Staring at the Sun

We reached our saturation point with sunglass trends seasons ago, and alas, nothing looks fresh or interesting to our weary eyes. With so many options having emerged in recent years, there doesn't seem to be any one direction to follow when it comes to summer frames. Having tried them all, we're yawning at the latest interpretations and nostalgic for the days of iconic shades. Unlike seasons past, which showed us oversized rounds, aviators, shields, and various hybrids as "the" shapes to covet, we're now left with a hodgepodge of styles that leave us lukewarm and unwilling to commit to their ever-increasing price points.

How to rid ourselves of this ennui by finding a pair we can deal with and half commit to like a summer boyfriend? Surely there must be some among the heap that will pique our interest, if only for a moment. If you plan on dealing with the nauseating panoply of options by ignoring it and sticking to classic styles, there are a variety of Ray Bans and Persols to keep you chic and shielded. Persol 714s should be your summer staple. Popularized by Steve McQueen, these iconic shades channel the too-cool-for-school vibe, and hey, school's out for summer.

For those who find themselves capitulating with a sigh to the next throwaway trend (day-glo much?), but want to go a bit more high end than, say, St. Marks Place, that neverending horror of shutter shades, try a vivid pair by Super. Conceived by the folks behind Pig Magazine, the Zeiss crafted lenses are set to replace wayfarers as summer's accessory du jour. Our network partner High Snobiety gives them rave reviews.

If it's inimitable style you seek, try a unique, limited-run frame from Colab, an Australian design company that works with artists such as Perks and Mini (P.A.M.), Geoff McFetridge, and Neasden Control Centre to craft unusual, often vintage-inspired styles. They also come in whimsical packaging, such as decorated cardboard cylinders, in lieu of a sunglass case.

Designer groupies can check out Proenza Schouler's much-lauded, recently launched eyewear collection, or pay tribute to Yves St. Laurent this season with a logo style. For those who are having trouble deciding, peruse this assortment of Coutorture-approved styles for some inspiration.