Are you wearing the right sunglasses? Here are 6 new essentials

SINGAPORE – Sunglasses are having a moment. The category has attracted fashion labels and lifestyle brands, with a growing number launching their own collection.

Singapore-based womenswear label Good Addition is among the latest to join the trend with its first eyewear collection of Cat Eye Sunglasses ($55), reflecting the growing appeal of shades as a functional essential and fashion accessory.

Yet ophthalmologists say sunglasses serve a purpose beyond aesthetics.

Allan Fong, senior consultant eye surgeon at Angel Eye & Cataract Centre, recommends wearing them daily, noting that Singapore’s high cumulative ultraviolet (UV) exposure can damage the eyes over time, even during short walks outdoors or daily commutes.

Long-term UV exposure has been linked to conditions such as cataracts, where the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, as well as pterygium, a fleshy growth that develops on the surface of the eye.

He recommends looking for sunglasses marked UV400, which block UV rays up to 400 nanometres in wavelength.

For added coverage, he suggests wraparound styles, which help reduce UV rays and stray light entering from the sides.

The Straits Times rounds up six launches to consider.

Beyond The Vines

Singapore lifestyle brand Beyond The Vines has expanded into eyewear with Parallel, its first sunglasses collection.

The launch comprises three silhouettes – Tangent, Contour and Horizon ($129 each) – ranging from rounded to rectangular frames.

Constructed from acetate and stainless steel, they are designed for everyday wear and come in six colourways including clear, tortoiseshell and colourblock.

The collection draws inspiration from parallel lines, translating these into clean frames with a minimalist look.

All styles are polarised and provide UVA and UVB protection. Each pair comes in an aluminium case that can be personalised with complimentary engraving.

Info: Available at Beyond The Vines stores, including Ion Orchard and New Bahru, and beyondthevines.com

Uniqlo

Japanese retailer Uniqlo is spotlighting its UV Protection range with a collection of sunglasses.

Available in more than a dozen styles ($29.90 each), the line spans oversized square frames, angular and rectangular silhouettes, narrow cat-eye shapes and metal hexagon styles. Each pair has UV400 lenses that block about 99 per cent of UV rays, and features anti-fog and blue-light reduction technology that filters about 25 per cent of blue light.

Made from flexible plastic, the sunglasses are designed with thicker temple tips for a more comfortable fit.

Info: Available at Uniqlo stores, including VivoCity and Raffles City Shopping Centre, and uniqlo.com/sg

Bolon Eyewear

Chinese luxury eyewear brand Bolon’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection contains a range of sunglasses designed around urban dressing.

Crafted from materials such as Japanese titanium, acetate, stainless steel and nylon, the launch pairs UV protection with lightweight, durable frames.

Highlights include the Lecce cat-eye sunglasses ($199), which pair a tortoiseshell frame with grey lenses; Amsterdam ($229), an oval silhouette paired with pink-tinted lenses; and Munich ($229), a geometric square style with olive-green lenses.

Info: Available at Bolon stores in Wisma Atria, Suntec City, Waterway Point and Junction 8

& Other Stories

Swedish fashion brand & Other Stories has introduced Oval Cat-Eye Sunglasses ($129) as part of its Summer 2026 collection, which draws inspiration from holiday dressing.

Designed in a retro oval silhouette with a subtle cat-eye sweep at the outer edges, the sunglasses feature acetate frames and tinted lenses for sun protection.

Beyond the seasonal collection, the brand offers a wider range of sunglasses including Square Sunglasses, Narrow Rectangle Sunglasses and Soft-Edge Rounded Sunglasses (from $69).

All sunglasses from & Other Stories offer UV400 lenses.

Info: The Summer 2026 collection is available at & Other Stories stores in Ion Orchard and Raffles City Shopping Centre, with more styles at zalora.sg

Sunglass Hut

American eyewear retailer Sunglass Hut spotlights the return of “concert-core” fashion with a Summer range that taps sunglasses from brands such as Ray-Ban, Coach and Oakley. The edit features UV400 coloured lenses, slim metallic frames and Y2K-inspired shapes for everything from music festivals to all-day dressing.

Highlights include Coach sunglasses with brown polarised lenses ($263), Ray-Ban styles with yellow and grey-tinted lenses (from $222), as well as smart eyewear such as the Ray-Ban Meta Headliner ($759), Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer ($759), Oakley Meta HSTN ($659) and Oakley Meta Vanguard ($819) – which combine hands-free photo and video capture with built-in audio.

Info: Available at Sunglass Hut stores, including Takashimaya Shopping Centre and Changi City Point

Meller

Barcelona-born eyewear brand Meller has entered Singapore through a partnership with Indian eyewear company Lenskart, bringing its 21-frame Asia Fit collection to the market.

Redesigned for Asian face shapes, the collection includes styles such as the retro-inspired Cumbi Tigris Brown, Jamil Moss Olive and Seba Black Orange sunglasses (from $100).

Crafted using bio-based and recycled materials, the sunglasses feature UV400 protection, polarised lenses that reduce visual fatigue, as well as anti-scratch and oleophobic coatings designed to improve durability and repel dirt, water and oil. Prescription lens customisation is also available.

Info: Available at Lenskart stores, including Plaza Singapura and Westgate, and lenskart.sg