Bug-Eye Sunglasses: What to Know About This Celebrity Trend for Fall

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Just because it’s fall doesn’t mean sunglasses are going anywhere. Shades are always in style, but some of the summer looks are fading away in favor of new trends. 

Right now, large lenses that give the “bug-eye” look are popular. Celebrities like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, and Miley Cyrus have all been seen in these oversized sunglasses. Keep reading to find out how you can steal their look.

Which Shape of Bug-Eye Glasses Should You Choose?

The classic round shape is very popular for bug-eye glasses, but if it doesn’t work for you, large ovals, squares, or rectangles are good options. You may even find a few pairs of modified cat-eye glasses that fit this style. 

Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right shape of bug-eye glasses for your face:

• Round faces do well with square or rectangular shapes.
• Square faces benefit from the softer curves of oval or round glasses.
• Oval faces look good in a variety of shapes. But when choosing oversized glasses, make sure they don’t cover too much of your face.
• Bottom-heavy lenses or cat-eye frames work well for heart-shaped faces.
• Diamond-shaped faces benefit from oval or cat-eye frames.

What Colors or Patterns Should You Look For?

This fall, I’m seeing a lot of tortoise in eyewear of all styles. It’s a classic pattern that usually works well with fall colors. And while people often associate tortoise with brown and gold, modern versions can come in many different colors. Look for tortoise sunglasses in shades of terracotta, rust, camel, marigold, amber, and chocolate brown.

Not into tortoise? Solid colors work in these shades, too.

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Are Bug-Eye Glasses a New Look?

Maybe you’ve heard the expression “What’s old is new again.” This is very true in fashion, where most trends are rooted in the past. Of course, styles can change with time, and when a trend comes back “in,” it’s usually been updated for the modern era.

Bug-eye glasses are no exception. The look became popular with ‘60s and ‘70s “mod” glasses styles. See more ‘70s sunglasses styles in this roundup.

The earliest versions were mostly square lenses, but in the ‘80s and ‘90s, they morphed into rounder looks. In the 2000s, rectangular bug-eye frames became popular.

Because they have lenses that cover the whole eye, bug-eye sunglasses are often recommended for people recovering from cataract or other eye surgeries. As a result, some people tend to view them as “grandparent” glasses, or a style for elderly people. However, individual styles vary widely within the category, and many are more modern than your typical “cataract glasses.”

Do bug-eye glasses have to be huge?

Oversized lenses are a major component of bug-eye glasses, but there is still some variation in size. If you’re looking for a style that is oversized but doesn’t overwhelm your face, consider one with minimal or no rims. 

Wondering how to find the right size frames? Some eyewear retailers offer filters that can make this simple. For instance, online eyewear retailer EZContacts allows you to filter by frame dimensions and frame size.

Can bug-eye glasses work for small faces?

Yes, bug-eye glasses can work for small faces, but the key is finding a frame that’s oversized without overwhelming your features. Look for narrower widths, slightly smaller lenses, and frames with a more proportional fit. This guide offers styling tips for sunglasses for petite faces, including oversized shades.

Top Picks for Bug-Eye Glasses

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Here are some of our top picks for the bug-eye style:

Quay TOTAL VIBE

The Total Vibe shades have large, square lenses rimmed in a rich brown acetate. I also love that these glasses are roomy, with a size of 46-19-147. The square lens shape would be ideal for round or oval faces.

Ray-Ban RB4101 JACKIE OHH

The Ray-Ban Jackie OHH shades are great if you like the bug-eye look but don’t want massive sunglasses. These have large-ish lenses that sweep out to the sides slightly, but without completely wrapping around. 

They’re available in multiple color options and are also prescription-capable. This butterfly/mild cat-eye shape would be ideal for heart-shaped and oval faces.

Quay IT’S MY WAY

These shades combine a rounded lens with a slight cat-eye tilt. The style is simple, with slim, high-set temples and a high nose bridge. The color choices are fun—I like the Tortoise, but they also come in Black. I would recommend this style for square, heart-shaped, or diamond-shaped faces.

Prada PR B21S

The Prada PR B21S shades are great if you want a bold, in-your-face butterfly look. The butterfly shape is much more pronounced than the subtler Jackie OHH design, with sharp angles cutting away from the middle of the face while the outer rims have a softer curve. These sunglasses make a terrific statement piece, and they would work best for heart-shaped and oval faces.

Longchamp LO191S

If you prefer metal frames and a more understated look, check out the Longchamp LO191S sunnies. They have large hexagonal lenses with minimal rims leading into slim metal temples. Four color combinations give you options. I especially like the Rose Gold with Gradient Rose lenses. These shades would work well for square and oval faces.

Loewe LW40135I

Large, round lenses define these bold sunglasses. The rims are thicker at the top, drawing the eye upward, so it’s a great style if you want to emphasize the upper half of your face—or your latest attempt at bangs. I recommend this rounded style for square or diamond-shaped faces.

Tom Ford FT1282

These Tom Ford sunglasses have a ‘60s feel with their big, round lenses. They come in a variety of color options, including brown frames with brown lenses, black with green lenses, and Havana with smoky lenses. 

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