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The coloured gaze

People no longer wear shades just to protect their eyes from the sun. Sunglasses are sported as a major style statement

PHOTO: AFP

Looking glass The perfect fashion accessory

Come summer and everyone feels the need to purchase a pair of shades. While the scorching heat is one of the reasons to wear them, sunglasses are also worn as a style statement. Gone are the days when one spotted bikers sporting shades or middle-aged women with those doughnut shaped goggles (retro rocks!). Shades have now become more of a fashion statement and teenagers are going all out to show what is hot and what is not this season.

While larger sunglasses are popular, there are some like Niharika J., a housewife, who still prefer the conventional “just the right size” pair although this trend is most definitely on its way out.

According to Divya Nayak of Titan: “Plastic rims are generally preferred over the metallic ones.” Though there are more takers for branded sunglasses, unbranded ones have buyers too, considering the fact that many tourists on a short visit to the city, would rather not splurge on a pair of expensive shades.

As far as colour is concerned, pink, bottle green and red seem to be the favourites. Vidya of Anglo American Opticals, off Commercial Street, points out that “darker coloured” shades are quite popular among college goers. “Sunglasses accessorise one’s outfit as well as redefines one’s attitude,” opines Neha Ranbhise, a student.

The most important feature of latest collections of sunglasses is that they are polarised in addition to providing 100 per cent protection against UV rays.

Even opticians recommend the use of such sunglasses as they ensure proper eye care. However, one cannot ignore the fact that “style matters” as Mala of Eye Optics puts it. Therefore, looks play a greater role in comparison to the other features a pair of shades possesses. With the launch of new brands and ranges of eye gear in existing brands, sunglasses come at a rather high cost. “As long as one finds the right pair of shades, one does not mind spending a huge sum on the same,” asserts Ramesh, Manager of an optical showroom in Kammannahalli. There are a myriad of choices as almost all showrooms display all the leading brands.

While shopping for a pair of shades, the customer must be mindful of the comfort factor as well as the style he wishes to wear. “Face shapes are key factors in determining the kind of sunglasses that will suit one’s face,” says Amita, a designer.

While rectangular frames suit an oblong face, oval rims are suggested for those with a round face. Hexagonal sunglasses go best with a triangular face cut.

Smaller faces look better with smaller shades, although current trends would suggest otherwise.

The most important thing that one must bear in mind is that fashion is an index that measures what looks best, but considering the tyrannical aspect of fashion, one must not be bound by its shackles.

NEETI SARKAR
RACHITA SETHI

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