Online Reporter
Fashion 263 Correspondent
Wraparound eyewear is the perfect example of how fashion reinvents itself. What started as functional sports gear has evolved into a bold, fashion-forward statement.
The return of early 2000s and late ’90s aesthetics has brought wraparounds back into the spotlight.
Once considered strictly sporty, or even a little “dad-core”, wraparound eyewear has been serving high fashion and is one of the season’s hottest eyewear styles.
There’s a rebellious edge to wraparounds. Their oversized, shield-like designs feel unconventional. They give off a high-fashion, almost sci-fi aesthetic that stands out.
As with most trends, celebrities and influencers have played a major role in the comeback. Once A-listers start wearing something, it quickly filters into mainstream fashion.
Locally, celebrities such as rapper, actress, and presenter Anele Zondo have been seen rocking Miu Miu wraparound sunglasses, which retail for around R8 260. Internationally, stars like Kim Kardashian and Bella Hadid have also embraced the look, cementing its place in global fashion conversations.
Wraparound sunglasses were originally made for performance, not fashion, especially in high-speed sports like cycling. Early versions were mocked before becoming iconic, proving how trends often start as “ugly” before turning cool.
Today, modern designs blend athleisure and luxury fashion, appearing in collections from high-end brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Balenciaga, and Prada.
What’s also driving the trend is its versatility. Wraparounds can be styled with everything from tailored suiting to streetwear, making them a go-to accessory for those wanting to add an edge to their look.
In a fashion landscape that increasingly embraces bold, experimental pieces, wraparound eyewear stands out as both functional and unapologetically cool.
Meanwhile, forget what you knew about your face.
If you’re in your late 30s or early 40s and your ride-or-die moisturiser suddenly feels like battery acid or you’re battling a chin breakout while your cheeks flake off like a dry Joburg winter, you aren’t failing at beauty.
Your hormones are simply flipping the switch.
The culprit? Perimenopause. It’s the biological “glitch” before the big M, where declining oestrogen levels start a fire sale on your skin’s most precious resources: collagen and moisture. This isn’t just “getting older”; it’s a hormonal hijacking that changes the very chemistry of your complexion.
The science of the “switch”
“Your skin and hormones are in constant flux,” explains Dr Alek Nikolic, a specialist in aesthetic medicine and founder of SkinMiles. “As oestrogen starts to dip, the skin produces less collagen and fewer natural oils. It holds less water, and the barrier becomes easier to disrupt.”
Think of your hormones as the “control centre” for how your skin behaves. When you’re going through perimenopause, your oestrogen levels drop, which is basically like losing your skin’s natural built-in moisturiser; without it, your body stops producing as much oil and hydration, leaving your skin feeling tight and parched.
At the same time, when you’re stressed, your body pumps out cortisol, which acts like a wrecking ball to your skin’s protective barrier. This makes it harder for your skin to hold onto moisture, so even if you’re using expensive creams, the hydration just “leaks” right out.
We’re fighting a two-front war:
1. Intrinsic ageing: Your internal biological clock is slowing down.
2. Extrinsic ageing: Our brutal UV index, pollution, and the habit of taking long, steaming showers that strip what little oil we have left.
The result is a confusing “second puberty”. As oestrogen drops, androgens (the “male” hormones) can take the lead, cranking up oil production in some spots while the rest of your face feels paper-thin. You’re congested and dehydrated at the same time. It’s a mood and not a good one.
In your 20s, you could scrub your face into submission. In perimenopause, your skin demands a peace treaty. “The focus shifts to resilience,” explains Nikolic. “You want to support the barrier, reduce inflammation, and use active ingredients in a way that your skin can tolerate long-term.”
Here is your perimenopause skincare rewrite:
1. Protect the barrier (the holy grail): If your skin feels tight after washing, you’ve basically committed a crime against your barrier. Stop using boiling water and ditch the harsh foams. Use a pH-balanced cleanser. Look for hyaluronic acid to pull water in and ceramides to lock it there.
2. Reform your actives: You don’t have to break up with retinol, but you do need to see it less often. Cell turnover is slowing down, making you more prone to irritation.
Apply actives over moisturiser (the “sandwich method”) and scale back the frequency. Focus on vitamin C and niacinamide to handle the pigmentation that years on the Promenade have finally brought to the surface.
3. SPF is non-negotiable: UV rays, specifically UVA, the “ageing” rays, penetrate glass. Whether you’re driving or sitting by a window, the damage is cumulative. Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+. Every. Single. Day.
4. Keep it simple: When your skin is reactive, it’s screaming for a minimalist routine. Avoid high alcohol content and heavy fragrances. Reach for colloidal oatmeal to calm the “hot flash” redness.
Perimenopause is a full-body transition affecting everything from your sleep to your metabolism. Your skin is just the early warning system, the “breaking news” ticker for your internal health.
“The goal is to understand what’s driving the change and support your body through it,” explains Nikolic.
