Wearing sunglasses is more than just a way to protect your eyes—it can also serve as a fashion statement.
Award-winning personal stylist Chantelle Znideric believes they can elevate an outfit; pairing different frames and lens colours with your clothes is a fun way to accessorise and experiment with your style. It allows you to express your personality through the pieces you wear, like donning vibrantly-hued sunglasses to show off your playful side.
If you want to exude a classier and more elegant vibe, you’ll want to try sunglasses with sophisticated designs. For this, you can take inspiration from some of the best-dressed personalities today: the members of the British royal family. Taking notes from their tasteful yet chic and dapper fashion sense is a great way to elevate your sunglasses game.
Here’s a look at some of their favourite pairs to wear:
Prince Harry: Persol PO3152S
Credit: @ci_optometrists on Instagram
The Italian eyewear brand Persol specialises in making high-quality sunglasses and optical frames. It’s one of the best brands for men’s sunglasses because it conjures Italian elegance while helping wearers achieve a casual look. Persol’s sunglasses also exude an adventure-meets-holiday vibe, so it’s no wonder Prince Harry favours his Persol PO3152S sunglasses. After all, he has to look classy as a royal family member, yet he’d also want to sport casual eyewear that suits his adventurous personality for less formal events. This pair, characterised by thin acetate profiles and a keyhole bridge, fits the bill for providing a dapper look that is still suitable for everyday use. Prince Harry has been spotted wearing this pair in the Havana colourway multiple times, including during one Invictus Games event and on a Sydney trip in 2018.
Princess Kate: Ray-Ban Wayfarer II
Credit: @townandcountrymag on Instagram
Ray-Ban sunglasses are a hit among public personalities ranging from Hollywood celebrities and models to influencers. After all, the brand delivers top-notch UV protection, comfort, and distinct eyewear designs. That’s probably why the Princess of Wales has loved her Wayfarer II pair for years. This modern take on the classic 1952 Wayfarers is among the brand’s top models for sunglasses. Notably, the Wayfarer II features slim acetate frames and skinny temples for a cool, sophisticated vibe that coincides with Princess Kate’s style. If you’d like a pair of Ray-Ban prescription sunglasses in the same vein but smaller with a slightly softer eye shape, then the New Wayfarer Classic model is something to consider. You can choose from 21 different colourways to better match your skin tone, then opt for various lens treatments to ensure high visual clarity and protection. It’s no surprise that HRH Kate appreciates Ray-Ban’s elegant but accessible eyewear, and she’s been pictured wearing these at various events, including the tennis and polo matches she attended in 2019.
Princess Anne: Adidas Team GB Sunglasses
Credit: @anneprincessroyal
Who would’ve thought that a member of the royal family—and a princess at that—would wear Adidas sunglasses? Princess Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, is rarely seen without sports sunglasses from this brand. She’s been wearing them for decades and owns a few pairs of Adidas sunglasses in similar designs. One of the models she frequents the most is the Adidas Team GB sunglasses—part of the company’s 2012 London Olympics collection. These feature a Matrix-inspired silhouette with wraparound frames and distinctive white arms. The futuristic design of this pair is undoubtedly one of the most unique accessories ever seen on a royal, but Princess Anne makes it work. She’s worn them at many Olympic games, races, and formal events—paired with a dress, hat, and pearl accessories. As we highlighted in our post on how to dress like a royal at the Races, flourishes like brooches, headbands, and bright colours are staples to emulate from the Royal family’s wardrobe.
King Charles III: MOSCOT Lemtosh Sun
Credit: @eyewearonpako
The New York City heritage eyewear brand MOSCOT is known for manufacturing handmade pieces with the finest materials and real hardware. Given this utmost attention to quality and detail, the brand’s pieces are most suitable for the King. MOSCOT’s Lemtosh Sun in Flesh has been spotted on King Charles III on one of his visits to Northern Ireland. These sunglasses have iconic diamond rivets (fitting for a royal!), a keyhole nose bridge, and real glass lenses—all of which add to their outstanding quality. This pair’s light yellow, clear frames also offer a fashionable yet subtle classy look when paired with the King’s suits.
Indeed, sunglasses can upgrade your outfit with the different frame shapes, lens colours, and embellishments you can choose from. Take your pick from these iconic pairs—well-loved by the members of the British royal family—and elevate your sunglasses game today!
Article written in collaboration with Riley Dawson
