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BE4393 - Meryl
Regular price £144.99Regular price£249.99Sale price £144.99Save £105.00Just Dropped -
BE4393 - Meryl
Regular price £149.99Regular price£269.99Sale price £149.99Save £120.00Hot Deal
Burberry cat eye sunglasses pair one of the most flattering, feminine frame shapes in eyewear with the heritage and craftsmanship of a great British house. The cat-eye — with its upswept outer corners and sculpted brow line — has been a symbol of glamour since the 1950s, and Burberry's take gives it modern polish, considered colour and subtle house detailing. This Ardor Eyewear collection brings the label's cat-eye styles together, spanning around fifteen frames including the BE4216, the BE4393 Meryl, BE4435, BE4476, BE4436U and BE4425U, typically priced between £145 and £210. Every pair is 100% genuine, supplied by an authorised stockist.
Whether you want an elegant everyday frame, a statement pair for holidays and events, or a shape that lifts and defines your features, the cat-eye is a perennial favourite for good reason. Below we look at why the shape is so flattering, Burberry's signature interpretations, how to choose the right fit, and the materials and lens options available when you buy from Ardor.
Why Burberry cat eye sunglasses flatter so well
The magic of the cat-eye lies in its geometry. By sweeping the outer corners upward, the shape draws the eye up and out, creating a subtle lifting effect that flatters the cheekbones and balances the face. It is a shape that feels inherently glamorous — think vintage film stars and effortless European style — yet Burberry keeps it wearable, softening the drama with clean lines and heritage colourways in honey, tortoiseshell, black and warm brown.
That balance of flattering shape and grown-up detailing is what makes Burberry cat eye sunglasses so appealing. They add polish to a casual outfit and elegance to a smart one, and the subtle house cues — the check on the temples, the equestrian knight marker — signal quality without shouting. To see how the cat-eye looks across other designers, our wider cat-eye sunglasses collection is a helpful comparison, while the full Burberry sunglasses range shows the shape alongside the brand's other silhouettes.
Signature Burberry cat eye sunglasses models
This edit ranges from soft, subtle cat-eyes to bolder, more sculpted statements:
- The Meryl (BE4393): A named style that captures the cat-eye's elegance with a refined, contemporary line.
- BE4216: A classic acetate cat-eye with the depth of colour the material is prized for.
- Modern sculpted shapes (BE4435, BE4476): Cleaner, more architectural takes on the cat-eye for a fresh, fashion-led look.
- BE4436U and BE4425U: Recent designs that reinterpret the shape with a modern edge, marked "U" for their more universal styling.
Some cat-eyes lean gently rounded while others are sharper and more angular, so there is a version to suit both softer and stronger features. If you love a curvier silhouette, our round sunglasses edit is worth exploring alongside this one.
Finding the right fit for your face
The cat-eye is especially versatile, but knowing which version suits you helps:
- Round faces benefit most, as the upswept corners and angles add definition and lift.
- Heart-shaped faces are beautifully balanced by cat-eyes, since the wider top complements a narrower chin.
- Square or angular faces soften behind a gently rounded cat-eye, which counters a strong jaw.
- Oval faces can carry almost any cat-eye, so you can choose on style alone.
For fit, the frame should sit about as wide as your face, with the arms resting comfortably behind your ears and the lenses covering your eyes without gaps at the sides. The three measurements printed inside the temple arm — lens width, bridge width and temple length in millimetres — are the most reliable guide, and matching a pair you already wear well is the easiest shortcut. As a distinctly feminine shape, the cat-eye is a highlight of our broader women's sunglasses range.
Materials and craftsmanship
Most Burberry cat eye sunglasses are made from acetate, and for good reason: the shape's sculpted corners and brow line are best expressed in a material that holds depth and richness of colour. Acetate lets tortoiseshell glow, keeps solid black looking deep and even, and feels warm and comfortable against the skin. Some styles combine acetate fronts with slim metal arms carrying the Burberry check, adding a lighter, more delicate touch. Across all of them you will find clean rims, sturdy hinges and the small house details that mark a frame as genuine Burberry — designer construction made to be worn, not just admired.
Lens and prescription options at Ardor
Every pair provides full UV protection as standard, and many can be tailored to how you live:
- Gradient tints shade softly from the top down, keeping your eyes visible — a classic, elegant choice for cat-eyes.
- Polarised lenses cut glare from roads and water for a calmer view; see the technology across our polarised sunglasses collection.
- Prescription sun lenses in single vision or varifocal, so you get glamour and clear vision in one pair — explore our prescription sunglasses range.
Prescription orders are glazed in the UK and typically take around 7–10 working days before dispatch, with free UK shipping on every order.
Styling Burberry cat eye sunglasses
The cat-eye is the shape that finishes a look with a flourish. Few accessories add polish as quickly, which is why so many women keep a cat-eye frame as their go-to statement pair. A tortoiseshell or honey frame with a gradient lens brings instant elegance to a summer dress or holiday outfit, while a sleek black cat-eye adds drama to tailoring and monochrome looks. The upswept shape pairs beautifully with an updo or swept-back hair, which shows off the frame's line, and it flatters a bold lip and defined brow. For events and weddings, a more sculpted, statement cat-eye makes a memorable accessory; for everyday wear, a softer, mid-sized version keeps things easy and refined. The shape also flatters most necklines and works beautifully with hooped or drop earrings, which echo its curves. However you style them, cat-eye frames add a note of timeless glamour that lifts even the simplest outfit. For more premium options across shapes, our designer sunglasses UK collection is a good place to browse.
Why buy from Ardor Eyewear?
A statement frame deserves a trustworthy source. Every pair of Burberry cat-eye sunglasses we sell is 100% authentic, sourced as an authorised stockist and supplied with the brand's case and cleaning cloth — never a replica and never grey-market stock. You benefit from free UK shipping, a 14-day returns policy (return postage paid by the customer) and the option to add prescription lenses to many frames. It is designer eyewear buying made honest and simple. A cat-eye is often a frame you reach for again and again, so knowing it is the genuine article — built to the brand's standards and backed by our returns policy — lets you buy with complete peace of mind.
Caring for acetate cat-eye frames
Acetate keeps its colour and lustre with a little care. Clean the lenses with a lens spray and microfibre cloth rather than a shirt tail, which can trap grit and cause fine scratches. Store the sunglasses in their case when not in use, and keep them out of prolonged heat — a hot car dashboard can loosen acetate and stress lens coatings over time. Handle the frame with both hands when putting it on and taking it off to protect the sculpted corners and keep the alignment true, and pop into any optician if the arms ever need a gentle re-adjustment.
The cat-eye through the decades
The cat-eye is one of the few frame shapes with a genuine cultural story, and knowing it adds to the appeal. It rose to fame in the 1950s and early 1960s, when it became shorthand for feminine glamour and confidence — worn by screen icons and style-setters, and reinvented in every fashion revival since. Its enduring popularity comes from that mix of nostalgia and flattery: it evokes a golden age of style while doing the very modern job of lifting and balancing the face. Burberry's interpretation keeps the shape's romance but updates the proportions and colour for contemporary wear, which is why Burberry cat eye sunglasses feel classic and current at the same time.
Lens tints for cat-eye frames
The right lens finish can make a cat-eye feel either soft and elegant or bold and dramatic:
| Lens | Effect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Brown / honey gradient | Warm, soft, flattering | Everyday, holidays |
| Grey gradient | Cool, elegant, versatile | City wear, tailoring |
| Solid dark / smoke | Bold, glamorous | Events, strong sun |
| Rose / subtle mirror | Fashion-forward, playful | Statement looks |
Gradient lenses are the classic partner for a cat-eye because they keep the eyes visible and add softness, while a solid dark lens turns the frame into a bolder statement. Polarised versions add glare-cutting comfort without losing the shape's elegance.
Pairing cat-eye sunglasses with make-up and hair
Part of what makes the cat-eye so rewarding is how well it works with the rest of your look. The upswept shape naturally echoes a flick of eyeliner, so a subtle winged liner and defined brow amplify the frame's lifting effect beautifully. A bold lip balances a statement cat-eye and keeps the overall look intentional rather than fussy. Hair matters too: because the drama of a cat-eye lives at the outer corners, swept-back styles, updos and anything that keeps hair off the face show the shape at its best. If your hair usually falls forward, a slightly larger or more sculpted frame ensures the upswept line still reads. None of this is essential — Burberry cat eye sunglasses look great with the most casual outfit and bare face — but understanding how the shape interacts with make-up and hair helps you get the most flattering result on the occasions when you want to make an impression.
Choosing a cat-eye to match your style
Not every cat-eye is the same, and matching the frame to your taste matters as much as matching it to your face. A gently upswept, mid-sized cat-eye in tortoiseshell is the easy everyday choice — refined enough for work, pretty enough for weekends. A sharper, more sculpted cat-eye in black makes a confident statement for events and evenings, while a lighter honey or rose frame feels fresh and summery. Because Burberry cat eye sunglasses range from subtle to bold, you can pick the level of drama that suits you, and a smaller cat-eye can even work as a neat everyday pair while a larger one becomes your holiday statement. Thinking about when and where you will wear them is the quickest way to narrow the choice.
Frequently asked questions
Are these genuine Burberry cat eye sunglasses?
Yes. Ardor Eyewear is an authorised stockist and every pair is 100% authentic Burberry eyewear, supplied with the maker's case and cleaning cloth. We never sell replicas or unauthorised imports.
Which face shapes do cat-eye sunglasses suit?
Cat-eyes are especially flattering on round and heart-shaped faces, where the upswept corners add lift and balance. Gently rounded cat-eyes soften square or angular faces, and oval faces can carry almost any version.
Can I get cat-eye sunglasses with my prescription?
Many frames can be glazed as prescription sunglasses in single vision or varifocal, with gradient or polarised options depending on the frame. You choose your lens type and enter your prescription at checkout.
Do these offer UV protection?
Yes, every pair provides full UV protection as standard, shielding your eyes from harmful ultraviolet light.
Are cat-eye frames only for women?
The cat-eye is traditionally a feminine shape and is most popular with women, though several modern Burberry designs (marked "U") interpret it with more universal styling. Fit is guided by the frame measurements rather than by gender.
How do I choose the right size?
The frame should sit about as wide as your face without pinching at the temples or sliding down your nose. Matching the measurements printed inside the arm of a pair you already wear comfortably is the most reliable approach.
What are your delivery and returns terms?
UK shipping is free. Non-prescription orders are dispatched quickly, and prescription pairs are glazed in the UK, typically taking around 7–10 working days. We offer 14-day returns, with return postage paid by the customer.