There was a time when sunglasses were barely there — slim, angular, and perched delicately on the bridge of their wearers' nose. The micro-shade era reigned supreme for the better part of the 2020s, harking back to the Matrix-chic trend of the late '90s. But as fashion’s pendulum swings (and it always does), a shift was inevitable. This year, eyewear has gone maximal again. From Milan to Sydney, faces are once more hiding behind oversized frames — the kind that would make a 2007 paparazzi shot of the Olsen twins proud.
On the Spring/Summer 2025 and Resort 2026 runways, big was the operative word when it came to eyewear. At Saint Laurent, Anthony Vaccarello recalled the power suiting days of the 70s and 80s, with sharp tailoring paired with oversized eyewear that blurred the line between sunglasses and opticals. Similarly, Gucci’s Resort 2026 collection leaned into the nostalgia, reviving the decadent ’70s glamour that defined Tom Ford’s original era at the house: oversized tortoiseshells, gradient lenses, unapologetic glamour.
Oversized shades have long been a mainstay at Balenciaga, and for his debut collection at the House, Pierpaolo Piccioli proved their not going anywhere. Sculpted goggles of supersized proportions proved the chicest foil to evening dresses and leather outerwear alike. And at Khaite, the Resort 2026 collection softened the aesthetic a little, making exaggerated frames with tailored suiting feel entirely wearable.
Off the runway, the trend gives wearers the opportunity to be seen while still remaining anonymous. Pair yours with a crisp shirt and slick-back bun for a look that feels instantly put together – no makeup required. Ready to shop the trend? Our favourite oversized sunglasses to wear this summer season, below.
Shop the trend
CHLOÉ Gayia aviator-style tortoiseshell sunglasses
MIU MIU Oversized D-frame acetate sunglasses
GUCCI GG oversized D-frame acetate sunglasses
TOM FORD Bronson Sunglasses
BANBE The Delevigne Sunglasses
PRADA Brown Runway Oversized Sunglasses
LOEWE Brown Beveled Square Maxi Anagram Sunglasses
CELINE Triomphe round-frame tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses
DIOR VeryDior M1U wrap-around acetate sunglasses
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