5 Spring Eyewear Trends That Fashion People Will Wear in 2021

I consider sunglasses to be one of the most essential accessories and practically live in them the moment I step outside. I have plenty of styles in my wardrobe—ranging from aviators to cat-eye shapes to ‘90s-inspired frames—but I’m always on the lookout for the new silhouettes of the season. Right now, there are some key spring eyewear trends that have already been adopted by the fashion crowd and are set to be huge as we move into summer.

If you’re into classic shapes, you might want to try out the pilot sunglasses we’ve been seeing everywhere. Rather than metal aviators, we’re seeing acetate frames with lenses in unexpected colors like orange and navy. If you want something trend-forward, sporty sunglasses are making a big resurgence, thanks to brands including Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu, and Marine Serre who put them on the map in their S/S 21 collections. Ahead, let’s dive into the 5 spring eyewear trends to know about.

Pilot Sunglasses

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(Image credit: @kaiagerber)

You'll be sure to spot pilot sunglasses everywhere on Instagram and TikTok. The large, rounded frames are a cool retro shape that has been reimagined in offbeat shades.

Shop the trend:

Sporty Sunglasses

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(Image credit: @endlesslyloveclub)

Yep, sporty sunglasses were one of the biggest eyewear trends on the S/S 21 runways and we're already seeing fashion people flock to the wrap-around shape.

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'80s-Inspired Sunglasses

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(Image credit: @handinfire)

XXL sunglasses always seem to make a resurgence but this time around we're seeing them in angular '80s shapes and tortoiseshell finishes.

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Futuristic Sunglasses

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(Image credit: @barbieferreira)

From funky rectangular shapes to shield silhouettes, futuristic sunglasses are being embraced by designers including Jacquemus and Loewe, so you just know they're going to be big.

Shop the trend:

Logo Sunglasses

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(Image credit: @discodaydream)

With the rise of subtle logo fashion items, we're again seeing fashion people embrace logo sunglasses. Here, you'll find more classic shapes like wayfarers and D-frames.

Shop the trend:

Next, discover 7 trend-forward basics that will reach cult status in 2021.

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Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.