The cat-eye that won Centre Court
Spotted is our style journal: frames we've noticed doing the rounds on red carpets, courtsides and film sets — and what makes them work.
Centre Court has a dress code all of its own: linen tailoring, panama hats and — this fortnight especially — one quietly brilliant pair of sunglasses. The Ralph by Ralph Lauren RA5305U in Black Havana tortoiseshell was spotted in the Royal Box at this year's Championships (via Glam) — its second summer running at SW19. When a frame keeps being invited back to the best seats in tennis, it's worth a closer look.
Why this cat-eye works
The RA5305U is a cat-eye with the volume turned down: an oversized acetate frame with a gentle upsweep rather than sharp retro points. That soft lift is the trick — it draws the eye upwards and gives the face structure without ever looking like fancy dress. It's especially flattering on oval, heart-shaped and rounder faces, and the warm tortoiseshell keeps the whole look relaxed rather than red-carpet.
Wearing it now
Take the courtside cue: tortoiseshell against crisp blue or cream tailoring is the summer formula. Prefer something sharper? The same frame comes in Shiny Black for evenings, or Shiny Solid Beige for a softer, sun-washed take. If you're unsure about scale, our frame-width finder will tell you which size sits right.
Get the look
We stock the Ralph by Ralph Lauren RA5305U in all three colourways, including the Black Havana tortoiseshell seen at the Championships — with the full backing of our specialist glazing lab.
Ralph RA5305UBlack Havana£85.99Shop
Ralph RA5305UShiny Black£85.99Shop
Ralph RA5305UShiny Solid Beige£85.99Shop
Total Eyewear has no affiliation with, and is not endorsed by, any individual mentioned in our style journal. Sighting links go to the original publishers; product images are official brand photography of frames from our own range.
