Shedding A Little Light On Fashion Shades
Sunglasses are without doubt one of the most sensible fashion items that we wear regularly. Not only do sunglasses save our eyes from ultra-violet rays and protect from the glare of the sun, they also look great.
Sunglasses can be bought in a wide range of designs and looks, and are known by countless different names. To name just a few: Speks, shades, sunnies, cheaters, Bonos and tints.
A pair of shades can be bought for just a few bucks or for as much as hundreds of dollars. However, you should be able to purchase a high-quality pair of sunglasses for under $100.
Shades are particularly popular for outdoor activities where there is lengthy exposure to the sun, such as wind-surfing, jogging, or skiing. Before investing, you should make sure that the sunglasses shield you from ultra-violet (UV) light, which may cause a number of eye problems such as snow blindness, cataracts or forms of eye cancer.
For people who use normal eye glasses to help their eyesight, it is common to use prescription sunglasses that give all the benefits of a normal pair of spectacles and also help guard from the sun. Another popular solution to this problem is to use shaded lenses that flip down over the prescription lenses when required.
Like most fashion items, sunglasses are available in a number of shapes and sizes. Here are some of the most sought-after sunglass designs to be had on the high street:
Aviators – These have been fashionable since initially introduced by Ray-Ban in 1936 for military personnel. They consist of two teardrop lenses mounted in a narrow metal frame.
Wrap-around – Wrap-around shades consist of one lens that covers both eyes and wraps around the side of the head. These provide excellent protection from the sun and are very popular among extreme sports enthusiasts.
Mirrorshades – This refers to the reflective coating on the lenses of certain pairs of sunglasses. It can be used on any design of sunglasses, though it is particularly popular on aviator and wrap-around styles.
Teashades – Think John Lennon or Ozzy Osbourne. Perhaps not so popular these days, these sunglasses, with two perfectly round lenses set in a thin wire frame, were all the rage in the 1960s and ’70s.
Wayfarers – Also a classic look. Wayfarers were first introduced by Ray-Ban in the fifties. The lenses are slightly wider at the top than at the bottom and they have thick black plastic frames. Wayfarers were famously worn by film star James Dean.
As well as guarding the eyes from sunlight and being popular as a fashion item, sunglasses can also have other practical uses. They are at times used to hide the eyes to mask the signs of mourning, weeping or to make eye contact impossible. Also, it is not uncommon for people to wear sunglasses inside or at night for that extra ‘cool factor’.
