Millions of Americans plan on Monday’s viewing of the first total solar eclipse in the U.S. since 1979, and they’ve already got their solar filter glasses. There’s still time to run out and pick up a pair of the cardboard specs that resemble the 3D movie glasses of yesteryear. But if your local eyewear boutique is sold out of solar filter glasses, don’t even think about sneaking a peek with regular old sunglasses. Viewing the total eclipse without the right protection can damage your eyes tremendously.
Sunglasses aren’t an option, because they’re nowhere near strong enough to filter out harmful rays. By comparison to your beach shades, real eclipse glasses are so dark that they’re impossible to see through, even when sitting outside in bright sunlight or inside in a strongly lit room.
Excitement over the total solar eclipse may, however, whet your appetite for sunglasses you can wear for the next 38 years until another historic solar show rolls around. If so, there are plenty of stylin’ trends in sunglasses to divert your eyes from the skies. Here is a sampling.
Extreme Cat-Eye Sunglasses
Pump up the volume on your regular cat-eyes and try an oversized style with brow-bar.
JPlus, $355; jplusvision.com
Valesca Cat-Eye Sunglasses, $218; matchesfashion.com
Kate Spade New York Wherein Cat Eye Sunglasses, $180; bloomingdales.com
See Eyewear Havana Amber Gradient Sunglasses, $99; seeeyewear.com
Geometric Sunglasses
Whether you go bold with Miu Miu sunglasses or tone it down a notch with or a subtle version like the Steven Alan option, you’ll find this quirky style looks good on many face shapes.
Krewe Octavia, $335; krewe.com
Alan Kingsley Sunglasses, $95; stevenalanoptical.com
Oversized Hexagon Sunglasses, $400; matchesfashion.com
Ray-Ban Icons Irregular Sunglasses, $150; bloomingdales.com
Le Specs Ottoman Sunglasses, $119; lespecs.com
Shield Sunglasses
Ducking from the paparazzi or just ducking into the grocery without makeup? Hide out like a celeb with these 80’s-inspired shades.
Privé Revaux The Madam Sunglass, $29.95; amazon.com
Balenciaga Monochromatic Shield Cat-Eye Sunglasses, $495; neimanmarcus.com
Michael Kors Paphos Sunglasses, $99; sunglasshut.com
Aldo Horelle Sunglasses, $16.90; aldoeshoes.com
Colored Lenses
Reach back into the past for ’90s-inspired red (remember Sally Jesse Raphael?) or a 70’s psychedelic ombre. These are the colors of the rainbow you’ll find a must for right now.
Tom Ford Samantha 55mm Sunglasses, $445; nordstrom.com
Quay Australia Muse Fade Aviator Sunglasses, $72; asos.com
Urban Outfitters Fiona Translucent Sunglasses in Red, $18; urbanoutfitters.com
Brow-Bar Sunglasses
The brow bar adds a dramatic detail to all kinds of silhouettes from aviators to round sunglasses to geometric shapes and cat-eyes.
Komono, $89.95; shop-usd.komono.com
DIFF Astro, $85; diffeyewear.com
Polaroid 6031 Round Sunglasses, $65; solsticesunglasses.com
Etnia Barcelona Verdi Sunglasses, $265; etniabarcelona.com
AJ Morgan Round Metal Sunglasses in Rose Gold, $19; asos.com
Read More: The Top 10 Sunglasses Trends of Summer 2017
