By Andrea McVeigh.

We can't live without our sunnies - for sunshiny days, for days when we're pretending to be famous, and for hangover days too! They're also the best possible accessory to have when we want to update our wardrobe but can't afford a designer frock.

But when it comes to choosing between cat's eyes, round frames, Aviators and Jackie O's we haven't a clue what suits us. So we asked eyewear specialist Eavan Kennedy, owner of EK Eyewear on Belfast's Lisburn Road, for her top tips on choosing the right frame for your face.

First up, Eavan points out that there are "no hard and fast rules" when it comes to choosing the perfect pair. "We'd look at factors such as whether or not the sunglasses suit the shape and size of your face and whether they have empathy with the rest of your face.

"As an optician I'd do more sunglasses than most and we always offer advice on the shape of your face and the frame." In general though, and to help us in our search for the perfect summer sunnies, Eavan offered us this great advice:

The Jackie O - big, round and screaming 'glamour', this is a huge trend for those who want to channel the Victoria Beckham look. "Chanel and Tom Ford are going for the slightly larger, almost bug-eyed approach to this look. But," warns, Eavan, "don't go too big on a long face as it will only make your face look narrower. This style is perfect for rounder, more heart-shaped faces though."

The Aviator - Daniel Craig started a stampede for Aviators when he wore a Dior pair at the Quantum of Solace premier, adding a sexy edge to the clean, formal look of the glasses. In the movie itself Daniel wore a pair of limited-edition Tom Ford aviators, known as the Tom Ford James Bond 007 Sunglasses - so we can tell Danny Boy is a big fan! And, says Eavan, this is still a hot shape for summer 2011.

"Some are very straight and flat across the top, and almost triangular looking, but you need a slightly slimmish face to carry that off." Not all of us have the perfect face for this look. So, if you're looking for a softer, squarer shape, Eavan recommends trying Ray Ban.

The Cat's Eye - this is summer's hot new trend, the uber-fashionista look (Tom Ford cat's eye framed pictured above). But those with round faces should avoid this style, which sweeps up at the outside of the frame for a 'flicked up' look. "You also need the right shape of eyebrows to carry this off," points out Eavan. "You need a strong, well-defined eyebrow, it's not a look for those with soft or thin brows."

The Wayfarer - a tried and tested classic that suits most shapes of face. "This blocky shape is always popular, and this season you should check out Ray Ban and Tom Ford for this unisex style that's never out of fashion. Look for them in different colours too, as coloured Wayfarers are really hip this year."

Brands - "Classic brands such as Gucci and Chanel tend not to date, while Tod's (pictured left worn by Halle Berry) is another great label that combines both classic styling with a modern aesthetic. Chanel also has its bling moments, along with Dior, but in general, customers are moving away from that look towards something more subtle," advises Eavan.

Colours - "Juicy Couture has a great selection of berry colours this season, in shades such as raspberry and cherry, and the good news is that most people can wear any colour they choose. Those with darker skins suit a wider range of colours", says Eavan, "whereas anyone with pale skin should avoid black as it can be very draining."

Once you've chosen a style, Eavan has the most important piece of advice of all - don't wear them on top of your head!

Sugahfix is guilty as charged when it comes to this, but, as Eavan points out, the width of your head and the volume of your hair will stretch the arms of the glasses.

"It's the worst thing you can do to a lovely pair of sunglasses," she warns.

EK Eyewear, 370 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 6GL. Tel: 028 9066 2020.

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