The best sunglasses to buy for summer 16

A straight-off-the-runway designer dress is something most of us can only dream of owning, but a pair of sunnies from our favourite catwalk brands? Now there's an affordable way to stay on-trend - without saying goodbye to several months' salary.

You'll want to choose carefully, however, because eyewear is as subject to the whims of the fickle fashion world as clothing - plus there's the added challenge of finding frames that best suit your face.

Don't be left in the shade - here's our eye-opening guide to this season's trendiest shapes, styles and colours, and which are best for you...

DO THE ROUNDS

Round frames are bigger than ever this season, with Miu Miu and eyewear tastemaker Linda Farrow opting for oversized circular styles.

These exaggerated shades are ideal for flattering angular, square faces with defined jaws - but steer clear if you've got a round face, as they'll make it face appear smaller and rounder.

• Miu Miu Noir Lilac, £185 (Sunglasses-shop.co.uk)
• Linda Farrow 457 round sunglasses, £425 (www.lindafarrow.com)
• Kirk Originals Varigotto Matt Havanna sunglasses, £165 (www.kirkoriginals.com)
• Very round frame sunglasses with metal arm detail in black, £12 (www.very.co.uk)

TAKE FLIGHT

The classic aviator never goes out of style, but this year, a beefed-up version of the pilot-inspired sunnies has come to the fore, featuring chunkier frames and a more prominent double bar across the top.

The teardrop-shaped frames are best for square or oval faces, because the lenses help define cheekbones.

• Ray-Ban 4266 clear grey sunglasses, £140 (Sunglasses-shop.co.uk)
• Tens Leon black & gold, £80 (www.tenslife.com)
• Roberto Cavalli violet sunglasses, £142.07 (GranOptic.com)

GET THE BLUES

Black and brown sunnies will always be bestsellers, but if you want to stand out from the crowd this summer, blue is the way to go - whether it's cool cornflower frames or deep cobalt lenses, or a combination of the two.

These aquatic hues suit cooler skin tones (as opposed to warm or olive complexions) and brunettes best, so play around until you find your perfect palette.

• Guess blue mirrored sunglasses, £64.95 (SmartBuyGlasses.co.uk)
• Illesteva Boca II Black with violet mirrored lenses, currently reduced to £97.50 from £195 (www.oxygenboutique.com)
• Heine aviator sunglasses, £19 (www.kaleidoscope.co.uk)

BE A COOL CAT

The ever-popular cat's eye style takes on a fierce new incarnation, with sharp, elongated shapes and embellished textures, giving them oodles of look-at-me appeal.

Cat-eye sunnies suit almost everyone, the top-heavy frames creating definition for round, square or long faces.

Be careful if you have a heart-shaped face, however, as larger styles have a tendency to conceal cheekbones and accentuate the chin.

• Miu Miu havana marble white black, £261 (Sunglasses-shop.co.uk)
• Le Specs flashy black sunglasses, £49 (Sunglasses-Shop.co.uk)
• Linda Farrow cat eye sunglasses, £255.32 (Farfetch.com)