Sunglasses are great accessories to accentuate the best features of your face. They’re also pretty handy because they let you protect your eyes from UV rays. Picking the right pair can be tricky, though, especially if you’re trying to keep up with the fashion trends. What are the most fashionable sunglasses for 2011? Which celebrities don these styles?

Butterfly or Cat eye

The cat eye or butterfly frame is making a comeback this 2011. This is in keeping with the clothing styles of the year, too, as the 50s and 60s fascinator hats make a comeback. Frames are leaning on the dramatic in general. While the original designer butterfly frames might break your wallet, there are plenty of imitation glasses out there that are just as flattering for your face. Just look for high quality plastic imitations and you should be on the right fashion track.

Unusual Frames

Think modern art as you choose sunglasses with unusual frames. Most of them border on the very square. They’ll require a lot of character on the wearer’s side, though. Some of them might even look like goggles and not sunglasses anymore. Think Lady Gaga and you’ll catch the drift. Be careful about choosing these bold designs, though. Although they’re really meant to be bold and are crafted for the shock effect of it all, you want to look fashionable, not foolish. Be bold but stick very close to your style. When it comes to unusual frames, though, it’s really advisable for you to choose imitation ones. These are glasses you’ll probably want to wear for only one outfit.

Extreme lenses

The sepia shades of the last two years are bowing down to ultra dark lenses and transparent ones. Think bipolar opposites and you’ll get the main sunglasses trends of 2011. Indoor, sports and driving glasses are still in. Take your liberties in choosing pastel tinted lenses for indoor use. These are “sunglasses” which aren’t quite sunglasses because they’re not really used to block your eyes from UV rays. They’re great fashion accessories, though.

Additional style guides

These trends are only good if they look great on your face, though. Also consider the aesthetic value of your sunglasses as a fashion accessory. It’s very easy to spot a fashion victim based on his/her choice of sunglasses. If you’re already round faces, go for cat eye or butterfly frames and skip the goggle-look-alikes. Those with very strong jaw lines need to avoid square frames. The oval-faced ones have it easy because almost any frame and style looks good on them. Also check the lens color against your skin tone. Your clothes aren’t the only points for consideration here. You also need to make sure that your sunglasses don’t make you look too gray or too yellow.

Quality

Try to purchase your imitation designer sunglasses from credible sources. These imitation glasses need to be made from top-of-the-line plastic and metals. The screws should be well-made, and the lenses shouldn’t crack or scratch too easily. Purchase cheaper imitation products, but it the smart way.