As the saying goes, the bigger the better. Well apparently. My theory is that if they do their job it’s all the same too me. But you should tell that to the herd of celebrities slipping on sunglasses that are half the size of their faces.
My sister calls them “bug eye sunglasses” because with sunglasses that big, your face resembles that of a fly, whose eyes are a lot bigger than their heads. But on top of the classic black rimmed sunglasses, designers are creating coloured rimmed sunglasses and frameless aviator styles as the accessories market grows. I guess the bigger the sunglasses are, the more they hide.
Katie Holmes is often snapped with a big pair of sunglasses these days, as Tom Crusie’s fiancé I suppose you must maintain a picture of calm while hiding your true feelings. Nicole Ritchie is often seen with one pair or another too, while she’s getting skinner, her sunglasses are slowly taking up more and more of her face. Soon you might just see a pair of sunglasses walking around in a pair of Chloe ballet flats and a Chloe Silverado bag.
This trend is a long running one that started way back when Jackie Kennedy Onassis was cavorting around Greece in the late 60s, where the relaxed and hip boho style originated. Jackie O, as she was nicknamed, was often seen with a pair of oversized sunglasses on, to hide from the ever present paparazzi following her wherever she went.
Another iconic fashion figure to done oversized sunglasses before every celebrity around started wearing them is Anna Wintour, as Editor-In-Chief of US Vogue, she is often snapped front row of fashion shows and events all around the world. Behind those sunglasses she could be taking a quick catnap before a show starts!
These days they are seen on almost every celebrity from Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Nicole Richie, Katie Holmes, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Halle Berry, Ashlee and Jessica Simpson, Victoria Beckham, Kelly Osbourne, Jessica Alba, Kimberley Stewert, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Hurley, to even Pamela Anderson.
As everyday wear for girls who don’t need to hide from the paparazzi, it is probably best to stick to the medium sized sunglasses and definitely best worn in the warmer months of the year.
So when did this trend kick off?
Over the last year or so as celebrities have embraced bigger and bigger sunglasses to hide from the ever present camera flashes.
When will it end?
While sunglasses are always going to be a must have accessory, like aviator sunglasses, big sunglasses will last only a little longer. So we’ll have to put up with big sunglasses for another year or two.
Some online stockists: