Shades that shine

Neerja Bahadur

Whether you wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the harsh glare of the sun or look chic, a pair of shades ups your style quotient by notches. A fashion favourite, these make you look trendy and give your personality that extra edge.

Shades or sunglasses come in an array of hardware, shapes and sizes. While some can be distinctly gender specific, most popular shapes like the aviators, wayfarers and square frames have a unisexual appeal.

Fancy price tags

The prices too can vary a lot, from a few hundred rupees to those that come with five or six figure price tags; there are shades to suit all budgets. In fact, the cost of some ultra-stylish, technologically advanced and expertly constructed shades can come with such fancy price tags that these can compete with that of designer watches and hi-end jewellery.

Take for example, the Chopard sunglasses encrusted with 51 full-cut rare diamonds. These are strategically placed on the frame and arms that are made of solid 24-carat gold. These can be yours for $400,000 (around Rs 2.40 crore). Similarly, the Cartier Panthere sunglasses have panther accents made of 18-carat white gold on each side of the eyepiece . Besides, these are literally littered with 561 cut diamonds and 645 blue sapphires. Though these cost a whopping $160,000 (around Rs 96 lakh) these do attract a steady stream of wealthy buyers.

Such expensive glares may be an exception, but there is something to suit every budget. Apart from the popular brands like Ray Ban, Oakley, Maui Jim, Diesel, Guess and Fastrack that can range anywhere between Rs 2,500 to around Rs 15,000 a pair, there are several other brands in the market that offer quality and are yet affordable.

Spoilt for choice

In fact, going by the meteoric demand, a number of other leading international brands like Gucci, Prada, Dior, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Emporio Armani, Versace and many others have either opened sales outlets in India or are available on a host of e-retailing sites.

These global brands are offering eyewear that come with inventive features like scratch-proof lenses, anti-glare and anti-reflection glasses, making the old photo-chromatic lens a thing of the distant past.

The coatings on these lenses are similar to those found on high-end microscopes and camera lenses. The result is reduction in glare, annoying reflections and halos around lights. Moreover, with an anti-reflective and anti-glare coating, eyeglass lenses appear thin or non-existent. Besides the lenses, even frames are getting a colourful makeover. A growing number of youngsters are falling for the charms of face-flattering shades of blues, pinks, reds and oranges. However, designers predict that pale and pastel shades will outshine bright ones this summer.

On the hit list

The shape and sizes too are a part of cyclical fashion trends. Some years back, there was a demand for big and bulky frames that covered a large part of the face. Though these are still around, the current trend is more understated. Smaller frames are in. Subtlety is the buzzword. Acetate and plastic frames are in vogue this season. And the subtle silver-framed Ray-Bans are evergreen. According to fashion gurus, bright colours and reflectors with mirror colours are already a passé.

However, sunglasses are not just meant to make a style statement. A far more important function of these is to protect your eyes from the harmful sun rays. In the past few decades, there has been growing evidence that the harmful ultraviolet sunrays can cause cumulative damage to the eyes’ lens and retina, decreasing visual acuity and increasing the risk of cataract. In fact, a number of studies show that good quality sunglasses can give 100 per cent protection from the ultraviolet sunrays.

It is a misconception that the darker the colour of shades, the better the lens. Vision specialists say that grey or brown lenses are best suited for everyday activities, since these block bright light without affecting the perception of a colour.

There is no doubt that the quality of the sunglasses is paramount. Apart from making you look stylish, top brands lay emphasis on features that protect the eyes. And more the number of features in a sunglass, the more expensive it is. Those who value both quality and style are not deterred by the high prices. Sunglasses must help you make a style statement, without compromising on protection.