With the weather heating up and the sunshine making a regular appearance at last, New Zealanders are reaching for the key accessory of summer - a good pair of sunnies.
The right pair of sunglasses can pull an outfit together, protect your peepers against glare and hide a multitude of sins, including mascara sweating off your face.
This summer there are a myriad of styles on trend to see you through: easy-to-wear and classic slim vintage ovals, retro rectangular frames which evoke '90s nostalgia and iconic round eye shapes in dynamic, geometric profiles.
According to the experts at Specsavers, colour-wise soft and subtle tones of brown, khaki and beige add a contemporary twist to neutrals - or jazz things up with pastels like peach, blue and delicate pinks.
And the most important add-ons when choosing a frame?
Specsavers Head of Frames Juan Carlos Camargo says accessories like frame chains have seen a huge resurgence over the last couple of years as they "are both practical and stylish and will add another element to your summer look."
"While fashionable sunnies are also practical and offer great UV protection, my advice is to go for polarised lenses. Polarising reduces sun glare and is a must for the Kiwi summer," he adds.
If you're choosing a prescription or polarised pair, we recommend heading along to a specialist or Specsavers or OPSM. For a standard, throw-in-your-handbag pair, retailers like Glassons, Superette and The Iconic have some fab frames.
Here are the season's 'must-have' styles:
Vintage Oval: Perfect for most face shapes, the soft oval silhouette has been a classic shape within eyewear for years. Lighter weight frames and contrasting colours modernise the look.
Our pick: The 'Confide in Me' frames from Kyle Minogue.
Retro rectangular: The unisex rectangular frame conjures some noughties nostalgia. Experiment with colour to add a contemporary twist.
Our pick: The Marc Jacobs Sun RX 03 frames.
The Round Frame: Statement-making yet easy to wear, iconic vintage round silhouettes continue to be on-trend.
Our pick: Marc Jacobs Sun Rx 12 frames.
The New Neutrals: Soft and subtle tones of brown, khaki and beige are in and give a a warmer, more natural contemporary twist on the 'neutrals' trend.
Our pick: Specsavers Saint Antoni.
Pastels: Muted, natural tones create a soft and versatile colour palette. The pastel trend includes a mix of understated peach, blue and delicate pinks; traditionally bold colours that are made easy-to-wear for everyone.
Our pick: Alex Perry Sun RX 49 frames.
