Models wear 60s inspired oversized sunglasses by Christian Dior.




By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

If there's one must-have accessory this summer, it's a pair of sunglasses.

Celebrities might consider wearing sunglasses as the key to looking glamorous and mysterious, while avoiding the flash from the paparazzi cameras. But for everyone else, sunglasses are essential to protecting the eyes from the sun's harsh ultraviolet rays, pollution and yellow dust.

Update your look this season, and protect your eyes, with a pair of sunglasses. Here's a quick guide to the season's hottest trends in sunglasses.

Oversized Sunglasses

``The bigger, the better" is still the trend,
judging from the fact that Hollywood celebrities continue to wear oversized sunglasses. Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton were a few of the celebrities who started the trend a few seasons ago. Until now, Victoria Beckham and Lindsay Lohan are still wearing huge frames to cover their eyes

Gucci sunglasses feature the distinctive Gucci horsebit detail on the temples.
from the glare of the cameras.

If you're looking for a classic pair with a modern twist, Gucci sunglasses are for you. A particularly elegant pair features the unmistakable Gucci horsebit symbol on the temples.
Giorgio Armani sunglasses have a hip, modern design with slightly square frames, compared to the rounded ones from last season.

Jeweled Sunglasses

First it was the dresses with jewels, then came the shoes and bags decorated with colorful crystals, and now, rhinestone-studded sunglasses are the hottest trend this season.

Sunglasses should not look gaudy and cheap. Leave the heavy-duty bling for hip-hop stars, and instead, choose sunglasses with tastefully placed diamantes on the temples and sides.

Marc Jacobs has come out with sunglasses adorned with square-cut crystals that give the right amount of sparkle. For a more feminine look, Christian Dior sunglasses are delicately sprinkled with tiny crystals on the side.

Aviator Sunglasses

Aviator sunglasses, which are considered flattering for most face shapes, are still a hot item for this year. Women can even check out men's style aviator sunglasses to go with their tough chick image. British actress Sienna Miller always looks chic in aviator sunglasses.

Pearl Colored Sunglasses

While classic black sunglasses are always ``in," there is a growing trend towards gold pearl and beige pearl shades.

Christian Dior has a particularly stylish pair, featuring the distinctive Dior buckle. Combining the pearl rose shade with crystals on the temples, Christian Dior's Indinight sunglasses are a perfect choice for the city and the beach this summer.

Choosing Sunglasses

Trendy sunglasses may look spectacular on celebrities, but remember to choose the right style for the shape of your face.

Also, check if the sunglasses have UV protected lenses of at least UV 400 or 100 percent UV protection.

Cheap plastic sunglasses from street vendors may look strikingly similar to the designer ones, but they don't have UV protected lenses. UV protected lenses prevent harmful UV rays from causing damage to the eyes.

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr