The Right Sunglasses for Your Colour Season
Frame colour and metal tone both matter. Here is what to look for - by season.
Sunglasses are easy to overlook when you're thinking about colour, but they're one of your most visible accessories. They sit right on your face and frame your eyes, so the material and colour are being read against your skin every time you wear them. Getting the temperature and depth right doesn't mean changing your style. It just means your glasses work a bit better with your natural colouring.
The two things that matter most
Both frame colour and the material itself have a temperature. Tortoiseshell is warm (it pulls from those classic Autumn tones), while a black frame is cool and provides high contrast. A nude or clear frame depends on the tint, and even brown frames can lean golden or ashy. Material matters too. Gold-toned metal is warm, while silver, chrome and gunmetal are cool. When you pick a pair, think about the total temperature of the frame and the hardware to see if it matches your own.
Springs: warm, clear, and light
Springs look best in warm frames that aren't too heavy. Tortoiseshell is a great choice, especially the lighter versions with honey and amber tones rather than deep, dark brown. Warm cognac, caramel or golden brown all work well. Clear or translucent frames with a warm tint add colour without the weight of a solid frame. Avoid anything too dark or starkly cool. For hardware, stick to gold-toned metal. Silver or chrome can look a bit flat against your skin. If you're a Bright Spring, you can get away with bolder options like vivid warm tortoiseshell or a bright coral or caramel acetate.
Summers: cool, soft, and blended
Summer types need cool, soft colours. Heavy, dark or jet-black frames often create too much contrast for your blended features. Dusty or greyed-out colours like mauve, lavender-grey or soft blue-grey look great, as do translucent frames. If you want some depth, try a classic navy or deep slate instead of pure black. Go for silver, chrome or cool gunmetal hardware. Rose gold can work for some Summers, particularly Soft Summers, as it's a bit gentler than bright yellow gold. Avoid warm tortoiseshell or brown frames, as they'll pull against your natural cool undertone.
Autumns: warm, rich, and earthy
Autumns look best in warm, rich, grounded tones, which is lucky because that's most of the market. Deep tortoiseshell with plenty of amber and rust is a natural fit. Warm olive and forest green are also excellent, alongside rich browns and cognac. If you're a Dark Autumn, you can handle the heaviest, deepest frames available, like deep walnut or very dark olive. For hardware, look for antique gold, brass or copper. Avoid silver, chrome and pure black, which can look a bit too stark or chilly against your skin.
Winters: cool, deep, and high-contrast
Winters and black frames are a classic match. Your high-contrast, cool colouring handles them well. If you want an alternative, try deep navy, dark graphite or a deep plum. If you want something less intense than black, go for dark charcoal or deep grey to keep that cool, clear look. If you're a Bright Winter, you can even wear vivid frame colours like emerald, cobalt blue or fuchsia that would look a bit much on other seasons. Stick to silver, platinum or chrome hardware. Avoid tortoiseshell and warm browns, as they add a warmth that doesn't quite sit right with your cool, crisp features.
Lens colour
Lens colour matters less than the frame, but it's worth a thought. Warm tints like amber, brown or gold add warmth to your face, so they suit the warm seasons and might look a bit off on cool ones. Cool tints like grey, green or blue work well for Summer and Winter types. Most of the time, a mid-brown or classic grey lens is a neutral choice that won't mess with the overall temperature, since the frame itself is doing most of the work.
Sunglasses are easy to overlook when you're thinking about colour, but they're one of your most visible accessories. They sit right on your face and frame your eyes, so the material and colour are being read against your skin every time you wear them. Getting the temperature and depth right doesn't mean changing your style. It just means your glasses work a bit better with your natural colouring.
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