Thursday, April 24, 2008

Where to Find Good Sunglasses

Where can you find a pair of sunglasses to fit your eyewear needs? Sunglasses are absolutely everywhere! It is hard to walk into a retail store and not see a display of sunglasses. In fact, listing off the places that don't sell them might be faster. Hardware stores, emergency rooms and most car dealerships do not sell sunglasses. Now to move on to the establishments that do.
Logically, one of the best places to buy sunglasses would be a retailer specifying in them. Any mall or outlet strip center is bound to have at least one store targeting eyewear. These stores will offer a wide variety of frames, lenses, sizes and styles to suit your needs. Sunglasses at these stores can be pricey, anywhere from twenty-five to three hundred dollars. However, you often get what you pay for.
Specialized sunglass retailers will know a lot about their product and help pick out the right ones for you. Many of their glasses will offer higher percentage of UVA and UVB protection than less expensive brands. If you don't mind paying the extra money, these sunglasses will be a purchase that will last. In addition, most of these retailers include a case, cleaning cloth and other accessories along with your purchase.
Upscale designers such as Armani and Christian Dior cater to the truly fortunate crowd. Their sunglasses can be seen in fashion magazines and on red carpets all over the globe. If it's high fashion you seek, these designers and many others are truly the way to go. Most of their products can be found in department stores. However, in more upscale neighborhoods, designers may have their own storefront.
If you're not a movie star or hotel heiress, you may want to take a more low-key approach when shopping for sunglasses. Many malls have kiosks that sell designer-looking styles at a much more realistic price. There is really no shame in wearing knock-offs, even if your friends tease you for it. You can casually remind them that your sunglasses look exactly like theirs. Then let them know that, unlike them, you'll be making your car payment this month.
If you are a normal human being, you probably have a tendency to lose things. That is where the truly inexpensive sunglasses come in handy. These less expensive shades can be found at any retail chain superstore. You can also find them at your local grocery store or pharmacy. Less expensive shades may not offer the same great protection as the expensive ones, but they will usually help to filter out the UVA and UVB rays.
When shopping for sunglasses, no matter where you look, there is one important thing to remember. Choose sunglasses that fit. They should fit your face, your style, and your budget. Before you spend a week's paycheck on a pair of sunglasses, you might want to consider their use. If it is a trendy style that is bound to go out in five minutes, head to the kiosk for some knock-offs. If you are planning to wear them somewhere they'll be easily lost, like the lake or camping, opt for the much less expensive. The last thing you want to be doing is playing diving-for-sunglasses while everyone is having fun.
If you do drop some serious cash on a pair of sunglasses, learn to take care of them. Carry a case for them to be in when not being worn. Clean them only with a specialized lens cloth. Finally, keep up with them! Sunglasses do no good if you can't find them.

This Season's Sunglasses


Summer is upon us, and with it comes a wave of new styles. Perhaps the most fun about summer style is finding out which sunglasses will be hot this year. The key to the hippest styles usually has nothing to do with what is brand new. Most "new" style trends are simply spins off of formerly worn, beloved fads. This summer's sunglasses will be no exception to that theory.
For men and women's sunglasses this year, bigger is definitely better. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie have flaunted their flair for the oversized frames for the past few years, and it looks like the trend has finally taken hold. Oversized sunglasses, paying homage to the late, great Jackie O, appear to be here to stay. However, fashion gurus will warn you not to go overboard with this idea. If the sunglasses appear to be swallowing your face, you might want to take it down a notch.
Particularly in the moment of the oversized framed sunglasses, women appear to be having fun with their colors. No longer is the Jackie O a plain black frame with dark black lenses. Today's are Onassis Glasses with an attitude. Fashion icons can be seen sporting oversized frames in red, green, purple, and other bright colors. However, white frames also seem to be a favorite.
One retroactive style of sunglasses that is back again is no longer exclusive to men. While guys love this look too, Aviators are striking a feminine note this year.
Another particularly popular style of the moment for men and women is the wraparound. Don't be fooled by the name. These are not your average snowboarder's goggles turned sunglasses. This year's wraparounds are being designed by some of the most celebrated designers in Hollywood, New York, Milan and everywhere in between. You will not be disappointed.
Particular varieties of wraparound sunglasses are geared toward either men or women by changing up the style, color, and size. Women are leaning toward larger styles, as with the oversized craze discussed earlier. Men's wraparound sunglasses this season are all about sleek and simple design. Most designers have abandoned the flowing, rounded look of original wraparounds for a more box like effect. As with women's wraparounds, the lens continues to the sides of the head. Black seems to be the most popular color in these men's sunglasses, which completes the chic, classy look you want your man to have.
This summer welcomes old styles of sunglasses with new attitude. Check the red carpets and runways for the latest developments and to make sure they style you're sporting didn't go out of style yesterday, how embarrassing! Just remember that all the celebrities in the world can't dictate what looks good on you, so pick your sunglasses based on what you like, not them.

Sunglasses are "Hot!"

When it comes to fashion, sunglasses are "hot!" What can be hotter than George Clooney as Danny Ocean wearing designer sunglasses in the Oceans movies? Paris Hilton or the Olsen twins can be seen, just about anywhere in Hollywood, day or night, wearing the latest in designer sunglasses. When they walk the red carpet and they are asked, "What are you wearing?" they might lower their sunglasses down on their noses and peer over the rims and drop designer names like Vera Wang, Dior, Valentino, Gucci and Armani.
As an attention-getting accessory or fashion statement, designer or custom sunglasses are nothing new. Trendsetters like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Elton John sported designer and custom sunglasses as part of their "look" or star status. Some have worn sunglasses to hide behind, cover their drug-affected eyes, or make a statement. Pictures of Elvis Presley reveal that he had sunglasses custom-made for him with his initials or the letters TCB (Taking Care of Business) built right into the nose bridge.
Stars like Sophia Loren, Donald Trump, and Britney Spears have their own name brand sunglasses on the market while others may be wearing Marc Jacobs or Armani sunglasses for a classy look or Baby Phat for punk style. The mood for the day might be for the blast-to-the-past 1950's look of Fossil sunglasses.

The same clothing designer may also be the designer of the sunglasses that you choose to accessorize your brand-name clothing. For instance, the smart Tommy dresser can add to the look of a Tommy Hilfiger clothing ensemble with Tommy Hilfiger sunglasses. For casual wear, Kate Spade sunglasses might do nicely. Carrera is known for a sporty look. For a sensual mood, Valentino frames that have smooth round edges and Swarovsky crystals might just put you (or whoever is looking at you) in the mood.

Sunglasses in any shade, shape or size, by any name may be a "hot" fashion item for trend-setting stars, men, women and children, but the importance of protecting the eyes from damage far outweighs the importance of looking cool.