Musicians have helped make sunglasses an iconic fashion staple, taking them from a practical accessory to a major style statement. Shades not only make an artist look recognizable and fashion-forward, but they also allow for some privacy and protection from stage lights and camera flashes. With the rise of social media, musicians also play a role in shaping sunglasses trends.
Take the example of Beyoncé, who made statement shades cool again after her successful Renaissance World Tour, putting a wide range of styles on the stage and into the fashion zeitgeist. But other than established legends, younger female artists have also been making waves with their shades. Here’s how popstars are rocking their sunglasses and how you can steal their looks:
Charli XCX
Charli XCX isn’t afraid to go wild with color, patterns, textures, and more, creating outfits that are uniquely hers. The same goes for her sunglasses. She doesn’t always sport shades, but when she does, she makes sure they make a statement with thick, geometric frames or colored lenses, such as the Oakley Gascan, giving her a cool edge.
When she became an ambassador for Ray-Ban’s “You’re On” campaign in 2021, she donned chunky tortoiseshell women’s sunglasses with geometric angles, giving her a chic yet funky vibe that’s true to her style. The eyewear giant is known for its classic and iconic frames like the Wayfarer and Aviator, but the State Street model she wore showcases how the brand isn’t afraid to push the boundaries and create something fun and eccentric, making the brand a perfect match for Charli XCX’s style.
Take a cue from her look and find fun shades with exciting patterns, colors, and shapes! Rock them with a subtle monochrome outfit to make them pop, or coordinate colors with your clothes to create a cohesive yet bold look.
Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo hasn’t been in the spotlight for long, but she’s already established herself as a style icon, especially for fellow Gen-Z girls. She loves to give a modern twist on vintage looks, borrowing styles from the ‘90s and early 2000s. Her sunglasses also reflect her affinity for old-meets-new.
She particularly loves oval sunglasses like the Khaite x Oliver Peoples 1969C Sunglasses and the Prada PR 26ZS; the classic all-black look gives a rocker edge to a softer outfit. This sunglasses style was popular in the ‘60s but really made waves in the ‘90s. They’ve made a comeback with the Y2K resurgence in the 2020s and are a perfect fit for Olivia Rodrigo’s noughties-inspired style and music.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of black oval shades out there, and you can steal Olivia’s look and pair them with a fun graphic tee and skirt for a casual look or a short and sweet dress to add a touch of cool to the outfit.
Billie Eilish
Ever since she was launched into stardom at age 13, pop star Billie Eilish’s unique style caught the eyes of many. She often wore baggy, masculine clothes in eclectic colors and prints but has since branched out into more feminine or subdued outfits. Her looks, including her sunglasses, often go from one end of the spectrum to another.
Billie Eilish usually opts for dramatic shades in color and shape, and she either picks very narrow frames or oversized styles. She usually opts for sharp angles in her shades, but the Gucci eyewear campaign she did in 2022 gave her a different look to take on. Oversized 80s-inspired sun mask sunglasses and black Navigator shades are still avant-garde, but the rounder shapes are refreshing on the pop star.
For Billie-inspired sunglasses styling, you can mimic her flair for the dramatic and take on fun shapes and angles. You can keep it subtler with narrow rectangular styles or really amp up your look with oversized geometric frames.
