High time for sunshine

It feels like we’ve been waiting forever for sunshine, and while the forecast is still iffy at best, we’re getting out our sunglasses now. For the past few years, eyewear trends have run the gamut from ultra-slim metal styles inspired by The Matrix to playful, acrylic cat-eye shapes that, quite simply, look great on Instagram. There are also, it seems, more brands to choose from than ever before. Whatever your style, Rebecca Tay presents five pairs of shades to slip on now.

BUDDY SYSTEM

Launched in 2014, Sun Buddies is a Swedish eyewear brand that specializes in unisex styles that are cool — but not so painfully cool as to be conspicuous. This pair, the Zinedine, features transparent, vintage-inspired round frames made of Italian acetate, and this blue hue is called Gin + Tonic. Yes, please.

Neighbour, shopneighbour.com | $215

SPARKLY SHADE

Austria-based designer Andy Wolf has seen his signature tiny glasses on everyone from Rhianna to Kendall Jenner to Bella Hadid, which instantly elevated the brand to cult status a few summers back. But besides the brand’s celebrity clientele, there’s no denying the mega cool factor of this splurge-worthy, crystal-studded ‘Florence’ pair — just throw on and go (and don’t be surprised at all the paps).

Secret Location, secretlocation.ca | $1015

WOOD STOCK

Toronto-based brand Bôhten debuted seven years ago on Dragon’s Den, and though it was unsuccessful on the TV show, founder Nana Boateng Osei persisted in his vision to create eyewear made from discarded, reclaimed wood from West Africa. We love this pair from the ‘Aristotle’ collection, which is all about classic shapes with a twist — in this case, the juxtaposition of slick silver with reclaimed walnut and tortoiseshell acetate.

Bohten, bohten.com | $272

SCRUNCHED UP

After 21 years in the business, New York brand and boutique A Détacher closed its doors in 2019, but you can still pick up these fun pink Gloria sunnies, the result of one of its last collaborations. Designed in partnership with Carla Robertson of Carla Colour, they’re playful, colourful (no surprise there), and guaranteed to stand out amid a sea of basic black shades.

The Block, theblock.ca | $395

PURPLE RAIN

Who said sunglasses have to always be metallic, black, or tortoiseshell brown? Definitely not Gucci. Never one to shy away from accessories that tread a very fine line between outlandishly silly and quirky cool, these transparent purple frames from the Italian fashion house will let you show off your sparkling personality without clashing with nearly everything else you already own.

Gucci, gucci.com | $455