Close your eyes and think about a peak Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen look from the past—any look, any era. If you’re like me, you probably think about layers of expensive black clothing, flip-flops or Teva sandals, and wine-stained Balenciaga bags. But are the iconic twins wearing giant sunglasses in your vision? All signs point to “probably!”
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The Olsen sisters weren’t the only ones devoted to face-obscuring oversized shades back in the day; it was definitely the most popular sunglasses silhouette of the late 2000s and early 2010s. “The bigger, the better” was pretty much the mantra of that era, from our bags to our heels to our sun protection. But like all good things, the big sunglasses trend couldn’t last forever, and they were replaced by teeny-tiny, ‘90s and Y2K-style sunglasses… or were they? As we continue to embrace all things indie sleaze and 2010s, the Olsen-approved giant sunglasses may be due for a revival.
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The Trend
Though many millennials and Gen Zers associate big sunglasses with the glamorous, maximalist mid-aughts, the shades have been around for awhile. Audrey Hepburn wore a few oversized pairs as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but the silhouette became extra popular in the ‘70s. Eternal trendsetter Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was basically synonymous with the style as she jetted around the globe and made New York City her home; she preferred a round style that covered her brows.
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The big shades movement would fade out as the ‘90s went for a much more minimal look, likely as a reaction to the over-the-top, gimme-more attitude of the ‘80s. For example, Kennedy Onassis’s daughter-in-law Carolyn Bessette Kennedy was all about skinny, oval-shaped sunglasses, as were stars like Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore. (Bessette Kennedy loved her signature shades so much, the brand, Selima Optique, named them after her following her death.)
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But let’s fast-forward to the mid-aughts, an era that embraced the glitz, glitter, and glamour like no decade had before. This was a time of tabloids, reality TV, celebrities behaving badly and dressing the part in skinny jeans, platform heels, and enormous, bug-eyed sunglasses to protect their eyes from the ever-present camera flash. Those sunglasses decorated the most famous faces in the world: Britney Spears, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, you name it. They were typically round or oval-shaped, and they typically spanned most of the mid-face area, hitting above the brow and resting atop the cheekbone for maximal coverage. It was a great way to hide from the cameras… or hide a hangover. If you were a celebrity, you were wearing giant sunglasses—simple as that!
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The 2025 Take
Because the world simply can’t get enough of all things ‘00s, big sunglasses have made a triumphant return to the trend cycle, both on celebrities and on the runway. We’ve spotted ‘00s-esque shades on stars like Kaia Gerber (who was just a baby during their mid-aughts peak) and Victoria Beckham, who’s always been a big sunglasses fan. Balenciaga loves a good bug-eye sunglasses moment, and Chloé is all about the ‘70s vibes, while ultra-chic brands like Phoebe Philo have also supersized their sunglasses.
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To get that glamorous ‘00s socialite look, skip Wayfarer or aviator styles and go right for the circular or oval-shaped shades for the most authentic, Olsen-approved look. Los Angeles-based sunglasses brand Bonnie Clyde’s Princessa sunglasses are perfect for pretending you’re en route to Kitson for a shopping spree (RIP), and Coach’s C shades are totally timeless.
Ray-Ban’s Jackie Ohh II shades couldn’t have a more accurate name, as they mimic her preferred shape and size, and Poppy Lissiman’s Niro style is an XXL take on the trend. If you’ve still got a throwback pair or two in storage, it’s time to dig them up, toss them in your Balenciaga City Bag, and hit the town.
