Wear-to-Work: Women’s Eyeglasses

Do you want to upgrade your office attire with just one purchase? There’s an accessory you can buy that will instantly add elegance to your ensemble, no matter what your job title. You can choose it to emphasize your analytical skills, or give yourself a sort of sexy, come-hither librarian look. We’re talking about eyeglasses. They’re not just for nearsighted girls anymore—geek chic is being embraced by women now as well as men. But we’d hardly call these designer specs “geeky” (chic certainly applies). Made with the best materials and by the best designers, eyeglasses pull your look together effortlessly. Decide what look suits you best and read these suggestions for shapes, designers, and models to try.

Front Office: The ladies at the front desk know where all the best supplies are kept and where all the skeletons are buried. In addition to hot phone skills, the front office set is the conduit for hot gossip. And as the first stop for clients and customers, they’ll need to set the tone. For the buttoned-up firm, choose sober squared-off eyeglasses like the Tom Ford 5019s or the Prada VPR05E eyeglasses. Front-line forces at hipper organizations should let it hang out a little more: pretty much any pair from Cazal should do it, but especially the 321s, available in five different colors.

The Analyst: Back office number crunchers need a pair of glasses as smart as they are. Whether it’s financial projections or opposition research that’s keeping you chained to your desk, you’ll want serious, straight lines to emphasize your logical skills. Bvlgari makes just the right eyeglasses for you, in jewel-like finishes that don’t sacrifice fashion for function. Try Bvlgari 3007, 327, or 331 eyeglasses.

The Art Director: Creative types have all the fun. In addition to arranging photo shoots and spreads, you get to have a little more flair in your choice of attire, and that includes everything from your shoes to your face furniture. Colors, textures, and shapes are pretty much yours for the picking. Four favorites: Bvlgari 4018 N, Prada’s VPR06L, and Chanel 1505 or 3142B eyeglass frames give you an embarrassment of riches to choose from.

The Chief Executive: As the top of the organization, you set the tone for your company. Will it be super serious and focused for a board meeting? Try the Tiffany and Company 1002 eyeglasses, or the Prada VPR52F. Or do you need to be dynamic and innovative for a brainstorming session with your engineers? If so, choose the Gucci 1557, a classic shape with an unusual choice of colors. Otherwise, choose whatever you want: after all, you’re the boss.

Choose The Best Sunglasses for Running

It’s warming up out there (or it will be soon) and many runners with a spring marathon on their schedule are starting to pile on the miles in their training. Runners spend a lot of time obsessing over shoes and clothes: which shoes will give me a performance advantage? Which jacket will protect me from the elements? Which running tights actually look pretty cool? You know getting geared up for running can be more complicated when it looks. So why do so many runners pick up a pair of sunglasses in the drug store just before a race? Sunglasses protect your eyes from more than UV rays and sunlight. When you hit your stride, you can have bugs, gravel thrown by passing cars, dust, raindrops, and even birds flying at your face at frightening speeds. When you run, your face is your windshield, so take time to choose a good pair of running sunglasses from a top designer.

Here are a few factors to consider when buying your sunglasses for running, along with recommendations for designers and models to try.

Fit: Running sunglasses should sit snugly on your skull even if you have to wear a hat, and the lenses should block out the light on all sides. Wraparound profile shades are best. When trying sunglasses on, turn your head up, down, and from side to side while keeping your eyes pointed straight ahead. Are your eyes still looking through the sunglass lenses? If not, you will need a bigger pair of lenses, because the ones you’re trying won’t block the sun from all directions.

Also consider the inevitability of chafing during a long workout. Pressure points include the bridge of the nose, the tops of the ears and areas just behind the ears, where the arm bars end, and the bottom edge of the lens. Bounce lightly up and down or jog a little: if the sunglasses wobble, you could be in serious pain towards the end of a run lasting more than an hour or two. Nike outfits many elite runners, including the women’s marathon world record holder, Paula Radcliffe. Their Nike EVO475 or 476 sunglasses will suit long-distance runners and most track runners, too.

Safety: Accidents happen. If you fall, collide with another runner, or if a passing car throws up gravel from its tires, you do not want to be wearing lenses that shatter. Polycarbonate lenses are strong and durable, and will not endanger your eye should the lens be struck. Oakley sunglasses are really meant for cyclists, but they are suitable for runners on most points of fit and form. Their lenses are durable polycarbonate. Try the popular Oakley M-Frames, Flak Jackets, Bottlecaps, or Oil Drums for safety and style while you’re running.

Vision: In addition to wanting sunglasses that can be fitted with prescription lenses, serious runners will want sunglasses designed to maintain clear vision in other respects. Lenses that are anti-fog will prevent your lenses clouding up on a cold or misty day (or when you’re particularly sweaty). Polarized lenses block out UV rays while eliminating glare, and lenses and frames that block out as much airflow as possible prevent your eyes from being stung by the wind. In addition to Nike and Oakley sunglasses, you can try TAG Heuer 5101s.

Running isn’t just hard on your legs; it’s hard on your eyes, too. So consider running sunglasses another piece of performance equipment, and choose a quality designer with care.

Choose the Best Sunglasses for Cycling

If you’re serious about riding your bike, whether for fitness, competition, or as a commuter, you know it takes a wide range of specialized gear to keep yourself mobile, streamlined, and protected from the elements. And you know that cycling is tough on your legs—but it’s also tough on your eyes. In addition to bright sun and UV rays, there’s wind to contend with. Also, as you pick up speed, you can also get bugs, gravel, or even birds flying at your face at terrific velocities. When you ride, your face is your windshield, so cycling sunglasses should be invested in wisely, with special considerations as to fit and function that you might not consider for your beach shades.

Here are a few factors to consider when buying your sunglasses for cycling, along with recommendations for designers and models to try.

Fit: Cycling sunglasses should sit snugly on your skull even when you’re wearing your helmet, and the lenses should block out the light on all sides. When trying sunglasses on, tuck your chin down as you would for an aero-tuck. Are your eyes still protected by the lenses? If not, you will need a bigger pair of lenses. Also consider the bottom edge of the lens: if it rubs against your face, you could suffer chafing towards the end of a long ride. Wraparound profile shades are best. Choose any of the following Nike sunglasses for a decent fit designed for cycling: Nike EVO 174, Nike EVO 189, Nike EVO 230, or 253.

Safety: Accidents happen. If you crash, or if a huge piece of gravel comes at your face at 50 mph, you do not want to be wearing lenses that shatter. Polycarbonate lenses are strong and durable, and will not endanger your eye should the lens be struck. Oakley was one of the first companies to sponsor Lance Armstrong—in fact, they offered him health coverage during his sickness—so they know what cyclists need. Try the popular Oakley M-Frames, Livestrongs, or Flak Jackets for stylish, safe cycling sunglasses.

Vision: In addition to wanting sunglasses that can be fitted with prescription lenses, cyclists will want sunglasses designed to maintain clear vision in other respects. Lenses that are anti-fog will prevent your lenses clouding up on a misty day (or when you’re particularly sweaty). Polarized lenses block out UV rays while eliminating glare, and lenses and frames that block out as much airflow as possible prevent your eyes from being stung by the wind. In addition to Nike and Oakley sunglasses, you can try the Maui Jim 402s or the TAG Heuer 5101s, which offer a light- and wind-blocking wraparound profile that can be fitted with customizable lenses.

Cycling sunglasses are performance equipment. Choose a quality designer with care, and you will have an investment in safety and protection that is probably only second to your helmet.