Five Trending Sunglasses That Will Be Everywhere This Spring
This season, shades venture into seriously maximalist territory.
To be functional or fashionable—that is the question. Do I splurge on 6-inch red Louboutins or the cushy beige Hokas? The frigid fringe jacket or the George Costanza-eque Gore-Tex? The circulation-stopping jeans or the droopy sack-like slacks? Every David faces their own version of Goliath.
Luckily, eyewear is one area where you don’t have to choose. Style and safety go hand-in-hand with UVA/UVB protection directly woven into designs that range from Sofia Richie Grainge minimalism to Elton John opulence. And the Safilo Group has been perfecting this balance for 147 years.
Based in Italy, Safilo is one of the largest glasses conglomerates in the world. It oversees the design and production of 27 licenses like Marc Jacobs, Missoni, Dsquared2, Etro, and Carolina Herrera (just to name a few) and seven brands of their own including Carrera, Polaroid Eyewear and Blenders.
In March, I got to tour their offices just outside of Venice and was amazed at the thought and care that goes into a singular pair of glasses. As Vladimiro Baldin, Chief Licensed Brand and Global Product Officer for Safilo, explained, the initial design process is dependent on the brand. Some fashion houses send detailed inspiration, others wait for Safilo to take the lead.
Once trend research, sketches and technical drawings are finalized, each pair of sunglasses goes through meticulous prototyping—all done by hand. Lenses are put through severe crash tests. Hinges are assessed for easy movement. They even 3D print certain parts of the prototype to explore different options. All this eventually culminates into one perfect pair that is then sent off for mass production.
With hundreds of Safilo sunglasses now sent off to stores, I got a sneak peek into what we can expect for the upcoming months. Hint: blue eyewear and patterned frames are just the tip of the sartorial iceberg. Below, the biggest spring sunglasses trends of Spring 2025—function and fashion both included.
Feeling Blue
The trend: This spring, designers and street style stars alike made a very compelling case for a dash of eyewear drama. The most surprising addition? The return of blue sunnies. But fret not: these aren’t the frosted frames of Y2K yonder years. This time around, the trend is firmly anchored in Scandinavian whimsy, mixed with a bit of eclectic boho.
The look: Equal parts baby and azure blue, consider the cornflower colour the coolest new hue on the market. With that in mind, embrace the icy tint by playing with equally chilly colours such as sage, steel and silver. Bonus point for incorporating all three into a quilted jacket.
The buy: Polaroid Eyewear wayfarer sunglasses
With the slightest change in colour, a classic wayfarer frame can suddenly look new. Our pick is this polarized pair from Polaroid—an underrated and affordable brand that doesn’t skimp on quality or style.
Arm Candy
The trend: A part of sunglasses that rarely gets its time in the sun (both literally and figuratively) is the arm. This season, the side view is finally getting the attention it deserves with brands adding decadent details like oversized logos, metallic stripes and tactile embellishments.
The look: Not the most detail-oriented? Faking it ‘til you make it starts with your outfit. Load up on accessories like bag charms, hair clips and stacked rings for a more-is-more mindset. Sure, you may not be dressing for the back of the room, but those closest to you will appreciate it nonetheless.
The buy: Moschino Oversized Buckle sunglasses
As expected, Moschino applies the same sense of fun and frivolity to its eyewear as it does its ready-to-wear. For most shoppers, the fiery red hue would surely be enough of a statement but then, the Italian-brand added an oversized belt buckle to each arm. Unnecessary? Of course! But fabulous? Most definitely.
Pattern Play
The trend: With quiet luxury decidedly in the rearview mirror, the trend’s louder cousin is now in the driver’s seat and ready to roar. Sunglasses are the latest accessory to join the maximalist movement, as neutral hues are being replaced with playful patterns. Think leopard print, paisley patterns and stripes galore.
The look: Mixing and matching patterns can often leave you feeling more cross-eyed than Queer Eye’d. Leave the headache at home and instead, journey into the tactile world of textures. Touches of velvet, crochet or corduroy will elevate your look without any concerns of clashing.
The buy: Etro Oversize-Frame sunglasses
Y’all, we are sleeping on Etro eyewear! In the Venn diagram of eccentric contessa and White Lotus lodger, the Italian brand’s selection of sunnies hits the bullseye. This emerald green and paisley pair would look as at home on a Thailand beach, as it would in a haunted Italian castle, and really, anywhere in between.
Golden Eyes
The trend: If you’ve ever wished to live in a sepia-toned filter, here’s your golden opportunity. Uniquely tinted lenses of all kinds were seen on the Spring 2025 runways, but the majority vote undoubtedly went to the yellow/orange variety. Sunny days, it would seem, are here again.
The look: Monochromatic dressing rarely misses, and it unlocks maximum impact when you add sunnies into the mix. To achieve the look, keep your colours on the more neutral side. A bronze brown or dark cherry instantly oozes charm, and can be your answer to winter-to-spring transitional dressing.
The buy: David Beckham Eyewear Voyager sunglasses
As no one personifies the modern day British gentleman quite like David Beckham, the same can be said of his eyewear line. These retro-inspired frames in particular feel like a beautiful balance of his classic yet cool aesthetic, as these oversized acetate shades feature a striking aviator shape and golden hued lenses.
Narrow-Minded
The trend: To have a narrow view on something is typically considered a bad thing—just not where sunglasses are concerned. This spring, slim shades are the easiest way to up your style ante. All you need is to choose your fighter: rectangular, oval or cat-eye.
The look: As these accessories tend to be quite angular, have the rest of your ensemble follow suit. An A-line swing coat or floor-grazing opera coat can double as both a dress and a jacket. Then finish the ensemble with a structured bag, big enough to hold your frames but small enough to fit under your arm.
The buy: Dsquared2 Hype sunglasses
On a scale of rectangular to cat-eye, these Dsquared2 shades definitely fall smack dab in the middle. With a thin gold frame, narrow silhouette and engraved detailing, these ‘90s-esque sunnies are chic, capable and coveted—expect to see them on every street style star very soon.
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Annika Lautens is the fashion news and features director of FASHION Magazine. With a resumé that would rival Kirk from "Gilmore Girls", she’s had a wide variety of jobs within the publishing industry, but her favourite topics to explore are fashion sociology and psychology. Annika currently lives in Toronto, and when she’s not interviewing celebrities, you can find her travelling.
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