A couple of weeks back we had glorious sunshine...you wouldn't know it by the miserable weather we are currently experiencing though (the radiators came back on again people!!!!). But apparently, we are due to have another heatwave soon, so perfect time to bring out the sunglasses.
With sunglasses you have to be careful, certainly in my case, since most make me look like an overgrown beetle. Here is a chart that will guide you on your sunglasses shape choice; but first you have to know your face shape! Mine I would categorize as "long", which means that since forever I thought aviators would be the only shape that suited me (hence why they make up most of my collection). Didn't stop me from trying many different shapes on though...did someone say beetlejuice? Anyway, through shear persistence, this year I found a few other shapes that suited me: the clubmaster/browline and the wayfarer! So just goes to show...never give up on your sunglasses dreams guys!
LOOK 1: RETRO MINT - Clubmaster/Browline Shape
This clubmaster/browline shape is the closest I'll ever get to a cat eye (which don't suit me). It's a very 50s inspired shape that I chose to pair with a 60s influenced outfit (big rounded earrings with a distinct collar), I also wore my eternal black skinny jeans so this outfit is really a mishmash of eras with a modern twist...or so I like to think. :P But have no fear, I recently bought a polka dotted mint dress from Apricot (that I've had my eye on for more than a year and which finally went into sale...patience is key! :P) so I will be a 50s fashion reincarnation in no time...my hairstyle might give me away though!
Items Worn:
Sunglasses: From Claire's this year so you might still find them in store (found them in white here and a mint alternative here).
Lipstick: N°7 Precision Lips Pencil in Nude under Sleek MakeUp True Colour Lipstick in 775 Liquer (beautiful but I think I had an allergic reaction to it, so might not wear it again...still needs testing).
Nails: Essie Gel Couture Nail Colour in Zip Me Up. If you haven't seen the Gel Couture line in Di (where Essie is usually sold here in Belgium) it's because for some reason they decided to only sell it in Planet Parfum (which doesn't carry the normal Essie line)...no idea why these two Essie lines needed to be separated by shop, but if you were waiting for it to appear in your local Di you'll be waiting a long time.
Top: From Dorothy Perkins a couple of years ago but as you'll know from my Red & Lace OOTD blog post they frequently have lace style tops in stock...so just keep an eye out! This top for example has a very similar feel.
Earrings: From eBay! Although I can't remember the seller but you can just type "mint button earrings" in their search bar and you'll get a decent selection too.
LOOK 2: TAYLOR SWIFT RED - Wayfarer Shape
This is personally my favourite look and my go-to for the last couple of summers, except for the wayfarers which I only found this year in Claire's. Very similar to Taylor Swift's style, honestly if I could swap closets with anyone it would be her! As you might have guessed from the previous "retro mint look" above I really do like the 50s/60s looks which also heavily influences Taylor's fashion (I'm ignoring the recent platinum blonde grunge phase...we all have fashion experiments we like to forget ever happened!). Unfortunately, with her legs and height none of it would actually fit me...but I'm getting ahead of myself :P I paired the red lips and red wayfarers with a checked patterned shirt and a brown crossbody bag (again with black skinny jeans too...shhhhh) a very summery picnic look if you ask me, hence why I decide to add the cupcake earrings...yum!!!
Items Worn:
Lipstick: Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 09 Watermelon Slice (I did say picnic theme right?!) now unlike in my Sephora Cream Lip Stains blog post it doesn't appear quite as orange/coral here. Watermelon Slice is a true chameleon; next to a true red it definitely does look like an orange-y red "watermelon" colour but on its own it just looks like a normal/classic red. Either way, its unique colour is a perfect match to the red wayfarers which also pull slightly orange! :)
Nails: I was still wearing the Essie Gel Couture Nail Colour in Zip Me Up. But I would normally pair this look with my Maybelline Super Stay Gel Nail Color in 490 Hot Salsa that you can see me wear in "Look 2" of my KIKO Super Colour Eyeliners post and which I reviewed in my Top 5 Summer Nail Polishes 2015 post
Top: From New Look a couple of summers ago but gingham/check is a very popular print especially come summer time so I found a similar shirt here.
Earrings: From Claire's more than 5 years ago, but they have lots of novelty earrings so you should find some no problem (like here)!
LOOK 3: MY CLASSIC HOLIDAY LOOK - Aviator Shape
This is my classic summer look because it includes aviators but also a strongly patterned top. I think you'll know by now that I'm really not afraid to wear colour...I do own a lime green jumper after all (see "Look 2" here), but in the summer I tend to also embrace patterns! However, the rule with patterns (very similar to the close-fitting rule) is that if you're wearing something patterned (or tight) on top then your bottom should be plain (or loose) and vice versa! Dresses of course are the exception as usually patterns (and sometimes fit) will be harmonious throughout the length.
Items Worn:
Sunglasses: From C&A last summer but Claire’s have plenty of fun coloured aviators (including rainbow ones here) so if you don't live in a country with a C&A have a look here or here.
Lipstick: Revlon Matte Balm in 260 Passionate but rubbed off a bit with a tissue to give it a less intense colour and hence give the lips more of a stained effect.
Top: From Apricot last spring but they have a cute tropical print alternative here.
Earrings: None. But I do have my standard second and third piercings that came with the piercing process at Claire's . My tragus was pierced in a specialised piercing/tattoo shop in Edinburgh called Studio XIII (super clean and hygienic would highly recommend!...if you're of age that is) but my current tragus earring is also from Claire's.
LOOK 4: FANTA ORANGE - Aviator Shape
I've got to be honest; I do look a bit like an extra for a Fanta Orange ad, but I don't hate it! These aviators have a lovely Tequila Sunrise coloured gradient which I adore and I couldn't resist emulating with the lipstick and top.
Items Worn:
Sunglasses: From River Island this summer but Dorothy Perkins have a similar pair here.
Lipstick: Revlon Matte Balm in 260 Passionate; unlike above I didn't wipe it off, so this is full application intensity.
Top: From New Look last summer but they have something similar here.
Earrings: None (same description as above).
LOOK 5: FRENCH STRIPES - Aviator Shape
I love a good striped top, always makes me feel very French...although French fashion is a bit more complicated. However, it always manages to look effortlessly chic, I found some great tips on how you too can become a Parisian fashion expert (who said you had to live in Paris to achieve the look?). Anyway, I put a twist on the striped shirt and paired it with electric blue eyeliner that you will have seen in my KIKO Super Colour Eyeliners post, with blue nails and aviators to match...oui, oui!!!
Items Worn:
Sunglasses: From C&A last summer. Claire’s have some fun alternatives here and here.
Lipstick: N°7 Precision Lips Pencil in Nude under Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick Nude Collection in 42.
Nails: Essie in Aruba Blue.
Top: From C&A but this style of top is super prevalent so shouldn't be too hard to find one in a similar vein. Certainly, Asos have a large variety of striped tops like this one here and here.
Earrings: None (same description as above).
LOOK 6: GLAMOROUS HOLLYWOOD - Oval Shape
This look is glamorous beyond glam...yap I have Fergie's Glamorous song stuck in my head which is my own fault really...G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S, yeah G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S...but now you do too #sorrynotsorry :P Anyway I'm wearing a white jumper (sweater) because in Belgium summer doesn't really differentiate itself from winter (I might be slightly exaggerating here) but 28°C is not a common thing that's for sure! So we were very lucky a couple of weeks ago, and hopefully we will be again soon. I need my vitamin D and 2 weeks a year of warm tanning sunshine isn't going to convince anyone I'm not secretly Olaf!
Anyway, these sunglasses do make me look a bit like a fly, but it's so borderline that I like to think I can get away with them (...bzzz) even though oval sunglasses don't usually suit me (the chart is more of a guide than something set in stone, ultimately you'll know if something suits you). But when I'm tanning, I always go for an all-black pair of oversized sunglasses (maximum darkness in the eye area against the direct sunlight above you) and also ones that actually have been tested for UV protection. This shouldn't mean an extortionate price tag! My go-to pair of dark "sun tanning sunglasses" (too scratched-up now to photograph prettily) are from Accessorize (similar here). The sunglasses with UV protection will usually be indicated with a sticker on the lens or you can always check online in their product description. Never just assume that sunglasses are fully UV protected because not all actually are; especially the light-coloured lenses!
So for this look I paired the sunglasses with a rich red lipstick and surprisingly the mint nail polish I wore originally to go with the "retro mint look" went very well with this whole assemble too (being too lazy to change my polish for every outfit paid off, since it's a combo I would have never thought to try). My pair of trusted black skinny jeans from Marks and Spencer also make a sneaky appearance in one of the photos so I've included them in the list this time. And I finished off with a gorgeous pair of oversized faux pearl earrings...completing the luxurious look (for a lot cheaper too!).
Items Worn:
Sunglasses: From Marks & Spencer a couple of years ago but they always have a lovely selection of very glam (some might also call that oval/oversized) sunglasses (Dorothy Perkins have a few glam sunglasses here and here).
Lipstick: Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 03 Strawberry Kissed. It's quite a pinky red but see my Sephora Cream Lip Stains blog post for a more accurate colour representation.
Top/Jumper: Marks & Spencer about a month ago but similar here and with scalloped edging here.
Trousers: Marks and Spencer limited edition skinny jeans similar here.
Earrings: From Accessorize years ago but they always have faux pearl earrings in stock. My favourites are the ones that come in a pack with different sizes as you have more options for your outfits. One day you might want small dainty pearls and the next oversized eye catching ones...with this pack the possibilities are endless.
So there you have it my go-to sunglasses of choice and my gorgeous new additions. Hope it's currently sunny where you are so you can enjoy wearing yours too!
P.S. the sun has come out again since I first started writing this post, YAY!!!
What's your favourite sunglasses shape?
Do you have a particular colour you like to wear?
What has been your best find so far?
xxxemma