Sunglasses trends 2027: shields, oversized frames and aviators

Short answer: The biggest sunglasses trend heading into 2027 is scale: big shield and wraparound sunglasses, chunky oversized frames and softer, warmer aviators. Alongside them, ovals, gentler cat-eyes and thin round metal frames keep a quieter lane open, while tinted lenses, tortoiseshell, transparent frames and earthy colours take over from all-black. The tiny '90s micro frames are fading.

A note on how we put this guide together: at the time of writing (late September 2026), the spring/summer 2027 fashion weeks are still under way, so nobody has the full picture yet. We read the trend forecasts from the MIDO eyewear fair in Milan and SILMO in Paris, FashionUnited's SS27 sunglasses report, Vogue's street style coverage from Copenhagen Fashion Week and early runway reports from Milan. Several of these trends started in 2026 and are carrying on into 2027 – we say so where that's the case. For the bigger picture, see our look at eyewear fashion trends in 2026.

What are the biggest sunglasses trends for 2027?

• Shield and wraparound sunglasses: the headline trend, in chunky fashion versions and sporty one-lens versions.
• Oversized, sculpted frames: thick, glossy frames with real volume, while small frames step back.
• Aviators: still a staple, now softer, chunkier and in warm, transparent colours.
• Ovals and soft cat-eyes: familiar shapes, redrawn with rounder lines.
• Thin metal and round frames: the light, minimal counterpoint.
• Colour: tinted lenses, tortoiseshell, transparent frames, greens, blues and warm earth tones.
• Materials: bio-acetate, recycled materials and lightweight metals.

1. Big shield and wraparound sunglasses

If one shape defines the move into 2027, it's the shield. In February, British Vogue named the chunky shield 2026's surging sunglasses trend, crediting Tom Ford's eyewear and Phoebe Philo's goggle-like frames. In August, Who What Wear reported that Chanel's oversized shield had made the Lyst Index of the quarter's hottest products. And from the spring 2027 shows at Copenhagen Fashion Week, Vogue's street style report put it simply: "Shield sunglasses are the season's most stylish frames." FashionUnited's SS27 forecast with accessories group HVEG calls the shield the most pronounced addition to next season's ranges.

There are two ways to wear it. The fashion version is chunky and glamorous, with a thick frame and big, often tinted lenses: our oversized Bloch Havana has that shield-like front in tortoiseshell. The sporty version is one wide lens that curves around the face: our Grosso White Blue sport shield with its mirrored lens is exactly that look, and it's made for actual sport, too.

How to wear it: let the shield be the statement and keep the rest simple – a white T-shirt, a blazer, a trench coat. If all-black feels too severe, go for a tinted lens or a coloured or tortoiseshell frame.

2. Oversized, sculpted frames

After almost a decade of tiny '90s-style sunglasses, big frames are back. The SILMO 2026 Trends Forum in Paris describes two of its four themes in exactly those terms: "Aura", a return of '90s glamour with thick, lacquered and often oversized frames in oval, round and softly rectangular shapes, and "Charisma", with XXL frames, tortoiseshell and deep, warm tones in acetate. Early spring/summer 2027 reports from Milan describe oversized, strongly framed sunglasses on the Prada runway, too.

The 2027 version is more sculpted than the 2000s bug-eye: clean lines, thick rims and a polished finish. Try the oversized Palazzo Havana, a big rectangular frame in recycled plastic, or Grande Havana Blue from our plant-based acetate line – grande is Italian for big. Elia Black and Lucia Black are worth a look, too, if you like large frames with sharper angles or softer curves.

3. Aviators: softer, warmer and a little chunkier

Aviators never really leave, but they are changing. MIDO listed the pilot and the navigator among the timeless shapes being reinterpreted in 2026 collections. FashionUnited's SS27 report calls the aviator a staple, mainly in warm, translucent colours – including an orange transparent frame with amber lenses – alongside the flat-bottomed D-shape. Elle's autumn 2026 edit picked a thicker-framed take on the classic pilot, and Who What Wear notes that some of this year's shields borrow directly from aviators, just with bigger tinted lenses.

In other words, the 2027 aviator is less thin gold wire and more colour, material and presence. Our aviator sunglasses are built on the Lai, a double-bridge pilot shape in recycled plastic instead of metal. The Lai Orange aviator with orange lenses fits the warm-tint trend, and Lai Green pairs a clear frame with green lenses for the transparent look.

4. Ovals and softer cat-eyes

FashionUnited's SS27 report names the oval as one of the key silhouettes of the season, in two versions: a chunky, bold oval and a small, narrow one. The cat-eye returns as well, but softer: the upswept corners stay, the lines get rounder. Both are easy ways into a trend without going all in. Browse our oval sunglasses (the Dahl) and our cat-eye sunglasses, where Palma and Mora have that lifted outer corner.

5. Thin metal and round frames

Not everything is getting bigger. The same SS27 report sees thin, round metal frames making a comeback, and the SS27 forecast presented at MIDO by the trend agency Livetrend pairs gold-toned metal with marbled acetates in its "Primal Relics" theme. It's the quiet counterpoint to the shield: less frame, more face. Vang Gold Green is a slim, round metal frame with green lenses; for a straighter '90s line, look at the rectangular Dyhr. We don't make rimless sunglasses, so if that's the look you're after, a slim metal frame is the closest match in our range.

6. Colour: tinted lenses, tortoiseshell and transparent frames

Black isn't going anywhere, but 2027 is more colourful. HVEG's SS27 colour directions are nature-based greens, blues from steel to pastel, fresh pinks and warm earth tones such as orange, terracotta and brown, with tortoiseshell and mixed metals across almost every shape. The MIDO forecast adds saturated colours and bold transparencies ("Urban Beach"), fossil-like, marbled acetates in spice and ochre tones ("Primal Relics") and milky acetates with soft transparencies ("Summer Residence"). SILMO's sporty "Adrenaline" theme highlights tinted lenses.

One thing a trend report won't tell you: lens colour says nothing about protection. A pale orange or light blue lens can block UV completely, and a dark lens can block very little – so check the label. Here's what UV400 and lens categories mean.

7. Materials: bio-acetate, recycled and lightweight

MIDO's 2026 trend overview lists bio-acetates, recycled materials and lightweight metals among the directions shaping new collections, together with crystal, havana and natural tones. For reference, the frames in our recycled collection are made from 100% recycled plastics, and our second line is made from plant-based acetate – plant-based, 100% biodegradable and industrially compostable.

Fashion eyewear trends 2027: what about glasses?

The same shifts show up in optical frames. SILMO's themes cover optical and sun alike, and trade reports from the Paris fairs in September 2026 describe two parallel directions: oversized acetate in deep, painterly colours, and very thin, light metal – sometimes combined in one frame. Thick '90s acetate, soft rectangles, ovals and tortoiseshell are the easiest trends to carry over from sunglasses to everyday glasses.

Which 2027 trend should you choose?

Start with how much presence you want. A shield or a big oversized frame makes the sunglasses the centre of the outfit; a soft aviator, oval or cat-eye works with almost everything; a thin metal frame keeps the focus on your face. Then check the proportions: the frame should be about as wide as the widest part of your face. Our guide to which sunglasses suit your face shape walks you through it. And with our sunglasses at $39.95 ($49.95 in plant-based acetate), trying a bolder 2027 shape is less of a gamble.

FAQ

Are shield sunglasses still in style in 2027?

All signs point that way. Shields were one of the biggest sunglasses trends of 2026, and they featured strongly in Copenhagen's spring 2027 street style and in the SS27 forecasts.

Are aviators in style in 2027?

Yes. They remain a staple, but the new versions are softer and warmer: transparent or coloured frames, amber, orange or gradient lenses and thicker rims.

Are small sunglasses out?

Tiny micro frames are fading after a long run, as bigger frames take over. Narrow ovals still appear in the SS27 forecasts, so small isn't banned – just no longer dominant.

What sunglasses colours are trending for 2027?

Tortoiseshell, greens, blues, soft pinks and warm earth tones such as orange, terracotta and brown – plus transparent frames and tinted lenses.