Friday, December 5, 2008

I Wear My Great Big Sunglasses at Night: Oversized Sunglasses Stick Around

Like so many fashion trends, oversized sunglasses have been recycled more than once by the fashionable set. Originally hot in the 1950s, they’ve been back in vogue now for a few years, and will probably be current right through 2009. If you decide to try oversized on for size, make sure you think about HOW you wear your big sunglasses. Done right, they can become part of a dressed-down ensemble—the slouchy socialite look—or the finishing touch on a sharp hipster vibe. Done wrong, enormous sunglasses can look a little bit 1970s bingo parlor or a tad too Mary Tyler Moore.

Part of the problem is that big, big sunglasses draw attention to your face even as they hide a lot of it. Your nose, forehead, and chin become focal points—seeing as how they’re the only parts of your face left exposed—and if you’re not happy about the shape of your nose, or happen to have a particularly horrible pimple on your chin this week, you probably will not want to pop on a face-swamping pair of big round sunnies.

The shape of your face also matters. Angular or oval faces benefit from oversized shades; softer, rounder faces will simply be made to look more round and more soft, which might not be the desired effect. Frame shapes, whether round or oval, cat’s eye or square, can also clash with your face’s bone structure, making you look like you’re a six year old who’s stolen Grandma’s glasses (this happens to the Olsen Twins a lot) instead of a savvy, fashionable woman on the go (think Jackie Kennedy, the late First Lady).

You can safely test the oversized trend with designer knockoffs from a cheap accessories shop. Try out different shapes, colors, embellishments, and sizes—and take them out of the store to get a good idea. What seems like the right shape under florescent store lights with a tag hanging off the bridge might not work out in day-to-day life. If you decide the trend works for you, go ahead and upgrade to a designer statement pair. If you like the retro look (think leading ladies of Italian Cinema) Tom Ford’s oversized Alessandra sunglasses work, as do the Tom Ford Emanuella glasses. People wanting to tap a more sleek, modern vibe should choose Bulgari designer sunglasses or Prada designer sunglasses. Bulgari’s 8024 or 8022 models have a distinctly trendy wide plastic frame, and Prada’s oversized SPR181s have a wild, vaguely butterfly-shaped lens. For seriously flashy oversized sunglasses, try anything from either of the Cavalli ranges—Roberto Cavalli sunglasses come with animal print frames as well as big lenses, and Just Cavalli designer eyewear has lenses in a wide array of colors, including purple. The big impact on your personal style could make oversized sunglasses well worth it.

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Tiffany & Co Sunglasses: A New Jewel in Your Collection

You might not instantly think sunglasses at the mention of Tiffany & Co, but you do think of luxury: diamonds, platinum, gold, and (if you know your design history) elaborate stained glass lamps and windows. Tiffany & Co is a girl’s best friend and an engagement ring favorite, but it’s also fast becoming one of the favorite brands for designer sunglasses. Tiffany & Co are a favorite of celebrities trying to stay classic while embracing a trend. Think of Tiffany & Co designer sunglasses as an easy way to add that Tiffany sparkle to your wardrobe—without the price tag of diamonds.

No stranger to trends, Tiffany & Co women’s sunglasses have favored oversized, chunky frames in recent years, with embellishments that turn heads. No stranger to beautifully crafted precious metals, Tiffany & Co have added gorgeous touches to their shades—the silver hinges on the 1837 model, or Swarovski crystals on the Jazz Shield frames. And, of course, you can upgrade to real diamonds (don’t lose those shades at the beach!). Starlets, pop stars, and famous-for-being-famous types alike reach for Tiffany shades when they want to add a little bit of bling to an otherwise dressed-down look.

Celebrities with decidedly upmarket tastes, such as Sarah Jessica Parker, also favor Tiffany & Co.’s bold eyewear along with their Chanels and Marc Jacobs. So do powerful women like Carla Bruni Sarkozy, first lady of France, and Michelle Obama—lawyer, hospital administrator, and future first lady of the United States. Tiffany’s sunglasses and eyeglasses are luxurious, but manage to complement basic styles of dress. The look is unforgettable, the effect on one’s wardrobe dramatic—and distinctly Tiffany & Co.

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New President, Classic Shades: Ray-Bans Return to the White House

The message of Barack Obama’s successful presidential campaign may have been “Change”, but with his no-drama persona and careful wardrobe selections he didn’t rock the boat. The classic suits, no-nonsense ties: the liberal looked pretty conservative most of the time. Still, the nation’s first African-American president was bound to become a style icon, and he wears the sunglasses favored by dozens of famous icons: Ray-Bans. In most photographs he appears to be wearing Ray-Ban 3217s, a rimless style that isn’t among the brand’s best-known models.

The most well-known style of Ray-Bans is the Wayfarer. It’s a style originally designed for the gents, but it quickly became popular among ladies as well. Beginning with Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and probably most recognizable on the Blues Brothers, Wayfarers enjoyed their peak popularity throughout the 50s and 60s, making a resurgence in the 1980s. Entertainment legends from Bob Dylan and John Lennon to Marilyn Monroe and James Dean sported them. There’s even a presidential precedent to the Wayfarers—John F. Kennedy was snapped in the shades several times. Wayfarers have been steady sellers: fashionistas have been snapping up their latest incarnation in a rainbow of over-the-top hues.

Ray-Ban’s Aviator sunglasses are from an older vintage, having been developed in 1937. As the name suggests, Ray-Ban designed the Aviators to meet the needs of military pilots. The lenses were shaped to fit under flying goggles. The Aviators are also coated with a special anti-glare film to ensure pilots aren’t dazzled during complex manuevers. Aviators dazzle away from the airfields, too: like the Wayfarers, Ray-Ban aviators have been spotted not only on generals and flyboys, but also on pretend flyboys like Tom Cruise in Top Gun. They’re a perennial favorite of pop stars and starlets as well as the military. Both of Ray-Ban’s most popular styles radiate an aura of command, mystery, and above all, cool.

But are we ready for a cool presidency? Barack Obama’s “cool” factor has seemed a little suspicious to observers at times—some commentators suggest it means the former University of Chicago constitutional law professor shouldn’t be taken seriously; Chris Matthews thinks that Obama’s Ray-Bans make him seem “elitist”. Probably the President-Elect is just trying to project an aura of solidity while he protects his eyes: Shades We Can Believe In. Or, he could be trying to distract us from staring at those ears.

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Friday, November 14, 2008

History of Sunglasses – From 12th Century China to 21st Century Celebrity.dom

The recent decades have proven to be quite successful for sunglasses. The portable entity which presents itself as two lenses held together by a simple nose piece has been reworked and redesigned innumerous times to fit the fashion tastes of millions of people. Designer sunglasses are no longer utilized simply as guardians of our eyes against the sun – they have become an inextricable part of the fashion world, and have manifested into hundreds different styles.

But did you know that centuries before movie stars donned sunglasses and posed for the cameras, sunglasses began their climb into the their own celebrity in 13th century China? The original sunglass trendsetters were Chinese judges who began wearing sunglasses – or quartz lenses, tinted by smoke- in order to cover their eye expressions, and thus their opinions. It seems that the initial purpose of sunglasses was not even to protect the eyes against the sun; it was to protect the eyes of important decision makers from unwanted spectators.

Not until the twentieth century did sunglasses begin to be utilized for UV ray protection purposes. In the 1920s, Sam Foster introduced the sunglasses to the American public. At that time the lenses were beginning to be manufactured to protect the eyes from the sun. Sam Foster began selling sunglasses in Atlantic City, NJ, and slowly but surely maximizing their popularity.

And in the 1930, Edwin H. Land, commenced another phenomenon by using his patented Polaroid filter by polarizing the lenses. At this time, sunglasses began to gain their popularity at an even faster rate. Famous movie stars and musicians ensured the sunglasses’ stardom by wearing them in public and in front of the camera.

Today, you will rarely see a person without sunglasses on a bright, sunny day. Sunglasses have become part of our wardrobe as shoes and purses, and a part of celebritydom as designer gowns and short-lived marriages. And we love our designer sunglasses because of their versatility, transportability, UV ray protection, but mainly because they make us look good.

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Fake Designer Sunglasses – Friend or Foe?

Yes, fake products are everywhere. From that Gucci wallet, to that Prada purse, to those fabulous Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses—- as long as there’s the real thing, there will be someone out there trying to copy it and selling it for a cheaper price. So, what can be wrong with trying to sell good-looking designer sunglasses for a more “affordable price?” Well, plenty…

Dangerously Poor Quality

Of course the quality of fake sunglasses will not be anywhere near the original. But it’s more than just being poor, it’s being dangerously poor. For instance, the lenses may not be shatterproof, which could put your eyes in danger in case of an accident.

No UV Protection

Fake sunglasses may lack any UV protection, again putting your peepers at risk for harmful UV ray exposure. In those types of cases, fake sunglasses fail in their primary purpose of protecting your eyes against the sun.

Distorted Lenses

Because the quality of the fake sunglasses’ lenses is meager, they may also be quite distorted which can cause the consumer headaches, dizziness and visual disturbances, such as illusions of uneven ground.

Too Fragile To Last

Again, since the quality is cheap, fake sunglasses simply cannot last as long as the real designer sunglasses. They scratch, bend and fall apart far quicker than the real thing. It may cost more to purchase several replacement pairs of the fake sunglasses than one authentic pair of designer sunglasses.

The Verdict Is In?!

It seems that all of the above-mentioned reasons warn against purchasing fake sunglasses. Sure, you may think you’re getting a good deal since most fakes may look pretty close to the original, but in actuality you’re doing yourself a disservice. So, why not spend a little more money, but buy a pair that will not only look great but also last a long time. And it always feels good to know that you own the real thing.

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Welcome to The PopularGlasses.com Blog


Sunglasses. For some people, they’re just an accessory. For us, they’re so much more. When you put on a pair sunglasses, you can be Tom Cruise in Top Gun, Will Smith in Men In Black. You could be Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany’s or Trinity from The Matrix. Sunglasses can be the finishing touch on the perfect ensemble, and they can redeem your look on days when you just can’t be bothered to do more than throw on jeans and a t-shirt. They’re the must-have item for people who want to be seen, for people who don’t want to be seen, and people who want to be seen pretending that they don’t want to be seen. Sunglasses are for spies and action heroes, rock stars and starlets, days at the beach, days on the slopes, nights in the club. A pair of great sunglasses make the everyday less ordinary.

PopularGlasses.com is the shopping site for people who are serious about sunglasses, but don’t want to pay serious money. We’ve been in business for ten years, supplying only authentic designer sunglasses from the brightest design stars in the fashion galaxy, and we do it at great prices with a personal touch. Our new blog will be tracking the hottest trends in shades. Check back often to see what’s new in the fashion world—and in PopularGlasses.com’s stock room!

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Monday, September 15, 2008

Anne Klein Sunglasses and Eyewear

Designer Sunglasses always helps you against the scorching summer heat and also to make a style statement. The perfect pair of designer sunglasses can make a huge amount of difference in the way you look and also in the way you feel after a long day outdoors in the bright sunlight. One such brand of sunglasses is Anne Klein sunglasses, who was an American fashion designer who gained prominence as a designer of women's sportswear and apparel. Anne Klein sunglasses is a great combination of quality Italian craftsmanship with fresh innovative designs. These sunglasses or eyewear is especially crafted for the modern-day business women, who is full of style and elegance. However finding the right pair of sunglasses that perfectly suits your needs is quite a daunting task.

But now there are various online retail stores that can make the search process a bit easier.

These online stores offer you with the top quality fashion sunglasses like Anne Klein sunglasses, that suits your mood and carry the full product lines of the best brand name sunglasses. You can find hundreds of discount designer sunglasses models including discount children’s eyewear at these stores. These websites carry all the models of Anne Klein sunglasses including all the top designs that got famous by Hollywood, to more conservative classic styles that will fit your personality and unique look. Want to pay less than retail? Our volume and lack of overhead allow us to price the same high quality frames at prices well below the stores in your local mall. No matter what your mood – sporty, cutting edge or classic, get the Anne Klein sunglasses you have been waiting for at Popularglasses.com You can conveniently get the exact right Anne Klein sunglasses for your needs at these websites and that do without moving out from your homes, thus making your online shopping experience, a hassle free one. These online stores offer the lowest discounted sale prices on all authentic Anne Klein sunglasses and also make the UPS Ground shipping free for you.

These websites have an extensive collection of Anne Klein sunglasses with contemporary styling and various sizes and colours to help you find the perfect way to express yourself. You can choose form a selection of sunglasses with metal or plastic frames with linear temple tips and subtle branding across the bridges of the eyewear, so that it is easier for you to show off your eyewear brand. These virtual stores have sunglasses in plastic frames that come in stunning double laminates, in ocean green or blue, fudge or caramel, black or soft green and blue grey or sparkle. They also have an extensive catalog of Anne Klein sunglasses and eyewear for all ages which can be easily downloaded. Moreover, these websites are designed in such a way that you will be able to get the Anne Klein sunglasses with just a single click. These websites also have Anne Klein Sunglasses selector by gender, colour and base curve to make navigation even more easier. You can find all the information on eyewear, styles, recommendations and further information on different eyewear or lense technology at these websites.

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