sunglasses come with animal print frames as well as big lenses, and Just Cavalli designer eyewear has lenses in a wide array of colors, including purple. The big impact on your personal style could make oversized sunglasses well worth it.

Tiffany & Co Sunglasses: A New Jewel in Your Collection

You might not instantly think sunglasses at the mention of Tiffany & Co, but you do think of luxury: diamonds, platinum, gold, and (if you know your design history) elaborate stained glass lamps and windows. Tiffany & Co is a girl’s best friend and an engagement ring favorite, but it’s also fast becoming one of the favorite brands for designer sunglasses. Tiffany & Co are a favorite of celebrities trying to stay classic while embracing a trend. Think of Tiffany & Co designer sunglasses as an easy way to add that Tiffany sparkle to your wardrobe—without the price tag of diamonds.

No stranger to trends, Tiffany & Co women’s sunglasses have favored oversized, chunky frames in recent years, with embellishments that turn heads. No stranger to beautifully crafted precious metals, Tiffany & Co have added gorgeous touches to their shades—the silver hinges on the 1837 model, or Swarovski crystals on the Jazz Shield frames. And, of course, you can upgrade to real diamonds (don’t lose those shades at the beach!). Starlets, pop stars, and famous-for-being-famous types alike reach for Tiffany shades when they want to add a little bit of bling to an otherwise dressed-down look.

Celebrities with decidedly upmarket tastes, such as Sarah Jessica Parker, also favor Tiffany & Co.’s bold eyewear along with their Chanels and Marc Jacobs. So do powerful women like Carla Bruni Sarkozy, first lady of France, and Michelle Obama—lawyer, hospital administrator, and future first lady of the United States. Tiffany’s sunglasses and eyeglasses are luxurious, but manage to complement basic styles of dress. The look is unforgettable, the effect on one’s wardrobe dramatic—and distinctly Tiffany & Co.

New President, Classic Shades: Ray-Bans Return to the White House

The message of Barack Obama’s successful presidential campaign may have been “Change”, but with his no-drama persona and careful wardrobe selections he didn’t rock the boat. The classic suits, no-nonsense ties: the liberal looked pretty conservative most of the time. Still, the nation’s first African-American president was bound to become a style icon, and he wears the sunglasses favored by dozens of famous icons: Ray-Bans. In most photographs he appears to be wearing Ray-Ban 3217s, a rimless style that isn’t among the brand’s best-known models.

The most well-known style of Ray-Bans is the Wayfarer. It’s a style originally designed for the gents, but it quickly became popular among ladies as well. Beginning with Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and probably most recognizable on the Blues Brothers, Wayfarers enjoyed their peak popularity throughout the 50s and 60s, making a resurgence in the 1980s. Entertainment legends from Bob Dylan and John Lennon to Marilyn Monroe and James Dean sported them. There’s even a presidential precedent to the Wayfarers—John F. Kennedy was snapped in the shades several times. Wayfarers have been steady sellers: fashionistas have been snapping up their latest incarnation in a rainbow of over-the-top hues.

Ray-Ban’s Aviator sunglasses are from an older vintage, having been developed in 1937. As the name suggests, Ray-Ban designed the Aviators to meet the needs of military pilots. The lenses were shaped to fit under flying goggles. The Aviators are also coated with a special anti-glare film to ensure pilots aren’t dazzled during complex manuevers. Aviators dazzle away from the airfields, too: like the Wayfarers, Ray-Ban aviators have been spotted not only on generals and flyboys, but also on pretend flyboys like Tom Cruise in Top Gun. They’re a perennial favorite of pop stars and starlets as well as the military. Both of Ray-Ban’s most popular styles radiate an aura of command, mystery, and above all, cool.

But are we ready for a cool presidency? Barack Obama’s “cool” factor has seemed a little suspicious to observers at times—some commentators suggest it means the former University of Chicago constitutional law professor shouldn’t be taken seriously; Chris Matthews thinks that Obama’s Ray-Bans make him seem “elitist”. Probably the President-Elect is just trying to project an aura of solidity while he protects his eyes: Shades We Can Believe In. Or, he could be trying to distract us from staring at those ears.