To the best of my knowledge, the Wachowskis never commented on the shades in particular, but I'll leave here a nugget about shades: One final interesting point - at the start of the film all of the agents' sunglasses are the same shape, but as Smith goes increasingly rogue, his sunglasses begin to take on a new shape (as noted in TV Tropes): As we journey deeper into the realm of fashion, it becomes increasingly evident that the allure of these sleek and enigmatic accessories remains unwavering. Luxury fashion houses have embraced the trend, seamlessly incorporating it into their collections. Meanwhile, the fast fashion industry follows suit, ensuring the captivating style stays firmly within our sightlines. It's a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. So out-of-universe it was definitely a specific choice for the production team to get a unique, individual design specific to each character. Neo, portrayed by Keanu Reeves, is the iconic protagonist of "The Matrix," and his sunglasses, often called "Neo sunglasses" or "Matrix sunglasses," hold iconic status for several reasons. They symbolise his rebellion against the artificial reality imposed by machines, fitting perfectly with the film's futuristic aesthetics. Neo's character exudes coolness and confidence, making the sunglasses a sought-after accessory for those who admire his style. They have also left a lasting mark on pop culture, becoming a recognisable symbol and emblematic of his character's enduring influence.

As the captain of the resistance hovercraft Nebuchadnezzar , Morpheus is known for his cool stance and distinct look. Morpheus' round, pince-nez sunglasses have become as iconic as the character itself, inspiring countless Halloween costumes since the movie's first release. More than a cool prop, sunglasses bear a deeper symbolism in The Matrix trilogy . It is believed that they're only worn by characters that are "awake," or those who know the truth about the simulation. It is a fitting keepsake for Fishburne, as the accessory was custom built to fit the actor's face. When Morpheus meets Neo, he is wearing sunglasses, despite being inside a house during a rainy night. It's just meant to look cool. They'll shed the shades and trench coats when they need to be more practical. A few years ago, the fashion world posed a question that echoed through runways and city streets: Would the tiny sunglasses trend, seemingly straight out of the future, eventually fade into fashion's rearview mirror? To answer that query, the resounding consensus seems to be, "Not quite yet!" For the agents, it's another deal altogether. They wear it as a disguise. An additional layer of impersonality. It's standard MIB fantasy clothing. A dark suit and shades.Trinity in particular also uses her sunglasses as eye protection when riding a motorcycle twice, both in the first and second movie. In this article in the Chicago Tribune Kevin Jones (curator of the museum at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles) talks about design choices in the production design: The original Matrix sunglasses emerged from the creative vision of eyewear designer Richard Walker, associated with the eyewear company Blinde Optics. He envisioned glasses that were nothing short of futuristic, setting them apart as unique, unlike anything ever witnessed before. As a result, he meticulously crafted distinctive metal frames for each character in the film.