There’s something to be said for the kind of accessory that’s so fabulous, so statement-making that it’s a flex all by itself, not just the ultimate finishing touch but a “one and done” style manoeuvre. Already this season, we've witnessed the impact of the Maison Celine belt in elevating every outfit, worn almost as a badge of honour, but next is a pair of sunglasses. Correction, it’s the shape of one’s sunglasses. Because after seasons of minimal shades, a frame that takes up more real estate on your face—i.e. eyebrow to lower cheekbone—is back.
On the streets of Paris Fashion Week, shield sunglasses weren’t just noticeable because of their size but rather because they were more frequently spotted than almost every other shape you can think of, gaining the edge on curvaceous oval frames popularised by Celine, as well as evergreen styles like Prada’s Symbole.
The shield, which gets its name from the unbroken lens that “shields” both eyes (or at least creates the illusion of doing so courtesy of an inconspicuous bridge), is also referred to as the “mask” or the “visor”, with a rare ability to be either retro-tinged or futuristically sporty.
Loewe’s SS26 collection included a shield that fit into the second category. In fact, its first look (of its inaugural season under new creative leadership) was a seamless leather jacket, streamlined aqua booties and shield sunglasses—straight across the top, curved at the bottom and contributing an undeniable layer of cool.
Their beauty lies in the fact that, despite almost looking like performance wear, you could style them with anything from tailoring to denim to swimwear. Other designers to have a shield in their eyewear line-up include Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Ferragamo and Phoebe Philo, whose near-perfect version of the shield continue to sell out every time they are restocked.
Several brands, meanwhile, haven’t gone sporty or vintage (Philo’s conker acetate was modern yet retro-inflected), but Y2K. The WAGs knew a thing or two about shield sunglasses. In 2004, Victoria Beckham wore tinted shield frames, a white trucker hat and a tank emblazoned with “England” (she was at the Euros, obviously). More than 20 years later, the designer is just as committed to shields away from the pitch, with her very own version—an oversized frame that’s angular yet soft at the edges; perfect for making a statement or, equally, flying under the radar.
As you might have already sussed, the shield is very celebrity-coded. Not only do they cover a significant portion of one’s face (add a baseball cap and you’re really in business to go incognito), but they take a certain level of confidence—A-list chutzpah, shall we say—to pull off (Tracee Ellis Ross lives in shields). For the slightly more faint-hearted, a gateway pair might be Chimi’s, Ferragamo’s or St Agni’s, all of which are elegantly minimal shields. The finishing touch to your finishing-touch accessory? A scraped-back hairstyle so your sunglasses take centre stage, no ifs, buts or flyaways.
Shop The Best Shield Sunglasses
Bottega Veneta's shield sunglasses are the ultimate "one and done" accessory for summer.
Loewe's shield sunglasses couldn't be a cooler addition to your accessories line-up.
Slender and sporty, Ray-Ban gives the shield a touch of streamlining for spring.
Oversized (in fact, almost bug-eyed), Gucci's rimless aviator shields are one word—glamorous.
The Alaia D-frames have been in high-demand ever since they launched with a chunkier frame last summer. This time round, they have a slightly lighter metal frame, making them even more flattering on all faces.
Mango's shield-like aviator sunglasses look designer but, whisper it, will leave you with plenty of change from £50.
Rarely in stock and rarely not seen on any fashion insider worth her salt - these won't be in stock for long.
Rick Owens's rectangular sunglasses make a change from curvaceous frames.
Y2K-infused and steeped in nostalgia, Miu Miu's shield sunglasses would go perfectly with boot-cut jeans.
