It’s that time of the month again where Cindy, Sarah and I bring you something new to consider in the world of style and today its glasses. Springtime is here and it’s a good time to reassess our sunglass choices, and also see what’s new out there as well. As long as we are talking glasses, well who doesn’t need at good pair of readers after age 45? I’ve got options for both and even some sunglass/readers!
First of all, let’s look at some of the trends happening now.. White frames are big, like these Celine ones above. Metal squared and octagonal looks are another trend, as are square versions of the wayfarer shape like these on Marion Cotillard, (some similar styles below.)
If you’re close to my age, you likely know what sunglass shape looks best on your face. I know I look best in Wayfarer glasses. I have kind of an oval longish face and they have been the most flattering on me.
I’ve been wearing some version of these iconic glasses since high school. I’ve replaced many pairs over the years, but I’m pretty wedded to the black polarized New Wayfarer which looks great on almost everyone. I always buy mine from the Ray-Ban site and they come perfect, new and untouched.
Wayfarers have a long history of being the favored choice of style icons like JFK, Blondie, Rick Astley, ( I want to attach the video here LOL), and Madonna. The Wikipedia on Wayfarers is so interesting and tells how they came about and that they were considered ‘dangerous’ looking and very ahead of their time, being made in plastic.
My dad even wore them on his honeymoon with my mom in 1964. Here they are on their way to Catalina Island on a boat. I think they both look so cool here.
Polarized vs UV Protection Lenses
You need UV protection on any glasses you wear. The addition of polarization is smart choice as it cuts down hugely on glare, prevents squinting (i.e. wrinkles later), and your vision is much clearer with it. It’s especially important for those who drive a lot, or are on the water often, to have it. Let’s be frank though, in California we can all really use it, and some decent sunglasses, we get so much sun.
My Wayfarers with the polarization are great for tennis. I chatted with an ophthalmologist in Hawaii on my last trip there who told me she recommends Ray-Ban Wayfarers to all her clients as they protect the eyes better than any other sunglasses out there, so that made me feel good. Most people wear standard size Wayfarers, but if your face is tiny or you’re a young person, small is an option. A size chart for them on the Ray-Ban site.
You need to check out the entire site as there are more Wayfarer versions than you can imagine, but Ray-Ban has another new popular wayfarer called the Meteor. I especially like the Havana tone. I try to get a new pair of sunglasses every year to add to my collection, and these are next on my list…
I also love the polarized take on the wayfarer by Maui Jim called Shore Break. These are also an excellent brand. The color options are pretty..
Aviator style sunglasses are hugely popular and look great on everyone, but you must choose ones that flatter and they do differ.
My friend April can wear the more teardrop shape and had these pretty black and gold ones on when we met for coffee. I asked her if I could snap a photo because she looked so chic with her gold chains and the black aviators with gold accents.
Hers are by Ray-Ban here. I loved her whole look! You may remember she used to write the blog, Ms B in the Bay Area, and we hosted a few Trina Turk events together.
I look better in a more rounded aviator and these by Burberry fit the bill. I owned these same glasses about 12 years ago and wore them until they fell apart after years of wear. I was excited when I found that they still sell them at The Sunglass Hut. Apparently they are their all-time most popular aviators. I love the weight and lenses which are polarized.
Ray Ban also has a more rounded aviator slightly less pricey and it comes in gold with brown lenses, gunmetal or green lenses..
How do you read on holiday? If you’re on a vacation in the sun, you need readers that are also sunglasses. I have a pair of Eyebob sunglass readers I bought years ago and they are still the first thing I make sure to pack with my reading materials when I’m headed to Hawaii or anyplace sunny. I’ve had this pair 6 years now, here I am in Italy with mine..
The nice thing about the Eyebobs is you choose the style and then the lenses and the magnification. I love the beautifully custom crafted lenses. They are bifocal sort so you can walk around with them and then on a lounge chair read without anyone knowing you’ve got readers on. They aren’t cheap, but worth having a nice pair for travel and for the beach and pool. I like these two styles..both linked on photos.
Have you heard of Caddis Readers? They have a sort of cult following. They also have a good selection of chic sunglass readers, like the Porgy below. They are also progressives so you can walk around with them when you’re not reading.
They are very well made. I have their regular reader in the Miklos style and I love them. They are oversized and a bit heavier than a normal reader. They also have blue light blocking built in. Mine are in matte gopher color and I’d love another pair in the light blue or cream. These are unisex and anyone would look good in them if you like oversized.
Other options at lower cost are these $68 Kate Spade Readers, These $40 clear frames by The Book Club and these. The Book Club brand has a lot of cool choices for great prices.
Well, that’s my two cents on glasses. Please go see what my lovely pals have for you in the glasses realm today on their blogs. I always love what they share..
Thanks for being here!
Kim
You might also like last month’s Signature Style post on Leopard in your Wardrobe.
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You girls are getting me in so much trouble!! I love those Caddis glasses! When I saw you wearing those in your new office I thought they looked so fabulous on you. So many good sources and ideas here. I should be working and all I want to do is shop!!
Cindy you will like them I think. The lenses are excellent! You don’t want to wear any others. I loved your post and as usual so many great things too! xx
Oh my goodness! I’m sold! The caddis miklos are next on my list! Love these on you!
Sarah I loved the ones you have too. I think I need another pair. Thanks for writing more about their blue light technology. I had no idea they were so superior! Good to know. xx
Oh, Kim … where to start?! Your parents!!! Tres chic. Now we know where you get your incredible style. I love the classic Wayfarer but don’t wear this style. I wonder if I tried it and it didn’t work for me … time to try again. I love an aviator and have the Burberry version. They’re great because they don’t sit directly on my face like some do … andit drives me nuts. Love your readers with sun protection. I need these. But, I ordered the Miklos straight readers in turtle … time to upgrade from my drug store readers. This is a post I’m going to save … such great info. And if I ever go on vacation again I’m going to get a pair of the sun/readers too. xo
Thanks Juliet! I treasure that picture. I have it framed. You look so good in aviators. Let me know what you think of the Miklos. The turtle is so pretty. I think you’ll love the blue light blocking technology, since we are all on our computers at night! xoxo
I have NO IDEA who makes my glasses!
I have prescription and BLUE LIGHT which I hear is a MARKETING SCAM!
I cannot see distance but saw far NO READERS…………….
I think you look GREAT in all these styles!
How do you keep your desk so neat?
I have photos and notes everywhere!
Well done here……………..off to shop your glasses!
XOXO
Thanks so much Elizabeth. Well, I don’t know if it’s a scam. but for myself I work late at night and these Caddis ones actually do seem to help. I can go right to sleep, which didn’t always happen before. Apparently these have the blue blocking built-in unlike the others which are a coating. The lenses on the Caddis are far superior to others and extra clear. That is amazing you don’t need readers. Max is the same! He also can’t see far.
I have little baskets on my bookshelf with all my junk! LOL. xo
Trouble ahead! Time to shop for new glasses after reading you and Cindy. I never needed readers, only glasses for distance, until I had Lasix done on one eye a couple of years ago and it robbed me of good close up (wish I had never done it). But now that I’m like all the other “old” people, I need them for everything! Such good links to follow up with so thanks for the inspo and sources for getting something other than drugstore. You look great in the Wayfarers, Kim.
Hi Wren! I have heard that about Lasix! Well, I hope you find something that will work. I know I have $10 readers and these.. You can never have enough right? I have my favorites though. Aww thanks Wren I think they are pretty flattering on most! xx
Hi Kim,
I’m finally catching up on my blog reading. This was such an informative post! You always research everything so well. I appreciate your efforts.
That pic of your parents, so nice! They did have California cool style!
I have my Dad’s regulation Ray Ban aviators, which were government issue when he flew in WWll. (My folks kept everything!!) They don’t fit me or they would be my glasses for all time. I’d like a pair of aviators though, and will consider your advice about shape and sizing. I’ve never been able to find the right pair, it might be easier now!
I love my Ray Ban Wayfarers, and of course you know about my current love affair with the slim temples on my Foster Grants from the drug store!
Xo Heidi
Heidi, What a wonderful thing to have your dad’s aviators. You must treasure them! You look so good in the brown Wayfarers, it’s making me want a pair of those too. You are the second person to tell me they love Foster Grants from the drug store too, so there must be something to them. Thanks for sharing that. xo
What a wonderful photograph of your parents. They are adorable, this photo is a treasure.
Thank you for sharing your wealth of information on readers, and sunglasses. I have been wearing progressive readers and sunglasses for ever. I just put in a new
prescription in my current Prada frames because they are so comfortable and I was not up to shopping for new frames. I try to keep my frames very light.. I think
your choices are excellent. Everything you shared makes so much sense to me. . I’ve always known that Ray Ban are good frames, thanks for that confirmation.
Thanks so much Katherine. I am so glad to have this photo. Thanks for the kind note! I hope it was helpful. I do think Ray-Bans are some of the best made.You’re so smart to keep the same frames and just get a new prescription when they are comfortable! I do think it’s nice when you get glasses that just seem to fit your face right? xo