Michael Stewart/GC Images, Splash NewsThink about it: Shading your eyeballs from the sun is kind of a no-brainer, but chances are that while you're carefully curating your next-day outfit, the last thing you're thinking about is what kind of fashion statement you're making with your sunglasses. Well, it's time to reprioritize your style goals. Sunnies, after all, are your "most important commuter accessory," according to E! Style Collective style expert Lindsay Albanese.
Need proof? Take a glance at head-turners like Raven-Symoné and Gigi Hadid, who top off even the most basic of T-shirt and jeans combos with "over-the-top statement shades that are all about dressing for the element of impact," said Lindsay.
Sunglasses are an essential and very practical element in your wardrobe, and unlike a trendy top or skirt that won't get much mileage, you can pick a flamboyant pair and re-wear them day after day without getting tired of them. "You don't have to consider dress codes or anything like that, so all fashion rules go out the window," insisted Lindsay.
If this is your first foray into statement sunnies territory, "dip your toes in the trend by going with a mirrored lens or a clear frame in a classic retro shape like the cat-eye or wayfarer, easing your way into the more artistic, obscure versions."
For veteran shady ladies, challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and opt for an intermediate style—something that's a little bolder than just a reflective lens, like an out-of-the-box shape or a festive pattern.
Fashion risk-takers in the advanced category know that "the purpose of statement shades is to be artistic and to make an impression," said Lindsay. At this level, candy-colored frames in asymmetrical shapes might seem a bit over the top, but, hey, isn't that the point?
Regardless of how out-there you want to go, Lindsay assured us that no style is "too much" and that "the only rule in the sunglasses equation is that you have to have the confidence to wear them." Luckily, with no hard-and-fast rules to follow, upgrading your look in one simple step is a cinch.
Beginner: Illesteva "Leonard' 48mm Mirrored Sunglasses, $177; Oliver Peoples Benedict Sunglasses, $450; X Stone Cold Fox Colony, $160
Intermediate: House of Holland Bottle Bottoms Sunglasses, $200; Gucci Cat Eye Printed Acetate and Metal Mirrored Sunglasses, $395; X Shay Mitchell Tilly Sunglases, $50
Advanced: Miu Miu Crystal-Embellished Cat Eye Acetate Sunglasses, $465; Fendi Bold Statement Sunglasses, $470; Gentle Monster Alley Cat Sunglasses, $305