Recommended for you
Sunglasses can give your outfits the ultimate cool factor – as long as you're wearing the coolest styles, that is. There are several kinds of sunglasses that simply don’t cut it anymore and make you look downright ridiculous.
From blinged-out frames to teeny, tiny lenses that barely block the sun, these 6 “outdated” sunglasses trends should truly be banished from the fashion world in favor of more modern frames. The past is the past, after all!
Scroll on for the top 6 “outdated” sunglasses trends you need to skip in 2025 – plus some stylish suggestions on what to wear instead.
1. Shutter Shades
Amazon
Plastic Shutter Shades
These plastic frames peaked in the late 2000s, in the height of sleazy party culture – and they’ve been a symbol of those times ever since.
Shop Now
Amazon
White Shutter Shades
While they can look cool for very specific times and occasions, but let’s be real – without actual lenses, shutter shades offered zero sun protection and were more of a novelty than a functional fashion choice.
Shop Now2. Brightly-Colored Lenses
NastyGal
NastyGal Yellow Tinted Lens Sunglasses
Brightly tinted-lenses like yellows, pinks, and blues definitely had their moment for adding a playful pop to any look. Over time, though, they began looking increasingly cheap-y.
Shop Now
Amazon
Vanlinker Retro Rectangle Sunglasses
Classic tints like browns and blacks are certainly more in-style now. Plus, they’re way easier to match with your outfits!
Shop Now3. Cat Eye Frames
Michael Kors
Michael Kors Harbour Island Sunglasses
When we say ‘cat eye frames,’ we really mean the ultra-sharp, exaggerated versions that dominated the fashion world in the late 2010s. Due to their dramatic angles, cat eye frames don’t always flatter many face shapes and can oftentimes look too costume-like.
Shop Now
Amazon
Oversized Cat Eye Sunglasses
Smoother, more organic sunglasses shapes have taken center stage these days – which we are very thankful for.
Shop Now4. Flip-Up Sunglasses
Amazon
Frienda Flip-Up Sunglasses
If we had one word to describe this “outdated” sunglasses trend, it’d be ‘quirky.’ Flip-up sunglasses were once really cool for the novelty aspect, but in reality, they’re bulky, impractical, and easily breakable!
Shop Now
Amazon
Dollger Double Lens Clip-In Sunglasses
The same thing goes for clip-in sunglasses. Nowadays, we’re so glad prescription sunglasses were created for a more seamless wear.
Shop Now5. John Lennon Sunnies
Amazon
Joopin Retro Small Round Sunglasses
The appeal of tiny, round wire-frame sunglasses has undoubtedly worn off. While they stunned in the 90s and early 2000s, they truly look awkward on most face shapes.
Shop Now
Amazon
Poraday Classic Circle Glasses
Plus, their ultra-small lenses offer little actual coverage from the sun. Unless you know for sure you can rock these, try opting for bolder, larger sunnies.
Shop Now6. Heart-Shaped Frames
Anthropologie
Anthropologie Heart Sunglasses
While there can be a time and place for these cutesy heart-shaped frames, they’re not exactly suitable for everyday wear.
Shop Now
Amazon
Polarized Heart Shaped Sunglasses
Over the decades, they’ve earned themselves more of a novelty status than a style-forward one. Try on some more sophisticated pairs that’ll suit your own (grown) age.
Shop NowSubscribe to our newsletter to discover more "outdated" fashion trends!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
