Shady lady

Whether it's concealing a hangover, creating an air of cool, or the original purpose of shielding your eyes from the sun, no summer wardrobe is complete without sunglasses.

Subtle or statement, shades seem to be hotter than ever this season - those in the know are virtually planning their outfits around them. And the good news is that, unlike shoes and clothes, it's one size-fits-all and there's a frame out there to suit every face.

We've eyed up our pick of the best.

:: Floral fancy

Look bloomin' marvellous in the sunshine with this summer's new sunglasses obsession - 3D floral adornments. Grow some flower power with statement bright blooms or chic monochrome buds.

Try: Missguided's Abby Embellished Flower Wayfarers, £8.99 (www.missguided.co.uk).

:: Pastel power

Take inspiration from summer sorbets by transferring the sugary shades to your sunglasses. Look to peachy creams, icy blues, minty greens and lavender hues that look soft and dreamy.

Try: M&Co's Mint Green Frame Sunglasses, currently reduced from £12 to £3 (www.mandco.com).

:: In the round

Go big or go home. If oversized sunglasses are your thing, look to bold round frames to access this season's retro glamour look - think Jackie O. Opt for a neutral colour like black, brown or beige for versatility.

Try: M&S Collection's Contrast Round Frame Sunglasses, available in black or nude, £12.50 (www.marksandspencer.com)

:: Niche novelty

Get your claws out for shades that will make people stop and stare. You'll find quirky shapes in anything from ice cream cones and cocktail glasses to pussy cats. Best reserved for attention seekers.

Try: Chelsea Doll's Kitty Cat Sunglasses, £12 (www.chelseadoll.co.uk).

::White hot

Who needs blusher to brighten your cheeks, when you've got dazzling white sunglasses? Tap into the whitewash trend with plain block colours, or add interest with a fabric-inspired print and wear your fashion on your face.

Try: Dorothy Perkins's White Lace Printed Wayfarer Sunglasses, £8 (www.dorothyperkins.com).

:: Golden oldie

You can't mess with a classic and tortoiseshell frames, aka versatile wonder of the sunglasses world, will be around for many summers to come. Invest to make sure yours go the distance.

Try: Oliver Peoples Tortoise Jacey Cat-Eye Sunglasses, £185 (www.avenue32.com).

:: Colour pop

Brights don't have to be frightening, with acetate frames that offer a transparent look that's far more subtle than opaque block colour. Pick out your favourite zingy shade for an instant outfit uplift.

Try: Guess Ladies Yellow Frame Sunglasses, £76.50 (www.shadesoftime.co.uk).

:: Mirror mania

No need to carry a compact with the latest craze for mirrored lenses. Be reflective in bright tonal shades or super-sporty darker tints. You're sure to be everyone's favourite friend for lipstick top-ups.

Try: Topshop's Aviator Mirrored Lens Sunglasses, £10 (www.topshop.com).

:: Cat's whiskers

Find your inner Fifties film star with retro cat eye sunglasses for timeless style. Think outside the traditional black box and try a multicoloured painterly frame for a modern twist.

Try: ASOS's Cat Eye Sunglasses With Multi Frames, currently reduced from £10 to £5.50 (www.asos.com).

:: Print works

News flash: Monochrome is still huge for autumn/winter 13. Be a step ahead with your sunglasses by working a playful print like polka dots, which you can wear in summer rays and autumn sunshine.

Try: Quay Eyewear Australia 1499 Retro Sunglasses, £23 (www.amazon.co.uk).

Sunglasses soulmate

Find your perfect pair by wearing the appropriate frames to suit your face shape. Guess Eyewear has created this handy guide:

Diamond - Look for oval, square or rimless frames to minimise cheekbones and balance out a narrow chin.

Heart - Aviators and cat eye frames are just right to enhance your facial shape.

Oval - Count yourself lucky that most options fit your face perfectly. Experiment with different styles; anything medium to large-sized will work well.

Round - Try frames with straight or angular edges that will lengthen and slim your face, and avoid rounded styles that accentuate full cheeks.

Square - Look to round and cat eye frames to create balance. Avoid frames that are 'flat' at the bottom.

Get the look

Sienna Miller delivers some bouquet glamour in her Dolce & Gabbana frock. Copy her feminine floral look with Monsoon's Maddox Jacquard Prom Dress, £129 (uk.monsoon.co.uk).

Buy it now

Proving she's a yummy mummy, Fearne Cotton flaunts her post-baby figure in campaign shots for her 10th range for Very.co.uk. The Radio 1 DJ turns up the glamour, modelling hot pink and sequin dresses from her A/W13 collection. Available now at www.very.co.uk, priced £22-£69.

Fashion flash

:: Terrifying trends

Meet the fashion combo making people cringe on the streets: socks and sandals. Teamed together they've been voted the biggest fashion faux pas of all time, according to a survey by Debenhams. Other fashion catastrophes include platforms on men and low-slung trousers, as well as retro favourites, shell suits and bumbags. Ed Watson, director of public relations for Debenhams, says: "Socks and sandals are the epitome of British summer style gone wrong. The fashion crowd might have classed it as 'en vogue' but our customers have voted it the worst look of all time."

:: Return rebels

A quarter of naughty shoppers admit to returning used goods 'as new'. Women were more likely to indulge in the practice than their male counterparts, according to the survey by Offeroftheday.co.uk. Almost one fifth (17%) said that they fibbed at the till 'regularly', 21% said 'now and again', but the majority, 46%, said they'd only done it 'once or twice'. Clothes are the most common items people returned dishonestly, followed by accessories and jewellery.