The Sunglasses Scene

Posts Tagged ‘Wayfarer Shades’

Without a doubt, a good pair of sunglasses is absolutely one must-have fashion accessory. Known by many names, this fantastic eye wear is sought after by people from around the world. Sun glasses, or shades as fondly called by many, are practically a form of protective eyewear that is intently designed to shield the eyes from the harmful rays of the sun as well as other high-energy visible light.

But aside from that, they can also be used for other purposes. As a matter of fact, they commonly function as a form of visual aid. Glasses used as a visual aid have lenses that are colored, polarized, or darkened.

Eye shades come in a wide variety of types, sizes, styles, lenses, colors, and designs. But among all types, those made by world-renowned designers are regarded as the crowd’s favorite. The use of designer eye-wear has long been a fashion trend that was popularized by famous Hollywood celebrities and iconic personalities. People wearing stylish shades are known to be trend-setters.

Truth be told, wearing eye shades is not just a fashion statement, in fact, it is one way of protecting your eyes from the discomforting glare of the sun. Most healthcare professionals highly recommend the use of eye protection outdoors. This is because the human eye receives more light than the usual when exposed to bright glares. Additionally, the rays emitted by the sun can be very damaging to the eye during prolonged exposure. That being said, it is vital that you protect your eyes from the subversive UV rays as this can cause serious eye damage.

The Evolution of Eye Shades

During the 12th century, flat panes of smoky quarts that did not offer corrective powers, and did not protect the eyes were used in China. These crystals were utilized by judges in the Chinese court to conceal their facial expression while interrogating witnesses.

Around 1972 or mid-1800s, a man named James Ayscough started experimenting in tinted glasses. He believed that the use of blue- or green-tinted glasses could help correct certain visual impairments. At this time, Ayscough was not concerned on how the glasses can protect the eyes but instead he was more interested on uncovering how tinted lenses can correct one’s vision.

By the 19th century, yellow, amber, and brown-tinted spectacles (a term commonly used by opticians) were typically prescribed to patients with syphilis. This has carried on until the 20th century since light sensitivity was one of the most notable symptoms of the disease.

Basically, the concept of wearing glasses has been around since the prehistoric times. In fact, Inuit people wore glasses with narrow slits made from flattened walrus ivory, which was traced back to ancient history. These ivory glasses were used by the Inuit to effectively block the rays of the sun.

Modern developments on eye shades began in the early 1900’s. During this time, the use of eyeshades started to become more evident. Movie personalities are the ones who were commonly seen wearing them. By 1929, Sam Foster mass-produced inexpensive shades, and introduced them to the American market. Foster was very lucky to have found a ready market on the beaches of Atlantic City in New Jersey, where he launched his own eye wear collection under the name ‘Foster Grant’. And by 1936, polarized shades came into existence, when Edwin Land experimented in the creation of lenses that was patented with Polaroid filter. Since then, numerous advancements have been made to the eye shades.

Classification of Eye Shades

Shades can be classified under numerous categories. You can sort them according to use, style, manufacturer, lens option, and features. But ultimately, they can be tagged under three broad classifications, which are as follows:

Stylish Shades

Trendy eye wear is best suited for fashion-conscious individuals. These shades are the perfect complement for all kinds of outfits. Due to the diverse options available, finding the right one can be an arduous task. Hence, it is critical that you become familiar with the different variations available. To help you do that, here are some of the popular kinds of fashionable eye wear that are commonly used today.

• Aviator Shades – This is perhaps one of the oldest eye wear designs that are still very much popular up to this day. These classic eye wear first hit the mainstream back in the ‘80s, but they have already made a big comeback just recently. They are perfect for those who want to exude a ‘rock-star like’ look. Aviator shades carry the most universally flattering glass shape, which means that they will look good on practically anyone. They are well-noted for their triangular oval shape, thus, making them a great collector’s item.

• Wayfarer Shades – Popularized by Rayban (a highly-acclaimed eye wear manufacturer), this edgy eyewear has been well-praised for its classic appeal. Like the aviators, the wayfarer shades are once again conquering the center stage. They were one of the highly celebrated fashion eye wear during the 50’s. These trendy shades can be worn by men and women alike. Their wide and angular shape can complement just about anything.

• Side-detail Shades – Shades that have side detailing offer an excellent way to introduce a touch of intricacy or sophistication to a plain-looking outfit. These artful and chic glasses are perfect for people who are very detail-oriented. They will go well with a hippie and boho-chic fashion statement.

• Colorful Shades – This nifty eye wear is a hot trend during spring and summer. Colorful shades are noted for their brightly colored lenses. In particular, yellow sunglasses will incredibly look cute when paired with adorable tops. But they can also work as well with other accessories. Additionally, wearing yellow shades can brighten up and draw attention to your best facial features.

• Teashades – These glasses are adorned by individuals who are into high-end fashion. They are commonly worn by rockstars, hence why, they instantly capture the attention of trendy people. These medium-sized shades boast perfectly round lenses that are fully supported by nose pads as well as a thin wire frame. However, teashades are now rarely used these days unlike before.

Practical Eye Wear

Those who are more concerned about practicality and functionality over fashion should opt for the practical eye wear. These glasses are designed to cater the general needs of the users. Some are even loaded with other useful features to boost their efficiency and value.

• Mirror shades – These glasses feature mirror coating at the surface of their lenses to give them a mirror-like appearance. The lenses used in these shades normally provide users’ vision a black or gray tint. Mirror or optical coating can decrease the amount of light passing through the lens by 10 – 60 percent, depending on the thickness of the integrated coating. Mirror sunglasses prove to be useful during extreme weather conditions since they are capable of filtering incoming light. These shades are commonly worn by cops, hence why, they earned the nickname as ‘cop shades’.

• Polarized shades – These functional and fashionable eye wear are capable of providing you a glare-free vision. Their streamlined looks will surely make a statement. They can also be worn for everyday use, like when driving in broad daylight. If you are a sports aficionado, or you just simply love the outdoors, polarized shades can absolutely be a good companion. However, they are not suitable when you need to read through an LCD screen. Available in various sizes, and shapes, these dependable shades will surely give you the best eye protection while still being fashionable.

Designer Shades

Whether you are looking for men or women sunglasses, those made by famous designers are undoubtedly quality investments. Although designer shades do not come cheap, you are assured that they will highly speak of quality. Additionally, these shades are well-recognized for their elegance and opulence. Some are even accentuated with expensive Swarovski crystals, while others maintain a sleek, simple yet streamlined design. Some of the best designer shades that you should checkout include the following:

• Marc Jacobs Sunglasses – Marc Jacobs’s eye wear collection is the brand of choice among the rich and famous. Shades designed by Marc Jacobs are well-known for their fusion styling, and have always been emulated on the High streets. The perfect fusion of traditional and modern design greatly adds to their charm. These shades are actually made with form and function in mind, thus, giving you the guarantee of a quality eye wear. The brand is synonymous to glamour, hence why, you’ll see famous Hollywood celebrities sporting a Marc Jacob eye wear.

• Oakley Shades – Are you looking for sunglasses that will provide you with visual clarity? If so, then shades made by Oakley are definitely the way to go. Oakley developed an advanced lens technology, called as the High Definition Optics (HDO), which is incomparable to other brands. Oakley’s HDO lensare purposely designed to fulfill the needs of professional athletes who require maximum vision to boost their performance.

• Xloop Sunglasses – Xloop is certainly a name that outdoor enthusiasts and sports-minded individuals greatly recognize. Xloop designs their shades in such a way that users can easily find the right pair of glasses that will perfectly fit their individual lifestyle. Xloop shades are well-known for their outstanding quality and extreme affordability. They feature cutting edge designs that are accented by sleek and cool shade attitudes.

• D&G Shades – Dolce & Gabbana shades are heavily influenced by the current trends but still maintain their own distinct twists. D&G is a high-end fashion brand that is known for producing bold and effective style statement. Wearing a D&G eye glasses will surely add a wow factor to your look due to its attractive, stylish, and glamorous frames.

How to Choose the Right Shades

With a lot of viable options to select from, finding the perfect shades is no easy task. That is why thorough evaluation and careful assessment are highly needed in order to easily narrow down your search. To accomplish that, here are some tips that might help you:

• Always take into consideration the shape of your face. This is a very important step to determine if a particular eye wear will suit you. Determine if you have a heart, round, square, or oval face. To do this, take a photo of yourself by facing directly to camera. Then, use a tracing paper to outline the shape of your face. Most of the time identifying the exact shape of the face can be hard to determine. If this is the case, select the closest shape possible.

• Figure out which style will work best with the shape of your face. Remember that eye shades come in an assortment of shapes, forms, sizes, and types. Hence, make sure to choose one that will seamlessly complement your face structure. For those with round faces, stay away from glasses with round frames. Instead go for those featuring angular frames to create an illusion of a slimmer face. Meanwhile, individuals with square faces must find shades that carry styles which can soften the angular structure of their face. On that regard, oval or round shades are the most flattering option for people with square faces.

• Opt for close-fitting and wrap around shades. This is highly advised to ensure that your eyes will be given optimum protection against the damaging UV rays. Wearing close-fitting shades will guarantee that UV rays won’t be able to seep in the sides of the frame.

• Check the shade’s UV protection level. It is critical that you settle for one that will be able to give you excellent UV protection. This is because medical professionals believe that exposure to sunlight can significantly contribute to the development of cataracts as well as other eye disorders. Therefore, make sure to go for shades with high UV rating.

• Try out new eyewear designs. Those who have spent their life following the latest trends know that it is very easy to fall into a fashion rut. So, instead of just settling for your usual pair of sunglasses, why not try out new designs that you haven’t tried before. Do not be afraid to experiment, after all, you can always set your own fashion statement!

P.S.  Sports sunglasses – Not only are these designed for protecting the eyes from the sunlight, but the materials are made to be shatter-proof. Obviously, in sports a person is more active and there is possibility of breaking the sunglasses which could cause serious eye damage. These are sometimes referred to as performance sunglasses.