Take it from us when we say that tinted shades have come out on top as the trendiest sunnies to have in 2024. Why? The style was seen in droves during the northern hemisphere summer, and continued into the film festival circuit (Venice was a hotspot). At a time when shades are becoming more integral to a fit, and less of an afterthought, tinted sunnies offer a more fun opacity that is certainly acceptable to wear indoors. These ones from Ray-Ban, in a gradient of light blue, will contrast nicely against the soft sunset this summer when you’re out for drinks.

Aviators have enjoyed a renaissance this year. For instance, seen frequently on the softened face of a post-Bondian Daniel Craig, aviators have had a metamorphosis from a less hard look to one that can be worn unironicaly. It’s a step back from its Jeffrey Dahmer associations that relegated the shape to one of irony. The El Capitan Sun from Garrett Leight still has that military feel in its stainless steel frames, titanium nose pads and hunter green polarised lenses, but refined into a more proportionate rectangular shape.

If you’re in the market for shades that are of the moment yet affordable, Sydney-born brand Le Specs is our pick. From their roster of unisex styles – from classic to what your favourite celebrity is sporting – the oval profile of the Poseidon Deux has been one of this year’s most popular shapes and will continue into the next calendar year. An ode to ‘90s minimalism, it’s a style you’d now see on Instagram fan accounts dedicated to chronicling this era of style. For one, it was a fixture of Brad Pitt’s airport look. Why not bring them back?

Tortoiseshell remains one of the classic frame materials: it’s mottled brown gradients make for a patterned yet eternal neutral. Done in a shiny acetate, this slim rectangular pair from Gucci is minimalist by design. The grey-blue lenses aren’t too tinted or opaque to qualify as the full-on tinted shades we saw earlier, but no doubt dresses up the look for cocktail dress codes or at day-time weddings.

Why should designer logos be reserved for your T-shirts or leather goods? At Dior Men’s, the Dior Oblique logo (popularised in the 2000s by then-womenswear creative director John Galliano) is featured on the temples in a silver-finished metal. In a rainbow of colours in the transparent acetate, the grey one is our pick for something classic. Its versatility also lies in its oversized shape, a more defined square than Wayfarers.

Taking inspiration from Hawaiian style, the Ho’okipa sunglasses from the brand are the type you’d see on the coolest guys around O’ahu. The rimless polarised lenses also have that 2000s feel to them, making them ideal for wearing casually about town.

Unlike the running-specific Oakleys we had further up the list, a pair for all sports should be able to withstand anything. Case in point: the Wire Tap 2.0 is a revision on the iconic model, done in a matte gunmetal grey for stable performance. Of course, this is Oakley, so their sleek design and wrap-around style also make for excellent style choices.

You’ve seen these everywhere, and it’s not without reason. As rectangular sunglasses have been getting all the love for the last few years, Prada’s edition offers an elevated take on the silhouette. Made of premium acetate their side of Milan, the colour is a solid grey with a substantial feel to them. Featuring a geometric design on the temples, the shiny acetate shows it off to full advantage.