Non-sun sunglasses: sport-fashion fusion accessory goes mainstream

Despite some people in the UK experiencing 40 consecutive days of rain this year, sales of sunglasses have not been dampened. The new style — non-sun sunglasses — comprises shield-style frames with barely-there tinted lenses, resembling the goggles the dental hygienist asks you to pop on or the safety glasses worn by a minister on a construction visit.

Created for long-distance runners and cyclists to protect eyes from sun, sweat and flies, the high-performance eyewear is now being co-opted by everyone, including those who failed to finish that couch to 5k programme. Selin Olmsted, an eyewear trend forecaster and design director, says there is a “huge uptick” for non-sun sunglasses “where you can still see the eye”.

These fall into “category one” eyewear, designed to offer protection against harmful UV light on overcast or cloudy days, and some versions use photochromic lenses that change tint automatically. The trend reflects how sunglasses have become a year-round accessory.

UK

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