By Michelle Crowe
Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly.
Accessories are a weakness for most fashion-aware ladies and gentlemen. Shoes and bags, ties and pocket squares, these days, even headphones are indispensable markers of personal style. Sunglasses, though, might just be the real MVP.
A great pair of shades protects our eyes, but beyond that, they enhance the mystique, glamour and cool factor of the wearer. It’s no wonder that Tom Ford, famous wearer of signature shades, chose eyewear as a category with which to launch his own brand. More than 10 years on, women—and probably quite a few men—rely on his strong shapes to present a pulled-together appearance when they’re feeling anything but.
Some people can pull off shades in wild shapes and crazy colors. Our hearts belong to some tried-and-true favorites bought in bulk and worn everywhere.
A Tom Ford style draws on the best of all shapes.
Wayfarer
The trapezoid shape was patented by Ray-Ban in 1956 as an alternative to metal frames and variations have been worn ever since. Amazing on Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, President Kennedy on a boat, and Jake and Elwood Blues. Also loved by artists Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock and musician/Nobel Prizewinner Bob Dylan.
Swedish actress Anita Ekberg in a fetching cat eye style.
Cat Eye
This feminine shape emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as glamour reigned. The upturned edges on these make them an excellent choice for those ladies who favor a little lift and height to their hair. Grace Kelly wore them well.
Round glasses icon John Lennon.
Round and Oval
We love oversized round styles, à la Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Princess Diana and other graceful icons. Smaller circles feel subversive in a way, but worked for John Lennon and others.
Deborah Harry looking amazing in aviators.
Aviator
Originally designed for pilots, now loved by almost everyone, these are miraculous for their ability to bestow upon the wearer a mix of heart-stopping cool, sexy and anonymity.
