Are your sunglasses making you look ridiculous? The mistakes to avoid revealed by a stylist

As we finally depart the bleak British winter, deciding on your go-to eyewear for the spring and summer months may feel like a slight afterthought. 

But in reality, a powerful set of sunglasses has the power to make or break an outfit – helping to enhance an overall look by adding a chic sense of sophistication and class.

However, if they are styled incorrectly, you run the risk of your entire outfit being tarnished by cheap and tacky eyewear.

Fortunately, celebrity stylist Lisa Talbot is on hand to share the ultimate do’s and dont’s when selecting your go-to eyewear for the coming months.

She told The Daily Mail: ‘As a personal stylist, I often see women making the same mistakes when choosing sunglasses. It’s not about how much you spend, but how considered your choice is.’

‘Sunglasses shouldn’t just be a seasonal purchase, they should be a considered part of your wardrobe.

‘The key is to focus on balance, proportion, and versatility. When you do, even a £20 pair can look incredibly chic. And when you don’t, even a luxury pair can fall short.’

Read on to discover which sunglasses look effortlessly chic and elevated, and which ‘impractical and dated’ styles are causing middle-class regret..

While ‘extremely small or ultra-narrow sunglasses might be having a moment’, Lisa suggests they are not quite as appealing as it may initially seem.

Popular with A-listers including Bella Hadid, Anne Hathaway, Zoe Kravitz and both Kendall and Kylie Jenner, the tiny sunglasses trend has shown little sign of wavering, with designers such as Stella McCartney helping with the resurge. 

Pop star Billie Eilish is also known to be particularly found of the smaller, retro-inspired glasses, and at the GRAMMY Awards last year donned micro Prada glasses to finish off her striking look.

However, while they may work on the red carpet for A-listers, Lisa suggests that in day-to-day life they can ‘often look impractical and dated very quickly’. 

She explained: ‘They rarely suit many face shapes and can feel more like a fashion statement than a considered style choice.’

While it may be tempting in the summer to add a pop of colour to your eyewear, the use of bright lenses, harsh white frames or ‘overly shiny plastics’ should be avoided, Lisa warns. 

She explains: ‘If the colour is the first thing you notice, rather than how it works with your outfit, it’s usually a sign to step back.’

Popular in the 1960s and 1970s, tinted lenses experienced a slight resurgence in the late 90s and are now often considered to be vintage and showcased by the likes of Kris Jenner.

Next to watch out for, Lisa shared, are ‘frames that are too small, too wide, or sit awkwardly on the face’. 

This is because the overly-dominant sunglasses ‘can throw off your entire look,’ she warned.

Adored by Victoria Beckham, oversized sunglasses are slowly creeping up the trends due to their ability to create a chic and sophisticated finish.

Indeed, at the Golden Globes in January, Miley Cyrus showcased wide frames with YSL’s oversized black sunglasses combined with a custom Saint Laurent dress. 

However, ensuring that the size of these sunglasses do not overwhelm the face is key to prevent focus deviating too far away from the rest of your outfit.

Designer sunglasses may be a desirable asset to your wardrobe, but overly embellished or logo-heavy designs should be avoided as they can run the risk of looking ‘gimmicky’, according to Lisa.

She explained: ‘Too much branding, excessive embellishment, or unusual features (like exaggerated arms or novelty materials) can quickly tip sunglasses into looking gimmicky rather than stylish.’

Adored by the likes of Khloe Kardashian, sunglasses by designer brands such as Gucci can risk taking the attention away from the rest of your look. 

Not to mention the incredibly high price-tag, with a pair of women’s Gucci sunglasses, for instance, costing up to £250.

While a good pair of sunglasses can last decades, Lisa suggests considering whether your go-to pair suit most outfits in your wardrobe, rather than a select few.

‘If your sunglasses only work with one very specific look, they’re unlikely to earn their place in your wardrobe,’ she said.

Stressing that it is key to avoid an ‘expensive mistake’, she suggested considering how sunglasses look with varying looks before buying is the best way to ensure you get the most out of your summer looks. 

Unique designs that may not work for all looks include cut out aviator sunglasses, rainbow-decorated sunglasses and those covered with jewels and accessories. 

Rihanna’s cat-eye sunglasses for the 2023 Met Gala, for instance, would also be unlikely to pair with any future outfits.  

Think ‘timeless silhouettes’ with a ‘softly rounded cat-eye’, or ‘oversized frames, or refined rectangular styles that will always look elegant’.

For Lisa, sticking with traditional shapes and styles is a sure way to look classy and chic this summer. 

She added: ‘Styles like the oval cat-eye from Marks & Spencer or Mango’s gold oval frames strike that perfect balance between trend-led and wearable.’

The reason for such success? Classic sunglasses shapes ‘frame the face beautifully without overpowering it, which is key to achieving that effortless, put-together feel,’ Lisa explained.

Ultimately, the best sunglasses should ‘work with everything’ – from your morning coffee run to a flashy event. 

Nicole Kidman’s elegant Bottega Veneta sunglasses at Venice Film Festival perfectly executed this – with the stylish cat-eye frames perfect for both a day and night look.

Complementing her sophisticated style, the Italian luxury fashion house was a perfect choice for the renowned actress. 

‘If you can wear the same pair with a blazer, a dress, and casual denim, you know you’ve found a winning style,’ Lisa said.

‘True style isn’t about the label, it’s about how everything works together.’

Subtle, neutral tones