Unlike some eyewear trends of seasons’ past (erm, like last spring’s round frames), the current cat-eye craze is actually quite wearable for a wide range of faces. That’s because there are really two distinct styles that fall under the cat-eye umbrella: the more traditional ’50s swoop and a wider, softer ’80s iteration. Plus, there are about a zillion variations on these general categories, ranging from uber-dramatic to mega-mainstream, so you’re sure to find a shape that flatters your face and your personal taste.
If you’re still a bit unsure about the cat-eye, simply check out how famous fashion fanatics are wearing these shades. Surely you can take a little inspiration from the marvelous Diane Kruger, who was snapped in the Vancouver airport wearing one of our favorite iterations, Jason Wu’s Seberg Sunglasses ($275). (Wu-ger wins again!) Personally we love these frames in tortoise, but the other hues—including: onyx, opal, topaz, and a very groovy aqua—are super cool too. While Kruger’s pick is quite curvy, we also adore are more architectural frame, like the pair Jessica Alba’s wearing these days. The young yummy mummy wore a darling combo of The Row’s Cat-Eye Sunglasses ($325) with a gray denim moto jacket by Current/Elliott (similar to their slightly updated Biker Jacket ($288) in Overcast Destroyed) while running errands in Brentwood. One of the designers responsible for Alba’s superb shades—none other than Ms. Mary-Kate Olsen—also opted for a slightly squarer cat-eye while out and about in London last month. Though at press time (yes, it does exist online, but watch this space for updates) we had not been able to double fact-check the information we’d received about said pair, we do have a hunch that they’re from The Row’s Fall 10 collection.
Of course, there are bolder versions out there too, as Nicky Hilton and Scarlett Johansson so deftly demonstrate. The former was spotted in a pair of Alexander Wang’s Zipper Sunglasses ($355) while out and about in West Hollywood in late January, while the latter accessorized with Tom Ford’s Nikita Sunglasses ($240) during New York Fashion Week last month. The zipper embellishment on Hilton’s shades makes them an eye-catching choice, while the exaggerated shape of Johansson’s selection definitely makes a statement.
As for trying this trend yourself, please know that there are options galore in stores now. Fashion-forward readers will swoon for Alexander Wang’s Cat-Eye Sunglasses ($325) and Nasty Gal’s Jetson Shades ($18); both are sharp, super stylish, and perfect for the futuristic femme. If you adore Kruger’s picks, also check out Stella McCartney’s Cat-Eye Acetate Sunglasses ($200) for a black-and-white option and ASOS’ Colour Flash Oversized Cats Eye Sunglasses ($17). And last, but not least, you might like Mango’s Cat Eye Sunglasses ($30) in tortoise, a very classic option indeed!
