Five of the Best: Men's Sunglasses

We are not exactly having a classic summer here in Britain but who needs constant sunshine to don a fabulous pair of shades?

A good pair of shades can transform a person from so-so to so hot and there are so many great ones available at the moment I felt I needed to do one of my five of the best features. 

The wayfarer and the aviator are still big and coloured lenses seem extremely popular - think greys and olives though rather than garish Elton John esque monstrosities. Here is my Five of the Best.....

3. The Budget Breaker

I have been dreaming about these Tom Ford 'Henri' glasses for a while now (they will be mine, they will be mine) and I just love the shape of them and the signature Tom Ford metal detailing at the temples. In fact I could have featured a dozen of his glasses, particularly the 'Pablo'! With the 'Henri' I would definitely go for the black pair as they are classy and understated and very very cool. Oh and expensive. $360 NeimanMarcus.com.

2. The Chic Italian

You can't go wrong with a pair of Persol sunglasses. This chic Italian brand has been famously worn by the likes of Steve McQueen and ignores trends and fads to produce classic shades that can be worn for years. These 0649's just ooze class. £168 Sunglasssave.com.

1. The Retro

Topman are always a good bet for sunglasses, particularly if you want to go for a style that you fear might not look quite so hot in a couple of seasons, as they are reasonably priced and a decent quality. These Tortoiseshell 50's sunglasses are perfect for tortoisshell virgins, with just a smattering to give that retro edge, and are a bargain at £45. Topman.com. 

4. The Sporty

I never thought I would like a pair of white sunglasses but these Lacoste 'Tolouse' sunglasses are just fabulous. Perfect for wearing during a game of tennis on a summers day, or when doing anything vaguely sporty. Reduced to $99 Sportsshadesonline.com

5. The Colourful

If you want to stand out from the crowd, in a good way, then you might fancy these colourful matt yellow sunglasses from Sunpocket, which fold in half for easy storage. They are reasonably priced too at just £50, from Urban Outfitters.

So there we have it, five pairs of fabulous shades that are so cool they don't even require sun. Let me know what you think of them. Also, check out my other 'Five of the Best' features ...  man bags, swim shorts and hi-tops.