Put to Shade

Put to Shade

The heat is now beginning to build up and its time to pull out those sun-glasses once more. And whatever be your particular need functional, protection, style statement the market is abounding with their latest collections. So, brands like Cartera, Police, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Armani, Balli, Scott, Barcelona, DKNY, Cartier, Christion Dior, D&G, Ralph Lauren, Valentino, Fred, Esprit, Giordano, Donna Karen and Vogue are just some that can be listed.

Budget 2001: Full Coverage

Lawrence and Mayo, at Fort, houses all the latest brands, not to mention a few old favourites from Ray Ban to Balli. In fact, the store even has a sunglass-mela during the peak of summer. “Many people are tired of the far too common brands like Ray-Ban and Killer Loop. They are now looking for a different name,” says Marketing Manager Vivek Mendonsa. Innovation is the key to success, and this had led to varieties with adjustable tints, 100 per cent UV protection and scratch resistance. What’s more, companies are even training their salesmen at major optical stores and equipping them with tips to help the customer make the ‘right’ choice.

The old-fashioned thick plastic frames with glass tints in reds, yellows, blues and greens are definitely ‘IN’. If you’ve flipped for the Saamne ye kaun aaya remix video, try Barcelone (Rs 700 onwards) which looks pretty similar. Rimless numbered glasses were in style for a while and soon faded away. So to use up that stock of frames, we now have rimless and semi-rimless sunglasses, with light tints, to be used at night too. The Barcelona semi-rimless black pair goes great with semi-formal outfits. There are also special varieties available for bikers and drivers. oATE (Rs 800) has a brown model with side frames and a perfect curve and so does Village (Rs 300).

And then, of course, there are the black and brown glasses with silver and matte silver frames. Even more jazzy are the frames in matte gold, bronze gold and mattes of all shades from silvery blues to pearl pinks. If this appeals to you, then Balli (about Rs 1,700) is one of the best brands that you can opt for. Indo (Rs 1,100) has some wonderful mattes too. If you like subtler stuff, the Gucci (Rs 525) with its dark tint and silver frame is for you. And if your shades have to double up as hair-bands, remember to go for a pair with wider stems, like the all-black Sting (Rs 1,700).

“College-goers prefer brand names like Esprit, Giordano and Vogue,” says Jayesh Upadhay, Manager, Ikon Optik, Opera House. The reason is simple. For one, loyal brand-conscious youngsters can get watches and trendy outfits in the same label. And more importantly, these brands match their budgets. And if you like to use and discard, try out new shades ever so often Colaba Causeway offers a huge selection for Rs 150 onwards.

Classic to racy, sexy to sinful, affordable to exorbitant sun glasses come in all colours, shapes, sizes and styles. So settle for one that suits you to an ‘S’.