GOODBYE TINY FRAMES: OSCAR WYLEE SUNGLASSES GO BIG AND BOLD FOR SUMMER

If your sunglasses drawer is full of dainty, barely-there frames, it might be time for a rethink.

Australian eyewear brand Oscar Wylee is launching its new Sunseeker Collection on Thursday, 12 November, and it is all about making a statement.

The range takes its cue from the Spring/Summer 2027 runways in Milan and Paris, where eyewear took a decidedly bolder turn.

Think oversized square shapes, big aviators, and sculptural shield and flat-top frames.

What the runways are telling us

For the past few seasons, slim, minimalist sunglasses have ruled the fashion pages.

According to Oscar Wylee, the latest fashion weeks signalled a shift away from that look, with statement styles taking centre stage instead.

The brand describes Sunseeker as a fresh take on summer eyewear, designed to be worn, styled and played with.

It promises bold silhouettes and playful colourways for anyone ready to make a splash this Australian summer.

In other words, these are sunglasses that do the talking for you.

The standout Oscar Wylee sunglasses to know

Four frames from the collection have already caught our eye.

Kendrix comes in two versions: a sleek Obsidian Black and a classic Dark Tortoise.

Mila in Ice Blue brings a cool pop of colour that would look just as good at a long beach lunch as it would on a summer road trip.

Then there is Tiffany in Syrup Tortoise, a softly rounded frame in warm honey and chocolate tones with a touch of old Hollywood glamour.

Tortoiseshell is one of those finishes that seems to suit almost everyone, and it works with everything from a crisp white linen shirt to a floral sundress.

If you have always played it safe with black, this could be the easy way to try something new.

How much do they cost?

All the Sunseeker styles are available at Oscar Wylee's usual pricing, starting at $169 for one pair.

That price does not include prescription lenses, so if you need your sunnies made up to your script, factor in a little extra.

The new Oscar Wylee sunglasses will be available from 12 November in stores and online at Oscar Wylee.

Who is Oscar Wylee?

Oscar Wylee began life in 2012 as an online store, selling fashion eyewear to Australians without the designer price tag.

Its first bricks-and-mortar shop opened in Chatswood, on Sydney's North Shore, in 2015.

The brand now has 145 stores across Australia, New Zealand and Canada, according to its website.

Its stores have optometrists on hand, and you can book an eye test without having to buy a pair of glasses.

Don't forget the sun safety basics

Bold frames are fun, but in Australia sunglasses have a serious job to do as well.

Cancer Council Australia recommends close-fitting, wraparound-style sunglasses that meet the Australian/New Zealand Standard for sunglasses, in lens categories 2, 3 or 4.

According to Cancer Council NSW, sunglasses in those categories absorb 95 per cent of UV radiation.

Some sunglasses also carry an eye protection factor, or EPF, rating, and an EPF of 9 or 10 blocks almost all UV radiation.

Cancer Council SA also points out that the colour or darkness of a lens is no guide to how much UV protection it offers.

So before you buy any new pair, from any brand, check the swing tag for the lens category.

Pair your new frames with a broad-brimmed hat for the best protection whenever the UV index is 3 or above.

Ready for summer

With the festive season just around the corner, a statement pair of sunnies could also make a lovely Christmas gift.

And if the runways are anything to go by, oversized frames are about to be everywhere this summer.

The good news is that you don't need a Paris price tag to join in.

The Sunseeker Collection launches on Thursday, 12 November.