While no stranger to eyewear, luxury women’s line Carven is introducing a line of sunglasses. A brand worn by fashion icons Alexa Chung and Emma Watson, Carven hasn’t included sunglasses in its line for nearly 30 years, but at the recent Paris Fashion Week, several models were seen wearing the new styles.

Carven was reinvigorated by Givenchy designer Guillaume Henry, and sunglasses appear to be one change for the line. While the designs can be seen online, they won’t be available until spring 2012. Retro styles have been in for sunglasses over the past few years, and Carven’s new frames are no exception. Based on the glamour of Paris in the 1950s, Carven offers classic looks in tortoise, and more eye-catching styles in bold and bright colors are included. For the latter, the frame may be a solid or translucent plastic.

As far as the design is concerned, Carven’s new style – only one look seems to be available for now – mirrors the clubmaster frame offered by Ray Ban. There’s only one notable difference – a lack of angles. While Ray Ban clubmasters are a half-frame style with a plastic horn rim on top and rounded lenses, Carven’s eschews the angular look for a rounded top. For a specific touch, all sunglasses by Carven will have wood or metal accents, as well as a subtle “C” to note the brand.

Compared to Carven’s older sunglasses from the ‘50s to the ‘80s, the newer designs are far bolder. Older styles stuck with a classic pallet of black and tortoise with gradient lenses, no matter if the frame was a wayfarer, oversized, or cat eye. Although a fairly high price tag is attached ($165 to $235), Carven’s sunglasses are expected to be the “it” luxury look for next year.

Although the price tag can be a turnoff for some, would you wear a pair of sunglasses similar to Carven’s new styles? Or, would you stick with the retro and classic look of a pair of Ray Ban Clubmasters?

Classic sunglasses styles are nearly always neutral. The black-on-black Ray Bans or Carerra aviators could look just as good on a man as they do on a woman. Yet, with such classic styles becoming the norm, what can a woman do to be in style but still have a feminine edge? Cat eye sunglasses seem to be the answer.

Now part of several designers’ lines, cat eye sunglasses have grown in popularity over the past year and several celebrities have been spotted in them. Aesthetically, cat eye shades merge the angular and curved qualities of 1980s wayfarers with ‘50s sunglasses. The result is a frame that is swooped on top and curved on the bottom.

At the same time, though, cat eye sunglasses don’t have a unified form. Some pairs are all swoops and curves, without a single sharp angle in site. Others, in emulating wayfarers, go for an angled top half and rounded bottom. A few even are exclusively angular. Additionally, cat eye shades can be on the smaller site, hinting at the ‘50s influence, while others are nearly oversized.

Sticking with the neutral theme, cat eye sunglasses often come in a palette of black, tortoise, or white. Gradient lenses add some variation.

If such a style appeals to you, which type of cat eye sunglasses fits your face best? Because the geometric look is predicted to be in for 2012, expect more angular styles, which are ideal for those with round faces. Cat eye frames that are all curves, on the other hand, smooth out a visage characterized by a square jaw, high cheek bones, or sharp lines. As far as the hybrid type of frames is concerned, they are a better match for someone with an oval-shaped or angular face.

Although the unstable economy has not dented sales for luxury brands, celebrities appear to be staying away from frivolous and opulent-appearing goods. Price tags aside, modest and practical handbags and classic sunglasses are the latest accessories spotted on stars. Designers might have experimented with bright colors and textures and opted for smaller sizes at the latest Fashion Week, but if celebrities’ tastes are any indication, classic handbags, like the satchel and the tote bag, made an appearance this spring and have stayed around ever since.

The satchel, for the moment, seems to be the “it” bag – and practicality appears to take precedence over any ostentatious display. Essentially a hybrid between a standard purse and a larger tote, the satchel has all the style the hobo didn’t. Staid enough for the day and stylish enough for night, the satchel is the all-purpose handbag.

A few celebrities have been spotted carrying satchels. Jessica Simpson, with a Celine Triptyque Satchel, is one. Because the pop star-turned-fashion designer doesn’t need to worry about going into an office every day, her satchel is covered in tasteful leopard print — eye-catching but not too gaudy.

R&B singer Ciara, matching her pants with her handbag, was spotted with a Givenchy Antigona Satchel. Even with crocodile print, Ciara’s satchel appears more practical than in-your-face. Unlike the Olsen twin’s glazed crocodile backpack, the “Goodies” singer’s bag is fashionable but not over the top.

Actress Claire Danes also carried an animal print-like satchel, the Reed Krakoff Gym Bag. On close inspection, the satchel has a reptile-like print, but the bag itself does not appear to be made out of actual snakeskin. With “gym bag” in the name, this satchel seems to emphasize its practicality, but its style, again, is eye-catching rather than a Jersey Shore level of tackiness.

Menswear often takes a backseat to women’s fashion. With a limited range of cuts and colors typically, menswear ends up appearing too straightforward and predictable. Occasionally, a pattern, such as paisley or flower print, may be featured more prominently or the cut of a garment may change, but men’s fashion often stays on a straight and narrow path, while women’s clothing veers into new and unchartered territory each season.

For spring 2012, however, menswear has taken a slightly different turn. If you’re a guy who follows fashion and wants to be up with the latest trends, you’ll likely start seeing the following over the next few months:

• Brighter colors. A man has to get out of the blue, white, and black comfort zone and explore other shades. Designers seem to be revisiting the early ‘90s with shades that come dangerously close to neon. While Marc Jacobs in particular seems to be pushing the trend, many others had models walk out in pants the color of highlighter. If yellow’s too strong for your tastes, neon orange, lime green, aquamarine, red, purple, and cobalt are other options for practically every garment – even your good suit.

• Plaid. This isn’t your grunger’s pattern. Think more ‘80s preppy than ‘90s slacker. And, it’s on everything, from pants to blazers.

• The blazer. It’s the “it” apparel for men for this coming spring. Although both single- and double-breasted styles can be found, the former is ideal for casual wear. For every guy’s style, the blazer can be neutral (black or gray), a bright or bold shade, or patterned. Make sure, however, that the blazer isn’t the same color as your pants or shorts.

• The baseball jacket. Spring 2012 is the time to be the high school varsity player you never were. Expected to be a popular item, a baseball jacket can be difficult for an adult to pull off. Go too youthful with your attire, and you’ll end up embodying the mid- or quarter-life crisis.