Kara Keigan

Most style rules we’ve heard over repeated year after year simply no longer apply. You should never mix black and navy… Don’t mix and match different metals… Your handbag should match your shoes… And don’t wear white after Labor Day.

Many reports state this “no white rule” started at the turn of the century, quietly spread by the old-money elite crowd to distinguish themselves from the “nouveau riche.”

Another theory claims it simply was meant to signal the end of summer and the federal holiday was to remind people to switch out their summer linens with thicker fabrics.

In recent years, white has become one of the chicest colors to don year-round.

White pants were seen after Labor Day, all-white outfits were worn by the fashion elite, and white sunglasses started popping up as a new neutral to be embraced through each season. They act as a classic neutral and stylish upgrade from traditional black shades. Best of all, white sunglasses can be worn after Labor Day and beyond.

So go ahead and break antiquated fashion rules. We’ve made it easy with a roundup of the best white sunglasses to wear, well, whenever.

For many, sunglasses are a non-negotiable accessory to their everyday lives. Not only do they provide much-needed protection, but they are also an easy way to infuse your personal style into your wardrobe.

But designer sunglasses don’t always equate to a high price point and you can often find a stylish pair of frames at a reasonable price. So we went shopping for some very stylish sunglasses under $50, from brands you know and love like Fossil, Armani, and Vogue.

Sunglasses styles have continued to change throughout the years. From oversized silhouettes on Jackie Kennedy to ultra-thin frames in the 90s, the trends evolve over time.

While sunglasses weren’t popularized until the 20th century, there are prototypes of sunglasses dating back to the Roman Empire when Nero would watch gladiator fights through glasses made of polished gems. However, it wasn’t until sunglasses were inexpensively produced in 1929 that people began to incorporate them into their everyday lives.

The trends of the time often took style cues from popular movies and the stars. From cult movie classes to feminist icons, there are often clear moments in pop culture that helped cement a trend of the decade.

Because fashion works in a cyclical motion, we often find trends having resurgences from decades ago, suddenly sprouting a new relevance. As you read about the trends over the years, you’ll recognize many of these from their third or even fourth time around the trend cycle.

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane to look at sunglasses trends through the decades.