Chances are, when you re-wear the same items year in, year out, you’ll inevitably find yourself back in fashion every once in a while. Such is the case for Princess Anne, the queen of re-wearing in the Royal family. Her penchant for sporty, wraparound sunglasses has seen her wearing the same Adidas pair since the early 2000s, including most recently at the Paris Olympics. And now, the look has been given the fashionista seal of approval via none other than British It girl Alexa Chung – and Anne’s wraparound frame of choice is back in vogue.
The 40-year-old style influencer shared a photograph of herself wearing a £20 style from high street stalwart Marks & Spencer, which she dubbed “rave shades”. The style is often featured in TikTok videos shared by partying Gen Z influencers, probably because they hail from the early 2000s, a look that is back in fashion.
The emergence of wraparound sunglasses – or wrap-overs, as they are sometimes called – has been bubbling under the surface for a few years now. Demna Gvasalia, the creative director at Balenciaga, first debuted his futuristic take on the ski wear staple back in 2022, with his muse Kim Kardashian becoming a big fan of the look. Other A-listers who have adopted the style include Rihanna and Naomi Campbell.
Sports sunglasses, £20, Marks & Spencer
The original wraparound shades were first designed in the late 1990s by the California-based performance sportswear brand, Oakley. Originally created to stop sunlight from flooding your peripheral vision when driving, they soon became shorthand for a certain type of LA cool, with celebrity fans including Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna, Dennis Rodman and Michael Jordan. Since then, they’ve been a staple on the sunglasses scene, with the model and equestrian Bella Hadid being a recent adoptee of the look. Unsurprisingly, another well-known Oakley-wearer is none other than Princess Anne.
“Traditionally, wraparound sunglasses have been seen more as functional sunglasses for sport, rather than any kind of aspirational fashion item,” explains eyewear stylist Dan Scott. “That certainly is the case in the world of prescription eyewear anyway, with the obvious limitations that the strong wrap brings to glazing lenses.”
Of course, there are few looks that Chung, a model and TV presenter, couldn’t pull off. But what about us mere mortals? Who among us does the wraparound style suit best? According to sunglasses expert Linda Farrow, rectangular styles like this will suit oval and round faces the best, as they can handle the wider dimensions. But as well as face shape, your head size is actually surprisingly important too when it comes to finding a style that suits you. “Wraparound sunglasses are typically really helpful for those with larger head sizes, as traditional sunglasses tend to have a large gap between their temples and the joint of the frame, allowing a lot of light in,” explains Scott.
Height also comes into play. “Proportionately the taller we are, the larger our head size tends to be, which is why you can understand the taller supermodels being tempted to incorporate this style into a fashionable look. They also work best for those with a slimmer profile, as those with high cheeks can have issues with the frame resting on them uncomfortably.”
Sports wrap sunglasses, £16, Accessorize
Unlike Jackie Onassis’s signature oversized shades, or Joe Biden’s go-to Ray-Ban Aviators, the wraparound has never been a mainstream style, largely because they are notoriously difficult to tie into the rest of your look, unless you’re a sportsman. “Navigating the line between a fashion disaster and a fashion success with this wrap-around style can be really tricky,” agrees Scott. “You’re always one step away from looking like a cyclist just in from the race, but when nailed correctly you can create a really captivating look.”
In order to avoid looking like Chris Hoy on duty (unless that’s the look you’re going for), it’s worth considering what you’re wearing your wraparounds with. One option is to keep your glasses as the standout talking point of your look, by contrasting them with something completely unsporty, like a feminine boho dress, or something super slick and polished like cigarette trousers and a crisp white shirt.
You could also channel your inner Princess Royal and opt for elevated casualwear with a sporty edge, rather than out-and-out trainers and leggings. Consider wearing yours with trousers and a crisp shirt with a blazer, or perhaps a denim skirt and polo shirt, so that the glasses feel more in tune with your entire look. “Notice how Alexa paired them with a pinstripe blazer rather than sports gear. I think that’s telling,” shares Scott.
The most important thing to pull them off? As with all eyewear, it’s the confidence behind them. “You’d be surprised that most people suit multiple styles but are often very attached to a certain shape that doesn’t necessarily work for their face shape,” says Simon Jablon, Linda Farrow CEO and creative director. “Try out shapes outside of [your] comfort zone.”
Try these...
All weather sunglasses, £60, Izipizi
Oval sunglasses, £59.99, Zara
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
