Cartier sunglasses Santos

Taking centre stage on your face and easy to switch around, sunglasses are one of the most versatile and low-commitment (unlike prescription eyewear) accessories. Cartier might not come to mind immediately when it comes to eyewear, but it is definitely a brand to consider if you’re thinking of getting a new pair of shades this season. Here’s why.

Firstly, their sunglasses are just the right amount of flamboyant, without being overly trendy or flashy. Consider, for instance, the brand’s signature panther head, which is often used to stylish effect on the Panthere de Cartier eyewear range. For Spring/Summer 2020, onyx and emerald have inspired the hand-lacquered, coloured touches on the feline head and body, which grace the arms of the sunglasses.

Secondly, Cartier eyewear has good build quality that is commensurate with its prices (metal frames cost between $1,000 and $2,000). This writer owns a pair of gold-mirrored, round sunglasses by Cartier, which are now two years old and still in good condition: They are lightweight without feeling flimsy, and their edges and joints are smooth and streamlined. The latest Santos de Cartier sunglasses are just as refined. Borrowing details from the famous, square-cased Santos watch, the Santos de Cartier aviator-style frames features screws — inspired by airplane rivets — along the top bar, bridge and hinges.

Similarly forging a connection with the past, the Premiere de Cartier series takes its cues from the brand’s first eyewear collection presented in 1983. They are the most fashionable and vintage-inspired pieces of the lot, featuring more unusual shapes, and distinctive accents such as gadrooned end pieces with the C de Cartier logo. This season sees the release of models with new colours, including the pair with cyclamen-hued lenses shown here — as always, cool without being crazy.

Premiere de Cartier sunglasses
Premiere de Cartier sunglasses.

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