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Hot shades to cool

Sunglasses can make you look natty while protecting your eyes. Indulge in the range crowding store shelves, says Deepshikha Mehta

Through tinted glasses: An important accessory when it comes to the fashion scene photo: Rajiv Bhatt

"The moment I wear my sunglasses when out in the sun, the irritability and hurry dissipates. The effect is almost magical," says Payal Chauhan a visiting student from Delhi. Sunglasses provide a lovely respite from heat, add the natty touch to complete one's seasonal ensemble, protect eyes colour dull and drab reality and uplift one's spirits. "Sun glasses are an important part of one's ensemble today" says Preetika, a fashion designer. "There are glasses that go with suits, saris and western outfits and casual everyday wear," she says. It's not surprising that any shop, mall or super-mall that sells clothes also has an eye-popping collection of sunshades. Even brand names that are apparel labels have started their own line of sunglasses. Brands like Benetton, Wills Lifestyle and Polo have their own unique designs and colours of sunglasses. "That's because sunglasses are a rage nowadays," beams the manager of one of the popular brand outlets in the city. "Many of our customers who are loyal to the label want sunglasses in that particular brand as well."

"The majority of good quality sunglasses available in the market are Italian brands," says Mazher of Spects World, Nagarjuna Hills. These include Safilo, Carrera, Gucci, Ralph Lauren and Oxydo. Other international brands to look out for are Oakley, Pierre Cardin, Ralph Lauren and Christian Dior. These branded products offer UV rays protection, use superior material in manufacturing the sunshades and get you in sync with international trends. "These brands use high purity materials like polycarbonate and plutonite that give clarity and durability to the product," says Mazher. Where domestic brands like Fast-track cost anywhere between Rs. 600 to Rs. 1300, the international brands are priced higher with the lowest costing Rs. 2000. "But that doesn't stop even the students from picking up a Gucci as style statement is fast becoming a part of everyday life," says Anand, another retailer of sunglasses.

Sunglasses are an important accessory when it comes to the fashion scene. "Just pick up any label catalogue or tune in to the seasonal fashion shows and you will find a ubiquitous presence of sunshades," says Preetika. Reds, oranges, bright yellows, purples to gentler icy blues, greens, mauves and whites dapple the showcases of the outlets in the city. "Youngsters and sportspersons pick up bright colours with large thick shell frames being the taste of the season," says Mazher. Recent entrants namely rimless and semi-rim glasses are holding their popularity with female customers. "The regular metal and plastic frames have loyalists coming in and asking for their `regular' brand and type," says Mazher.

Transition lenses

For those with numbered glasses aspiring to wear a Gucci or Polo Sport, there is a trendy progressive solution called `transition lenses' which are fitted in the brand frame chosen by you. These glasses adjust to the light conditions by turning crystal clear indoors and dark in the bright sun. Renuka, a self-proclaimed computer freak loves the idea of Crizal coating on these transition lenses being offered in the market today. "Crizal coating helps to ward off unwanted reflection and glare that computer screens emit," says Renuka. Sunglasses protect the eyes from harmful UV radiation. "You could ask for sunglasses that provide UV (A, B, C) protection," says Mazher. "As one grows old prolonged exposure of eyes and the eyelids to the sun could be harmful," says Dr. Sumeeta Rao, an eye specialist. "Sunglasses are selling across ages," says Mazher. There is in fact a new range for kids launched by Ginni and Johnny. A plethora of sunshades in mind-boggling range is available on the Internet.

Where bingeing on mangoes takes the first spot in the list of delectable delights that summer offers, wearing sunglasses is not far behind. It's just the right time to go gung-ho about shades. So what are you waiting for?

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