Apr

30

Online or In-person sunglasses Shopping?

Filed Under Eyewear Knowledge | View Comments



With summer fast approaching, many sun-loving people are getting into bikini shape and considering their summer sunglasses purchase. This year, expand your options by shopping online! Not only can you expand the range and choice you’ll have from one brand like Dior, to hundreds– on the internet the options are seemingly limitless. You’ll have access to multiple brands at once, instead of running around the mall to each designer’s studio. And shopping online allows you to try out brands you might not have previously considered.

On a downside, you won’t have the opportunity to try on your sunglasses before purchasing them, but with a bit of research and imagination that won’t matter. Simply browse the vast selection of eyewear online and when you see a pair you love open it in a new tab until you get all of your options in one window on your browser. From here you’ll pull up a mirror and look at your first round choices one by one while imagining them on your face.

Keep in mind that fads come and go, and you’ll want something that will last you quite a while. Consider how the hue of the shades match your skin and hair colors. Consider if the shape of the frames are right for your face. Will the shades go with the majority of your wardrobe? By now you should have narrowed down your initial selection to a mere handful. Now consider your budget and what you want the sunglasses for, this should help you narrow it down a bit more. When in doubt, go with your gut instinct. Happy online hunting!

Apr

27

Rebellious Eyewear

Filed Under Designer Sunglasses, Fun with Eyewear | View Comments



The rebel in you wants your fashionable look to defy the norm and break away from traditional looks like Levis and Ray Ban, but the realist in you knows that most necessities are produced by design companies that cater to the norm. What do you do? Well, here is how to find eyewear that fit your rebellious look and yet don’t play in to the whole “I’m so unique that I’m a cookie-cutter image of all other unique punks.”

First, consider what everyone else is doing then look somewhere else. You don’t need to shave your head into a punk Mohawk to get respect as a rebellious soul. Toss out your traditional brands and star looking at something less mainstream and more fun. Tom Ford make excellent eyewear, and the designer, Mr. Tom Ford himself is a rebel with a cause. His ads have been so full of nudity (male and female) that his ads were never run, and he was called inappropriate and disgusting by his peers. This rebel hardly backed down, instead he launched a fragrance line and photographed models holding the bottles of perfume in front of their private parts. You can imagine the response.

If Tom Ford’s designs, however, don’t blow you away, then look to the amazingly unique designs of Alexander McQueen, whose recent suicide left the fashion world in shatters. This long-time rebel started the couture trend that melded the avant garde with everyday fashion. His sunglasses are especially interesting, with dark imagery along the temple bars and sometimes inappropriate graphics. Those are just two ideas of real rebel designers who produced great products without Mohawk-ing their designs.

Apr

23

Biker Shades for Tough Guys

Filed Under Designer Sunglasses, Eyewear Knowledge, Fun with Eyewear | View Comments



Designer eyewear are not items most biker men think about. I doubt many a biker has sat in front of his compute wondering if he would look better in Police or Ray Ban shades, and if they complement his skin tone. But pulling off the right look is still important for a man, and his reputation could depend on how he looks as well as how he acts. So, here are a few words of fashion wisdom for biker dudes who want to stay hip and cool rather than fall into the creepy look most bikers have from the 1980s.

First, throw away anything made of leather unless it is your belt, wallet or a timeless jacket that does not have patches on it. Next, toss out all chains and spurs, or anything metal other than maybe a sentimental piece of jewelry. Third, toss our your tight pants and buy boot-cut denim. Un-slick your hair and buy a pair of classic boots, either cowboy or carpenter work boots. Now that we have deconstructed, let’s reassemble.

The look you need as a biker to be respectable without being a cliché is a very fine line to walk. You don’t want to look like a Hell’s Angel biker, or too much like a dentist out for a ride. What you want is that classic bad boy look that is instantly attractive to almost all women. This is, despite your reservations, a very easy look and you’ll see results right away. First, wear only white undershirts and your jacket. Denim pants, your boots and natural, medium length hair. Your selection of sunglasses is all important. You’ll want something modern and retro, yet with hints of Maverick. Think Persol or Ray Ban, or for an edgy look Serengeti.

Apr

21

Military-approved Combat Eyewear

Filed Under Designer Sunglasses | View Comments



The US military has approved a select few brands of sunglasses for combat use based on experience in the field, and how the sunglasses interact with military-issue equipment. The most recommended brand is Wiley X, a lesser-known brand to be sure, but one that has been tested in the field by soldiers like you.

If you are being deployed overseas, you can’t just pick up any old pair of sunglasses and think they can withstand the dangers and harshness of the desert climates soldiers are currently fighting in. You’ll want sunglasses that won’t shatter if hit, and sunglasses that fit well with your helmet. You’ll also want to consider if they will fit under your military-issue goggles, or if you should simply buy sunglasses that have a sand and wind blocking insulation strip—which comes highly recommended from folks already on the ground. Many Wiley X designs come with this feature already included, saving you time and money.

Wiley X sunglasses come in a range of designs and options. First, consider where you are being deployed. If in the desert, you’ll want the weather strip, if not then you’ll want versatile sunglasses you can use on and off the job. Several Wiley X models come in approved OD and desert camouflage coloring, so you can wear them in full uniform. Meanwhile, the sunglasses have some of the most impact-resistant lenses in the industry, and have been known to withstand collisions. The top designs for combat use are as follows: Wiley X SG-1 Series Combat Goggles, Wiley X Spear Combat Goggles, Wiley X Nerve Combat Sunglasses, Wiley X Climate Control Series Combat Sunglasses, and the Wiley X Fighter Series Combat Sunglasses.

Apr

16

Robin William’s Sunglasses and Avatar Stiller

Filed Under Celebrity Watch | View Comments



Robin Williams has long endeared himself to Americans with his endless sense of humor and warmness of heart. His recent appearance at the Academy Awards shows him to be as witty as ever– and as fashionable. In Wayfarer glasses, Robin’s classic outfit stole the show, and with his newly grown (and graying) beard, he looked a much wiser and gentler comedian.

Williams has long been a fan of fashion, though usually he uses it as a caveat of what not to do, as in Patch Adams and Mrs. Doubtfire. But in real life, this guy-next-door has a wit and fashion sense that would impress even Martha Stuart. What we love about him, though is his softness, not his edgy fashionable look (though that’s great, too!) Williams has done several tours for the troops, and publically and openly states that the military men and women of America are the true heroes and stars, not the folks in Hollywood. This kind of sincere charm I rare in California, and Williams has managed to stay comical, jovial and yet an honest man, despite his attachment to the film industry.

Williams was not the only announcer at the Academy Awards to get a few second glances. Ben Stiller showed up on stage entirely dressed as a creature from Avatar, including a long blue tail and crazy yellow contact lenses. He stole the show and impressed everyone with his serious dedication to the on-stage Avatar comedy. But whose to say the fad will stop with Ben? If you want to get the yellow-eye look you could always buy tinted contact lenses, like those by Clear Sight.

Apr

14

Spy Snowboarding Equipment wins at the 2010 Burton US Open

Filed Under Brand Wave, Designer Sunglasses | View Comments



Spy eyewear has long been the envy of every racer sponsored by a company or brand other than Spy. On the slopes and half pipes across the globe, serious borders eye Spy equipment as the best in the field, not only for their classy attributes, but for the sleek designs that exemplify the snowboarding spirit. At the 2010 Burton US Open, Spy was ever-present, with two of the three placing competitors as Spy brand supporters.

Louie Vito and Louri Podladtchikov placed second and third, consecutively at the open, both have been on nearly every podium in 2010, including the European X Games a mere week before the US open. Louie took home the silver by starting with an impressive front side double cork 1080, then right into a huge cab double cork 1080, front side double 900, back side 900 and into a front side 1260 to finish of a nearly perfect run. Louri impressed the judges with his cab double cork 1080, into a front side corked 540, then dropping the hammer with his double Mc twist 1260 right into a front side 1080. Fans went crazy after both runs, and Spy eyewear were there to help these professional snowboarding greats onto the podium yet again.

Spy eyewear area great both on and off the pipe, the edgy black designs of their eyeglasses mean they are a favorite in the clubs and recording studios of Seattle, as well as on the slopes in Europe. The sunglasses designs are as impressive as any male performer could hope, with edgy tough designs that don’t just emulate women’s eyewear fashion.

Apr

10

Rebellious Eyewear

Filed Under Designer Sunglasses | View Comments



The rebel in you wants your fashionable look to defy the norm and break away from traditional looks like Levis and Ray Ban, but the realist in you knows that most necessities are produced by design companies that cater to the norm. What do you do? Well, here is how to find eyewear that fit your rebellious look and yet don’t play in to the whole “I’m so unique that I’m a cookie-cutter image of all other unique punks.”

First, consider what everyone else is doing then look somewhere else. You don’t need to shave your head into a punk Mohawk to get respect as a rebellious soul. Toss out your traditional brands and star looking at something less mainstream and more fun. Tom Ford make excellent eyewear, and the designer, Mr. Tom Ford himself is a rebel with a cause. His ads have been so full of nudity (male and female) that his ads were never run, and he was called inappropriate and disgusting by his peers. This rebel hardly backed down, instead he launched a fragrance line and photographed models holding the bottles of perfume in front of their private parts. You can imagine the response.

If Tom Ford’s designs, however, don’t blow you away, then look to the amazingly unique designs of Alexander McQueen, whose recent suicide left the fashion world in shatters. This long-time rebel started the couture trend that melded the avant garde with everyday fashion. His sunglasses are especially interesting, with dark imagery along the temple bars and sometimes inappropriate graphics. Those are just two ideas of real rebel designers who produced great products without Mohawk-ing their designs.

Apr

7

Online or In-person sunglasses Shopping?

Filed Under Eyewear Knowledge | View Comments



With summer fast approaching, many sun-loving people are getting into bikini shape and considering their summer sunglasses purchase. This year, expand your options by shopping online! Not only can you expand the range and choice you’ll have from one brand like Dior, to hundreds– on the internet the options are seemingly limitless. You’ll have access to multiple brands at once, instead of running around the mall to each designer’s studio. And shopping online allows you to try out brands you might not have previously considered.

On a downside, you won’t have the opportunity to try on your sunglasses before purchasing them, but with a bit of research and imagination that won’t matter. Simply browse the vast selection of eyewear online and when you see a pair you love open it in a new tab until you get all of your options in one window on your browser. From here you’ll pull up a mirror and look at your first round choices one by one while imagining them on your face.

Keep in mind that fads come and go, and you’ll want something that will last you quite a while. Consider how the hue of the shades match your skin and hair colors. Consider if the shape of the frames are right for your face. Will the shades go with the majority of your wardrobe? By now you should have narrowed down your initial selection to a mere handful. Now consider your budget and what you want the sunglasses for, this should help you narrow it down a bit more. When in doubt, go with your gut instinct. Happy online hunting!

Apr

3

Spring Break Sunglasses

Filed Under Fun with Eyewear | View Comments



The holiest of holy college holidays is now upon us – spring break! And 2010 is sure to be a year to remember. To get in shape and in fashion for your holiday extravaganza, a recommended diet of ice cubes and a wardrobe of Ray Ban, Persol and Arnette are in order.

Prada is so 2009, with the turn of the decade high fashion is lagging behind classic good, functional looks like the aviator. Instead of trying to make a splash with a new look, stick to the tried and true fashion favorites this year. While innovation and creativity are great in the fashion world, many have grown tiresome of the overly new, overly modern look. A throwback to better times (and better fashion) has begun to emerge, and to be on the forefront of fashion now means to be able to adapt to what’s hot and what’s not. If modern looks and ultra-new designs were in style, everyone would do it! Alas, the tried and true black bikini with sleek, outdoorsmen Persol shades is what is in high demand this spring.

If your spring break is taking you to a beach, then your spring look will be a synch this year. Classic sun dresses and sandals, Arnette eyewear, and a minimal amount of coral or wooden jewelry. If you are headed to the slopes, your fashionable look may be a bit harder to garnish as the slopes are the best place to be edgy and bold. Think color in excess and sleek lined outfits. You’ll want to be bright to stand out on the slopes, and in the bars at the base of the hill.

Apr

1

Maria Sharapova and Tag Heuer Team Up!

Filed Under Celebrity Watch, Designer Sunglasses | View Comments



Three-time Grand-Slam champion Russian Tennis star Maria Sharapova has long been in the spotlight. Now she is delving into fashion by helping Tag Heuer launch a new line of designer eyewear with her name and seal of approval. Tag Heuer is known for its innovative and creative designs infused with worldly charm and with a swath of A-level celebrity endorsements.

This obviously isn’t her first time around the endorsement and fashion block as Sharapova was recently labeled the world’s highest paid female athlete with an impressive $26 Million USD a year in endorsements and trophies. But its not all business for this sexy star. She was ranked the hottest athlete in the world by Maxim Magazine, and participated in a scantly-clad photo shot for the Valentines edition of Sports Illustrated. People Magazine has even named her one of the 50 most beautiful celebrities on the planet—a tough list to get on, while in Britain she was ranked the 7th most eligible bachelorette on a scale judged by wealth and looks alone.

The line of Tag Heuer eyewear is due to launch this month, with two designs available in several color and lens options: an aviator design available in tortoiseshell, white, plum and black, with various lens options, and a larger, oval-eye design in the same colors. The line is an impressive homage to both athleticism and feminine sophistication, both of which Sharapova embodies. Retailers expect the sunglasses to fly off the shelves due to the popularity of Tag Heuer’s limited edition lines as well as the fan fare behind Miss Sharapova’s beauty and success.