Hi, I’m Clementina, and I’m addicted to sunglasses. I’m only half joking… I have an entire drawer dedicated to them in my wardrobe, and currently own about 40 pairs—with at least another 15 on my wishlist right now. Come rain or shine, high summer or dead of winter, I always have a pair of sunglasses on my head, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

In my mind, they are the perfect investment. Not only are sunglasses actually necessary for shielding eyes from harmful rays, but they also add an air of mystery and instant polish to any look—not to mention they hide all manner of sins.

The best part, though, is that sunglasses provide the most accessible entry-point into the world of luxury fashion. For most, designers’ ready-to-wear collections are completely out of reach, and with handbag prices soaring at an alarming rate, sunglasses are the only remaining luxury accessory that’s somewhat affordable. Plus, if you factor in their versatility and potential for everyday use, you can easily excuse even those on the higher end of the price spectrum with a bit of good old-fashioned girl maths…

My lifelong obsession with sunglasses may not be the best news for my bank balance, but it does mean that I have something of a sixth sense for spotting the trends and exact styles that are set to dominate each season. The cult Celine Triomphe sunnies that everyone seems to own? Yep, I was already wearing them 2 years before the rest of the world—and that’s just one example.