Even in winter our eyes need protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Unlike summer sunglasses, winter eyewear has lighter lens allowing you to see clearly on overcast days while still reducing glare, and protecting eyes. To stay protected yet stylish, since sunglasses are now officially year-round fashion accessories, go for the hottest look of this season – oversized eyewear. Retro-styled big frames a la Audrey Hepburn and Bridget Bardot are back. Fashionista and pop diva Jennifer Lopez, who presented her first fashion collection at New York Fashion Week on Saturday, arrived at the Bryant Park venue wearing extra-large specs.

Mark Collman, buyer for New Zealand’s largest eyewear distributor, says frame styles for the new season will continue the trend of large round and square shapes in black plastic.

Temples or the sides of the frames, become the focus of attention, embellished with rhinestones, jeweled logos and colored crystals. Wider temples, laser-etched patterns, and cut-out designs are also among the freshest looks, according to Eyecessorize.com. For a stylish look, go for Burberry Check sunglasses, featuring the traditional plaid logo etched in silver tones, or for sumptuous Versace's Swarovski-studded rimless sunglasses with dark pink lenses.

Color trends for Spring 2005 range from classic black to hot pink. “Large and black will remain popular in New Zealand, however in Europe they are moving towards bright colours such as lime and white,” Collman told New Zealand’s Thread. Kate Spade's Berkeley offers a selection in pink with brown gradient lenses or purple with gray gradient lenses.