2024's Hottest Sunglasses Trends Are All About Modern Nostalgia

Few feelings are better than putting together an outfit during the first warm spring days after seemingly ages of winter. If you're taking full advantage of sunny weather after months of being cooped up inside, perhaps the most crucial accessory is a chic pair of shades. Sunglasses offer necessary protection from UV rays, unplanned run-ins with an ex, and overly brilliant early morning luminance—plus, they make any outfit instantly cooler. While you can’t go wrong with a classic style like black wayfarers, quiet luxury ovals, or wire-rimmed aviators, sunglasses also provide a low-commitment way to experiment with the trends, and this year's most popular styles run the gamut from cartoonish frames to literal rose-colored glasses to sleek classics with unique accents. See 10 of the top 2024 sunglasses trends ahead, and get ready to start spring with a new outlook on life.

The Modern Cat-Eye

The classic cat-eye shape has never truly gone away, but it's making a welcome return to the forefront of sunglasses trends in 2024. First invented by the artist Altina Schinasi Miranda in the 1920s, the pointed, teardrop-shaped frames work to accentuate any facial structure. Angular silhouettes and statement colors are ways to make the style feel especially modern.

Kitschy and Playful

Playful, color-saturated sunglasses in idiosyncratic shapes block the sun with a wink. Whether you’re partial to frameless tinted hearts, beaded frames, or sculptural bursts of acetate in green, yellow, or red, going for the most creative sunglasses style possible is very on-trend and sure to brighten any day.

Aughts Nostalgia à la "That's Hot"

The gigantic shades of the early aughts—think baby blue shields and black-lined, ombré lenses that cover half of the face, immortalized by Paris Hilton and the Olsens—are back in a huge way. While Y2K has been resurgent on a general level for a while, this is one specific element we haven't seen as much of in the 2020s, so it feels fresh heading into a new season.

The Retro Metal

Metal-rimmed sunglasses are at once vintage-inspired (the image of Julia Roberts in her brown metal-lined oval sunglasses in the ‘90s is forever in our minds) and a bit futuristic. The warmth of gold and coolness of silver complement every skin tone, so pick whichever is your favorite or embrace a mixed metals look in combination with your jewelry.

Tortoise for Maximalists

Tortoiseshell sunglasses are a distinctive yet timeless alternative to slick black or boisterous, colored frames. This classic finish will ensure you look put-together no matter the silhouette.

Futuristic Shields

When you want to stay in but need to be out in the world, a pair of rimless, futuristic, sporty, or Y2K-inspired shield sunglasses can serve as gleaming, protective armor. These are the do-not-disturb hotel door signs of sunglasses, and they’re also great for protecting the skin around your eyes.

Pearly Whites

Ivory, pearlescent, and eggshell frames feel fresh, bright, and clean. Whether you go monochromatic with your outfit as Paris Hilton does above or coordinate with other neutral tones, these shades can have a true quiet luxury feel.

Tride-and-True Aviators

Aviators are a tried-and-true sunglasses staple for many. You can opt for metal frames for a classic look that simultaneously hits upon two trends, or try acetate to shoot the style to sky-high levels of cool.

Rose-Colored Lenses

There’s something to be said for literally viewing the world through rose-colored glasses—even if your lenses are tinted more terracotta, blush, or fuchsia. This age-old expression may even have some truth to it: Some studies suggest that pink lenses can induce a positive psychological impact.

Decorative Details

Classic black frames, adorned with subtle but impactful details that set them apart from the rest, will be everywhere this spring, summer, and beyond. Black sunglasses are a staple, and decorative minutiae—bits of metal wiring, dangling beads, pearls, and chains—make your pair feel like an intentional styling choice.