Large, colourful and flashy. Sunglass fashion this summer is definitely conspicuous.

Colourful frames are hot and as well as frames with way-out patterns, such as spider webs, peace signs or skulls, according to opticians of reputed showrooms in the metros.

Retro is the number one catchword. However, the styles are not reverting to fashion trends just from the 1950s and 1960s. This year everything from the 1930s to the 1970s is represented.

What all new styles have in common is the extra large format. Especially large, striking sunglasses seem to be setting the tone.

"The large lenses protect the eye and the sensitive thin skin in the eye area," going by expert remarks.” In this way, the glasses help prevent early development of wrinkles and conceal, when necessary, the aftermath of a long night of partying.”

The large lenses are combined with new materials, colours and design. All types of adornments and precious optical characteristics are a must for sunglasses in the glamorous look category.

Designer models

Elaborate design elements actually turn the frame into a proper piece of jewellery.For instance, the current models have adornments with flowering rivets and coat-of-arm details.Also available are lavishly decorated wide-framed sunglasses with Swarovski-Strass elements designed by fashion designers.

The logos of reputed makers such as Adidas are also eye-catching and are both an identifier and decoration at the same time. Some showrooms are packaging their eyewear and vision products as jewellery. Protected in a soft clutch bag, which comes in lacquered black or gold, the sunglasses make an impression even when they are stored away and tucked under the arm.

According to opticians dealing with the most expensive sunglasses in the world, luxury and opulence are hot.In some of the prototypes, the front of the frame is made of carbon and the part that goes over the ear is made of 18-karat plated gold.These, of course, are very expensive.

But not everyone likes to wear sunglasses that are as valuable as a small car or glittering piece of jewellery. Those with simpler tastes can choose aviator sunglasses for the coming season. There are many interpretations of the classic style in the market.

What to look for

Aviator sunglasses are becoming a basic in the classic-sporty area and their advantage is that they have a style that is irrespective of age, gender and class.

Aside from the shapes and colours of the frames, the colour of the lenses can also vary. The tint-in-tint lenses are especially popular.Brown-to-grey tints are suited especially well for the street because they distort colour perception the least. Red, violet and green lenses are also found in this year's array of sunglasses.

Some of the showrooms are even offering its customers the opportunity to select their preferred lens colour. This ensures that the sunglasses match make-up and the colour of the paint on the convertible.

How well sunglasses filter sunlight depends not on the colour of the lens, rather on the darkness of its tint. Sunglasses worn for a walk on the beach should be relatively dark in tint, advise experts.

The glare shield scale goes from zero to four, and because water and sand reflect sunlight, sunglasses worn in the coastal areas should be category three while those worn for shopping in the city should be category two. Glasses that turn darker as UV light intensifies are especially practical.