#eyestyleOOTD

Shielding Yourself From The Elements

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The resurgence of shield style sunglasses is coming on strong. Full disclosure, when I saw shield sunglasses start to sneak into eyewear collections I was not initially prepared to re-accept the trend. It was a popular style nearly a decade ago when I started in the optical in and my first association is more Real Housewives of OC than fashion eyecessory must have. 

What is a shield sunglass? Simply put a pair of sunglasses that has a single lens forming the entire frame front. One fused lens piece made of plastic or polycarbonate that creates the frame shape and overall design of the sunglasses. 

There is always a pair of glasses that changes my mind and opens me up to adopting a new style into my collection. When it comes to embracing shield sunglasses it was the introduction to the limited edition capsule collection between Andy Wolf and PinqPonq that made me see shield sunglasses differently. 

But isn’t that why collaboration is so wonderful?!

Innovations we haven’t seen before are born when two brands come together to influence one another, conceiving something that represents them both, while creating something new. Andy Wolf and PinqPonq came together on their shared values of unique product design, high quality standards and a responsibility for the people and the environment in production. Thus the limited edition Andy Wolf and PinqPonq capsule collection was designed.

PinqPonq, is a German brand known for intelligently designed bags and accessories. PinqPonq distills the design of their bags into the cleanest function based fashion. Innovative in the utilitarian insides, simplistic outsides and 100% certified sustainable fabrication. The collaboration between Andy Wolf and PinqPonq has resulted in a first for Andy Wolf, a sportier aesthetic in two shapes of shield style sunglasses. 

Both the PINQ and PONQ sunglasses have a curved, single Zeiss lens that forms the entire frame front. It appears to be floating, mounted on an invisible metal base, connected to the back of the lens. A dark, solid “Polished Black” or lightly, flash mirrored and gradient brown “Tonal Khaki” lens creates the overall frame shape. 

Each style of sunglasses are colour co-ordinated and carried by PinqPonq bag. “BOKS” is a bag with purpose; a fanny pack consisting of three components: one bag for the glasses, one for personal belongings and a matching belt. They can be worn together or individually.  

When these designers fuse together the identity of each brand, the result is special pieces that integrate flawlessly into a modern urban wardrobe. A unisex sunglass that adapts from the ski slop to the streets, offering an unappologetic futuristic frame style. 

*Optician Option; I can’t help but fear the disappointment an avid eyeglasses wearer will feel when they find out that making a pair of shield sunglasses in a prescription simply isn’t an option (in 99% of cases). So you will definitely have to pop in your contacts to truly enjoy this eyestyle

Tortoiseshell & Turquoise

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There are some things that fit together so perfectly. 

It could be an unexpected pairing that just works, like kettle corn, salty and sweet or one thing that you cannot think of without the other, fall and pumpkin spice.

When I started working as an Optician nearly a decade ago, tortoiseshell frames with pops of turquoise were a popular color combination. Something that could have very well been a trend “du moment”, has instead withstood the test of time. Tortoiseshell and shades of turquoise, aqua and teal are a perfect pairing and an enduring color combination that is ever present and on trend season after season in eyewear.  The rich, neutral pattern of tortoise has depth and dimension, while the addition of teal or turquoise adds a colorful pop and visual interest.

Somethings also fit together perfectly in the physical sense. These cats eye frames by LAMARCA are a stunning example of that. A manufacturing marvel, the crisp lines between the different acetates in the Fusioni 68 are created by treating the frame like a puzzle.

The LAMARCA “Fusioni” frame collection is made using a complex and timely process.  Each piece of acetate is precisely pieced and bonded together with extreme care. Once the pieces have set the frame is shaped into the final product.  

My eye was immediately caught by this striking, large cats eye. The angular lines of this frame are perfectly offset with the soft swoop of the bridge, giving the frame a dramatic lift to enhance facial features. 

The “Fusioni 68” is comprised of four different types of acetate.

Semi translucent turquoise, with a geometric pattern and soft sparkle

A rich, dense, creamy acetate

Deep mahogany spots of tortoise pattern in a base of turquoise

Brown, amber with the occasional speckle of teal in the tortoiseshell of the temples

Combined together, all without being the least bit busy or overwhelming on the face of the wearer.

As fall beckons a wardrobe shift into neutral hues and darker colors, the “Fusioni 68”  frame compliments the pallet, adding a pop of color, while matching the earthy tones through the tortoiseshell.  The buttons on this trench coat, also tortoiseshell, inspired the choice of eyewear for my #eyestyleOOTD. With the creamy, khaki color of this classic trench coat, not too heavy in weight, a timeless wardrobe staple, created the perfect canvas for my glasses to take focus and resist the early fall chill in the air.   

Trench coat by H&M Sold Out (Similar Styles from: Mango & London Fog )

Leopard Boots by ASOS

Mirroring Last Summer

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Summertime always means I get to bring out my favorite denim shorts, sandals and sundresses. While I always find myself adding new sunglasses in preparation for the sunny season (any excuse right?!) for the second summer in a row I have had a staple pair of sunglasses in my eyeglass wardrobe, always in heavy rotation. These sunglasses have so many visual layers to them and are such a fabulous classic shape, that I have no doubt I will still be wearing next year as well. 

Round sunglasses are a must have eyeglass shape. I know I’ve said it before, but I have a saying “you have to kiss a lot of frogs”, meaning you have to be ready to try on lots of different round frames to find the one that suits you best. Yet when you find the perfect pair, you’ll be convinced! Round sunglasses are never a bad investment, while the shape might make a bigger splash some seasons more than others, it’s a frame design that never goes out of style.

The VENDOME by Etnia Barcelona is a pretty round shape made in metal with adjustable nosepads. Clean and simple, with a bridge design set a little lower than the average round frame, which is good because it prevents the illusion of the “saggy face” that some high bridge round frames cause.

The visual layers of this frame come from all the different colors and textures that it holds. At first you might only notice the flamingo pink mirrored lenses, but the actual frame deserves a closer look. The overall physique of the sunglasses is finished in brushed gold, a soft shade that has a rosy hue. Visible only on the temples, bridge and interior of the frame because the lens surround is painted in a soft shade of baby blue. I think it’s an unexpected color match with the vivid pink of the lenses, but one that is very pleasing.

Full disclosure, I am a girly girl and I simply could not resist these pink sunglasses. The mirrored lenses is what makes these frames impossible to ignore and so magnificent. Wearing these sunglasses you will see flawlessly through Barberini mineral crystal glass lenses, the Rolls Royce of glass sun lenses. These ones are even photochromatic, so they go from a tinted lens to a darker tint in bright sun. From the outside looking in these sunglasses are so eye catching. The unique color of Flamingo pink on the mirror coating is one that is unique to Etnia Barcelona. It’s a bright, iridescent and playful color that matches well with bright colors or neutrals. 

To put together a perfect summer #eyestyleOOTD I decided to let the bold pink mirror of the sunglasses shine and wore them with a chambray denim jumpsuit by Forever21. The light denim was a perfect match to the light blue color of the lens surround.  I kept the sunglasses the focal point by keeping my accessories in pallet of natural tones with lots of texture to balance the plain chambray of the jumpsuit. Playing off the round shape of the glasses I picked a round, rope finished purse by Zara.

The mirrored sunglass trend shows no sign of slowing down and if you don’t have a pair or two (or three or four) in your collection your missing out on a great eyestyle.