What once seemed like a fashion contradiction is now a style revolution. Picture this: a vibrant Banarasi saree, chunky white New Balance sneakers… and topping it all off, tinted-lens sunglasses in a wraparound silhouette. It’s confident, cultural, chaotic, in the best way possible.
Across metros and mandis, on red carpets and reels, fusion fashion is redefining how India dresses. And eyewear isn’t an afterthought; it’s often the punctuation mark that completes the look.
The Fusion Aesthetic
In 2025, the saree has shaken off its formal-only image and slipped into the everyday wardrobe with remarkable ease. Gen Z and millennials are mixing traditional textiles with streetwear edge: cotton drapes layered under bomber jackets, sequinned sarees with leather corsets, or even georgette pre-stitched sarees paired with oversized graphic tees.
And there’s always one detail tying the look together, a powerful pair of sunglasses.
Sunnies Take Stage
Eyewear today isn’t about just shielding your eyes. It’s a vibe, a mood, a micro-trend. And in India’s current fashion landscape, it’s one of the most expressive accessories in the wardrobe.
Here’s a rundown of the styles making waves, paired with sunglass models that are riding high on the trend radar.
Balancing Drama With Drama
Big drapes call for big frames. Oversized sunglasses are perfectly suited to sarees, adding drama, scale, and serious fashion editor energy.
Sunglass Picks:
Gucci GG0061S – A cult favourite. Tortoiseshell or jet black, these structured acetate frames work beautifully with silk or organza sarees.
Tom Ford Wyatt FT0883 – Sleek and sculpted, ideal for monotone power sarees or minimal cotton drapes.
Whether it’s a high bun or cascading waves, these shades add a timeless touch to sarees with heavy borders or bold prints.
Pop, Play, Repeat
Coloured lenses continue to trend, lending both fun and fashion to traditional wear. Think pink lenses with white chikankari. Or amber tones with indigo block prints.
Sunglass Picks:
Ray-Ban RB3683 (Yellow Tint) – A unisex style that brings a cool, effortless twist to cotton and linen sarees.
Vogue VO4268S – Lightweight and playful, this one’s a staple among younger wearers.
These lenses aren’t just statement pieces—they create Instagram-ready colour harmony with outfits.
A Vintage Remix
There’s something poetic about pairing heritage weaves with retro frames. Wireframe rounds and dramatic cat-eyes channel old-world charm, with a modern twist.
Sunglass Picks:
Oliver Peoples Gregory Peck 1962 – Classy, understated, and ideal with handwoven sarees and earthy tones.
Versace VE4425U – Bold cat-eye for when you want your saree moment to also be a diva moment.
These shapes particularly shine when styled with oversized earrings or a bright red bindi—a retro-fusion fantasy.
Future Meets Folklore
A wildcard in the sunglasses game, wraparound visors are surprisingly versatile when paired with fluid sarees. The juxtaposition of traditional drape and futuristic eyewear creates something strikingly editorial.
Sunglass Picks:
Gentle Monster x Moncler Wraparound – High-concept eyewear for risk-takers.
Carrera Flaglab 11 – The clean lines and sporty edges add an urban finish to bright sarees and slicked-back hair.
When paired with neon sneakers or metallic belts, these visors give the whole look a distinctly post-modern pop star feel.
Celebrities Leading the Fusion Charge
Indian celebrities have championed a fresh fusion of tradition and trend.
Priyanka Chopra shows us how it’s done — saree slay with shades that speak.
Alia Bhatt turns up the charm — sunshine, saree, and shades that do all the talking.
This shift isn’t just about trends. It’s reflective of changing identities—of wearing heritage without the heaviness, and redefining femininity with edge.
The move to sneakers wasn’t just about comfort—it’s a cultural reset. Sarees are now worn to music festivals, college campuses, and even coffee runs. And instead of heels or sandals, they’re sneakers.
The sneakers ground the saree in reality. Add eyewear, and suddenly it becomes a look. A moment. A scroll-stopper.
More than anything, the saree-sneaker-sunnies aesthetic is about owning personal style. It’s not bound by occasion or gender, or body type. It’s expressive, individualistic, and global—just like the India of 2025.
Whether it’s a traditional silk saree styled with angular black Balmain frames or a breezy mul-cotton drape paired with yellow Ray-Bans and slip-on sneakers, the look doesn’t ask for approval. It owns its space.
Because now, fashion isn’t about blending in or ticking boxes, it’s about making statements. Sarees, sneakers, and sunnies just happen to be the most powerful statement-makers around.
Daniela D’Souza
Associate Editor – Print & Digital, VisionPlus Magazine
