18 Best Designer Sunglasses, According to Fashion Experts 2024
Between staying current with sunglass trends and wanting a pair that goes-with-everything, the best designer sunglasses are essential. Okay, fine. They’re more of a nice-to-have accessory but one that’s fully worth your coins, whether you’ve been eyeing Bottega Veneta’s hexagonal aviator sunglasses or you’re officially influenced by the heaps of retro oval sunglasses flooding your feed.
Need to rationalize the spend? We’ve got you. First, sunnies from designer brands (Chanel, Fendi, Versace, to name a few) are something you wear all the time, even if you don’t necessarily need them for distance or close reading as you might with eyeglasses (but if you do, let’s hear it for elevated prescription sunglasses). Second: eyewear, in general, is far less fleeting in terms of trends (we see you mesh ballet flats), making your ideal aviator or trendy cat-eye not just something that complements your face shape but a bonafide outfit maker. And if you need a third reason to scoop up one (or several!), luxury sunglasses are designed for longevity—meaning they won’t loosen or, worse, break after a few wears. Brands like Gucci, Prada, and Celine craft from high-quality materials like acetate and tortoiseshell while prioritizing aesthetics and function all at once. Think: polarized lenses, UV protection, and sturdy hinges stylishly trimmed with designer insignia from the likes of Saint Laurent, Loewe, Dior, and more.
Most important, designer sunglasses are one of the best extras for adding a skosh of pizzazz to your look. Indeed, they are practical for protecting the ’ol eyes. But your perfect pair of designer shades will feel iconic and serve as the ultimate finishing touch to your wardrobe year-round (right now, that includes summer’s top trends like white maxi skirts and butter yellow everything, from bikinis to sundresses).
Below are raved-about pairs that stylists and editors, including yours truly, recommend. (Spoiler: Celine wins with four distinct silhouettes on the list.)
The best designer sunglasses, at a glanceBest Designer Oval Sunglasses: Celine Triomphe 52mm Oval Sunglasses, $510Best Designer Aviator Frames: Bottega Veneta Aviator-Style Gold-Tone Sunglasses, $440Best Cat-Eye Designer Sunglasses: Saint Laurent Narrow Cat Eye Sunglasses, $420Best Designer Rectangular Frame: Gucci Rectangular Frame Sunglasses, $625Best Wayfarer Designer Sunglasses: Ray-Ban 50mm Classic Wayfarer Polarized Sunglasses, $230Best Designer Square Sunglasses: Celine Oversized Square-Frame Acetate Sunglasses, $480Best Designer Round Sunglasses: Oliver Peoples O’Malley 48mm Round Sunglasses, $485All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.