Belts, Sunglasses and Accessories for Summer Streetwear

For summer streetwear, pick one loud accessory and keep the rest quiet. Oversized or tinted sunglasses are the easiest loud piece, and a plain leather belt in black or brown is the finishing piece that goes with almost everything.

Below: which frame shapes work with which outfits, how to choose and wear a belt, and what to check on the lenses so the pair does its actual job.

Section 01

Which sunglasses shapes suit summer streetwear?

Each shape pulls an outfit in a different direction, so match the frame to the mood you want.

Aviators

Thin metal frames and teardrop lenses sit well with graphic tees and distressed denim. Mirrored or tinted lenses update them without changing the shape.

Cat-eye

The upswept corner adds a retro note. Try them with a flowy dress or high-waisted shorts, and choose a bold color only if the outfit is simple.

Oversized square or round

Large frames work with oversized blazers, athleisure and monochrome outfits. They cover more of the face, so a slightly smaller oversized size is easier on a small face.

Shield and geometric

Wraparound shields suit biker shorts, crop tops and chunky sneakers. Angular or hexagonal frames look best against all-black or metallic pieces, with everything else kept plain.

Section 02

How do you pair statement belts and oversized sunglasses?

Treat them as two accents and give them different jobs. Oversized sunglasses frame the face, while a statement belt marks the waist. If both are loud, the eye has nowhere to rest.

• Loud frames (neon, mirrored, pastel): choose a plain black or brown belt.
• Quiet frames (black, tortoiseshell): this is the moment for a wide belt, a metal buckle or a rhinestone stretch belt over a slip dress or oversized shirt.
• Matching metals: if your frames or buckle are gold, keep the other gold too, so they read as a set.

Section 03

What kind of belt goes with everything?

A smooth leather belt, about 1 to 1.5 inches wide, in black or dark brown, with a simple silver or gold-tone buckle. It works through jeans, tailored shorts, linen pants and wide-leg trousers.

Pick the buckle metal to match your watch or jewelry, and keep the belt close in tone to your shoes when you want a clean line. The same logic applies to men's and women's cuts: width and buckle size change the mood, the color rules stay the same.

Section 04

Are belts still in style?

Yes. Belts have two uses that do not go away: holding up high-waisted trousers and shaping loose layers. Over an oversized blazer, a shirt dress or a long cardigan, a belt gives the silhouette a waist without changing the fit of the garment.

For summer, a woven or stretch belt is lighter than thick leather, and an elastic style such as a rhinestone stretch belt is forgiving on a dress that sits close to the body. For more on building a base wardrobe around pieces like these, see capsule wardrobe basics with eye-catching accessories.

Section 05

Outfit formulas that finish with a belt and sunglasses

• Graphic tee, distressed denim shorts, white sneakers, neon frames, black belt.
• White tank, linen pants, brown leather belt, oversized black frames.
• Satin slip dress, minimalist sandals, mirrored metallic frames, thin metallic belt.
• Floral maxi dress, platform sandals, small round frames, a tan belt at the waist.
• Oversized blazer, wide-leg pants, mules, big square frames, a wide belt over the blazer.

A bucket hat is an easy third accessory with pastel frames; see these bucket hat ideas. For texture-led summer looks, denim and eyelet is a good base.

Section 06

How do frame color and material change the look?

Through the lens of evidence-based design, I'd look at surface before color. A glossy acetate frame and a matte one in the same black read differently, because the finish changes how light reaches the eye. Glossy looks sharper and more formal; matte looks softer and more casual.

Acetate holds bold colors and patterns and is light on the face. Thin metal reads minimal and classic. Tinted lenses in pink, yellow or orange add color near the eyes, so keep your top in a neutral if you want the lenses to lead.

Section 07

What should you check on sunglasses besides style?

Check that the label states UV protection, and choose a size that covers your eye area. Comfort counts too: lightweight frames and a good nose-pad fit mean you will actually keep them on.

UVA passes through glass and clouds, a point dermatologist Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, makes in the Skin Cancer Foundation's guide to sun protection style: "You are getting hit, though, with ultraviolet A rays (also called UVA), which are longer wavelengths that penetrate through windows and clouds year-round. Those are the ones that contribute to tanning, hyperpigmentation, skin aging and also to skin cancer." For eye or skin concerns, ask your doctor.

Shape matters less than people say. If a frame sits comfortably and suits your outfit, it is a fine choice. More ideas for different settings are in choosing sunglasses for outdoor events.

Section 08

What are the parts of a belt called?

The buckle is the metal piece that fastens it, and the prong is the pin that goes through the holes. The strap is the long band, the tip is the shaped end, and the keeper (or loop) holds the loose end in place. Knowing these makes it easier to compare leather belts and to ask for a replacement buckle.

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Filed under Seasonal Trends