15 Most Iconic Hollywood Sunglass Moments We Can’t Stop Thinking About

(Courtesy of @sixtiesdaily)

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From Audrey Hepburn's iconic cat-eyes to Jane Birkin’s larger-than-life sunnies, these are the top 10 sunglasses moments in movie history that still make us swoon.

Hollywood is a treasure trove of fashion moments worth pausing, adoring, and replaying—think dazzling jewels, chic handbags, unforgettable gowns, and, of course, those statement sunglasses that hit differently on our favorite stars.

Back in the good old days, style inspiration came straight from the silver screen—and honestly, it was more than enough. Those classic Hollywood looks were so over-the-top fabulous, they still outshine most of today’s so-called social media “inspo.” 

Curious how a single pair of sunglasses could define an era? Read on to find out why these legendary frames are still influencing fashion right now.

1. Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

(Courtesy of Variety)

Linda Hamilton carved out her place in Hollywood history by playing some of the toughest women ever seen on screen, most famously, Sarah Connor in The Terminator franchise. 

The actress’s rise began with 1984’s original Terminator, which went from indie sci-fi flick to cinematic legend. By the time Terminator 2: Judgment Day hit theaters in 1991, her tough-as-nails look—complete with those bold sunglasses—was just as iconic as the film itself. Maybe not nuclear-proof, but definitely built for that L.A. sunshine!

2. Jane Birkin in La Piscine (1969)

(Courtesy of @70sdesperado)

Think back to La Piscine: all shimmering sunlight, slow-burn tension, and an impossibly chic cast gliding around in Courrèges creations. 

It was Riviera glamour at its best, with Jane Birkin’s iconic sunglasses—oversized, tortoiseshell, with a flash of blue—practically setting the style agenda for a generation.

3. Barbara Stanwyck  in Double Indemnity (1944)

(Courtesy of Classiq)

Double Indemnity checks every film noir box: moody narration, secret schemes, and a murder plot that’s too clever for its own good. Film historians have crowned it the classic, and, in the words of Martin Scorsese, it “revealed the dark underbelly of American urban life” (per The Independent).

Hollywood loves a good “everyman gone bad” story, but none did it with the sheer style of Double Indemnity. Barbara Stanwyck’s character, in those dark, dramatic shades, practically wrote the book on femme fatale style—so much so, Fred MacMurray’s Walter Neff never stood a chance.

4. Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)

(Courtesy of @r/Madonna)

You can’t talk about Desperately Seeking Susan without mentioning Madonna’s legendary black sunglasses. Madonna’s carefree attitude shines through edgy shoulder pads, stacks of jewelry, and killer shades, totally looking like she’s running the whole city!

5. Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

(Courtesy of Glamour)

Who could ever forget Breakfast at Tiffany’s? That legendary opening scene—with Holly standing in front of Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue, pastry in hand, lost in a daydream—set the gold standard for cinematic style.

Hepburn’s black dress (the one with those iconic cutouts showing off her strands of pearls) became the blueprint for every little black dress moment after. But it’s her long gloves and those oversized shades—tortoiseshell cat-eyes by Oliver Goldsmith—that really sealed her fate as a true fashion icon, both on and off the screen.

6. Goldie Hawn in Overboard (1987)

(Courtesy of Ms Lucy Erickson)

On paper, Overboard reads like pure chaos: Joanna Stayton is a spoiled socialite living large with her equally posh husband, Grant. Stuck in Elk Cove, Oregon, while her yacht gets a tune-up, she hires Dean Proffitt—a single dad of four—to redo her closet. Dean’s handiwork? Flawless, but she trashes it for not using cedar (though she never actually mentioned it). 

Yet, when Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell step into these roles, suddenly the madness turns into absolute comedy gold—helped, of course, by Goldie’s “extra” pair of shades, which frankly lived rent-free in everyone’s mind ever since.

7. Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

(Courtesy of Mia Burton)

Eyewear legend status? Miranda Priestley practically invented it. The Devil Wears Prada just wouldn’t be the same without Meryl Streep’s icy stare and razor-sharp wit.

The three-time Oscar winner’s icy entrance—armed with her in those ultra-chic Gucci sunglasses—lets everyone know who’s boss. Thinking of making a dramatic impression? These are the frames you reach for when you mean business.

Miranda in The Devil Wears Prada always looks poised and perfectly put-together, a far cry from the sun-soaked, wild spirit of Donna in Mamma Mia! And yet, the right pair of sunglasses is the one thing these two can agree on—fashion, after all, always finds its way.

8. Gene Tierney in Leave Her to Heaven (1945)

(Courtesy of Vogue)

Leave Her to Heaven tells the story of a writer swept off his feet by a glamorous young socialite. Their whirlwind romance leads to marriage, but her dangerously intense love soon spirals out of control, threatening not just their happiness, but everyone who crosses their path.

In her Oscar-nominated performance as Ellen Berent, Gene Tierney’s boat scene was pure film noir magic: thin-rimmed tortoiseshell sunglasses, a cozy padded bathrobe, and a pop of red lipstick—all while serving a jaw-dropping act. Only Gene could make evil seem so impeccably chic.

9. Margot Robbie in Barbie (2023)

(Courtesy of CNET)

Margot Robbie never really grew up in a sea of pink plastic. “I don’t think I did,” she admitted over breakfast in Venice Beach when asked if she owned a Barbie. (per Vogue). “I know my cousin had a bunch of Barbies, and I’d go to her house.” 

Even without a childhood filled with Barbies, Margot Robbie absolutely nailed her unforgettable take on the iconic doll. In Barbie Land, she and Ken are living it up in a world bursting with color and endless fun—until a trip to the real world turns everything upside down. 

Of course, when Margot and Greta Gerwig teamed up to revive the classic, they made sure to honor Barbie’s original fashion roots; those legendary white cat-eye sunglasses from Mattel’s first doll got their star moment.

10. Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface (1983)

(Courtesy of Refinery29 via Pinterest)

With that signature blonde mane, sparkling blue eyes, flawless skin, and the kind of cheekbones Hollywood dreams are made of, Michelle Pfeiffer has been pure icon material ever since her debut as “The Bombshell” in 1979’s Delta House.

Her characters are always packed with style inspiration, but Elvira Hancock’s wardrobe in Scarface is on another level. The light pink, oversized cat-eye sunnies with tinted lenses add just the right touch to her white skirt suit and brimmed hat, serving up polished perfection in a world obsessed with flash.

11. Julia Roberts in Notting Hill (1999)

(Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly)

Only in Notting Hill could a chance encounter between a famous actress and a quiet bookseller turn into a modern fairytale, complicated by a swarm of eager paparazzi. 

Anything Julia Roberts wore seemed made for her, but those slim cat-eye shades? She turned them into the most-wanted accessory of the late nineties.

12. Anouk Aimée in La Dolce Vita (1960)

(Courtesy of Bitterness Personified)

Anouk Aimée made La Dolce Vita a true rewatch-worthy classic. As Maddalena, she channels that perfect blend of world-weary Italian glamour and mischief, turning tabloid journalist Marcello into her plaything for the night. 

Maddalena glides through Rome’s nightlife, those sharp black cat-eye sunglasses perched perfectly, oozing both elegance and a hint of deliciously wicked charm. La Dolce Vita is truly Fellini at his finest: rich in layers, a little mysterious, and endlessly stylish, just like Aimée herself.

13. Susan Sarandon in Thelma & Louise (1991)

(Courtesy of Vogue)

There’s a reason Louise Sawyer’s cat-eye sunglasses have become iconic—Susan Sarandon’s fearless style and powerhouse acting in Thelma & Louise brought free-spiritedness to the big screen like never before. 

Whether she’s dodging trouble or snapping a road trip selfie, those tortoiseshell frames are the perfect symbol of a woman embracing the journey!

14. Heather Graham in Boogie Nights (1997)

(Courtesy of Vogue)

Heather Graham in Boogie Nights is pure Hollywood gold, rolling through that pool party with heart-shaped sunnies, breezy braids, and a swipe of pink gloss. It’s the ultimate disco-meets-summer-camp look—so good that style icons like Kate Moss and Alexa Chung keep coming back for more.

15. Sue Lyon in Lolita (1962)

(Courtesy of IMDb)

Lolita has captivated—and unsettled—audiences for decades. The film centers on middle-aged professor Humbert Humbert, whose obsession with 14-year-old Lolita (Sue Lyon), the daughter of his landlady-turned-wife, drives the story’s infamous drama.

If that sounds difficult to watch, it’s even more unsettling in the book, where Lolita is younger still. Some viewers today, especially those less attuned to old-school Hollywood innuendo, might even leave the movie unsure whether Humbert crosses that line. But no matter how you feel about the story, Sue Lyon’s playful heart-shaped sunglasses truly defined the whole aesthetic of the Lolita poster. 

With that flirty stare and a red lollipop in her mouth, it’s no wonder that image has stuck with us, no matter how many decades go by.

Get Your Hands on Hollywood’s Favorite Sunglasses

(Courtesy of PEL's Eyewear)

If voguish Hollywood shades tickle your fancy, you can shop those iconic looks through the luxury-exclusive platform ZenLuxe. Take your pick from a stunning range of curated, pre-loved designer sunglasses—Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Gucci, Prada, Tom Ford, Burberry, Bvlgari, Bottega Veneta, Celine, Dior, and plenty more. All are authentic, perfectly kept, and cost only a fraction of what you’d pay retail.

Why turn to high-end sunglasses? Great question. Paying a little more could mean you’re getting glass lenses—“The optics of a glass lens are a lot crisper than a plastics lens,” according to dispensing optician Katherine Howard (per BBC).

(Courtesy of Louis Vuitton)

James Wolffsohn, Professor of Optometry at Aston University, points out you can also “expect them to be a bit more robust,” with arms that are built to last.

A new pair of designer shades is always a justified splurge, thanks to the premium quality, head-turning style, and, let’s be honest, that prestigious label you can’t help but show off. The best part? You’re skipping those hefty designer retail prices on ZenLuxe. 

The luxe treatment starts as soon as you hit order: our pros carefully package your sunglasses and send them to your doorstep (bun alert ahead) in the blink of an eye.

About The Writer

Meet Mariam — a fashion writer who lives and breathes all things vogue and glamour. For her, the most therapeutic aspect of fashion goes beyond simply shopping for the latest styles that appear in stores; it’s fully experiencing this glamorous world from the little details to the big moments (there's nothing quite like the thrill of flipping through a sleek fashion magazine, is there?).