With the summer season just a couple of months ahead, people are starting to look toward warm weather fashion trends to update their wardrobes. Of course, every year we see constant advertisements for the latest fashions and trends in basic clothing. But sometimes it is a trendy accessory or two that can truly put your summer image. For example, consider something like a nice new pair of designer sunglasses to pull your look together when the sun is shining.

The trouble with sunglasses, for many people who are generally very fashion-conscious, is that they can be tricky if you rely on corrective vision. A need for prescription eyeglasses can greatly reduce the number of options you have when picking out sunglasses! However, if you already wear, or may be inclined to switch to Acuvue contact lenses, you will unlock a whole new range of possibilities for fashionable summer eyewear. Here are five top trends for designer sunglasses this coming summer.

Stripes
Bright and bold sunglasses frames are very popular for spring and summer 2013, and within this concept, striped frames have been very present on the runways. Prada put out some particularly bold looks, and though the striped frames trend works almost exclusively for women, it will still be noteworthy once people are hitting the beaches in a few months. Specifically, white stripes on bold and bright coloured frames are looking popular, and inspire a sort of retro look.

Neutral Colours
While bold and bright colours are trendy in basically all aspects of fashion for spring and summer 2013, neutral colours were also prevalent on runways in early spring. Nude and cream-coloured frames can look very casual and classy with the right beach clothing ensemble, and a set of these frames is certainly a great accessory to have on hand.

All-White
Also in contrast to the bright and colourful style trends, all-white frames with dark lenses will always be fashionable, and have been on runways looking forward to spring and summer 2013. These frames, too, inspire a bit of a vintage, retro feel that can have you looking like a Bond girl, but are perfect for those bright sunny days by the beach.

Snake Skin Patterns
If you're looking for something a bit more unique this coming beach season, consider one of the many snake skin design frames that are making the rounds. Victoria Beckham provides a great example in an aviator style frame with delicate snake patterns, and a set of frames like these can certainly give you something a bit more original in your collection.

All-Black
Always a favourite among trendy men, all-black frames will never go away, and have certainly shown that they will have a presence in the spring and summer of 2013. In all different styles from all different designers, black frames will always be an option.

* Guest editorial *

I selected a few of my favourite pieces from Phase Eight's SS13 Collection to share with you. All of the items featured are available on the Phase Eight website, I've included the links below:

1. Peony Print Maxi Dress - http://tidd.ly/ddc738a3
2. Helen Hearts Print Dress - http://tidd.ly/4925f339
3. Japan Bird Print Dress - http://tidd.ly/4925f339
4. Kirsty Pointelle Cardigan - http://tidd.ly/8735eff0
5. Catherine Jumper - http://tidd.ly/5c9f0e8c
6. Lexi Jeans - http://tidd.ly/5c9f0e8c

The weather may be wintery and miserable outside, but my mind is firmly set in spring mode. Maybe it’s the post-fashion week blues or longer daylight hours that’s caused my seasonal clock to skip a beat, or perhaps it the flurry of new season stock arriving at my favourite stores? I’m inclined to think it has more to do with the latter and my desire to shrug off my dull winterey threads in favour of new pastels and prints.

Back in November I was invited along to Mint Velvet’s SS13 press day. Spring seemed a long way off then, but I still enjoyed the opportunity to browse through their delectable collection and indulge my post-BFAs self with a relaxing hand massage courtesy of the spa at the Sanderson hotel.

I’m already a huge fan of this brand and bought no less than three dresses from their AW12 collection. Needless to say I think I’ll be buying even more from their SS13 collection, I can see this becoming quite a costly business!

Amongst the MV pieces for Spring/Summer are their classic styles reworked with warmer colours and updated prints. Previous seasons has seen them stick to a more muted tone, but bright oranges and yellows abound this season making me dream of beaches, blue skies and summer days to come.

Favourites from the collection include the mosaic trench coat, the pleat bib dress (a shorter sleeved version of the black dress I bought last season) and the Zanthe print dress.