I was never a big fan of “designer” sunglasses. But that was before wayfarers suddenly looked fresh again. And Linda Farrow began reissuing vintage classics, as well as teaming up with new, exciting designers like The Row and Alexander Wang. And before I really learned to appreciate Persols. And Supers. And oh, long before Karen Walker.
These days, I’m pretty much a sunglasses whore. I love them. I match them to my outfits. I don’t own as many pairs as I’d like to, and right now I really, really need a pair of big, black cat eyes.
But after my most recent purchase–more than I’ve ever spent on sunnies–I’m feeling a bit anxious. The glasses–as stylish, chic, and lovely as they are–offer no protection. Well, at least they don’t feel like they do. I walk outside and I need to squint behind my sunglasses. I walk inside and I have no need to take them off–I can see perfectly.
This is where my practical side comes in. Why, if these are 50 times more expensive than the pair I bought H&M, do my cheapo sunnies feel like they’re working harder?
Because they might be. It all comes down to UV protection. MY H&M pair is labeled “100% UV protection.” The pricier style? There’s no record of UV on the glasses or on the case.
So be warned. Those sunnies may be aesthetically ideal, but they’re quite possibly useless. Me? I’m wearing my adorable-but-dangerous pair on gray days only.
Read more from our Sunglasses Special Report:
Our Favorite Sunglasses of the Season
I Need, I Want, I Have To Have: Shuron’s “Freeway” Sunglasses (Or Moscot’s “Nebb”…I’m Torn)
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Do $500 Sunglasses Protect Your Eyes Better Than a $5 Pair? Maybe ...
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Vintage Aviator Sunglasses | BlogSDN Articles
Vintage Aviator Sunglasses
These days the hottest shades for men and women alike are vintage aviator sunglasses. Nothing beats that old school aviator look and the bigger the better. Most fashions don’t last more than a year or two but aviators still stand as reigning champion in the sunglasses arena. Not only have they lasted more than a couple years, they’ve lasted decades. Not only have they been around longer than most fashions, anyone can wear them and look cool. There are so many different styles that everyone can wear them and still stand out from the rest of the crowd.
Whether you are going for cheap sunglasses or high priced designer sunglasses, aviators are always your best bet. I usually lean towards the cheap side because I tend to lose or break some, and I always like to have more than one pair. The big mirrored aviators are the best for being out and about in the sun. Not only do they look cool, but man are they dark! You can almost look directly into the sun when wearing a pair(but I don’t recommend it!). The second pair I always keep around isn’t quite so dark, so that you can still have that vintage aviator look while indoors at the mall or a party. With so many different options from large to small, gold frame to plastic frames, you can find the perfect pair of aviators to fit your every style and stand out from the crowd, even if the rest of the crowd is following the same trend.
So do yourself a favor, buy a pair of vintage aviator sunglasses. Shop around, check out different styles and prices, you may even strike a good deal and snatch a pair for as low as five dollars. Stay cool people.
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Flying Car Gets FAA Approval
It's a two-seater. Front-wheel-drive. Gets about 30 mpg on the highway. But give it a third of a mile of straight asphalt in front of it, and it really flies.
Of course, you have to unfold the wings first.
The Federal Aviation Administration has just removed a major hurdle from the path of a vehicle that may well be the first commercially viable flying car. The agency has agreed to classify the Terrafugia Transition as a Light Sport Aircraft, even though the vehicle is 120 pounds too heavy to qualify for that class.
The move is crucial to the Transition's chances in the marketplace, because buyers need only 20 hours of flight time (just five of it solo) to qualify for a license to fly a Light Sport Aircraft. Had the agency insisted the Transition was a larger plane, those interested in the flying car would have needed more than double the training time, medical certification, night-time training and more, in order to qualify to fly it. The lower the bar is for potential buyers, the more realistic the Transition becomes for many.
Terrafugia insists the Transition is not a "flying car," but rather a "roadable aircraft." The company's website says the vehicle "is not designed to replace anyone's car." It can, however, reach highway speeds on the ground, and fit in a standard parking space and garage. And, though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hasn't gotten its hands on the Transition yet, it is designed to meet federal auto safety standards. That FAA exemption, in fact, was needed because of the weight of the crumple zones, airbags and other safety systems needed to make the Transition street legal as a car.
It has a flying range of over 400 miles, and in the air, can reach 115 mph. The Transition is designed to land at small civil airports -- and the company says that most Americans live within a 30-mile drive of a civil airport. So while it might not yet be possible to get stuck in traffic and decide to fly to work instead, the Transition could be a realistic road-trip alternative for some people.
Interested? You'll need to set down a $10,000 deposit to reserve your George Jetson-mobile today. And then you'll need to start saving. The final price is estimated at $194,000, though it's subject to change.