KEY POINTS:
Confession time. I own zero pairs of pants, and 25 pairs of sunglasses. To me, they're a bit like crack - addictive and ultimately quite expensive. I see a pair of silly cheap plastic frames in a $2 shop - I buy them. I see a pair of
trendy sunglasses in a chain store - I buy them. I spot a pair of chic designer (ahem, expensive) sunglasses - I
lust after them for weeks, then usually end up buying them.
But it's the cheaper versions that do me in the most. Those cheap but
reasonably well-made pairs from shops like Dotti, Glassons and Portmans; the ones that give a nod to eyewear trends but don't cost the earth. They're the pairs that I love and thrash, but wouldn't be brought to
tears over if I accidentally sat on them. It's these cheaper options that I tend to buy in bulk: two heart-shaped pairs, countless
pairs of Wayfarer rip-offs, eight pairs of oversized lenses bought during the phase when I thought Nicole Richie was stylish, and several pairs of aviators.
Clearly I have a bit of an addiction, but not an unhealthy one. I like having a wardrobe of sunglasses to choose from; different pairs to match any mood, outfit or situation.
I've always had a penchant for frames, ever since I was a young girl and
would delve into my dress-up box and choose a pair of white Wayfarer-shaped frames. Clearly I was ahead of my time: white Ray-Ban
Wayfarers were huge last summer after everyone from Agyness Deyn to
Chloe Sevigny wore them.
Did anyone else quickly get sick of seeing every hipster and their 12-year-old cousin wearing them? I did. But you can't deny the staying power of the Wayfarer shape. Ray-Ban recently released a range of coloured frames, but I'd suggest sticking with black. There's a reason why Bob Dylan, Debbie Harry, Audrey Hepburn and Bret Easton Ellis were fans: they're classic shades. Of course if you want to have a wardrobe of sunglasses like myself then go ahead, buy them in white, red, purple,
blue, pink and black. Because in my opinion, you can never have too many pairs of frames.
But what other fashionable shapes and colours should you be looking out for this summer?
Any of these would be a welcome addition to my eyewear wardrobe:
Round shapes, whether it be thick plastic frames or wire lenses that reference John Lennon. Kate Sylvester has plenty of circular action in her eyewear summer range.
Tortoiseshell. Often the colour of choice for mums, tortoiseshell is throwing off its mumsy image as people realise it's classic and chic. Karen Walker has re-released her cult Annie frame in a tortoiseshell colour: I'm a major fan.
Smaller frames. Nicole Richie's penchant for bug-eyed sunglasses were a major influence for a long time but now retro smaller frames are making a comeback. 1950s shapes are set to become popular.
Pale or clear colours. Enough said really. If it's clear, pink or nude, it's good enough for me.
Aviators. They never really go away, but quietly make a comeback every few years. I think it's time for a revival. Wire frames are popular at Le Specs; I especially like them because they're cheap.