Why Are People Wearing Sunglasses Indoors?

The purpose of sunglasses is to protect our eyes from outdoor light. However, in recent years, sunglasses have been used more as a fashion statement than for their conventional purpose. 

Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber and the Olsen twins are all choosing to wear their sunglasses indoors. 

Why is that?

“They help me see and they help me not see,” says fashion icon Anna Wintour in the NY Post about wearing sunglasses indoors. “They help me be seen and not be seen.” 

Celebrities tend to wear sunglasses wherever they go to shield themselves from the public, elevate their outfit, hide emotions to avoid gossip or cover a tired eye from a crazy night before. 

Sunglasses are a tool for celebrities to have some independence and privacy, but because they are prominently in the eyes of the public, they can inspire a wave of people around them. 

Now, people start to pair their sunglasses with their work outfits to the office or give a pop of color to a grey sweater. People look at celebrities like Wintour and want to follow their ways of dressing, and sunglasses indoors are now a part of that. 

However, there is another twist on why sunglasses indoors are becoming so popular.  

One benefit of sunglasses is that no one can see where you're looking. It is the perfect solution for people watching, allowing you to look mysterious while simultaneously staring at everyone around you.

On another note, if you had a crazy night on the town on a Thursday night but have a 9:30 a.m. class on Friday morning, sunglasses will be your best friend. Keep your head up and stare at your computer with sunglasses on. It’ll look like you are locked in for class, but in reality, your eyes are shut, drifting into a little mid-morning nap.

It seems that in 2025, there are now multiple purposes for sunglasses, besides shielding from bright light.