The Biggest Sunglasses Trends for Summer 2023 - InStyle

It is a fact universally acknowledged that a fresh pair of sunnies is the cherry on top of a perfect outfit. And while timeless sunglass styles are all well and good, we can't help but swoon over the 2023 sunglasses trends of the moment. From colorful lenses to boldly embellished and retro frames, this year's sunnies are certainly an eyeful, but in a good way.

Trends, especially in the accessories space, are kind of like Transformers: They tend to build on previous versions of themselves. So 2023's sunglass trends might look a little familiar if you squint, but these are truly some of the boldest lens looks we've seen in years. Ahead, gaze upon the best of the best 2023 sunglass trends everyone will be shielding their eyes with this summer.

Y2K Sunglasses

Shop Similar: Bai Green Sunglasses in Recycled Plastic, $95.
You knew this one was coming. The Y2K resurgence has, naturally, extended to accessories, as seen in the clear frames and lenses that fall in the technicolor valley between neons and pastels.

"Buggie" Lenses

Shop Similar: Jeepers Peepers Oversized Rimless Round Sunglasses, $36 (Originally $44).
We would never recommend you shop for sunnies with a "bug-eyed" vibe, but insect-adjacent? We're not mad at it. Circular frames with slightly bowed-out lenses create this dramatic effect.

Rectangular Frames

Shop Similar: Anthropologie Rectangle Sunglasses, $48.
Elongated frames are very now, but this year's rectangular sunglasses approach the silhouette in a fresh way. Yes, these are rectangular frames, but the vibe is very '70s-inspired: groovy, organic, and imperfect.

Goggle Glasses

Shop Similar: UO Urban Renewal Vintage Pop Curve Sunglasses, $29.
Perhaps the most unexpected of 2023's sunglasses trends, goggle glasses take the safety goggles out of the science lab and into the front row.

Sporty Sunglasses

Shop Similar: Pit Viper The Aquamarine Showroom, $70.
2023's athletic sunglasses owe as much to lenses worn by professional athletes as they do to the futuristic aesthetic and hyper-neon color palette of the '80s (think: Tron).

Wrap-Around Frames

Shop Similar: NUCLA Plant-Based Wrap Polarized Sunglasses, $159.
Wrap-around sunglasses can be athletic-adjacent too, but this year has seen a range of softer styles with thin frames, tinted lenses, and delicate silhouettes.

Elongated Cat-Eye Frames

Shop Similar: Madewell Demmera Sunglasses, $60.
Another major shape shift is the elongated cat-eye sunglass trend. While cat-eyes are classically chic, this trend sees the familiar frame stretched out for a more dramatic look.

Heart-Shaped Lenses

Shop Similar: Pit Viper The Rainbow Jelly Admirer, $70.
An old favorite gets a Y2K-inspired, Taylor Swift Eras Tour-appropriate update in heart-shaped lenses. Two distinct styles have taken hold this season: Thicker frames and reflective, sporty lenses are one approach, while thin wire frames and colorful lenses are another option.

Lavender Haze Sunglasses

Shop Similar: QUAY The DL in Lavender and Smoke, $65.
Overall, colorful lenses might be the biggest sunglasses trend of 2023, but not just any shade will do. A dreamy, pastel-adjacent tone is where it's at, and you don't get any dreamier than a pair of lavender haze-hued sunglasses like Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix's.

Pearl-Encrusted Frames

Shop Similar: Lele Sadoughi Pearl Elton Sunglasses, $165.
Combining both vintage and modern statement-making vibes, this year's pearl-encrusted sunglass trend is far removed from the admittedly twee, floral sunnies of the mid-aughts. 2023's trending pearl sunglasses are unrepentantly retro and vampy.

XXL Aviators

Shop Similar: goodr Cheesy Flight Attendant Sunglasses, $35.
Giving a silhouette as classic and well-known as aviator sunglasses is no easy feat, but the latest iteration of the oversized aviator trend, featuring vibrant frames and XXL lenses, is a valiant — and effective — attempt.

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While stylish sunglasses are a year-round wardrobe essential, the accessory is synonymous with the spring and summer months. As such, the anticipation of warmer weather prompts us all to reevaluate our current sunglasses collections and look for new updates to the rotation. And we certainly have some new and bold sunglasses trends ready to explore — and complement the 2023 spring and summer ready-to-wear trends already on our radar.

This year, we're seeing the classic sunglasses shapes and colors reimagined. That could be a retro shape upgraded with a new color frame or mirrored lens, an oversize take on a timeless style, or a silhouette that feels vintage and futuristic at the same time. With a seasonal color palette that ranges from bright pink to classic white, incorporating neutral blacks and tortoise tones, there's something for everyone when it comes to the biggest sunglasses trends of 2023.

If you like to add a pop of color to your wardrobe or step out in bold, monochromatic hues, you'll love the Barbiecore-pink sunglasses trend. It's a playful and vibrant take on your everyday glasses, adding a carefree vibe to any outfit you pair it with. For a futuristic trend, look no further than highly reflective lenses. The mirrored shades are upgrading classic styles and giving them a fashion-forward edge. And of course, there's the proliferation of new neutrals, like white, showing up on oversize and standard sunglasses alike.

What's more, you can source some of our favorite up-and-coming sunglasses trends from brands you already know and love, like & Other Stories, Le Specs, Celine, and Miu Miu. With finds at Amazon and Target as well, there's a point of access for every budget as you upgrade your stash. Ahead, find six sunglasses trends that you need to try this year, and shop them for yourself.