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Who can forget the classic opening of
Breakfast at Tiffany’s where Audrey Hepburn’s character Holly
Golightly gets off a cab onto an unusually empty New York sidewalk,
saunters towards a shop’s window, gingerly opens the paper bag she’s
holding, takes out a pastry and a steaming cup of coffee, and has
her breakfast right there?
Certainly nary a soul who has seen this classic Hepburn film can
fail to remember.
But those are not the elements of the film’s mise-en-scène that are
the most striking. Rather, it is what the legendary Ms. Hepburn was
dressed in–an elegant black gown by the renowned Hubert de Givenchy,
black opera gloves, and large Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. Through
those large sunglasses, she peered through the windows of the famous
Tiffany & Co. boutique on Fifth Avenue and wistfully pored over the
shop’s exquisite merchandise. Très chic!
 Speaking
of film and sunglasses, does the Matrix trilogy strike a chord? The
film’s black-clad characters played by Keanu Reeves, Samuel L.
Jackson and Carrie-Anne Moss sported the heavily tinted eyewear as
they went on a mission to free all humans from the simulated reality
they lived in. So famous is their look that Moss, who played
Trinity, has been quoted saying, “After the Matrix, I cannot wear
sunglasses. As soon as I put them on, people recognize me.”
Contrary to what Ms. Moss said, however, is the utmost importance of
wearing sunglasses as these protect the eyes from damage against the
sun’s intense light, particularly during the season when the sun’s
light is at its peak: SUMMER.
Aside from that, you should always take into account that the sun’s
rays are strongest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The light emanating from the sun comes in different forms, but the
greater risk of damage to the eyes comes from absorbing ultraviolet
radiation or UV rays.
UV rays that reach the Earth’s surface come in two forms: UVA and
UVB. Both may cause diseases that affect the eyes; however,
sensitivity to UV rays varies from one person to the next.
Besides the problem of UV rays, sunglasses also address other health
concerns. For example, if you have very sensitive eyes, you may have
to wear sunglasses that filter a large portion of light.
And more than attending to health considerations, sunglasses are
also exceptionally useful as safety devices. For instance, when you
are driving in bright sunlight, it is much safer to wear sunglasses
as they reduce glare and allow you to be more visually aware of your
surroundings.
Having those problems said, it really does make sense to wear
sunglasses. So make sure that you purchase sunglasses that are
equipped with 100% UV protection and filters that reduce glare.
Sunglasses guaranteed to have UV protection usually carry a label
that lists the type and amount of protection. So do not attempt to
discern how much UV protection a pair of shades will provide by just
looking at their price, color or by the darkness of the lenses.
With regards to lenses, make sure that they are dark enough to keep
your eyes comfortable and do not downgrade your vision. You wouldn’t
want to be skittering around like the three blind mice.
With sunglasses, being healthy does not mean doing away with panache
and good taste. Sacrificing style for safety is fictional in the
world of sun spectacles. Making a fashion statement is something
sunglasses can do for absolutely anyone as it not only adds a little
something extra to any outfit but also establishes individual taste,
and ultimately, individuality. So no one should think badly of Willy
Wonka and his pair of perfectly round, white frames–the glasses make
the chocolate maker stand out like a sore thumb.
The witty Jack Nicholson attests to
tinted specs’ knack for bringing out one’s personality. “With my
sunglasses on, I’m Jack Nicholson. Without them, I’m fat and 60,” he
once said.
Tom Cruise is a Hollywood A-lister and superstar because of his
movies Risky Business, Top Gun, Jerry Maguire, and Mission
Impossible. In any of these films, he wore tinted eyewear that made
him be in character. Can you imagine Lt. Maverick Mitchell in Top
Gun beside his fighter plane without his aviators, and Ethan Hunt in
Mission Impossible not receiving his mission via hi-tech Oakley
sunglasses in the middle of the desert?
Clearly, sunglasses, sunnies, sun spectacles, shades, or whatever
you call them, have become a fashion icon.
This summer season, as in the previous one, it’s still all about
BIG. Think Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O, the Olsen twins and Nicole
Richie. Think 70s and thick, plastic frames. The bigger the frames,
the better the protection is as well. Also, think pilots and
consider aviator shades.
Styles range from the conservative (a la Jackie O) to the outrageous
(a la John Lennon), and come in a plethora of fabulous and delicious
colors. And with exotic materials being a trend this 2008, consider
getting a pair of tortoise shell frames.
But to look as chic and fashionable as the likes of Mary-Kate and
Ashley, you don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket. There is no
direct relationship between price and style, and between price and
protection. You can easily get a nice, cheap pair of shades in any
of the malls in the Metro.
So given the vast landscape of sunglasses available to everyone, you
can be rest assured that you’ll get a decent, stylish pair to
protect your windows to the soul.
Best of luck channeling Holly Golightly this season of fun under the
sun!
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