Shades of style: The fashion power of eyewear

Eyewear has always straddled the line between necessity and style, but today, the balance feels more relevant than ever. There is no denying that sunglasses are a genuine necessity, shielding our eyes from sun damage and, in the time we live in, something we should make a habit of wearing regularly. Yet, practicality doesn't have to mean predictable.

Glasses and shades no longer follow a one-size-fits-all formula. From timeless aviators to bold, bedazzled frames, eyewear has become less about hiding behind lenses and more about revealing personality.

Gone are the days when oversized aviators were the only shorthand for glamour. Yes, oversized frames still have their allure, but fashion is cyclical, and the pendulum has swung back toward shapes that feel distinctly retro. The 80s-inspired smaller round glasses, or their close cousins (the slim oval frames rimmed with gold), have resurfaced in full force. Their comeback has nothing to do with nostalgia, really. It is about reclaiming an edge, balancing understated cool with effortless sophistication.

That said, choosing sunglasses is never a random affair.

Your face shape dictates which frames flatter you most. Round faces find balance in angular frames, while sharp jawlines soften beautifully under rounded edges. Heart-shaped faces lean into cat-eyes, elongating the eyes and cheekbones with feline drama. Oval faces, of course, win the lottery — they can carry nearly any frame, from oversized square shades to the tiny 90s rectangles now back in vogue.

But the real secret lies not in rules, but in the dialogue between face and frame. The right pair doesn't just complement, it amplifies.

And while we speak of amplification, few things illustrate the power of audacity better than bedazzled frames. Think glittered rims, jewel-encrusted borders, and crystals scattered across the lens edge. Once ridiculed for being "unwearable", these are now the emblem of fearless fashion.

The shift happened when stylists began pairing them not with maximalist outfits, but with streamlined, monochrome ensembles. Imagine an all-black look punctuated with rhinestone-rimmed shades. Like statement earrings, embellished sunglasses are no longer "too much" if the wearer knows how to frame them within their overall aesthetic. They declare: fashion is supposed to be fun.

It is not just sunglasses carrying this weight of expression anymore. Regular spectacles, too, have had their renaissance. What was once reluctantly worn has now become desirable. Thin golden frames paired with casual denim make for a subtle intellectual chic, while thick-rimmed black glasses can turn an otherwise plain outfit into something commanding. And then, there are tinted frames — rosy pinks, ocean blues, smoked greys — that straddle the line between sunglasses and prescription lenses.

Even "fashion glasses," a whole different category lacking actual lenses and having embellishment in their place, have carved out their place. These are frames that exist purely for style — sometimes rimless, sometimes embellished with pearls or metallic detailing, and sometimes nothing more than a dramatic silhouette on the face. Worn perched lightly on the bridge of the nose, they function much like a statement necklace or an ear cuff: ornamental, striking, and designed to instantly transform an outfit.

They challenge the very idea of what eyewear should be. Why shouldn't you wear frames simply because you like the way they change your look? Not everything in fashion needs a function; sometimes, beauty is its own justification.

Current styling trends have further strengthened the role of eyewear. Where once accessories were chosen as an afterthought, they are now central to the overall look. A solid, monochrome outfit — a pristine white kurta, a sleek black jumpsuit, or even a muted beige sari — comes alive when paired with the right accents. Layered jewellery has been one go-to, but sunglasses or spectacles add another layer of intrigue.

Perhaps that is the true allure of eyewear: its ability to be transformative with minimal effort. You can step out in the most basic outfit, yet the right pair of shades instantly lends an air of mystique, nonchalance, or authority—whichever persona you wish to channel. And unlike clothes, which may be restricted by occasion or formality, sunglasses and glasses walk easily between worlds. They belong at the beach, in the boardroom, at brunch, and even at evening galas.

In the end, eyewear is not just an accessory. It is a narrative. A pair of tiny oval sunglasses might whisper of vintage, while jewelled frames may roar with contemporary rebellion. A golden-rimmed spectacle might signal bookish charm, while tinted glasses can exude rockstar casualness. The story changes not only with the design but with the wearer. Fashion, after all, is not about conforming; it is about expression. And in that, eyewear proves itself indispensable, shading the eyes while revealing so much more.

Photo: Adnan Rahman 

Model: Surjo

Styling & Fashion Direction: Sonia Yeasmin Isha 

Makeup: Sumon Rahat 

Hairstyle: Probina