Sunglasses to Shield the Sun in Style

Think about it: Shading your eyeballs from the sun is kind of a no-brainer, but chances are that while you're carefully curating your next-day outfit, the last thing you're thinking about is what kind of fashion statement you're making with your sunglasses. Well, it's time to prioritize your style goals. Sunnies, after all, are your "most important commuter accessory," according to E! Style Collective style expert Lindsay Albanese.

Need proof? Take a glance at head-turners like Raven-Symoné and Gigi Hadid who top off even the most basic of T-shirt and jeans combos with "over-the-top statement shades that are all about dressing for the element of impact," said Lindsay.

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Sunglasses are an essential and very practical element in your wardrobe, and unlike a trendy top or skirt that won't get much mileage, you can pick a flamboyant pair and re-wear them day after day without getting tired of them. "You don't have to consider dress codes or anything like that, so all fashion rules go out the window," insisted Lindsay.

If this is your first foray into statement sunnies territory, "dip your toes in the trend by going with a mirrored lens or a clear frame in a classic retro shape like the cat-eye or wayfarer, easing your way into the more artistic, obscure versions."

For veteran shady ladies, challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and opt for an intermediate style—something that's a little bolder than just a reflective lens, like an out-of-the-box shape or a festive pattern.

Fashion risk-takers in the advanced category know that "the purpose of statement shades is to be artistic and to make an impression," said Lindsay. At this level, candy-colored frames in asymmetrical shapes might seem a bit over the top, but, hey, isn't that the point?

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Regardless of how out-there you want to go, Lindsay assured us that no style is "too much" and that "the only rule in the sunglasses equation is that you have to have the confidence to wear them." Luckily, with no hard-and-fast rules to follow, upgrading your look in one simple step is a cinch.

Protect your eyes from UV rays

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Sunglasses are the perfect summer accessory. But fashion aside, they should also protect your eyes.

At Portland’s Casey Eye Institute Dr. John Clements said 80% of UV light damage happens before your 18th birthday.

“There is a cumulative effect of UV light damage throughout a person’s life,” Dr. Clements explained. “So those years during childhood, those count toward later in life developing UV light-related damage.”

Dr. Clements said the sun’s UV radiation can cause cataracts, cancer and even growths on your eyes.

“If untreated, these can grow and if it’s on the surface of the eye, it can actually protrude off the surface of the eye and inhibit the eye from closing,” he said. “That can be intensely irritating.”

According to Dr. Clements, you should always take precautions if you know you’re going to be in the sun. He recommends children as young as toddlers start wearing sunglasses.

“I have pictures of my 18-month-old wearing sunglasses around,” Dr. Clements said.

There are currently no federal sunglass requirements regarding UV protection. According to reports from the American Optometric Association, many sunglass labels can be misleading.

“I don’t know how you can easily distinguish a counterfeit pair of sunglasses from a sunglass that is truly 100% UV blocking,” Dr. Clements said. “If the sticker says 100% UV blocking, that’s a very good start.”

Dr. Clements said price isn’t necessarily a gauge for good eye protection, either. He recommends a pair in his hospital’s showroom that goes for $155 and comes polarized to combat reflective glare.

“It’s difficult to recommend extremely cheap sunglasses because we don’t know necessarily about their manufacture process or the authenticity,” he said. “But certainly, some type of sunglass is better than none.”


Dr. Clements also said not to be fooled into thinking dark-colored lenses offer more protection. Actual UV protection is clear-coated and not visible to the eye.

Taylor Swift Thrills London

The weather in Great Britain is known to be completely atrocious for three out of four seasons, so after spring has sprung and things start heating up, there’s an unquenchable desire to celebrate the simple things – like wearing t-shirts and shorts whilst enjoying an ice cream simultaneously.

British Summer Time, or BST as it’s fondly known, is now in its third year following two successful runs after the grounds were monopolized for the 2012 Olympic Games festivities. The Strokes, Blur, and Kylie Minogue have all headlined their own respective days of this almost fortnight-long festival, but only tonight’s headliner Ms. Taylor Swift, has completely sold it out; and weeks in advance at that. After all, she’s one of the biggest pop stars in the world, this is the first time she’ll debut her 1989 tour in the English capital, and in her spare time she wins battles with gargantuan corporations like Apple.

The demographic of a Taylor Swift fan is a curious thing. The women to men ratio is exactly what you’d imagine: women. Mainly. Yummy mummies with their pampered children, single young professionals with their friends and an almighty plethora of pre-pubescent teenage girls. ‘Taylor Swift’ is painted on various faces and limbs, lovingly handmade banners are held, coloured fairly lights are sewn into both clothing and signs, there’s a sea of official merchandise from this tour and those previous and even a smattering of official “TS” cheerleader outfits from the “Shake It Off” video. It’s an impressive army by anyone’s standards indeed.

Swift eagerly takes to the stage a full 15 minutes earlier than scheduled. It’s somewhat poignant that in Hyde Park, the piece of land that Central Park was modelled on, she begins with “Welcome to New York”. Above her signature smiling red lipstick, sunglasses adorn her giddy face and she dances up a storm in a sparkly green bomber jacket over a high-waisted purple skater skirt and a modest black bra top with shimmery black ankle boots. When the opening song wraps she animatedly pulls off her shades. Cue her predictable shocked face. But it’s not annoying anymore, it’s an intrinsic part of her image and right now, it’s fairly charming.

She launches into “New Romantics”, one of the bonus tracks from the deluxe edition of1989, followed by her high-charting single “Blank Space” which see dancers each pushing large mobile frames out onto the catwalk for Swift to weave in and out of, drawing symmetry to the music video whilst menacingly wielding a golf club.

Next is the track that arguably catapulted her to global superstardom, the crushing heartbreak anthem “I Knew You Were Trouble” from the Red album. The poppy Max Martin-produced single is almost unrecognisable when it begins. Swift slumps down onto the catwalk, sitting back to back with a male dancer, beads of sweat now visible on her brow as she sings the track darkly, multiple octaves lower and over minimal instrumentation. So sombre and resonating, that it’s almost gothic.

In between songs Swift could almost give Kanye West a run for his money with her monologues about love and self-worth. The main difference is that they aren’t focused on her; they’re focused on sending waves of motivation and positivity to her fans.Loud drops of rain pour from the stage screens and a graphic of a large bridge is prominent whilst male dancers in grey suits and bowler hats, twirl with transparent umbrellas. Swift emerges in a pink crop top and matching pink ‘50s diner skirt, both flash LED lights as she sweetly performs “I Wish You Would” and “How You Get the Girl”.

She follows with by far her raciest number yet, a white sweetheart tube top with white short shorts with over-the-knee black boots that evolve into black suspenders. Providing the entertainment at the annual Victoria’s Secrets shows in New York in 2013 and London in 2014 has clearly rubbed off on Swift, because now not only does she ooze kink and sex-appeal, but she can really strut those seemingly never-ending pins. Which are insured for a cool 40 million dollars.

The catwalk breaks away from the stage to extend and rise over the audience, slowly moving in a semi-circle while Swift’s acoustic guitar gently weeps bonus track “You Are in Love” and the crowd sing backing lyrics upon her instruction. To showcase her multi-instrumentalist talents, she then plays a keyboard and reworks “Love Story”, one of the hits from her second album “Fearless’” to keep it consistent with the sound of 1989. An inspired choice, and throwing an older song into tonight’s set not only shows a tangible division between old and new fans, but also that Swift hasn’t forgotten her country music roots.

Clad in an unforgivingly tight leather catsuit, she performs “Bad Blood”. Swift lays, slides and purrs on thick slabs of rectangular glass, which are moved around the stage by her dancers in representation to the music video minus the rap.

Trends In Sunglasses For Summer 2015

So where are your perfect set of sunglasses for the summer? If you haven't bought a pair yet, then great! You'll be happy to go shopping once you're equipped with our tips on how to pick the right pair.
Sure we all love a pair of Gucci, Prada or Chanel frames, but just because they're a designer set, doesn't mean you're all set to stay safe in the sun. And the same goes for that favorite affordable find. The struggle to look stylish and still protect your eyes is real! Leave it to ophthalmologist Dr. Mirwat Sami to help us find a balance between looking hot and being healthy.
Skip the skinny chic shades. We hate to be size queens, but size does matter when choosing the right pair of sunglasses. This is welcome news for anyone looking to rock the big, bold cat-eye frames trend! Dr. Sami says your sunglasses should ideally cover the sides of your eyes to stop stray light from entering.
So this summer, go big or go home! "Wraparound lenses are best, but if that's not an appealing style, look for close-fitting glasses with wide lenses. Avoid models with smaller ones, like the John Lennon style frames," Dr. Sami suggested.
Rock your own retro pair! Who says you even have to buy a new pair of sunglasses this summer? If you already have a favorite set, but don't know what kind of protection they offer, ask your local eye-wear store if they have a UV meter.
Skip the trends and reuse your old pair, so long as they're safe. "A UV meter can measure the UV protection of your glasses and help you determine whether you should buy a new pair," Dr. Sami said. "Most opticians have such a meter and can do this very easily," the pro added.
Which sunglasses trend are you loving? Tell us with a note below and look out for the 4 essential features every pair of shades must have, coming soon!

10 sunglasses myths that may be hurting your family's vision

From the Blues Brothers to Tom Cruise in Risky Business, sunglasses have become an iconic American emblem of style and attitude. Yet wearing sunglasses isn't just about looking "cool"; beyond the fashion statement, there are compelling health reasons for you and your family to don a pair of shades. So why do we see so many parents and kids outside, in the bright sunlight, not wearing sunglasses? Most likely, it has to do with a lack of information about ultraviolet (UV) rays, sunglasses and eye health. To help solve this, let us explore 10 myths surrounding these topics, and how you can help your family — and yourself — stay informed and healthy. 1. "Sunglasses are just for looks."
Yes, sunglasses can add a certain "cool factor" to your ensemble, but the true value of sunglass use lies in its protective qualities. In particular, high-quality sunglasses will protect your and your kids' eyes from the devastating effects of prolonged exposure to the sun's UV rays. This is significant because this exposure can eventually cause serious eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
2. "The only time to wear sunglasses is when it's sunny outside."
UV rays can be equally present and harmful on cloudy days as they would be on a sunny day. Indeed, it is entirely possible for the sun's rays to do maximum damage when it's raining or when the sun is setting. For this reason, adults and kids should wear sunglasses whenever they're outdoors and the sun is out, even if it's not hot outside or is cloudy.
3. "Sunglasses are just for grown-ups."
Whether they're playing outside at recess, hanging out at the bus stop or just enjoying a relaxing Sunday in the backyard, it's a fact that children spend more time exposed to the sun than adults do. Wherever they may soak up the sun, kids need eye protection from UV rays — and they won't have that protection unless you teach them not only to carry sunglasses with them, but to wear them each and every time their eyes are exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time.
4. "All shades offer 100 percent UV protection nowadays."
Any bona fide pair of sunglasses will offer a certain measure of protection, but not necessarily 100 percent UV protection, so check the label to see if you're getting full or only partial protection. Even worse, there are other types of shades that resemble bona fide sunglasses but aren't the real deal. They have impressive-sounding names like "sun blockers" or "polarized glasses," but the best policy for you and your kids is: No 100 percent UV protection, no purchase. Period.
5. "The labels on sunglasses are always accurate."
Unfortunately this is not the case, as it has been reported that some sunglasses have been inaccurately labeled. This is not to say that labels can never be trusted, but when in doubt, stick to sunglasses produced by reputable manufacturers and sold from a well-regarded source.
6. "Having a darker tint means better protection from sunlight."
There is no correlation between lens darkness and amount of UV protection, so don't be tricked into thinking that the best sunglasses are the darkest ones. And dark sunglasses without sufficient UV protection can actually be quite harmful for you and your children, as the dark tint can cause one's pupils to dilate, thereby exposing them further to the effects of sunlight. Consequently, your best bet is to focus more on full UV protection than lens color.
7. "My sunglasses say they're polarized, so I'm definitely protected."
Actually, polarization merely means that the lenses may reduce glare, and this has no relation to UV protection. Having polarized sunglasses is a nice feature, but it's not essential to long-term ocular health. What is essential is that your shades provide full protection from the potentially harmful effects of the sun's UV rays.
8. "High-end sunglasses aren't worth it."
A really good pair of sunglasses is a worthwhile investment in your family's eye health. High-end sunglasses undergo rigorous testing and normally have lifetime warranties from the manufacturer, and have a frame sturdy enough to have an optometrist add high-end sunglass prescription lenses. Low-end sunglasses may have the UV protection but not the other benefits.
9. "The style and size of the lenses don't matter, as long as they provide 100 percent UV protection."
It's great if your sunglasses offer 100 percent protection from UV rays, but the size and style of the lenses are also significant protective factors. Small lenses provide less eye protection than larger ones because they permit more sunlight to enter; if the lenses rest a far distance from the eyes, then there's even less protection. Thus, you might consider choosing larger lenses that wrap fully around the eyes, protecting them from angles that smaller lenses wouldn't.
10. "I lose or break my sunglasses all the time, so there's no point wearing them."
Interestingly, it has been reported that 14 percent of respondents in a study use that very excuse: They don't wear sunglasses because they're constantly losing or breaking them. Undoubtedly, kids are just as liable to break or lose sunglasses as adults, if not more so. Nonetheless, if we weigh the cost of buying new shades versus the cost of poor eye health, there's really no excuse to not wear sunglasses.
Now that we've debunked the myths surrounding sunglasses, the only thing left to do is get some high-quality shades for you and your family. With the right knowledge and good habits in place, it's not difficult to leverage the protective power of a good pair of sunglasses. There's no doubt about it: Sunglasses make it "cool" to protect your family's eyesight.

Sony aims to outdo Google Glass with SmartEyeglass smart glasses

Google may have gone back to the drawing board for a rethink of its Glass smart eyewear, but rivals are pressing on with their plans – including Sony, which has made its SmartEyeglass gadget available to pre-order in the UK and Germany.
Described as a “developer edition”, the SED-E1 eyewear will cost £620 when it goes on sale in March, at which point it will also be available in eight other countries. However, a version for non-developers won’t go on sale until 2016 at the earliest.
Sony is keen for developers to get their hands on (or, rather, eyeballs in) the glasses so they can start developing apps. The pre-order announcement was accompanied by the launch of a software development kit for SmartEyeglass, and a companion app released through Android’s Google Play store.
Sony’s device works differently to Google’s. Instead of a tiny display built into the frame of the glasses, it displays information across its “augmented reality lenses”, while promising not to obscure the wearer’s vision.
The SmartEyeglass includes motion and brightness sensors, a microphone and a three-megapixel camera. It ships with a handheld controller that connects to the glasses via cable, and it will also pair wirelessly with smartphones.
Sony’s claimed battery life of around 150 minutes when not using the camera or 80 minutes when using it shows the early nature of the product, as does the controller cable and the somewhat functional design.
The company appears to be in two minds about the likeliest target market for the SmartEyeglass. When the device was shown at the CES in January, the focus seemed to be professional uses, from warehouses and factories to medical and firefighting scenarios.
In its blog post announcing the pre-orders, though, Sony notes that when the device launches in March, there will be apps for consumer uses including Twitter, Facebook and Gmail. The SmartEyeglass product page also highlights sports viewing and tourism as potential uses.
SmartEyeglass isn’t Sony’s only product in the smart eyewear category. Also at CES, the company talked about its plans for an “attachable single-lens display module” designed to clip on to various non-smart glasses, with plans to start mass-producing them within a year.
Sony’s push into the smart eyewear market comes shortly after Google stopped producing Google Glass in its present form, moving its team out of the Google X incubator labs to become a separate division within the company. Google has since described the move as a chance for the Glass team to “reset” its strategy.