The Hottest Men’s Sunglasses Trends For 2025

What’s the one accessory you reach for more than anything else? Chances are it’s your shades. They’re there when it’s time to fire up the barbecue. They have your back when last night’s antics have caught up with you. They’ll keep your eyes safe from that piercing winter sun on the coldest, crispest of days. There’s probably no other item that offers such a substantial return on investment when it comes to wear. But not just any old pair will do.

If you’re the kind of guy who likes to look well put together and know what’s happening in the menswear world, you’ll want to put some serious thought into finding the right pair of sunglasses. A big part of that involves knowing what suits you and which types of frames work best with your face shape, but it’s also worth staying up to date with the latest eyewear trends.

If you’re in the market for a new pair of sunglasses, this article is for you. Below, we break down some of the biggest sunglasses trends for 2025 to provide you with timely inspiration when selecting the right pair of shades.

Scaling Down

Brunello Cucinelli

Bigger doesn’t always mean better – not if current eyewear trends are to be believed. If you take a cross-section of the edgiest dressers you know and look at what sunglasses they’re wearing, you’ll probably notice a common theme in that they’re all quite a bit smaller than they were just a few years ago.

This shrinking of sunnies is yet another symptom of the overarching noughties trend that has had the fashion world in a stranglehold for the last few years. Whether they’re frameless and low-profile or oval and made of acetate, the coolest sunglasses right now are those that keep sizing on the conservative side.

Unusual Shapes

Loewe

Look no further than the iconic image of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain in his white Christian Roth shades for a reference point. Unconventional shapes are trending in a big way, so if you’re sick and tired of Aviators and Wayfarers, this is one that’s well worth exploring.

Again, the key here is having a good understanding of your face shape and what types of frames complement it. From there, you can have some fun trying pairs until you find an unusual shape that works.

Most big eyewear brands offer a virtual try-on feature these days, but there’s no substitute for standing in front of the mirror at a bricks-and-mortar shop, trying pairs on until you find something that fits.

Wrap It Up

Ray Ban

Sporty wraparound shades have made a comeback, and the reason is twofold. It’s partly another symptom of noughties mania, but it’s also related to the ‘fashionisation’ of activewear currently sweeping the world. Marathons, cycling, trail running – these are the new cool hobbies, and the associated kit is bleeding into the wider fashion world at an alarming pace.

There’s no two ways about it, this is a tricky one to pull off. The key is a combination of confidence and styling. If you’re the type of guy who gravitates towards classic menswear, tailoring and the like, the ultra-modern look served up by this style of eyewear probably isn’t going to gel particularly well with your overall aesthetic.

If, on the other hand, you lean more towards the outdoorsy, sporty or even streetwear-influenced end of the spectrum, a pair of aerodynamic Oakleys might be exactly what your wardrobe is crying out for.

Chunky Acetate

Meller

Acetate frames are great as they provide an opportunity to add a bit of colour and potentially even some pattern. Thick and heavy, they’re great for framing the face, giving your look an anchor point and immediately creating a visual statement.

They tell the world you’re fashion literate, even when you’re wearing a relatively simple outfit. So if you’re looking for something with the power to transform outfits in seconds, this is a good trend to embrace.

Tinted Lenses

Johann Wolff

Tinted lenses have been trending for a few years now, and there’s no sign of them going away. They’re a great tool for adding a bit of flair to everyday outfits in a relatively subtle way, and if you go light enough, you can even wear them indoors without raising any eyebrows.

Pink, yellow, blue and brown are all good options – just make sure you go for a colour that complements your skin tone and spend some time experimenting with different frames to ensure you get something that suits your individual face shape.

All Clear

Oliver Peoples

Clear acetate frames strike a neat balance between statement and subtlety – eye-catching without being overbearing. They pair surprisingly well with a range of skin tones and outfits, too, particularly if you tend to dress in neutrals or lighter shades.

Opt for ones with a slightly oversized silhouette if you want to push the look into more fashion-forward territory, or keep things classic with something slim.

Bonus points if the lenses are tinted for an added bit of visual interest.

Oversized & Attention-Grabbing

Cutler and Gross

If teeny-tiny frames aren’t your thing, fear not. The oversized look is still going strong in certain corners of the menswear world.

This one’s less about subtlety and more about impact. Think bold, blocky frames that command attention.

Granted, it’s not for the faint of heart, but when styled with confidence it can be a powerful way to inject personality into your look.

Consider dark tortoiseshell or black for a timeless look, or opt for a 1970s-inspired style with a honey-hued gradient lens and squared-off shape.

Heavy Brows

Meller

Less dainty accessories, more power move: heavy brow bar sunglasses are all about bold upper frames that dominate the face in the best way possible. Inspired by classic aviators and 80s-era design, they feature a pronounced horizontal bar across the brow, typically crafted from chunky acetate or metal, with the rest of the frame kept minimal to highlight that top-heavy structure.

The modern versions dial things up with oversized silhouettes, unexpected finishes and tonal lens-frame combos. Think deep tortoiseshell with green gradient lenses or matte black with smoked chrome accents.

If your eyewear game already includes the usual round, square, and Wayfarer styles, this is a sharper, more assertive alternative that still works well across both smart and casual outfits.

Paddy Maddison

Paddy Maddison is Ape's Style Editor. His work has been published in Esquire, Men’s Health, ShortList, The Independent and more. An outerwear and sneaker fanatic, his finger is firmly on the pulse for the latest trends, while always maintaining an interest in classic style.