If there’s one accessory that elevates an outfit to celebrity status, it’s sunglasses. Whether you’re trying to go incognito or up your cool factor, a reliable pair of shades is a must for any wardrobe, regardless of the season — though they’re especially great with a cute swimsuit and comfy sandals. We scoured the internet and tried a few A-list-inspired pairs ourselves to find the absolute best sunglasses to wear this year. We even gathered tips and tricks for buying a pair of flattering frames from celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger, who regularly dresses stars like Amal Clooney and Blake Lively. In the name of style and function, here are the 20 best sunglasses for women this year, as inspired by your favorite celebs.
Classic Types of Sunglasses
“We’ve seen a revival of classic-style sunglasses in 2024, including oversized frames, retro designs such as cat eye shapes, round frames, and aviators,” says Megan Gokey, Head of B2C Marketing and Brand Partnerships at Klarna. Though new styles come and go, these dependable designs hold their place in Hollywood and among royalty alike. Kate Middleton, when etiquette permits, sports a selection of round and cat eye sunglasses during particularly sunny outings.
Safari Round Dark Tortoise Sunglasses
The plight of finding the perfect pair of sunglasses is a tedious one. We’re saving you the search by sharing the most flattering sunglasses we’ve encountered: the Safari Round sunglasses from Eyebuydirect. They look good on round faces. They look good on square faces. We’re sure they’d even look good on octagonal faces, if that were a real thing — they’re just that good. Round sunglasses with a slightly upturned corner creates a slight illusion of lifted cheekbones, and these frames master the fine balance between oversized and sleek. With lightweight acetate frames and an anti-scratch lens coating, these sunglasses look and feel like they cost much more than they do. They’re lightweight yet still feed sturdy. Plus, you can even add your eye prescription to your frame color of choice to truly personalize these shades.
- Shape: Round
- Polarized: No
- Frame width: 127mm
- Bridge width: 21 mm
- Frame material: Acetate
- Color options: Tortoise, dark tortoise, black, clear melon
Ray-Ban Aviator Classic
The Ray-Ban aviators have cemented their status as the go-to aviator for their quality and timeless style. They were launched in 1937 to protect pilots from the sun (Top Gun vibes), but you don’t need to know how to fly an airplane to look fly. These shades have stood the test of time, remaining one of Ray-Ban’s top sellers due to their lightweight feel, protective lenses, and undeniable style. You can even choose to buy these glasses with polarized or non-polarized lenses. Check out our FAQs to find out if you should opt for one or the other.
- Shape: Aviator
- Polarized: Yes
- Frame width: 137 mm
- Frame material: Metal
- Color options: Gold, gunmetal, black, green, gray
Maui Jim Ilikea Cat Eye Sunglasses
PEOPLE associate shopping director Erin Johnson tested these sunglasses in Hawaii, and as it turns out, there’s no better way to see a tropical island than through the prescription lenses of Maui Jim shades. Though the cat eye shape of these frames are a fashionable draw (Johnson’s original pair were the discontinued Mehana style, but these are very similar), the polarized and prescription-fit lenses make scenery sharper and more vivid than ever before. Their prescription power range spans from +3.00 to -5.50, fitting the majority of far- and near-sighted wearers, though you can also choose to have them made with a Maui Jim retailer for a more customized fit.
- Shape: Round cat eye
- Polarized: Yes, premium PolarizedPlus2 lenses
- Frame width: 128 mm
- Bridge width: 16 mm
- Frame material: Acetate
- Color options: Black/grey, blue/grey, burgundy/rose, grey/grey
Eyebuydirect Holiday Cat Eye Sunglasses
A classic pair of cat eye
