The traditional checklist of “phone, keys, wallet” gains a new member when the summer sun climbs and the mercury rises ever higher. You’re going to want some stylish men’s sunglasses, and you’re going to want them ASAP.
In the same way you might refresh your flannel shirt rotation or your trusty leather boots for the fall and winter months, consider a fresh set of frames a way of retooling your outlook (in this case, literally) on the breezy days ahead.
Not all frames are created equal, and eyewear can lean both trendy and classic at the same time. At the moment, there’s one thing on the mind of Massimiliano Maccanti, the senior director of global product and innovation at Marchon Eyewear.
Marchon makes ultra-stylish frames for the likes of Lacoste, which recently gained a handsome new leading man in Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody. Brody sports the Lacoste L6090S to striking effect. (More on those in a second.)
“We’re seeing a ton of sleek, lightweight metals, thin silhouettes, ‘90s shapes, and clean, understated designs,” Maccanti told me. “Another notable trend is translucent and neutral colors … in both optical and sunglass styles.”
Be on the lookout for colors like olive, smoke, and tortoise, and Maccanti says fashionable fellas should shop with intention this season. “I tend to gravitate toward sunglasses that are timeless, not trendy,” he said. Maccanti favors “a classic, square shape paired with dark tinted lenses that can be worn at the beach or dressed up for an evening event.”
So, what does that mean for you, the eagle-eyed consumer looking for the best new sunglasses for men? It means the world is your oyster, optically speaking. Here are a few top-notch picks for your consideration.
Photos via KREWE
KREWE Austin Sunglasses
The very best addition to your everyday carry might be sunglasses that channel a touch of celebrity swagger. So while these shades have a dash of classic aviator style, the slim acetate rim and elegant contrast between 18-karat titanium and ‘champagne’-tinged polarized lenses update the style in a debonair way for summer. Fans of KREWE would do well to check out the company’s collab with the makers of your favorite cowboy boots.
Photos via Lacoste
Lacoste Icons Acetate Round Glasses L6090S
We can’t all have the swagger or the acting chops of Adrien Brody, but we can have his sunnies. His timeless style sensibility helps these smoky, lightweight bio-injected acetate frames pop quite nicely. “In tune with the Lacoste heritage and DNA, Adrien Brody is sophisticated, elevated, and classic,” Maccanti said of working closely with The Brutalist star. As Maccanti notes, these frames are tailor-made for those who “appreciate a distinctive yet effortless look.”
Photo via Oakley
Oakley Feedback Sunglasses
Oakley frames practically defined the ‘90s (Michael Jordan was famously known to sport the brand), and the company has serious staying power, with eyewear trends from that decade still kicking around. The key with finding the best men’s sunglasses for your face and your next #OOTD might just involve nodding to a trend, and then updating it in your own way, as with these minimalist aviator frames.
Photo via Porsche
Porsche Design Hybrid 1 Sunglasses
Feel the need for speed with an impressive set of luxury sunglasses that take their design cues from some of the most famous cars of all-time. There’s an impressive level of performance visible in every detail of these slimmed-down pilot-style frames, including lens technology that’s ideal for the open road (all the better if you happen to be behind the wheel of a Porsche).
Photos via Huckberry
Huckberry Sunseekers Sunglasses
As prized for their affordability ($39) as they are for their performance, these sunglasses hit just the right notes in terms of design, with looks meant to pair with luxe tailoring (try a knit polo under a linen suit) or laidback, breezy beach gear. The Grass Forest combo in particular delivers an on-trend transparent frame and a clean, versatile shape, all for an astonishing price. Savings and style look good on everyone.
