Dan's Papers - August 10, 2007

Sunglasses can make or break an outfit, but to make sure you don't walk down the street in some shade trend from ten years ago, here's the latest in sunglass fashion wear. It's still all about over-sizing for this season's line of fashionable eye wear and leading designers continue to revolve their lines around big frames with big statements. According to the people of 20/20 Eyewear in New York City, where the likes of Patricia Fields and Sofia Coppola shop, three of the summer's top trends are the wayfarers, hybrid aviators and a cross between the "Jackie O" style and retro. So with a bit trend watching myself and help from 20/20 professionals, here's how you can make a statement this summer either on the beach or Main Street in East Hampton.

Wayfarers are back in action this summer as Ray-Ban came out with a new style of their classic design. The original Wayfarer that got all the hype when Tom Cruise sported them in Risky Business is still an optical favorite, but the Wayfarer II took over this summer. It's the same plastic frame style everyone loves but the frame is made to complement different face shapes. There are a variety of colors available for the original and Wayfarer II. These include black frames with green lenses, dark tortoise frames with green lenses, light tortoise frames with brown lenses, green camo frames with green lenses and the newest white frame lenses. White is not only big with the Wayfarer, but with many designer lines.

Aviators are another favorite and are taking a different turn this summer. For the more adventurous, Prada came out with a hybrid aviator that has sold big this summer and will definitely bring out your wild side. This style consists of metal frames with brightly colored plastic sides. Just like white is a big hit this summer, green also takes a spot as many people sport these Prada aviators in a lime green shade. Marc Jacob's Logo Aviators also hit it big this summer, while Fendi and Kate Spade also carry funky and classy aviator alternatives. For the more classic aviator wearers, Ray-Ban carries what many would consider the pilot in aviation sun wear. They carry multiple variations of the aviator but below are two of the favorites. The first is a line of large metal aviators with black, gold, silver, grey and white metal rims surrounding either green or gray lenses. The New Ray-Ban aviator comes in two different styles - gray metal rims with green lenses and brown metal rims with brown lenses.

The new retro Jackie O style can't be mentioned without the name Tom Ford right after it. It seems like everyone walking down the street has one of Tom Ford's bold styles for 2007. Ford's Jennifer and Whitney styles seem to be the two taking over the streets. The Jennifer has square frames with cut away lenses and is available in dark grey, cherry, rust brown, dark brown and pink. The Whitney style has a wider frame with an interesting crossover bridge that the Jennifer does not have. This popular design comes in classic dark brown and champagne hues along with brighter choices like orange, olive green and pink. If you still want that Jackie O look but want to wear something a little different, Tom Ford, Christian Dior, Gucci and Kate Spade all have stylish options. Christian Dior's glossy glasses are oversized to the max and will definitely make a fashion statement. Gucci's large, plastic sunglasses in black, brown glitter and cyclamen glitter and Kate Spade's Colette, particularly in the red frame, will also get you noticed.

So that's it for summer, but I also got an inside scoop on what will be hot for the fall. Stick with darker tortoise and olive green shades. As for the hot color this fall, crystal takes the prize. Also new for the fall will be leather frames that designers seem to be incorporating into their upcoming lines. Rumor has it Chanel will be coming out with a line of this season's new trend so keep your eye on that leather. If you're in the market for some shades in either the blazing days of summer or the crisp days of fall, make sure you're making the right statement by topping off the perfect outfit with that stylish pair of sunglasses that fits you just right.